Parents = Entertainers :)

It's been a while since our last post and it's probably due to the fact that I have started classes, sickness, hunting weekends, and hanging out with friends and family.  I don't realize how busy we are until I write everything out on here or in my journal! :)

In a previous post, I mentioned Blakely's desire to eat Hy-chi when she grabbed for my plate at the dinner table. Well, last night, she finally experienced her first sample of sesame chicken (without the fried, fluffy outside...just the inside), rice, broccoli, and peas...she loved it! I wish we could have gotten a few pics, but of course, I forgot the camera and didn't want to cause a scene in Hy-vee since we ate there. However, after dinner, she also experienced her first taste of Twizzlers since her daddy and Nini allowed her chew one theirs. Pics can be seen on Facebook. Even though I may not approve, it was really fun to watch her experience new things...she's really growing up! 

I feel as though we come to "developmental stage" obstacles in B's life when we have to find new ways to entertain her. I don't know if it's a reflection on us but she seems to get bored an awful lot! So of course I went on Pinterest and Parents.com to find fun ideas for games/activities to do with an 8, soon to be 9, month old. Today's activity was allowing her to feed herself and even though she seemed extremely uninterested, I got a few fun pics of her at the table. :)

I love to eat, but why feed myself when I know mom will do it for me? :) 

Yeah, that's right I know how to work the system! :)  (I just love her!)

That's not funny, give me another bite! (Can anyone tell that this soon-to-be 9 month old is wearing 18-24 month clothes in this pic??)

Tomorrow we are going to try "food finger painting"...hopefully, I will get some crazy pics of her doing it! My mom also told me about baby story time at the library, so I think we're going to go with my best friend and her son next week...we'll see how that goes because again, B gets bored very quickly and I'm not sure if the library setting is the best for her! :)

I'm still waiting for my textbooks to arrive, but once they do I'm afraid my time to blog will decrease even more, but I am hoping I will do a decent job of time management and continue to blog. :) Much love to all!

Being sick isn't sooo bad :)

This past week/weekend, I got hit with the stomach flu, which seems like a suckie thing, but after a visit from Nini and spending some bonding time with Daddy, I really enjoyed watching Blakes have so much fun! My mom was so sweet for coming over, on her day off I might add, to play with B while I caught up on some rest. :) Not only did she play with Blakely, she also washed and cleaned 6 loads of laundry, prepared my meals, and brought me plenty of Diet Dr. Pepper.  I'm not gonna lie, I don't think I will ever be too old to have my mom take care of me when I'm sick... ;)

Ross did and an awesome job of joggling a sick wife and super active baby girl...I don't think I could ask for a more awesome husband! He even had the energy to clean/organize the house, but not without a few play breaks... :)

Oh and here are some of the pics we took of B's new hat, and here's the website for one, if you would like to buy one and two, to see B's modeling debut! ;)  http://www.etsy.com/listing/82335588/cream-pom-pom-baby-hat

"How about you just give me the camera?"

"Really? "

Captured her new "Top Lip Folded Under Smile" :)

Recovering from the holidays :)

The holidays were great, however; the time away took a toll on our house! Although I want to say that our house is spotless, I must admit we've probably spent more time hanging out with family and friends than cleaning. ;) From walking the mall with Holls and Kypton to jumping on the indoor trampoline at the Yentes' house, we have really had a fun week! 

We have also celebrated many birthdays this month since January seems to be the month of birthdays for our family and friends. Cole turned 21 (and yes, that makes me feel extremely old) and to celebrate, we went to see Breaking Dawn Pt. 1. It was great...a very intense movie but fun spending time with Cole. :) We were unable to celebrate many of the birthdays in person (Tay and Kare) due to different reasons, but we still are so thankful for them! :) 

Last night we were blessed to be apart of Max Shisler's 2nd Birthday. He's really growing up and made us laugh the entire night! One of the best things I love about visiting the Shisler home is they always make us feel so welcomed and special! Their family gave Blakely this adorable hat (I will have to get a pic of her in it when she wakes up from her nap ;) ) and just loved on her the whole time we were there...and yes, even the teenager, Tommy and soon to be teenager, Drew gave her some love. ;) Here are a few pics of the fun!

