And She's Off....

Well, Baby Caris is officially crawling. This kid constantly amazes me. She's trying really hard to go from crawling to sitting up and she's almost got it. She's such a whiz. I just wish she'd slow down a bit.

Her Daddy thought it would be funny to put her pants on her head!!! I have to admit, it was pretty cute. Heck, this kid could make just about anything cute. I know I'm biased but she's gotta be the cutest young 'un ever!


Oh, and I think I forgot to mention that she's moved into her "big girl" car seat. She loves it!! I can't decide if it's because she can face forward or because the seat belts taste so good!!

Letters to Caris (6 Months)

I am filled with so many emotions as I sit here and contemplate all the things I want to say to you. You will never know how much you have changed my life. I never really considered myself "maternal". That's not to say I don't like children; I love them. I just didn't think that I wanted children of my own. From the outside looking in it just seemed like a person had to give up so much when he/she decided to become a parent. Admittedly, I was a very selfish person when it came to my time, money, etc..
Around November of 2006 your Daddy and I were talking and I let him know that maybe I was changing my mind about the whole "kid" thing. I don't really know what one thing caused the change of heart. I just remember thinking that your Daddy is such a great person and that it would be a shame if, when he left this earth, he wouldn't leave anything behind. And, yes, I guess I wanted to leave my mark on the world as well. Those sound like totally selfish reasons, so let me assure you that they weren't the ONLY reasons. During those few months I felt a guiding hand on my life. Having a baby just felt right. I know now that it was God reassuring me that this was His plan for us, but I have to admit I was not as strong in my faith then and I just didn't put it all together.
Let me make it clear, we told NOONE that we had changed our minds. We fielded all of the "When are you guys gonna have a couple" questions at Christmas that year just like we always had - "No thanks, we're good!". So, you can imagine the surprise on EVERYONE'S faces when we told them the news. It was great! I wish that feeling for you. I want you to know how it feels when those you love most are truly happy and excited for you. I wish the happiness and joy for you that your Daddy and I feel everyday just from having you in our lives. You are such a special child. God hand-picked you for us, I just know He did. And we are so blessed to be able to shape your little life.
I want to close with a few random bits of advice; things I hope you'll take to heart and apply to your life. After your relationship with God, your family is THE most important thing in life. Do everything within your power to love them, support them, and help them. Also, learn to cook. Mom didn't and your poor Daddy has suffered because of it! Learn to love football. Baseball is too slow, basketball is too fast - but football is just right! Always have spearmint gum, good hand lotion and chap stick in your purse. Learn how to tell others as well as yourself "No". Lastly, find someway each day to laugh. It makes your day better and could improve someone else's as well.
Hugs & Kisses,
Mom

Show Me Those Pearly Whites!!!

Well, as I've said (written) before, THIS IS TOO FAST! Baby girl now has 2, count 'em, 2 teeth! Yes, that's right, 2 teeth. We thought that she had been unusually fussy the past couple of days and it turns out that we can blame it on something other than the red hair! Her Nana and I attempted to get a picture of the little cutters, but, as it turns out she's not a fan of posing while someone is sticking their fingers in her mouth! What a diva!

My First Mother's Day

I hope all of you Mothers out there are having as good a Mother's Day Weekend as I am. As if I needed more proof that my hubby was a wonderful guy, he goes and tops anything I ever could have imagined him doing. I returned from lunch Friday to find 3 vases of roses on my desk. At first, I thought someone had made a mistake. Maybe a couple of these vases were for other gals at the office and the delivery person was just lazy and put them all on my desk. So, I opened the card and realized it was no mistake. The vase on the right holds only 1 rose. This rose represents all of our "firsts" together; our first kiss, our first child and the many more first we'll share together. The vase on the left holds 6 roses. These represent the 6 months that I have been a "great" mother to our child. The middle vase holds 11 roses. These represent the 11 (almost) "outstanding" years we've been married. For those of you who know my husband, you will find this gesture somewhat out of character. He's not one for "emotions". So, you must understand just how much this touched me. Don't get me wrong, I know he loves me and I never doubt that. But this....this was simply wonderful! I cried and just sat in my chair thanking God for him and our daughter and the wonderful life that He has given me. Then I called my guy and cried all over again. It was so special. He has surely made my first "official" mother's day one that I will never forget. I love you, Boo!

6 Month Check Up

Baby Girl had her 6 month check up today and got a good report. Her Daddy took her (ain't he a sweetie) and he got to experience the whole shot thing. It broke his heart as much as it always breaks mine. He's such a wonderful Father! She and I both are blessed! Her stats were as follows:
Weight - 19.9 lbs. (Yep, she loves her sweet potatoes!)
Length - 28.5 inches (She's gonna be tall like Daddy!)
Gotta love that kid!!!

"Getting to Know You"

I saw this on another person's blog and thought it would be fun to try.

Maybe I should really consider getting a maid.  I was such a horrible housekeeper before Little Bit was born and since she's come along it's gotten progressively worse.  My poor hubby!!

People would say that I'm too reserved.  This can be mistaken for snobbery, but I promise that is not how it is intended.  I just take a while to warm up to people.  I'm working on it.

