Deacon Days

Deacon came over to play on Wednesday before story time. Amelia was tickled of course.
Mom, look, Deacon is here. Right here beside me playing with my letters!


Then, much to her delight, Deacon got to come back over that night while his mom and dad went to a meeting at church. They played and played and Deacon even payed a bit of attention to Amelia. Ashley and I always joke that we don't know why Amelia loves Deacon so much because he just ignores her. Apparently she loves a challenge.


Deacon, come back here.


He flashes this smile and she gets even more determined to catch him.

When Deacon came over he was already in his jammies, reminding me that I had to put both kids to sleep. Ross was at soccer, and I was hoping Deacon went to bed okay since Amelia is rather needy at bedtime. He went to sleep like a champ though.

Then, Deacon invited us to play at a new place on Friday. A local church has a free play place and it is so fun. Ross was off on Friday so he got to come with us. I would have kept Amelia in the small play area, but since her dad was with us, she got to climb way up and do the big slide with him.


Deacon loved the big slide too.

G came by to visit after her conference in Little Rock on Thursday and Friday, so Amelia was delighted with even more visitor fun.
Notice Amelia is wearing G's pearls. She had to have them on immediately. She loves jewelry as much as her mom.

Great weekend, but I am behind on posting, so I'll catch up later. Or not.

Balloon Frenzy

Amelia loved the balloons at her party. She loved them just as much the next day. I mean, she was enamored. So Mom asked if she could take some home. I quickly said, "NO." I did not want to drag them home and have her tangled in the strings romping around the apartment.

We went to Kroger to stock up on groceries since Amelia and I had been gone all week (and I have no clue what Ross ate) and the lady in the flower section said, "That is the cutest child I have ever seen. May I give her a balloon?"

Geez louise.




My mom always wins.

Wake Up and Party (2)

After Amelia's nap she got dressed in bumble bee attire again and said, "Bring on the second party." So, on came the guests. And, they brought presents.

She had a harder time waiting to open them since she knew for sure that they were for her. So, she just looked on longingly. But, she didn't have to wait long because, it was her party.


She just showed the men her baby. And played with Murphy, Aunt Jessalyn's new dog. Then, she realized that Murphy might be way cooler than all presents.She was quickly deterred with a card. This little girl loves cards and we save all of hers for her to carry around the house.
She absolutely loved Rocky--a present from Aunt Jen and Jared. He talks and sings and we have already spent a lot of time brushing his coat and riding on him.



Great gifts from everyone--picnic basket, Little People Animalville, cute clothes (a must), blocks, new book--you get the pictures. However, her biggest reaction (other than Rocky) was this raincoat from Meme and Pop. We got so tickled at her love for a raincoat. She wore it all around the house, hugged it, kissed it, bit it. You name it.

She had a cute cake to match the cupcakes and I was hoping for a better response than at her first party. I got down by her and told her it was okay and blah blah and when she stuck her hand in the icing, I was so excited. She turned and smeared it on my face. Perfect.

She actually ate quite a few bites of cake (she probably thought it was a better version of wheat bread) but she still was never crazy about the icing. In fact, Ross and I took virtually the whole cake home and ate it all Sunday night.Posting all of these really helps me reflect on what a great evening it was. All our family was there and fun was had. It is so neat to know that every person at that party loves Amelia in their own way--a way that only family can.

After cake we played a bit more and then G and Pa, Mammaw, Aunt Jessalyn and Patrick left. Amelia had really had a full day and was winding down for bed. In true Gammy fashion, Mom gasps out of the blue and says, "Oh no!" No one was alarmed because this dramatic behavior is typical. "We forgot our whole main gift in the basement." Ha ha. Dad and Ross had stayed up putting together the wagon the night before and no one ever thought about it. So, false alarm. Party resumes.I can't wait for some wagon rides when it gets warmer. Hopefully she will find this much cooler than her stroller. She has never been a stroller fan. If you see her, talk up the wagon.

The End.

Wake Up and Party

We started off Saturday morning with a "friend" party at ten. Wait, let me back up. We ended Friday night with me having a bawling fit because Amelia's nose was running uncontrollably and her eyes were as well. I was almost certain it was allergies, but then chickened out on giving her Zyrtec. Plus, she got her fifth tooth Thursday and another one is about to surface, thus making her miserable. I thought her party was ruined and was certain she would have no fun. Okay, back to Saturday morning.

