Traditions

In case you didn't know, it is Christmas and someone is feeling the Holiday Spirit.
I am excited about keeping old traditions alive and starting new ones with Amelia. Ross and I were discussing some possible things we would like to start with her during the Christmas season and it is so exciting to think of all that is to come with this little one.

But for this Christmas, we basked in old traditions-- the kind that just make you smile and know that there is nowhere else you would rather be.

Sugar Cookies-- one of my favorite traditions



Amelia had a fun time and I was surprised by how into making the cookies she was. I thought I might just sit her down for a photo and she jumped right in to the whole shebang. It was great!

We had a blessed Christmas and I must blog about all the memories...later. For now I am going to relax by the glow of the lights on the tree and leave you with this sweet face.

Here Comes Santa Claus...

Someone has been quite the good girl this year in Mommy's opinion, and Santa confirmed. Can't wait to see her "open" presents. This was her first time to wear a long dress and she looks way too grown up for my taste. Precious, but grown up.

Ten Months Old

Yesterday Amelia was ten months old. WOW. She is the most precious little thing.

- She is still a petite lady, but man is she strong. She tries to pick everything up and crawl over any obstacle in her way. It seems that she is not afraid of much at all. She stands up a lot without holding on to anything and has attempted a step or two.

- Sleep is pretty set for now. We rock her to sleep and she goes to sleep without a fuss. Then, someone holds her until we go to bed. She sleeps with Ross and I and does excellent- waking up for one bottle at whatever time she sees fit. After her bottle, we rock her back to sleep. Her normal wake up time is 7:30-8:00. Soon, soon we will try the crib. Ha ha.

- Naps. Depending on the day, it is one long nap or two shorter ones. I really don't worry about it, as long as she is getting good rest.

- She still won't eat a single green veggie. Squash, carrots, and sweet potatoes are her love and she is now eating Mum-Mums, cheddar puffs, and peach puffs. She loves picking up her own food. We have also been cutting up bits of banana for her and she things she is big shot.

- I don't really have any set words to add to her list, but it does seem like she tries to repeat what we say at different times. My family will disagree with this and according to them, Amelia says a ton of words.

In a nutshell, another month of wonder and awe at this tiny person that God entrusted to me.

Picture Post

I have never done a picture-only-post. Probably because I love to read my writing as much as I love hearing myself talk. Pitiful, I know. But, only the truth on my blog.

We've Been...

- Cutting teeth. Amelia now has TWO top teeth poking through. She would like to thank every single thing under the sun that she has chewed and gnawed on to help those teeth come through. Whew. What a trooper. Very minimal fussing and only one does of Tylenol.

- Doing the dishes. This is someone's new favorite thing. (not mine)

- Smiling. Amelia is such a happy gal. This smile just makes everything right in the world. She is having a great time being spoiled :)





It is such a joy to see family every single day. Ross and I are soaking up this wonderful month--which is the best gift ever, to be home. I have a lot more to say, but lets leave this as picture perfect as possible

Mood Swing (s)

I was in a mood yesterday. It actually started Sunday afternoon because I just did not want to come to Ft. Smith. So, I thought that if I was rude then Ross would decide he just wanted to come on his own. Plus, I was breaking out like a fourteen year old girl and although I cannot really explain how that worked into the mood. it did. However, my sweet husband was still excited to have me accompany him on the trip. What a man.

I guess the whole interview excitement has worn off for me. I'm just like, someone pick us already. Is it time to reveal our placement yet? Enough with the suspense because this is my LIFE. And really, I did not want to leave this little Christmas present.

Her bib is so cute. And so necessary. She is slobbering like a mad woman and has still not cut her top two teeth. I feel so sorry for her. I honestly cannot believe they are still sitting up there in two swollen gum pockets. However, she remains cheery and oh so endearing.

