Merry Christmas To All....And To All a Good Night!

Well, it's the "post- Christmas" blog update.  I just finished reorganizing Lucy's closet to fit all of her new to toys in and I put most of her old toys away.  No more play mats and swings- now it's jumpers and walkers! She got some really cute toys from her cousins/Aunts/Uncles/Grandparents/Parents.  She definitely got spoiled :)  And I know Christmas is not just about the presents, but it is so much fun to watch her discover and play with her new-found treasures.  I would like to say, though, that Shawn and I did go to Church throughout the month of December so that we could remember Christ and His birth and how He saved us all.  The Virgin Mary, Joseph and the little Stable where Jesus was born truly is a remarkable story, and I love to re-hear it every year.  Now that I have a baby, I cry every time I hear "Away in a Manger."  I can't even believe the faith and courage Mary must have had while carrying Jesus Christ!  It is truly amazing! Shawn and I are so blessed to both have faith in the Lord and know that Christmas is a time to celebrate His birth!
Not only do I love the story of the Birth, but I just love everything about Christmas- the lights, the music, the snow, the generosity of strangers, (and yes, the presents!) and just the holiday cheer that is felt everywhere you go.  It truly is "the most wonderful time of the year."  Here are some pictures of Lucy on Christmas morning, playing with her new loot!

Santa brought the Princess her Little Red Piano!

And a cute Elephant to play on :)

Her Walker that she can use...soon!

So much fun!

From Ninny and Papa

She always makes this face, and I love it every time!

Her baby fridge from Grammy and PawPaw

Playing piano with her pretty red nails :)

More play-time! :)

Also, we were able to spend Christmas Eve at the Howard's!  The kids all had so much fun together, and I loved making delicious appetizers with my sister and celebrating the holiday with my cute niece and nephews!  We LOOOOOVE the Howards! And they love Lucy!
I truly hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and had as much fun as we all did.  We love and miss you all. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Christmas Eve!

Pretty Christmas outfit!

Hanging out with KJ

I love my Lucy Baby

Us <3

The girls!

The cute cousins!

Christmas Eve Dinner :)

The kids in their Christmas PJs

They LOVE Lucy

I love these guys :)

Dan looks funny in the background. Haha, Tiff looks gorgeous!

Joy To The World....

.....Lucy's 7 Months!

What a FUN time this age is!  Lucy is so stinkin' cute, she just kills me! Her newest "thing" is giving big, slobbery, wide-open mouthed kisses.  How could anybody not love that?  It's pretty sweet.  I say, "Lucy, can Mommy have kisses?"  And she leans in and plants a big wet one on my cheek.  I absolutely LOVE it. 

She is growing, growing, growing!  I can't believe she's closer to her 1 year mark than her birth.  Time just flies!  At her appointment last week, she was 17.4 lbs (58%) and 26 1/4 inches long (74%!) Her poor head is only 33%, but it's still so perfectly round and just beautiful.

She is full of laughter and squeals and has the sweetest voice in the world.  She sings all day long.   Her favorite toys are the ones you have to hit or spin to light up and sing.  She gets so much joy from playing.  I love that she can now entertain herself with her toys.  The world is her playground and she sure does like to explore!  Her favorite snacks are cheerios and pretzels (I think she just likes to suck the salt off of the pretzels- haha!).  Peek-a-boo will keep her laughing forever! She loves her bath time and will sit and splash for as long as you'll let her.  And oh my gosh, she is SO ticklish!  Hearing her laugh is simply music to my ears :) She loves to be hanging upside down.  I know it might sound strange, but when she's cranky, we hold her up by her feet and immediately she starts laughing.  Dancing gets her going too.  She loves it when we dance with her.  Plus, if you turn on music or sing to her, she will sing right along with you.  

Could she be any more precious?  I ask that question each day of her life, and yet everyday just gets better and better.


 

Happy 7 Month Birthday my sweet baby angel!

Here are her Christmas Pictures!  We are really enjoying this Holiday Season!

Santa Claus is Comin' To Town!

This will be one of a few blog posts this month!  Over the next couple of weeks I will have lots to write about, I'm sure :)

First things first---- Lucy met Santa!

Sweet baby girl didn't even cry or pout- just was as sweet as can be on his lap. We told him what she was asking for- a little red Piano.  I'm sure Santa will have no problem placing that under our tree on Christmas.  She sure has been good this year!  Well, at least for the most part!  But she's new to life, so she's allowed to slip up every now and again!

She can sit tall in a high chair now! Such a big girl!

 

 Also, she got to play in the snow.  She kind of doesn't "get" it yet.  But she doesn't cry when she's in it, so I think she'll learn to love it, just like her Mom and Dad.

 

She got to ride on some rides at Chuck E. Cheese's while we celebrated Sweet Leela's 5th Birthday!

 She got a Tattoo....and she really does have Sweet Cheeks ;)  Look at those dimples!  I absolutely LOVE them!

Well, Merry Christmas!  Only 12 days to go and I can't wait!

 

Something To Think About....

As I was getting ready to write this post, I was thinking of titles I should use: "Happy Thanksgiving," "Things I'm Thankful for, "Happy Holidays!" etc., etc.  But sitting here at my desk, I decided to get a little "raw," if you will.  Shawn and I have had a rough past few weeks.  Not relationship-wise or anything like that (thank goodness!), but we have gone through a few personal and financial struggles that have left both of us panicked, overwhelmed, and just feeling down.  It almost seems never-ending when you're stuck in the middle of it all.  I hate to write about the bad stuff and I am not going to air our dirty laundry for all to see, but there is a point to this blog post.  Everyone (including me!) needs a reminder now and then that without the struggles, there would be no satisfaction.  Without the hurt, there would be no joy.  Without the fear, there would be no trust. It takes some work to make it work....and that is just something to think about.  So here I am, thinking about the things I am thankful for.  I am not liking my personal problems, but without them, I might not be really grateful for the small and simple things in my life that truly bring me so much joy.

 I am thankful that Lucy has been here for 6 months and has never needed to go to the doctor for anything other than her "Well-Baby" visits.

 

She is a healthy, happy little baby and we are so very lucky for that!

 

I am thankful for Christmas decorations!  They are beautiful and put a smile on my face :)

I am thankful for warm, sunny days in the Fall!

 I am thankful for this little girl.  She is so silly and it almost HURTS to love someone so much!

  

I am thankful for my husband and my baby; the 2 loves of my life.  They mean everything to me and without them, I would be lost.

 

I am thankful for a Husband who doesn't complain when I say "Ok, lets take a family picture!" He's a good sport! 

 

I'm thankful for the love this little family of mine has.  We really do love one another and get to enjoy a lot of smiles between the three of us.

 

I am thankful for our warm nights at home together.  Shawn and I might not get a lot of "dates," but I love that I get to spend my time with the cutest baby around!

I am thankful for Family Visits! (Lucy is so ticklish!)

                     I am thankful for Lucy's laughter.  It is music to my ears.

And mostly, I appreciate looking at this face everyday.  My life makes so much sense when my precious baby girl smiles at me.