I don't understand why when a deer sheds its antlers one year they grow back to the same size and sometimes even bigger the next year.  How is this possible?  That's like losing your legs one year and by the next year you are taller than you were before your legs fell off.  It just doesn't make any sense to me.

When I wake up in the morning I either fix a bottle or change a diaper, depending on whether I make it to the crib first or not.  The one who gets the baby changes the diaper, the one who doesn't makes the bottle.  What a wonderful life!!!

I've lost my willpower to get organized.  It's just not gonna happen!  I end up finding what I need eventually!

Life is wonderful with the addition of that precious little red-headed girl!  Easy answer, I know!  I just can't express how complete my life has been since she came along!

My past made me fiercely protective of my family.  They are my constant source of support, happiness and comfort.  I thank God for and pray for each one of them everyday.

I get annoyed when the bass on people's car radios thumps so loud that it literally shakes my body.  This cannot be good for that person's hearing and it does not make them seem cool.  The only thing it makes them seem is deaf.

Parties are not a good time to try new recipes.  Stick with what you know!  If your luck is anything like mine, it never turns out when you're under pressure.  

Dogs are good for other people.  Animals in general are not my thing.  Not that I ever wish any harm on any animal; I'm just not what you'd call an "animal lover".  If you are - so be it!

Cats are OK as long as they stay at least 50 yards away from me.  Again, I'm not a big animal person.  

Tomorrow I'm going to go to my nephew's 1st tee ball game.  He's 4 and it should be interesting.

I have low tolerance for stick-thin gals who claim they eat all the time and think they are fat.  You are just fishing for compliments!  Admit it and have a cheeseburger!  You will still be able to fit into your size 0 jeans!

I'm totally terrified of losing someone I love.  I don't know if I am emotionally or mentally strong enough to get through that kind of loss.

I wonder why I thought my life would be OK without kids.  I was so wrong!  

Never in my life have I smoked a cigarette.  I have never had the urge to smoke.  Let me see, it smells disgusting and makes your teeth yellow....Oh, yeah, sign me up!!  (That was sarcasm for those of you who don't know me!)

High school was something that should be used as a method of torture on criminals.  The only good things I got out of high school were my awesome husband and a scholarship to college.

When I'm nervous I get really quiet and like to just sink into the background.  

One time at a family gathering I was yelled at by an elderly woman in front of everyone.  For those of you who don't know this story it was very traumatic and something that haunts me until this day.  (Sarcasm once again!)  Just let me say that when grandma says "Go fix your plate", go fix your plate!

Take my advice - cantaloupe is good!  Trust me on this!  I love it!

Making my bed is...wait a second, hold the phone...those things are supposed to be made?  What a neat idea!  I'll have to try that sometime!

I'm almost always the peacemaker.  I just want harmony.  Otherwise I can't sleep and get horrible migraines.  Why can't we all just get along?!?!

I'm addicted to chocolate (specifically Milky Ways).  I could've said Dr. Pepper, but I gave those up about a month ago.  I'm also hooked on Sonic Java Chillers, but I limit myself to only 1 of those a week.

I want someone to teach me how to love what I cannot change, let go of what I cannot change, forgive what I cannot change and change whatever I can.  (Thank you LeAnn Rimes!)

Our Baby Girl is 6 Months Old!

My how time flies.....Little Red is 6 months old!! My heart is filled with so many emotions! She changes everyday and watching her grow is so bittersweet. We waited so long to decide that we wanted children and God could not have sent us a more perfect child. It is so strange because I was always the one who said I didn't ever want to have children and now I couldn't imagine my life without her. I honestly don't know what we did before she came along. But it is all going too fast! I'd always heard how time flies by when you have children, but no words could have conveyed to me just how fast it goes. It's not fair! She just got here and now she's rolling all over the place, eating all the sweet potatoes we can give her, and sitting up! I am so blessed to be part of her life.

New To The Blogging World!

After much thought, I have decided to start a blog to reduce to writing the happenings of this wonderful life of mine!  Things have changed so much lately and I have the urge a million times a day to write down my thoughts, feelings and ideas just so that I can remember these times.  So, my apologies upfront if I seem inept at this....it's a work in progress!  

I was reading a blog today that really moved me.  I mean sitting-at-my-desk-crying-like-a-baby moved me.  It was the story of a couple who were told that their unborn child had a terminal condition and the resulting emotions and events.  This woman wrote with such raw emotion that I felt like I lived through this experience with her.  It was one of those times when I kept telling myself to quit reading because it just hurt too bad; but I couldn't stop.  The most amazing thing throughout their whole ordeal was their undying, unwavering faith and trust in the Lord.  I want my walk to be that strong.  It isn't....but I want it to be.  What a testimony!  God blessed us with our precious little miracle 6 months ago.  It physically pains me to even imagine not being able to hold her, bathe her, rock her to sleep, even listen to her cry!!  My heart goes out to her and her family.  They will surely be in my prayers.  To read her story please go to audreycaroline.blogspot.com and be prepared to take stock of your life!  I must make more of an effort to realize the many blessings in my life and praise the Lord for them.  God is AWESOME and I only need to look into the face of my little girl to know that!!