I slept the entire way to Ft. Smith and woke up feeling less grouchy. UNTIL we checked in to our Bed and Breakfast. Wuuuhheeeiird. Ross and I decided that we are not really B & B people. Give me the Hilton or Hampton or Marriott. That sounds snobby, which is hilarious considering we have no income, but that is how I feel. If I go on a vacation, I don't want to go somewhere "homey." If I wanted homey then I would have stayed at home. I called Meme with my revelation about B & B's and she said, "Yep, they aren't my bag." Ditto.

So, we check in to the themed Frontier Room. And yeeee-haw. We initially felt this...

However, we decided that we were free for the night and should just embrace our couple time. So, giddy-up...



Dinner was delightful. We ate at The Red Barn and each booth is in its own separate original stable. There is a horse name above the stable with a picture of the real horse that was trained and raced on the grounds. I had a wonderful steak and the conversation was great. Local restaurants have such a delightful atmosphere and flavor.

Then, we went to see the late showing of The Blind Side. The night just kept getting better because it was the greatest movie that I have seen in forever. Ross and I love movies based on true stories and Sandra Bullock is one of my favorite actresses. We were so pumped after the movie that we ended up staying up until 1:30, which is usually Amelia's first bottle time ha.

Now, I am at Starbucks killing time, staring at people, and eavesdropping. Still missing this buzzy bee..But enjoying my over-priced hot chocolate. Mom said Amelia was great last night and G is watching her today. We have fabulous help. Ross is working his interview magic currently...

Picture This

We are in Harrison. Having fun. Dressing Christmas-like. Off tomorrow to spend the night in Ft.Smith for interview number four. Dinner tomorrow evening and interview on Tuesday. Whew. Surely one of these places will pick us, right?

Choo Choo

Ross might drop out of Med School so that we both can be stay-at-home parents. At least, he asked me yesterday if there was any way we could swing it. Needless to say, it is super fun both being at home with AC.

Steph and Derek went to an NBA game in Memphis to see The Man play and then spent the night with us on Tuesday night after the game. That just happened to be the night Amelia was up from 11:30 - 2:30. Holy Cow. And she wasn't up fussy, just up. Playing and being wild. So, imagine how pumped she was when Aunt Steph and Uncle D came in at 1 ish.

The next day we played and went to On The Border for lunch before they headed back. Here is Derek getting attacked by a Christmas Cactus.
Last night Ross and I took Amelia to see the Christmas Village exhibit at Little Rock First Baptist. This man has been collecting pieces for 23 years. It was free (score) and inside (warm) and really neat (whew). Amelia loved the train. I am talking she watched it go around the track forever. In fact, there were four trains I believe throughout the village. This picture below is only like 1/2 of the village. We couldn't fit it all in one shot.


Here we are kneeling down watching the trains go by. And go by. And go by.



She loved these statues outside of the church. Too bad it was freezing or she would have been up for quite the conversation with this guy.


We went for her nine month check up today and Amelia weighs 17 lbs and 15 oz, which is still the 25th percentile--right on track. She is 27 3/4 inches tall, which is the 50th percentile aka "So Big." And her head circumference is now at 17 1/4 inches, which is the 45 percentile. I told her over and over that there was NO shot today. However, when we get there, they say, "Go to the lab for some blood to be drawn." WHAT? Apparently it is the mandatory nine month blood count check. Sheesh.

Here is a not so happy camper showing her band-aid and gauze.

A is for...

Adorable

Her, not me. Pink, corduroy overalls. So precious.

Arkansas Children's Hospital

Walker came to LR for his checkup and all was good at the doctor. He is such a happy little guy and we were excited to meet the Curtis family at Cozymel's for lunch while they were here.

Active

Barbara gives us presents before Christmas and we open one every day for 12 days. It is a fun tradition and Amelia got to take part this year. (We are opening early because we want to open them all before we head back to Harrison). Amelia has been crawling all over the place like a wild woman. AND she stood up from sitting without holding on to anything. :) Attitude

Hmm. Nine months is a little early to show quite this much personality, right? Well, obviously this shows how little I know about parenting ha. She has now discovered the gate and goes and stands at it and no matter how many times you say her name, she will not turn around until you stop. Then, she peeks around to see if you are still there. So it begins.


