Amelia's Dedication

Last night, we dedicated Amelia to the Lord at our Saturday night service. It was so great for our friends and family to all make the trip to see her for her special night. Thank you guys for taking part. Gammy got bronchitis and couldn't make it and even though we were so sad, we are glad she is feeling better. Here is our sweet little family before we left.
And the lady of the hourAfter the dedication, we went to Mimi's Cafe--her FIRST restaurant outing. She did great. No crying for this big girl.

I still have to go to school Mon, Tue, and Wed of next week, so Aunt Steph is babysitting. Lots of fun fashion shoots will be had, I'm sure. Today we are taking Amelia shopping after she wakes up from her nap. Gotta start that girl early.

Even if you don't like watermelon, this might change your mind.

I got a sling at a baby shower and Amelia has always HATED it. However, now that she can sit up in it, she seems to really like it. Here she is before our morning walk.
And after about ten minutes...sound asleep. Note the adorable sun bonnet from Gammy.

Picture Post

Thanks for my new popsicle outfit Aunt Steph. Here I am modeling it for you.
As you can see, she is pretty tickled about her new outfit. And even though this next one is blurry, she is just pretty plain tickled in it.
And now if you will excuse me, I am going to say my prayers.

Rollin, Rollin, Rollin

The above picture is of Amelia the moment before she rolled over. Yes, I was working. Yes, I was sad that I missed it. Yes, I was glad that G caught it on camera. She rolled over twice, so maybe I will catch one in the near future. Go Amelia!
She is loving her play mat lately. Just hanging out and watching her friends. Her skinny little six pound two ounce legs are hard to remember when I see those precious rolls.

So, this weekend was busy and wonderful. We headed off to Shell Knob, MO for our family reunion and Amelia was great on the drive. At one point I was sound asleep with my chin on her car seat and woke up drooling on her blanket. Wow...what a good mom. It was great to see everyone, and of course, great to show off my sweet girl. Ross golfed thirty-six holes of golf on Sunday. No comment.

The cabin we stayed in slept nineteen people, so my family all bunked in one place and I loved that. My mom kept Amelia with her and I got some great sleep. I would have gotten even better sleep, but Steph kept trying to get me to stay up and Meme told me that I was on vacation, so I tried to channel a night owl.

Hi to Kimmie and Lean--pictures of the reunion will follow. Amelia said she was so excited she got to meet you guys.

Uncle D found my camera, so he is the hero. Is it ridiculous that I had gotten myself excited about getting a new camera that we can't afford? And equally ridiculous that I was a tiny bit deflated when my perfectly great camera was found? Yes. Ridiculous.

Speaking of ridiculous, Frogman had a few moments of confusion. Amelia really wanted to be twinkies with him and he obliged. G said that he momentarily became Froggirl. I know one little lady that seems pretty happy with his transformation.
I'm tired. Hope your Tuesday was tubular.

Happy Three Months by Dear Old Daddio

Well I suppose it is about time for all of our wonderful fans out there to hear from the other half. I would have said better half but everyone knows thats not right. I get to hear from Heather how special it is getting to be a mom, but what better thing is there than being a dad. Let me just be honest here, it is all the smiles, giggles, and laughs without any of the hardwork! The duties of being a dad include rocking amelia, holding her firedog, reading her books, going on strolls, and singing her songs. You might be asking yourself what about all the dirty diapers, fitful nights crying, getting her bottles ready, feedings at all hours of the night and morning. Yea I am asking that same question too. I am convinced that our precious little angel doesn't need any of that not so fun stuff... or maybe her mom does it all? We are so blessed to have such a beautiful baby girl, she is truly a gift from God.

Dad's favorite things...
-Amelia's Mom
-Amelia
-Naps on the floor (I think there are pictures of that)
-Naps in the chair
-Naps on the couch (I think I see a trend)
-Bumbo seat
-Long strolls facing forward (that girl loves to look around)
-Discover the Day book
-Rides in the Jeep... stroller

Happy Three Months

Amelia is three months old today! She is smiling and blowing spit bubbles like nobody's business. She is sitting in her Bumbo without help and holds her head up like a big girl. No rolling over yet (other than one fluke), but she can put a lot of weight on her legs when you help her stand up. When she really concentrates she has quite a bit to say. Baby babble is the best. She sleeps in the chair with mom or dad holding her, (depending on whose shift it is) or in her swing. It doesn't bother me that she doesn't sleep in her crib yet--probably because I don't know any better ha.

Amelia's Favorites
- Leap Frog caterpillar
- books
- linking rings
- her fist
- pacifier
- Frogman
- crinkly sounds
- music

Mommy's Favorites
- crooked smile
- blue eyes
- chick fuzz hair
- our "conversations"
- baby feet
- slobber kisses

Pictures to come.

Joy

I have felt joy on many occasions. I mean, I am a person of extremes and when I am happy, I am ecstatic. And, I am a truly blessed individual with a lot to be joyful about. But, I have never known this kind of joy. Never known this red bow, perfect lip, creamy skin joy.
What a face! She is doing so well sitting in her Bumbo. Her head is still wobbly, but she really feels like a big shot sitting in it. Speaking of big shots, she just wanted to take some time this afternoon to read a little. Most kids want to play, play, play, but Amelia knows the importance of good literature. She has my love of books and my love of the zoo. A match made in heaven. Thanks for the fun two days Gammy and Gampy! Tomorrow is Bran Bran's turn to babysit and we finish up the week with G. A whirlwind of fun for Buzzy. One thing is for sure, she will be dressed to impress.

Happy Sunday!

