Car shopping already?? ;)

Well, when it comes to Playskool and Disney play cars, Blakely just isn't sure which one she likes the best. :)  While trying to find different ways of helping her move her legs more, I came upon the car she got from Uncle D, Aunt Kare, Shaddy and Ells for Christmas and the car from Uncle Toby, Aunt Tanya, Aubrey, and Neely. The pics show that she seems to get the idea and she actually moved the car by kicking her legs backwards. However, she was quickly distracted by the camera and decided she would rather chew on the camera than drive/ride the cars. ;)

Oh what is this??

I love it!

Another car? Just give me the camera!

Yummy :)

I think I can chew on this? ;)

Last night we visited Kypton and he just melts my heart. While I was putting the pizzas in their oven, Holls and I noticed a pic of us and another friend from college at her bachelorette party and just couldn't believe how much our lives have changed in the last two years!!

Blakely met Hollie and Dan's dogs, Hershie and Tyson while we were there and I really wish I would have gotten some of her facial expressions on camera. All in all though, she did really well.  I think it made Ross really consider getting larger dog. ;)

Well, off to decide on which Christmas card we will order, finish homework and folding clothes while listening to Christmas music streaming on Lite 104.1's website. (Definitely forgot to add Christmas music to my thankful list yesterday! ;) )

So much to be thankful for :)

We are so blessed to have both sides of the family close, especially when holidays roll around. :) I kept joking with my mom that I believe this Thanksgiving's food goes down in the record book because it was absolutely delicious!

Getting ready for Thanksgiving dinner :)

Blakely wearing her grandaddy's hat :)

Thanksgiving table

Thanksgiving meal- minus the sides ;)

After spending a few days with the Owens', we headed to Winterset for the Rethmeier's Thanksgiving/Christmas. Since Aunt Kelsey and Uncle Nick are not able to come back for Christmas, the siblings and children exchanged gifts this past week. This year we all had a limit on gifts...they either had to be homemade, used, or under $10. I'm must be honest in saying this limit completely stressed me out throughout the year, but all of the gifts turned out to be awesome! It has really motivated me to try more DIY projects and crafts. :)

B enjoying her first Thanksgiving/Christmas :)

We were also very blessed to have my dear friend, Susan take our family pics over the weekend. (If any one needs a photographer, let me know because she's super fun and provides a really comfortable atmosphere!) I was a little worried which one to put on here because we're not sure which one to use for our Christmas card, but I just love them and couldn't resist. :)

Blakely and Ross also had the chance of meeting my Aunt Karen and Uncle Wren from Texas. They drove up on Saturday to stay with my parents. It was so nice seeing them...there are so many times I wish we made it down to Texas more often! :)


Well, I need to go finish a pretty large stack of homework, but before I go I thought I would share what I the young pastor who spoke at church this past Sunday suggested. We, I especially, sometimes ask God for so many things and when He provides we often times forget to thank/give Him the glory, except at Thanksgiving time. The pastor encouraged the congregation to live by this simple rule all year round....ask/pray to God, enjoy His blessings, and always thank Him for his mercy and goodness. So here are just a few things I am so very thankful for: :)

God's goodness
My marriage to Rossy
Our daughter (and having a safe delivery!)
Our family and friends
Our country (freedom)
and....Diet Dr. Pepper!! :)

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Winter Squash...really?

Well, we can now add winter squash to the list of food Blakes likes....for now at least.  ;)  I also allowed her to chew/suck on the apple I was eating today and of course, she wouldn't let me hold it while she enjoyed the sweetness; she had to hold it herself. So independent even at 6 months! (Here are a few picks of her new found chew toy. :) )

After I posted yesterday, I read my friend's blog. Her and her family are currently in the process of adopting two girls, who are sisters, from Ethiopia. And I must be honest, I was humbled by what she shared about her stay in Ethiopia, especially after I blogged about keeping a pair of jeggings for Blakes that cost more than a night at their hotel. I just wanted to include this not to make anyone, including my self, feel guilty but just look around and hopefully see how very blessed we are! God is great! :) 

Well, tonight the Reth fam is going to finish our Christmas shopping since we have Christmas with the Rethmeier's/Livingston's/Mulder's this weekend. I just love Christmas shopping and I'm excited for Blakes to experience it for the first time. :)

Hope this Tuesday is finding everyone super well! Loves!

