Happy 1st Birthday, Abigail Joy!

Happy 1st Birthday to my darling daughter, Abigail Joy! 

In the past year, you have brought so much love into my life. I am proud to be your Mommy! I can't believe it was only a year ago that your daddy and I went to the hospital to bring you into this world. You were the most amazing gift I have ever received and while I was surprised that you were a girl, I couldn't imagine my life with anyone else but you. You have continued to surprise Daddy and me every single day in the ways you are growing and learning. Your awe and wonder of this world are amazing to see. You just can't get enough of the great outdoors. You have a tender heart and a thoughtful disposition. Your sense of humor is so fun! I love your silly games of peek-a-boo and the way you love to climb all over the couch cushions and roll down them. You bring joy and laughter to our little family. Abigail, Mommy could never put into words how special you are, how loved you are, how perfect to me you are, but know this: I love you with my whole heart and it is you who made me a mommy first. You will always be my little, baby girl and no matter where this big life takes you, I will love you and love you and love you with all that I am. In the words of Nancy Tillman:

"So if you're still my small babe,

Or you're all the way grown,

My promise to you is you're never alone.

You are my angel, my darling, my star

and my love will find you, wherever you are."

Happy Birthday, Baby Girl. 

Mommy loves you.

To The Moon And Back,

Mommy

The day you were born

6 months old

1 year old

Random Things

Well, a while ago AJ asked for a before and after picture of my "under the pine tree" area. I never got a "before" pic, but here is an after photo or two. I planted all ANNUALS...so next year i get to do it again. (what was i thinking?) it'll be nice to get some plants in there that are colorful AND perennials so i don't have to dig in the dirt all summer long again. Though, for the record, i did like doing it. It was just a lot...a LOT of work. aaaanyway, here's what it looks like. i think it's pretty!

So that's what i did early summer. In the fall i plan to split some more hostas and rearrange them on the front of my house and then give a bunch to the neighbors and help her get some nice "curb appeal" going on their place. She just married my neighbor and he didn't have anything for plants in his yard, but she and I plan to spruce the place up. We have more hostas than is probably healthy...so i'll share where there is a need. :)

Babs is getting big. Most of you, if not all of you, saw her on the 4th. You know what i mean. She's pushing down teeth and trying her darnedest to walk, but to no avail...yet. She'll be 1 year old in 11 days. I can't believe it. it all went so fast! She's still the love of my life. (Please, like she ever wouldn't be?!) I am truly grateful that i am able to be home with her and spend my days teaching her and watching her grow. Being a mom is the coolest (and hardest)  job in the world. really. it is the most amazing job in a way that only other moms can understand. AmIRight?! here's a few pictures of my peanut...and a couple videos. enjoy!

My Blue Eyes

Eatin Rhubarb

First Sun Fish with her new fishin pole from Gamma and Grampa E!

This is how we take a bath at the cabin!

Story time with Runey and Gamma

She really loves Grampa!

She's just a busy busy girl!

Playin in the pool. Wish we had a friend to play with!

Her new car! She is so glad when she rides on it!

Ok, that's all for now. I'm sure i'll have more to say after her birthday party! Hope to see you all there! (Cept Brie...we'll be thinking of you!) xoxoxox

Teefs

Bug a boo is pushing through her top two teeth recently. the one on the left is through and has been for a while, while the one on the right just recently ruptured through and is now beginning to push through. My poor girl is in a lot of discomfort. She drools so much and is so fussy lately. More recently, she's been waking up at night around 11pm, screaming until we pick her up. The only way we can calm her little heart is to hold her and rock. I would rock with her all night long if I could, but this momma needs to get some sleep too. Poor thing. I wish there was more I could do for her aside from tylenol, ibuprofen, teething tablets, and cuddling. She's just miserable. I guess it's all part of growing up. She's such a big girl now! 10 months and learning new things every day. I love her so much and I can't believe she'll be 1 year old in two months. time truly does go by too fast! Anyway...

I've been working on planting new plants underneath the row of pine trees at the edge of our yard. I'm sick of looking at all the dead pine needles, so I've planted some "snow on the mountain" as a ground cover. I added some pops of color with some impatiens and last night i started splitting and transplanting hostas to edge out the area. It's going to look nice when I'm done, but it's a lot of work. I really enjoy it though. I like seeing the plants thrive and grow in their new home knowing I planted them there and am taking care of them so they can live. It's different than caring for cats and a tiny human. It's cathartic. It's relaxing. It's just what I need these days. Life gets so busy with the wants and needs of others and I'm happy to serve them and be the love and support they need, but on occasion I'd like to take some time for me. If I don't look out for my wants and needs, who will? Planting a garden has been good therapy. I'm thankful I have been able to do it.

Ok, that's all for now. I don't have much else to say. I hope you are all well and I can't wait to see you again soon! xo - M

It's Been Some Time!

Hi Everyone!

Where do I even begin? It's been forever since I've posted anything on my blog, let alone updated you with photos and details about my baby girl! She's 8 months old now. That's pretty old! Here are a few things she does:

*Crawls
*Pulls herself up to standing
*Babbles
*Eats solids three times a day
*Drinks milk and water from a sippy cup
*Gives "Kisses"
*Bites Momma with her TWO BOTTOM TEETH
*Plays by herself
*Loves to shake her water bottle with colorful beads inside and other toys that jingle
*LOVES reading books
*Turns pages in her books by herself
*Smiles all the time
*Chases her kitties (it's how she learned to crawl)
*Makes her Daddy and me laugh
*"Gets it" when something is funny

And those are just a few of the things she's accomplished in the past 5 months since I documented her first roll. She's amazing. Every day she's amazing. My heart is full of love for her and I am forever changed because of her. I love her with everything that I am. I get it. I finally understand what every mom in the "Mom Club" knows. Motherhood is God's most precious (and terrifying) gift. I'm grateful for Him that he chose me to be Abigail's mommy. Here are a few photos of my baby girl. <3 p="">

Love you, Baby Girl.