Amelia is wishing you a great sunny Sunday. Gammy and Gampy are on their way down here right now to take care of her for a few days! It is so fun to always have visitors come play. We went to Target, Kohls, and Fresh Market this weekend and Amelia was so good. I am less anxious when we take her places now (finally, three months later ha). I love when people stop and "oooh" and "ahh" over her. When they don't, I want to scream, "Umm hello..beautiful baby in tow." Went to have dinner with Bryan and Ashley last night and it was delicious! Deacon kept us entertained after dinner and I kept cramming chocolate chip dessert pizza in my mouth.

I leave you with another stolen photo (Thanks G) because my camera is still missing-stolen-displaced.Man I love Frogman. Always smiling...always smiling. Let's try a video.

Be Gracious

I loved our sermon two weeks ago and I want to share the notes. It is actually more for myself than anyone, but you might glean something as well.

How can you know you are a person under grace?

1. You will tend to give a good first impression.
2. You will enjoy giving others another chance. (this one really hits home--Iam all too quick to write someone off for their stupidity or for betraying me, yet Jesus ENJOYED giving others a second chance, and a third, and a fourth...)
3. You will give someone respect in front of others. (telling someone how great they are in private is still great, but praising them in the company of others is even more gracious)
4. You will say the right things at the RIGHT time. Proverbs 25:11 "Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in the right circumstance." (I am the queen of saying what I want WHEN I want)
5. You will encourage the dreams of others. Hebrews 3:3
6. You will pass the credit on to others.
7. You might share a secret from your heart. (connect with others--don't hold back)
8. You will live by the spirit more and more.

It has just hit me lately that Amelia will look to me as a Godly example. She will look at my tone, my actions, my behaviors. I want to be in a different place Spiritually before that happens and there is no time like the present to make a change. To be more gracious.

Unfortunately my camera is still missing. I know...I will lose you all if there aren't pictures in the next post. Sigh. I've looked everywhere.

Priorities

Tough for me lately to get any priorities in order other than Buzzy. It is after ten o'clock and I just now sat down. I should be sleeping or doing my devotional, but I really want to post. Priorities. But, I know some of these pictures will just make your day, so it will be worth it.
That one already made it worth it. This is by far her best tummy time pose.

A great weekend in Harrison was kick started by Amelia sleeping all the way home! We had a great day on Saturday just visiting and she showed out doing all her "talking" and smiling. Pretty sure I heard her say "Mama," so that was cool. Probably the only eleven week old that can talk...but I'm not one to brag. Honestly though, she did get a couple of multi-syllable sounds out.

Saturday night we ate at Ruby Tuesdays and bowled at a hip little dive in Hollister. Wow...pony tail worker man with stick legs, songs from Shakira, and the black lights were only the beginning. Maybe Steph will email me some pictures. Ross and I lost ROYALLY. We were definitely showed up on the lanes by Steph and Derek. But, we had a lot of fun and Amelia slept the whole time we were gone. So, she never even knew Mommy left :)

Mother's Day was amazing. More than anything, I just realize what all my mom has done for me that I never even knew or thought about. Pretty awesome. I pray that Amelia loves the Lord and loves me with all her heart. It was a beautiful day and I am humbled by the honor of being her mom.

I lost my camera. Yes, that is a tragedy for you, my faithful reader (s)? because I have a small obsession with photographing my wonder-child. However, G is here this week to take care of her and she snapped this most precious picture.

Buddies----Frogman and Amelia Ahhh. Priorities.

Thursday Goodness

1. My child is adorable (proof at end of post)

2. It has been so much fun to have my sister stay the week. We went to Target...WITH Amelia...TWICE.

3. The sun is out for the first time in ten days.

4. Steph liked Amelia's daycare. We showed up to spy on them and all the babies were happy.

5. I love my job and my students.

6. Kris made it to the hometown visit!

7. I received two Mother's Day cards in the mail and bawled. Thanks Mom and Meme.

8. My husband has the cutest curly hair.

9. We get to go Harrison for the weekend.

10. Amelia slept SIX AND A HALF STRAIGHT HOURS in her swing last night.

Photos courtesy of Stephanie and Polo Dress courtesy of one of my students :)

Week #2

I was really proud of how things went this week at school. However, as another week looms in the oh-so-near- distance, I am not really wanting to tackle it all over again. The reason could be because I don't even have any lesson plans ready. Ha ha. Ridiculous.

So, Mom left on Thursday afternoon and Amelia was sad because they had such a good time. Her Gammy lets her just get all relaxed and spoils her. Here they are in their pajamas.On Friday Bran Bran took care of her and they had a great day. Brandy took some pictures of Amelia doing tummy time. She is getting to be such a big girl.Friday night we went to a cookout at Amy and Kyle's house. This was Amelia's first big Friday night excursion and we were prepared to leave if she wasn't having fun--AKA throwing a fit. However, she cozied up in Owen's swing and was an angel the whole night. We stayed until 10:20! Saturday was a lazy day around the house and Amelia just practiced being cute.And that brings us to today. Amelia followed her typical Sunday pattern. She sleeps through the music and the minute the sermon starts she will have nothing to do with it. Ross took her outside this time so that I could hear the sermon. It was on Grace and I will post some things from it tomorrow. Such a great message. Steph got here around four to take care of Amelia this week. Amelia is excited that she is having so many fun visitors. I am excited too because it means that she is home with family during the day and that makes things so much easier for this mom.

I cannot express how much I love my daughter. Truly it seems impossible. Even to other moms that say, "I know," I just silently think there is no way they can know. What an honor to be a mom.