Blessings :)

I just love weekends even though I was completely off when it came to my dates! I thought Sunday was the 18th, so of course I missed my best little (well he's not sooo little anymore ;) ) guy, Jack Shisler's, birthday party. However, we got to stop by yesterday and see him when Ross and I went on our "date". :)

My parents watched Blakes while Ross and I did a little shopping and stopped by the Shisler's house. It's so weird when Blakes is not with us, but it was nice to spend some quality time with my husband. :)

When we got back to my parent's house Blakely decided to eat a whole bowl of oatmeal, which meant she ate a whole jar of sweet potatoes and a whole bowl of oatmeal for the first time yesterday! I have to admit it is less stressful when she actually eats the food and doesn't just spit it everywhere. :)

I know my weekend timeline is kind of back words but I wanted to include that Kypton came on Saturday!! He is absolutely adorable! I am so proud of my best friend, Hollie and her husband, Dan...they're great parents!  We got to see him twice over the weekend and I even got to feed him last night. :)  Hollie asked me if I was ready for a second one, and I have to admit Kypton makes it awfully tempting...but for now, I just love enjoying my time with Blakes! ;)

Well, Thanksgiving is coming up and I am so very excited! On Wednesday we will head to my parent's and spend two days there, then head to Winterset to see all of the Rethmeier's/Livingston's/Mulder's. That's right they will all be there! :)  I told a friend yesterday that I can't believe Blakely will be celebrating her first Thanksgiving this week and before we know it Christmas! :) 

Okay, I know this is a weird way to end a blog but...for you mother's out there...how much would you spend on a super cute pair of Jeggings (jeans/leggings) for a 6 month old?? I broke down and bought a pair for Blakes and let's just say I spent more on them then I usually do on Rossy's jeans. :)  And does anyone know of place where I can get a cute pair for cheap!? 

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Monday!

Brothers/Uncles :)

Today Blakely and I went to her 6 month appointment (still can not get over the fact that my daughter is 6 months!). The nurse informed us that she is in the 93 percentile for weight and 95 percentile for height (which jumped from 50 percentile at her first appointment ;) ) I am so thankful for a healthy and growing baby girl!

Blakes also received 3 shots today and of course, she cried when she first felt the prick of the needles so I was preparing myself, since I cried more than her when she received her first shots...the nurses had to offer me Kleenexes, for the worse, but all of sudden when I picked her up to comfort her, I hear this absolutely adorable giggle! Yes! A giggle! The nurse made some facial expression, by accident mind you, that Blakely must have thought was hilarious and seemed as though she never received 3 shots. I have to admit my 6 month old is far braver than I will ever be!

After her appointment we had lunch with my mom at her office and then met my brother, Cole and my dad at his office. After all of my dad's coworkers got their fix of a baby being in the office, Cole brought Jimmy John's to my house and we got to hang out for a while. It was a blast! It has been really cool seeing my brothers become uncles. Blakely loves her UC! (Uncle Cole)

I also talked with my brother, Taylor, on facebook tonight. I love the times we get to talk, probably because I miss him so much. I was fearful we were going to grow apart once he moved to NYC, but it is crazy how his move actually brought us closer together...or at least I think. ;) I am so proud of him and can't wait to see him for Christmas!

Finally, took some pics off our camera so here are a few from Halloween and hanging out with daddy :)

Cutest lady bug I've ever seen ;)

Two peas in a pod :)

Thing 1 and Thing 2 :)

So all in all it was a great day...now if only Kypton would grace us with his presence. ;)

Day 2 :)

Who would have thought, I would spend the entire day simply making a few meals, shower, completing two homework assignments, feeding (week old, almost brown bananas seem to be her fav...go figure?) and playing with Blakely, doing 3 loads of laundry (and it's still not all done :) ) attending class, and now blogging??  Well, now that I type it all, I can! ;)

Like I mentioned in my previous post, I am trying to find more productive and creative ways of spending my time. I was shocked when I decided to blog instead of watching my favorite T.V. show, "Bones" tonight. Maybe it's a step? I have to be honest, I have been looking forward to this time all day, probably because I find it somewhat therapeutic. :)

I am really looking forward to tomorrow morning for two reasons, Blakely has her 6 month appointment (not really looking forward to the shots) and my best friend is scheduled to be induced! We are sooo excited to finally meet her sweet baby boy and have already started praying the Lord watches over her, Kypton, and the delivery.

Ross and I have begun reading the book, "I Quit" before we go to bed and the first chapters have drastically changed the way I view life. Without writing a novel (haha no pun intended ;) ), the book empowers Christians to find healthy ways of quitting things in life. The first chapter is titled, "Stop caring about what other people think." so one can only imagine how the reading has rocked my world. :)

Well, Ross just came over to the computer asking what I was doing and I think it was his sweet way of saying hey let's hang out, so good night to you all! :)

Blogging?

I have been inspired by all of my family and friends who blog to begin this trend myself, however; I must be completely honest, what ultimately forced me to find a better way to spend my time was the moment I realized I spent more time watching mindless television than doing anything else in my life. Ross, my husband, informed me that on average Americans spend over 8 hours a week watching T.V. What could we do with an extra 8 hours in our week?? Well, I can tell you one thing, I could spend that time doing my homework, which I need to do as we speak. Therefore, this is going to be short, but I'm really looking forward to blogging more later! :)