Long time no blog

Hi Baby,

I know, I know, I know long time no post. How in the world are you going to be able to look back and see what kind of sweet toddler you are. Well my little princess there are enough pictures from Hon and videos from Momma, Daddy and CC to almost get you day-to-day. Yeah, we are pretty obsessed with you. 

We are obsessed with your funny personality. You repeat everything we say. You are simply brilliant in what you retain and how you problem solve. While playing alone I've heard you sing 5 different songs, count to 10 (sometimes 12) and sing your alphabet including the last verse of "next time won't you sing with me". You sweet cheeks are the apple of my eye. 

So before you go thinking you are all rainbows and butterflies to live with just hold on a minute. You are a true toddler. You are still working on your patience. If you can't get your wagon or baby stroller up the step you shot out "help please". Only once, maybe twice before you are face down crying about it. Your favorite phrase is "No Daddy". You like things your way and aren't afraid to throw a fit about it. You favorite method of public fit throwing is the go completely limp and force Momma to drag you out over her shoulder. It's never graceful and I'm usually hot and sweaty trying to keep from yelling in public. Poor Maddy probably takes the brunt of your orneriness. You step, lay, squeeze, smother with blankets all over her. In your defense you think you are taking care of her.

You do have a great heart for taking care of your babies. You love babies furry or baby doll, you cherish them with hugs kisses, stroller walks, rocking, singing, the hot dog dance and covering them up to go "night-night". I mean they are face down and covered from head to toe, they may not have oxygen, but they are pretend so we let it pass. You have such sweet mothering skills.

It makes me excited to tell you...You're going to be a big SISTER! Coming in September you will have a real baby in the house. I'm so excited to see you with the new baby, very supervised of course.

Until then you better soak up Momma's undivided attention! 

Love you,

Momma

Busy Bee Part III

The day came. I dreaded it and I couldn't wait for it. The day came, it came in perfectly. The day came, in which we celebrated your first birthday. Bella Girl, this day was beautiful. I kept thinking back to your birth. Kept thinking back to the itty bitty you. Then you would come crashing in. You would giggle and I would enjoy the moment. 

You started the week being very sick. Very sick. Fever, cough, lethargic. You stayed with GPa and Hon a couple days. We were worried you were contagious (you were, just ask Aunt Randi). We asked all of our friends with kids to stay home and not risk a break out of what you had. Adults came and celebrated you. It was so much fun and a beautiful day. You played so hard. Stasha and Kennedy got a lot of fun play time with you. They went all over the playset. And you loved it. 

We had a nice little lunch that Daddy grilled and moved on to the cake. We all gathered round, smiling from ear to ear. We highly anticipated a big handful of cake. You did not smash the cake. For once in your life you were delicate and did not like the food in front of you. Wild, I know. I don't get it. I'm not pushing you to like cake. Momma knows that addiction all too well. 

After the cake we hosed you down for more playtime. Finally, we ended your party with a two hour nap on Nannys life. Perfect. 

Baby girl, I'm shocked you are one. You have grown like a weed. 31" and 26 lbs. You love a foods (except cake), but you really can't go without yogurt or puffs. You are even more attached to lamby. Love Maddy and shoes (a girl after my own heart). You are best when we keep you routine, even if it's a 6:45 bedtime. Your giggle melts my heart and your big 8 toothed smile is the prettiest thing I've ever seen. Your vocabulary includes Ma-ma, Da-da, Daaag (dog), Baaaal (ball), down, puff, shews (shoes) & we are working on thank you ( you can kind of hear it). You love to sit on the bathroom counter while I put my make up on every morning. You take brushes and put them on your face and hair just like momma, pretty darn cute. 

We love you baby, we love you oh so much. You are our sunshine, the light of our lives. 

Busy Bee: Part II

Hi Bells,

So, the second activity of yours in May was our first Mother's Day. It was such a special day. I was so very thankful to have you as my reason for this holiday. I've always thought I would have kids, even envisioned a daughter. I never connected the dots of me as a mom.

Well, little girl, you made my unknown dream come true. I couldn't be more myself than I am today. 

Let me remind you how strange this is. I love sleep, you take it away. I love to relax on the couch, I don't even sit on the couch anymore. I'm pretty selfish and can be self absorbed, it's been 4 days since I've washed my hair...forget about the last time I actually made it to the nail salon. Daddy and I never once talked about our bathroom business, your poop is a daily topic, daily topic I tell you. We have researched what milk options, yogurt options, meal plans and toys are best for you more than we have checked the weather, been on Facebook, looked at land and just used google alone. You my little have made a whole new me, one that I never thought would feel like home. Sister, I'm home. I'm home giggling with you, toting you around, playing peek-a-boo, getting in the baby pool, rocking you to sleep and checking on you a million times. I'm right at home. I'm the best version of me, all because of you. Thanks sweet princess for making me have a Mother's Day!

Love,

Momma

Busy Bee: Part I

Bella,

You have been on busy little bee this month. You've hit a few milestones to say the least! 

The first and most humbling experience happened the Saturday before Mother's Day. Daddy & I dedicated you at church. This is called child dedication, but it is much more like parent dedication. We are dedicating our parenting to God. We are choosing to be intentional with how we raise you. Making decision that will provide you a life rich in love and a joyful relationship with Christ. I hope you understand we don't want to enforce religion or rules on you. Your

walk with Christ is your walk, not ours. We can't do this for you. We can't force you into church groups or prayer time. We are simply choosing to publically committ our example for you. We are two people who have found joy and true unconditional love with Christ. We tithe, pray and serve because of our relationship with Christ. We pray this dedication for us will be a standard for you. 