She was in a great mood and all dressed up in her black and yellow outfit for her Bumblebee Party. The balloons were her favorite thing and she carried them around all morning. When I put on her new bumble bee shoes (from Gam) she immediately bent down and patted them and smiled--she knows a pair of new shoes when she see them.

The party went so well and she made my fit seem silly (which of course it already seemed to everyone else). A little runny nose did not deter her on her big day. Ally was the first one to arrive and Amelia wanted to show her a balloon as soon as she walked in.





Then, Jaimi and Jordan arrived. (after a small detour with a semi-hitchhiker)
Next, Amy, Bryan, Will and Walker arrived and they were ready to party. Amelia continued her crush on Will and followed him everywhere at first. He was quite patient, and let her down gently.


Sherrill and Bria arrived next and I couldn't wait to see Bria. She is three months old and the youngest of the group. SO sweet. She started smiling as soon as I held her. What can I say?Drew and Kayla arrived in style and Drew brought Amelia flowers. So thoughtful. She decided perhaps Drew was the man she needed to set her sights on. Plus, he wore a vest. How dapper.


Time for presents! Amelia opened almost all of them herself and loved everything she got. Thanks so much for the thoughtful gifts from tu-tus to dresses to babies to books to puppets to stacking singers.


Will helped her out on a few presents and I feel like the crush resumed--even if briefly.The bee cupcakes were delightfully cute, but she was not sure about the taste. No surprise there. Why would she eat a decadent iced cupcake when being offered sugar for the first time? If it's not orange...forget it.

We just played the rest of the time and read books and held babies and gabbed. Perfect party. Amelia ate lunch, took a nap, and got geared up for the family party. Snapshots shortly.

Oh, I almost forgot. Here is a picture of all the little ones. Sorry Jordan, I know you were beyond unhappy at the insistence of this shot. But, thanks for not bailing off the couch.

Amelia wants you guys to know that she is the oldest one in this picture. Sheesh--and that she is one now. Getting a little big for her britches...

365 Days

My little blue eyed girl is one.





Finally, no words. Just a huge smile, tiny happy tears, and dreams for the future.

Okay, maybe a few words. This has been the most challenging and fulfilling year and I am so grateful for the chance to be Amelia's mom. I can't get over how blessed I am. She delights me daily and the fact that a year has already passed since she came into our lives encourages me to be in the moment--every moment.

Party post/pictures promptly. Promise.

My King and I

Ross surprised me this Valentine's Day with a motel stay and a musical. I use surprise loosely because he barely made it with the secret for a few hours. However, that is a quirk I love about him. By the time we got to Harrison (where Mom and Dad were keeping Amelia) I already knew what the surprise tickets were, where we were staying, what the play was, and where it was located. But, let me say that none of that took away the joy of the weekend. We so needed some time together and Saturday and Sunday went perfectly. One thing that I took out of our marriage retreat weekend was this quote, "The greatest gift you can give your children is the knowledge that their parents love each other and have fun together." Ross and I want to keep this a priority. I know that my parents did and I never doubted their love for each other (or the fun they were having) for a second.

When I don't post for a few days my writing get laborious, long, lengthy, la la la . I haven't even gotten to the musical. The King and I is a sweet story and I was on the edge of my seat throughout the entire play. I haven't really figured out if Ross loves musicals, but he always appreciates my love for them. Amazing acting and singing. In love. The curtain call brought me to tears and it was such a sweet surprise. We had a late night Steak N Shake treat and then back to our motel.
The next day we got up at TEN--praise the Lord-- and shopped and ate lunch and just enjoyed each others company. Then, back to our little Valentine for some hugs and kisses. Great weekend. Thank goodness for grandparents.

I have always loved Valentine's day. Even during school when I didn't have a sweetheart. Even during the four year drought where I was blaringly single and all my friends were married. There was something so hopeful about the day to me. I have always been lucky enough to be surrounded by love. My parents made sure that I always got a card or flower and Meme and Pop always gave me a hug and some candy. Steph always gave me something creative to let me know that I was forever her sister and best friend. And, as I became stronger in my faith, I knew the Lord's love was greater than all of that--constant and steadfast--and with me on Valentine's Day and always. Yes, it may be commercial. But, count me in. I am all about a day to make sure you spread the love.

This year I loved it more than ever and I hope I feel that with each year that passes. Amelia makes my heart melt, quite simply. And as boys come and go, I hope I make her feel as special as my mom has always made me feel.
Told ya, long. And, I'm not done.

