She CLAPS too!!!!

As we were getting supper ready this evening Kenley started clapping for the first time!!! She's such a pro now! She'd take a bite of turkey dinner and clap. Then she'd wave some. I had no idea how much joy would come from watching her clap her precious little hands!!!!

SHE WAVED HELLO!!!!!!

This morning I was sitting in the office (our former dinning room) and Jonathan was feeding Doodle. I can lean over and peak through the doorway and see her sitting in her high chair. She LOVES this game. She would smile from ear to ear and giggle and lean over so she could see me. Well at one point I waved and said "Hey baby" and SHE. WAVED. BACK!!!!!!!!!

She's been making the wave motion for awhile now but this was the first time she knew what she was doing! I jumped up and clapped and ran to hug her! Of course I was crying with excitement and she was so proud of herself...or maybe she was laughing at me!!

It's just been the BEST morning so far! Jonathan woke up before me and heard her in her room talking to herself. He went in and they played for a tiny bit then came in and woke me up. What better way to start your day than with those two smiling at you?!?! Jonathan sat her on the bed and she crawled over to me and cuddled. It was the most wonderful way to wake up! We all hung out in bed for a little while and I just loved it. I truly cherish those moments.

Some people need big fancy, expensive things to enjoy their life. Not me. All I need are these precious little moments with family. You know the saying "It's the little things in life..." well that sums me up perfectly. These little things are little gifts from God. Showing His love and His presence and I LOVE them!!!!

Happy 10 months baby girl! What a fun day already!!!!

10 Months & Doodle updates

In just an hour (well, 13 hours to be exact!) my precious baby girl will be 10 months old. I cannot believe that. She'll be in the double digits and she'll be just 2 short months away from 1.year.old.

I know parents say this all the time but it's so true...it just goes by too fast. My sweet baby isn't a baby anymore. She looks more like a toddler than a baby. She is days away from walking. The other night I thought she was about to take her first official step (you know, without us holding her hands) and my heart literally stopped. It was such a surreal moment and I was thinking, "I can't believe my BABY is about to walk!" She didn't do it...but she's so close. While my heart hurts at the speed she's growing, it is overflowing with joy for her! She's so proud of herself and her new ability!

In case you're wondering, we're still breastfeeding! (You know you wanted to know!) Hard to believe! I honestly thought we'd have to stop back at 6 months but we're still going!! I am slowly starting to wean though. Last month I dropped her late afternoon nursing and went to just 3 nursings a day. Talk about some bittersweet emotions. Part of me was excited about being able to let someone else feed her and have that weight lifted...but the other part of me was hurting. Jonathan was giving her her bottle one afternoon (b/c he's so wonderful like that) and while it was nice having the break, the tears started flowing. It's hard to believe that phase of our life is slowly coming to an end. I'm going to miss that special bond with her.

So far...Doodle is holding strong at 2 teeth. She's been working hard on those 2 making sure they're perfect...and I have to say, they are beautiful! I love her "2 tooth" grin. I can't imagine her with more!

She loves to crawl while she holds her toys. It's hilarious! She is 'talking' her own special language and it's absolutely precious! I love her words!! I love going to get her when she gets up from a nap or wakes up in the morning. Most of the time you can hear her talking to herself or her toys. Often you can hear a loud thud when she throw Sid the Seahorse out of her crib. When I go in to get her she is all smiles. She's getting to the point now where she really hugs back and holds on tight. It's the best feeling in the world!!!

The other morning while we were visiting my mom, she woke up abnormally early. I was desperately trying to get her to go back to sleep but my efforts were useless. We went in the living room and I let her play with Easter eggs. This lasted awhile then she started to rub her eyes (this is the sign that she's tired) I sat her in my lap and covered us up with a big cozy blanket. After a little bit I noticed she was very still...she had fallen asleep!! A thunderstorm was rolling in right about that time and thankfully she sleeps like a rock through tunderstorms. It was so peaceful sitting there all snuggled with her. Even though I was exhausted, I wouldn't have traded that moment with her for anything!!!

This is just such a fun age. I could write a novel about everything she does. While it's hard to see some phases ending...the new ones are so amazing and so much fun. I thank God everyday for bringing her into our lives.

Happy 10 months angel!!!!!!!

Giveaway opportunity!!!!!

Another giveaway!!!

I stumbled on this local photographer's site this week and I just LOVE her work!! She's having a giveaway right now! The deadline is tomorrow...so hurry and enter!

Here is the link:
http://sfisherphotography.com/blog/?p=231

Things have been busy!!!

I realized this evening that I haven't posted anything in awhile. There's been a lot going on. A couple of weeks ago I got the crazy idea that I wanted to learn how to smock and make Doodle's Easter dress. My mother-in-law and I have been working hard on that! On top of that there have been baby showers to host, consignment sales to attend, babies being born, family in town...the list goes on and on!! I think things will calm down a little after Easter!

Until then, here is a peak at my practice piece of smocking (my first try ever!!!). The colors on Doodle's Easter dress are different but this is the official pattern:

A trip to the park!

Kenley and I went with my friend and her son to the park yesterday. It was a BEAUTIFUL day and we all had such a great time. Kenley just sat in the grass trying to figure out what it was! She got to try out the swing for the first time and she just loved it! I think we're going to have to make this a daily trip!!

GIGANTIC GIVEAWAY!!!!!

Still new to this blogging world, a fun thing I've noticed is that a lot of blogs do fun giveaways. I love these, not only for the chance to win something cool, but I LOVE finding out about all these great products out there!!!

I've been following Kelly's blog for a couple of months now and found out about the GIGANTIC GIVEAWAY through her. I had to go check it out and OMG did I find some awesome goodies!!! I have already added each etsy seller represented in the giveaway to my favorite sellers! I cannot wait to get my hands on these items...and maybe a chance to win the giveaway!!

I haven't won anything yet...but this would be an AWESOME one!

Please check out this blog...not only for a chance to win some amazing gifts, but to have an opportunity to help them with IVF. My heart and prayers go out to this family! I can't wait to read the blog announcing a pregnancy!!!!