Tuesday, May 1, 2012

ATL

What a wonderful weekend! We took Grace with us for our trip to Atlanta with our youth group. It was so much fun and she was perfect! She is so easy to travel with and really enjoys being around different people and seeing new things. We stopped at Papcito's in Atlanta for a delicious Mexican dinner! It was so good and the atmosphere is amazing. It was Matt's birthday, so the mariachi band sang "Sweet Home Alabama" to him. It was hilarious! Then we left and went shopping at Atlantic Station, which was a neat experience. We went into West Elm and fell in love with so many things.

Mothering

I've learned so much about God's grace and redeeming love from just being your mom. Each day I learn what grace truly is and pray that I can pour His grace out on you by the way I react and respond to you. I love you more than words can say. You can now say dadda and momma and they both melt my heart. I'm not sure you know who is who, but I will happily respond to dadda. You are crawling everywhere, and with such remarkable speed! You are totally fascinated with doors, water and Cheerios. Your taste buds are changing and things you once loved like sweet potatoes, no longer interest you. You really enjoy biscuits and gravy now. Also, guacamole, ice cream and refried beans with cheese. A girl after my own heart!

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

5 Months

Where do I even begin? You are doing so many new and exciting things! You've totally mastered the roll over and can do it whenever you like without my help. You seem to do a better job rolling on your right side, but I'm sure the left side will eventually be just as strong. You have also discovered your feet! It's so funny to watch you roll onto your back and stick your little legs in the air and grab your feet. I love it! You are so fascinated with your tiny toes and hands. You just stare at them trying to take it all in.

You love to blow bubbles, so all of the extra spit from teething doesn't go to waste :). You are now eating baby food! I'm making it all for you at home and you really love the bananas. You can really chow down! You don't really care for the applesauce, but in the spirit of variety I slip some into your bottle with your milk and you don't seem to even notice. You are doing a great job of sitting up for a few seconds at at time. You are still a little wobbly, but I think overall you are getting so much stronger! You love when Daddy holds you by your hands and you stand up and wiggle around. It looks like you are dancing and is so CUTE! We absolutely love to see your sweet smile, and you love flashing it! It doesn't take much to get a smile or a little giggle out of you. You especially like when I make funny noises at you or snort like a pig. I do it all the time for you, even in public. Anything for one of your gummy no teeth smiles. Although I don't think it will be long before a little tooth pops out on the top. You are constantly chewing on your hands, slobbering and wanting to put anything and everything into your mouth. You mostly like to sleep on your side now and are doing such a great job at night. We try to go to bed around 9:30 and you sleep until around 7! I love it. You wake up so sweet and happy. You are eating about 6-7 oz. every 2.5-3 hours, and supplementing that with about 1 baby food feeding each day. You like the baby food, but so much of it gets spit out when you eat. I think you are still working on the chewing and swallowing of it all. You are wearing sizes 9-12 and even some regular 12 month clothes. I can't believe how big you are getting! I love seeing your development, but have a hard time with how fast everything is flying by. You had your dedication service last Sunday and looked like a living doll. You wore a smocked dress with a beautiful smocked and ruffled bonnet. You behaved so well, too. I am just so proud of you and think you are the sweetest smartest girl around. I love you~

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Motherhood

The last three months of new motherhood have been so amazing. Every little moment with Grace Hartley has been etched into my heart with a pen of love. She has changed my heart, my life and my family in so many wonderful ways. Her little face is so precious and perfect. Her little hands and feet are just edible they are so sweet. Her little coos and sounds are heart melting. The way she smiles at me every single morning when she first wakes up is breathtaking. The way she snuggles up to me when she's ready to fall asleep. The way her little neck smells like milk and goodness makes me want to bottle that smell up and keep forever. The way her tiny little fingers grasped mine with such strength makes me never want to let go. The way her sparkling eyes light up every single time we go outside fills me with the same kind of wonder she has. The way my heart skips a beat when she smiles that crooked smile at me for no reason. The way she laughs when I sing my special made up songs for her makes me want to sing to her all day every day. The way she sings along with her Daddy when he sings his crazy songs to her and dances through the house holding her little body. The way she fights sleep every night, but then drifts off and looks so peaceful. The way she laughs and splashes in the little pink bathtub of hers. The way her eyes light up when they meet mine. The way she hits her little toys on her car seat in the mornings just cracks me up. The way that little sweet round face looks when she has her Sunday bonnet on. Words really can't describe how in love I am with this little person. She is more spectacular, perfect and amazing that I could have ever imagined. I feel like my heart grows every time I look at her beautiful face. Being a Mom is the absolute berries.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Living..




















Living in a small Southern town is a beautiful thing. Sure, some days I wish I lived in a big city with a Starbucks, a dry cleaner or even a Target but usually I find immense beauty in the slower way of life that I'm living everyday. On days that I do feel like I'm missing out on opportunities and options I just try to remind myself that because I live in a small Southern town people at the grocery store know my name, the ladies at the library always have good book recommendations for me and I never am stuck in traffic. So, wherever you may find yourself, focus on the good and challenge yourself to discover the intricacies that make your life beautiful.

Image via Etsy (see link above)