Sweet Potatoes!!

Well...we took the plunge and started sweet potatoes. Kenley hasn't been getting enough from just nursing and I didn't want to keep supplementing. I really wanted to wait until 6 months but my poor ba-boo was hungry. She was 5 months and 4 days when she took her first bite of food and I have to say...she loves it!!!! We started the sweet potatoes on Friday November 21 and have been doing 1-2 spoons at lunch since then.

Starting solids has been difficult for me. I struggled accepting that she wasn't getting enough breastmilk. Giving her solids, at first, seemed like I was failing at breastfeeding. (there have been some major tears during this time) It was also difficult to accept that she's growing up and moving to a new phase in her life. I'm doing much better with it now and I love that she's enjoying her new treat.

Here's a little video of her first sweet potatoes experience!!

5 months

Five months. That's how old Kenley is today. That just doesn't seem possible. My little baby is growing up so fast. She can roll, she's found her toes, she smiles, laughs, sticks out her tongue and she's very close to sitting up! We're fast approaching solids, but I think we'll wait one more month :o)

I cannot believe that she is one month shy of 6 months. It's going too fast. I wish I could slow down time...as I'm sure all parents do! It's been an amazing 5 months and I have loved it all. There have definitely been difficult moments. Moments of tears and uncertainty. Moments where I doubted my ability to be a mother. By God's grace and the support of friends and family we've made it. She's pushed me and challenged me and I hope that I'm a stronger person now because of her.

We 'celebrated' this evening by taking a mother/daughter nap in the recliner. Does life get better than this?!?! ;p

I miss my doodle-bug

Kenley was picked up by Nana (Jonathan's mom) this morning and won't be returning until tomorrow morning. I planned on using today to clean but sat around and rested instead. Seems I've caught myself another cold so I took advantage of the down time. While I enjoyed having the day 'off' I sure do miss my doodle.

It's amazing how much you miss your little one(s) when they're away. I miss snuggling with her, seeing her smile, giggling with her, nursing her (oh how I hate pumping in her absence), holding her hand, playing with her fabulously long hair...you get the idea.

I can't wait for tomorrow morning to get here so I can give my precious baby girl a big hug and kiss. :o)

Our Christmas Poems

Each Christmas, since we got married, I write a poem to sum up the past year. It is to the 'tune' of Twas the Night Before Christmas and I send it out with our Christmas cards. I can't wait to write this year's!!! Our first Christmas with Kenley!! I'm so excited.

I was about to start working on this year's poem and for fun I opened up our past 3. They're soooo super cheesy but I love them!

Here is the one from last year:

Twas the night before Christmas, with the ones we hold dear
we sat by our tree thinking about the past year
2007 was great, it had good times and bad
Here's a recap of some of the experiences we had!

In Charleston, SC we started our year
with a big group of friends we rang in 07 with a cheer!
Ash went back to school for a teaching degree
but then 2 months later decided it wasn't to be.

In April, off to Destin for a wedding and beach fun
we watched dear friends get married and laid out in the sun!
Ash shot her first wedding the beginning of May
then we headed to Huntsville for another friend's wedding day

Jonathan surprised Ashley with a birthday trip to the coast
(sure made turning 25 a little easier to toast!)
August brought HIGH temps and our 2nd Anniversary
the A/C died TWICE...the house was hot as could be!

With Jonathan's help, Zuby went full time in September
then we hoped on a plane for a trip to remember!
A week in Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay
Photoshop World for work then a couple days for play!!

Finally it was fall and October rolled around
Ashley and her mom were Disney World bound!
Zuby's awesome new website finally went live
Then God blessed us with a really big surprise!!

Our family of 6 will be 7 soon...
we're expecting our first baby on the 19th of June!
We're just tickled pink...or maybe it's blue
we'll find out in just a month or two!!!

As we look forward to the upcoming year
all of God's blessings are so perfectly clear.
From our family to yours, this Christmas season,
We wish you the best and remember Christ is the reason!!!

I didn't feel like doing a Christmas card picture last year so here we are Christmas morning in our matching pjs at my sister's house. I don't miss 'morning' sickness at all!!!

LOLZ

So the new thing is to add funny caption to pictures called LOLz. I was bored one night and had a little fun with some pictures of Kenley. Enjoy!! :o)

































































Click here to make your own LOLz

Kenley and her jumperoo

Kenley has always liked her jumperoo, but now I think she LOVES it!! She just has the best time in it. See video :o)