Jack teaching B how to give High Fives :)

Lovin' his birthday cake :)

Such a good lookin group!

My favorite Jack :)

Learning how to shoot hoops...no better place than at the Shisler's :)

Out with the old...in with the new :)

Blakely received so many awesome toys, clothes, etc this Christmas that yes, even though she is only 8 months old, we had to start a Goodwill box of some of her old things. One of the funniest gifts she received this year was a set of Baby Einstein movies...long story short, I saw this set at a garage sale this past summer and couldn't decide if I wanted to spend what the family was asking for the set. 

Of course, I waited too long in making a decision and when I went back to buy them they were gone. Karie and Gayle were with me and told me they saw this women buy them. I just couldn't let it go that I passed up the chance of buying these DVDs for Blakely especially when I knew how much she loves TV! (I must add we limit her television watching to 30 mins (or less) a day ;) ) Need less to say, when we opened B's gifts from Frama and Papa this Christmas, the beloved Baby Einstein set of DVDs were there! The family got a good laugh out of this story because they all knew Gayle had secretly gone back to the garage sale and bought them behind my back! So to show how much Blakes loves her DVDs and all she got for Christmas here are a few pics  :)

I don't really think I'm going to be smarter because I'm watching these silly puppets dance to Christmas music, but I sure do love watching it. :)

Mom, why are you over there? Come watch/play with me!

On a more serious note, we found out last night that my mom's cousin and his wife were in a terrible bicycle accident. They were hit by a truck driver who could not see them due to the sun. The wife is in intensive care while my mom's cousin passed away. We are praying for the Lord's healing and even though we do not understand why this has happened we know that the He has a plan. 

This story made the Amarillo, TX newspaper and even though I was extremely happy to see the comforting messages left for his family, I was also extremely disheartened when I read what some had to say. From comments saying, "it was their own fault" to blaming my cousins for not wearing protective gear when these individuals did not know the whole story because if they did then they would have known they were wearing helmets. I just don't understand why some people have to be so discouraging and in my opinion, down right mean...  Either way, if anyone thinks about it please lift up the family in your prayers. 

I will have to say that this time has reminded me how precious life is and hopefully we can all appreciate what God has done for us a little more. :) (Yes, I think I have kissed and hugged Blakely about a thousands times since we found out the news!) Much love to all!

Baby Shaye :)

We were so blessed to ring in the new year with Ross's parents, Kel, Nick and baby Shaye! :)  It was so much fun spending time with them and we'll be honest we kind of wish they were a little closer... ;)

Love dancing with Frama and Aunt Kel :)

Proud daddy :)

Proud mama and Blakes enjoying her new baby cousin :)

Out to Texas Road House for the last night together!

Proud parents and Aunt/Uncle :)

 

Uncle Nick teaching Blakes to color :)

Reflecting back on 2011 and thinking about all that's to come in 2012, I am both thankful and excited for all the blessings Christ has given and is yet to give to my family and me. On our way back from Indiana yesterday, Ross and I had the awesome opportunity to talk with his mom about different things and she offered this piece of advice that I am going to really try to do this year.

        "The best thing you can do for your marriage and Blakely is to love Ross and strive to meet his needs and one of the most important ways you can do this, is by praying for him and honestly and openly communicating with him."

Of course, Ross and I talked about other New Year resolutions and all that is already planned in 2012 (school, weddings, showers, babies (not our own ;), and so much more) and here are some that were mentioned:

Read the Bible together more
Exercise at least 3 times a week
Watch less TV
Go on more dates ;)
Enjoy Blakely everyday (not that we don't already ;) )
Volunteer this summer for the Kidsave adoption program
and last but definitely not least...(we talked about sooo many ;))

Drink more water and less coke....(Being realistic, I can see the first part happening, but not the second ;) )

Hope everyone is enjoying the first week of 2012 and God Bless! :)