Amelia

Love her.

Whoooo Loves a Good Party?

Amelia was so tickled to be heading to Owen's party. No car seat tears today!





Owen's birthday party was delightful. Amy really did a fabulous job. I love anything with a theme and this party was all about owls. Owen has a lot of friends and Amelia was a little overwhelmed at first. However, once she got her hands on Owen's new toys, she was fine. She is definitely in the stage of, "I will not go to you if I do not know you. And by know you, I mean you have to have been around me within two weeks."

The cake (that Amy made) and all the other delicious food (hamburgers and hotdogs came in later and were so good). My favorite was the Almond Lemon Punch. I will be asking for the recipe--really unique flavor.





Birthday boy (wearing a partyhat orignial by his dad)






Reed (definitely Mr. Charmer at the party)


Since the party was an owl theme, Amelia had to have an owl dress. This is quite possibly the most adorable owl pattern that I have ever seen.


Amelia was obsessed with this John Deere tractor. Quite frankly, she wanted nothing to do with anything or anyone else after she found this.

Owen came over and tried to distract her in hopes of having his tractor back, but she held on tight. Check out his owl with the button eyes :)




We met such great friends through our church and we feel very blessed. Someone was partied out and fell asleep as soon as we got in the car. Check out whoooo it was. (By the way, I feel like I could have inserted a whooo reference every sentence and it wouldn't have gotten old to me, but I am sparing you people.)

Taking It All In

Amelia really and truly helps me just stop and think about what matters. It honestly doesn't matter that my stomach will never be the same as it was before my c-section. It bothers me at times and even though my clothes fit, I still want to be more fit (inadverdant word play). But, honestly. I have a husband who thinks I am beautiful post c section and with brown hair and rarely in makeup. That is what matters. So, although my entire way of thinking has not been altered by my sweet girl, those thoughts are put in perspective much more easily than before. What matters is put in perspective.

And, what matters is that we have had a fabulous week at home. Amelia got a new bathtub. Her very cautious parents finally let her out of the infant tub she has been in (yes, since birth) and we got her a step up. Andrea told us about Reed's tub like this and Amelia really loves it. She can stretch her legs all the way out.



She has been playing very well by herself the last few days. One of us is in the room, but she will take her toy and kind of whisper to it and play a game with it for about ten minutes. It is really cute to watch. Mom taught her how to hug her animals and she has been doing that nonstop.

She even makes a hugging noise that I can't for the life of me figure out how to type. We are working on her giving them a kiss. Another thing she loves to do is turn and pose if I am trying to get a candid shot.

Exhibit A






Exhibit B





We got Amelia her first stocking this week. She picked it out all on her own. It definitely wasn't my choice, but this is the one she picked while we were in Target. And as Steph says, don't give your kid a choice if you really have a preference. So, Mr. Snowman stocking it is. You can't see him that well in this picture, but I love in because of Amelia's smile and Ross's crazy hair/face.
Tonight we went to Ashley and Bryan's house for a delicious supper of my favorite meal of all time. Poppyseed Chicken! She had no idea it was my favorite, but I was beyond excited. It was so good and Deacon and Amelia had a blast playing the night away. I have always thought Deacon could pass for Amelia's brother.




Deacon let Amelia ride his truck and she was VERY excited about it.




It was a great night and now we are in our cozy apartment. I wish I had gotten a picture of Ashley's Christmas tree because it is beautiful. On the way home I told Ross, "Man, my dream one day is to have a tall, skinny tree like that. Kind of like I love the New England style tall, skinny homes." Ross paused and I wondered (like I often do) if he even heard me. Then he said, "Kind of like you like your husbands, tall and skinny." Ha ha. He cracks me up.