AnnaBella, Christ loves you no matter what you have done. You can never be too bad and you can't earn him by being good. You need to walk and talk with him daily. He's your father and your friend. Healer and compass. I pray you see this always.

We love you very much,

Daddy & Momma

Run the race

ABJ,

This post means a lot to me. I hope through my words you learn a few valuable lessons. It's a 3 parter, so follow along. 

Here's the back ground story...Aunt Kym went to Galveston to a bacherlorette party. The bacherlorette party consisted of a group of girls running a 5k while the bride & a friend ran a half marathon. Tragically, when the bride crossed the finish line she collapsed and passed away. 

Part I: I want you to see the bride is this story. Her name is Kaytie. I didn't know Kaytie, but now I'm fully aware of her legacy. A young woman who was loved, loved others, loved God, loved health & fitness...Kaytie left an amazing legacy. I pray as you live your life you keep in mind the legacy you are leaving. What will people remember you by? 

Part II: One of the girls that was at the race when Kaytie passed had planned to run a relay marathon with Aunt Kym. After the event she wasn't emotionally ready to run the relay. Aunt Kym asked around for runners and I volunteered. I hope you see a few things here. I hope you see Aunt Kym picking herself up after a loss and fighting. I hope you see that she's such a good friend to your momma that I offered to run 7.6 miles for her. Lastly, I hope you see that when you have a good friend you should be there for them in any circumstance. I hope you understand you can listen, talk, run to them. Sometimes you can just run.

Part III: This entire story has one consistent verb. Running. Running is my therapy. Through running I am strong, able, relieved, refreshed and happy. I can push myself to places I've never been. Accomplish new goals. Challenge myself. Find new friends. Fit into a community. Relate to many people. When I was a high school athlete running was punishment. I wasn't on the track team, I wasn't particularly fast, I couldn't run for long periods. I really had no desire to run until your Daddy bought me a pair of running shoes and a subscription to Runners World for Christmas, after I told him I thought I wanted to train for a 5k. Then after training and meeting other runners I have realized that it's truly not that much about your distance, pace or ability. It's not about how you place against others. If you lace up those shoes, shuffle down the road, push yourself. You my sweet girl, you are a runner. 

So, long post I know. You have to admit you have a pretty wise Momma. That's 3 topics of life lessons. Leave a legacy. Be a good friend. Run, just run.

Love,

Momma

11 down, 1 to go

Let the countdown begin little girl!

We are one month away from your first birthday! Wow! Crazy! My head is spinning. Lately, I've been looking back at your pictures wanting to rewind those moments. You have changed so much this year. 

We love you more and more each day. You are fun, energetic, silly and a little dramatic. 

You have a total of 8 teeth. You use them to chew all over books, toys and as many puffs as you can get your chubby little hands on. 

You play very well by yourself in your playroom, but still love the company. Usually, you want me to sit in your chair while you play. After a while you then throw a fit until I realize it's because you want to sit in the chair. I make that my cue to do dishes. 

You still love outside and your swing. You love to swing, but want me to sit in the swing next to you. You also love the stroller. Many of naps have been taken while Momma or Daddy walks you around the neighborhood. 

Daddy is outside with you right now. Usually about this time you start to get sleepy. In order to keep you awake he takes you out to play. PJs and all. 

You have gotten Momma with Momma down and Dada with Daddy down. We like to play a little game when Daddy gets home. We hear the door open and I ask "who's here?" You look at me and then scream Dada!!! Once you see him you start crawling as fast as you can to him. It's pretty darn cute. 

You had Easter this month. You received two baskets from your grandparents. You loved them. You took adorable pictures and enjoyed outside time with the family. 

It's been a great month. I'm not looking forward to your birthday. I want you this size forever. 

Stay little, little one

Momma

The big 1-0

ABJ,

You are 10 whole months old! You are the light of our lives and we couldn't imagine one day without you. 

What have you been up to this month? Well, we moved into a new house just a few miles from your school. You love your 5 minute commute. You were bumped up into the one year old class with a new teacher. You were clingy for a few days, but you've gotten over the change. You eat almost everything Momma and Daddy eat. You're favorite is probably green beans and some type of chicken for dinner. BUT you're number one has and still is yogurt. A girl after my own heart. You love it as much as momma. In particular you like to share Momma's. 

You are a down right ball with your giggles, showing all 7 of your baby teeth, blowing kisses, waving bye-bye, clapping for yourself, making the "th" sounds, your loud squeals and chuckles to yourself.

You love Maddy Dog, you call her Daaag. You can also say shhhew and you point to your feet. You say Momma and Dadda pretty clear. We are still working on getting it for the right person. 

Your play time is getting better. When we first moved

you wanted someone right there. You are working on playing alone. You still love books and playing peak-a-boo. 

At our new house we have a swing. You love it. You crawl over to the door, pull up, point to the door handle and start yelling. We are outside a lot. 

We are settled in and you are getting so big. I'm ready to start stacking books on your head. No matter how big your britches get you will always be my baby. 

Love you little bit,

Momma