Love is dinner with two best friends from a lifetime ago.

A Pa dancing with his granddaughter even when he is not the dancing type.
A mom and dad who still will move mountains to help you out because you are their little girl.

A new scarf and hat.
Love is my new baby niece to be.

Stopping to smell the roses with your Pop.
Love is a God who starts over with you every day. Thankfully.

Love is

Seriously?

I love chocolate covered strawberries. Like, they are up there with Dr. Pepper, which I drink by the gallon. So, imagine my surprise when this showed up at my door today.

Hmm...surely it's not really what the outside of the box says. Surely.


Delicious. Decadent. Dang good. My sweet Mom and Dad sent Ross and I such a unique and thoughtful Valentine's Gift. Thanks guys, we loved them. Amelia got a box of Valentine goodies as well.

She loved her box and carefully examined each thing. First the cute cup and then the two new books and the card. All a big hit.


Then, this dog. See?Speaking of Valentine's Day, Ross has planned a surprise for me on Saturday and I am beyond excited. We haven't been away in aaagggggeeees. He is trying to tell me everything about the surprise though. I know it is Branson and he already told me where we are staying. By Saturday, I am sure I will know everything he has planned. Amelia is staying with Gam and Gamp and she says, "Have fun and don't hurry back." Actually, that sounds like something Mom and Amelia would say.

Yes, I realize that Amelia doesn't actually talk in complete sentences. But, I just know what she means. Okay, so she doesn't really talk at all. Sheesh.

We also got these adorable Valentine's cards from Will and Walker today. Love.


And Mammaw sent a pop-up card. What a delightful trip to the mailbox today!

Love

So.....two tantalizing tidbits for today.


Guess who is going to give us a girl? Yep, these two beautiful people. She'll be a knockout. I was moved to tears with the healthy report yesterday. Steph hates tears so I had to clear them, fast. Amelia cannot wait for her little cousin to arrive so that she can start telling her what to do. Kidding---so they can play of course. And be best friends. With the occasional bossing.


And, today is the anniversary of when these two said "I do."

I wasn't there that day, but from my first memory on, they have done nothing but shower me with love, as well as each other. They are looking at Amelia in this picture and beaming, which is so typical of these two. Happy Fiftyfourish Years. I can't remember, but I think Meme said 54 is the magical number of this Anniversary.

Tummy Tidbit
Amelia went to have her ears re-checked today and they looked good. Ear infection is gone. However, we had some discussions about the fact that she won't eat meat or green veggies or anything other than her Orange Trio of sweet potatoes, carrots, and squash. Not a well-rounded diet. And, she is coming off formula in a few weeks, which has a lot of good stuff in it. He gave me a prescription for some vitamins and told me to keep trying with new foods each week. She is in the 20th percentile for weight and is still on "the same curve she has been on" when he plotted her on the chart. So, he isn't concerned that she isn't thriving, but he is concerned she might not be getting enough mojo.

She starts gagging sometimes BEFORE she tries the new food item. I don't even make a big deal of it; I just slip the meat or bean or whatever I am letting her try onto her tray. Often, she will look at it and start gagging or, if she is being really dramatic, dry heaving. This is without tasting the food. Sigh. My child loves drama. She then screams "NACK, NACK." Because one thing she does love is a good ole snack, i.e. Gerber Puffs of Air.

Tantrum Tidbit
Sunday night we took the front of Amelia's crib off to make a toddler bed of sorts and pushed it up against our bed. We have a double bed and with Amelia sprawled out and Ross sprawled out, I am uncomfortable most of the night. I thought this would work perfectly, but she knows the difference. She screams out and flails when on "her" mattress. But, when on our mattress in a big family wad, snoozes fine. It has been a disaster to say the least. We have tried to lay her down every night and failed every night. She is so awake by the third attempt and fail that it takes quite a while to rock her back to sleep. We are back at the drawing board. Since she is in love with her bathtub rather it is water or snow, one of my friends suggested putting her to sleep in it. I am a mere day or two away from trying it.




When we left the doctor, Amelia said, "Mom, I loved that new stuff I tried the last few days."

I could not figure out what she was talking about.

"You know, it was cold and delish. Does it have lots of nutrients? Because I could eat it all day every day."

I finally realize she is talking about snow. "No sweetie that doesn't have any nutrients. Sorry. We will try some chicken when we get home though."

She started gagging in her carseat.