Christmas Time

Merry Christmas, Y'all!

Well my most favorite time of the year has passed for 2012, the Christmas holiday season. We are so beyond blessed with friends and family to celebrate with that there is no shortage of get-togethers or people to visit! This year we spaced out our celebrations more than usual and it worked out great!

First we had a gathering with some of Chase's extended family. It's a big, fun group that has continued to grow over the years. We have three babies (including Augusta) on this side so that makes it all the more fun. There's lots of love to be shared in this group, and also lots of good food! Yum, yum, yum!

Augusta, Mommy, and Mims!

Three Beauties--absolutely adore them!

My favorites---hate its blurry!

 The following afternoon we did our gift exchange with Chase's immediate family. It's always fun to watch our nieces open their gifts, and this year was no exception. Lana's faces are always priceless. And Maddie and Augusta are starting to understand and enjoy it as well. It was perfect and no pressure was put on the babies as they opened. They were free to roam and come back and open gifts when ready, which is pretty much the way Augusta liked to do it this year! Her favorite gift here was probably her talking baby doll. (This girl is all about the babies!) Though as we got home and played, she has also enjoyed the portable princess CD player.

Two princessess sitting on their thrones

Me and my sweet girl!

Opening gifts with Mommy

 Christmas Eve was low-key at home. We did pop out to my parents for the traditional "Christmas Eve Gift." It's a tradition I haven't partaken in in many years, though it has lived on with my siblings. We also took our gifts for the next day and dropped them off since Christmas was predicted to be a wet one. When we arrived back at home, we were sure to sprinkle the Reindeer food and make cookies for Santa. Then it was off to bed to wait for his arrival!

Miss Independent was not happy with Mommy trying to help at this point!

Getting the hang of it...

Sprinkling Reindeer Food

Christmas Day was magical! With Augusta I feel like a little kid all over again! I couldn't wait to get her up and see her expression as she saw all her gifts! I actually woke up at 6 and laid awake until she awoke closer to 6:30. Then we came down stairs to find her presents from Santa. She was most excited with the Cinderella doll he left. Next we did stockings and our presents under the tree. I can't say Augusta was totally into it, but she did help unwrap some of the gifts. And she enjoyed playing with different things as we opened them for her. Mims and Paul-Paul also came over and brought some stocking goodies, and then it was off to Gammie and Pappy's house.

Augusta with her loot from Santa

Digging in her stocking

I'm telling you, all she needs is a baby doll!

 We opened presents with my parents and siblings, as we do every year. We also had our breakfast as we opened. This year Chase made 7-up biscuits that were super yummy! Mom gave Chase and I a coupon for two overnight babysitting sessions--subtle Gammie! ;) Again Augusta was spoiled with way too much! Her favorite thing here was probably her replacement "Pat the Bunny" book. It is by far her favorite book and she destroyed her first copy, so we're going to take extra good care of this one. Later we had a traditional Christmas dinner--love holiday food!!

Love!

Chase surprised by some of his gifts!

Augusta snuggled with Gammie while Pappy looks on

Family Pic!

 And I count this in the holiday season, although technically it's not. But my mom's birthday is the day after Christmas, so it's just something else we add to the celebrating. We had an awesome lamb roast for dinner. And for dessert I made my mom a cream cheese pound cake, from scratch! It was incredible! And it was my first time to make a pound cake, so I was super proud. Mom loved it too, and really that's all that matters!

First Pound Cake--Yummy!!

This Christmas our little family was just beyond anything I could imagine. We were showered with love and far too many gifts. God has truly blessed us this holiday season, and we couldn't ask for anything more! I hope everyone else had a wonderful holiday and remembered the true reason for the season. Thank you Lord for all the continued blessings in my life!

Christmas Crafts

Or as I like to call them, Christmas Gifts from the heart. This year I created a few gifts for my family that weren't exactly traditional "store bought" gifts. I really enjoy getting in touch with my creative side and being crafty and these little projects let me do just that. I'm sharing them here though they were both Pinterest inspired and credit should actually go to those who first created it. But here are my versions!

First for my hubby I created a "Date night in a Jar." This is basically a way to keep date night a little spontaneous. This jar is filled with dates of varying price ranges. Some are more costly and require planning, while others are centered at home with things we have. (Especially good for us because we can't always get a babysitter.) The ideas are fun and totally us. I think that's key to creating this gift, putting ideas in there that you'd actually want to do. And you can always add new dates as time progresses. But it turned out to be a cute happy for my hubby. (Original idea can be found here.)

The jars my sister and I made

Early Christmas morning...super exctied about his gift!

For the grandparents, Augusta and I got a little crafty one weekend when Chase was out of town. (I actually made one of these for him as well, but I couldn't wait--as is par for the course when I do cute things with Goo--so I gave him his when he came home). I was so excited about this project! I actually found it while I was pregnant and knew it was something I wanted to do! Okay, so enough with the build up...Augusta created finger paintings!! (And I searched all over Pinterest and Google for the original site I saw this on to no avail...but it's not like this is a completely original idea, so I don't feel completely guilty about borrowing it.)

It was her first art project and I am so so proud of it! I used baby yogurt (apple cinnamon because its light in color) and then added food coloring to it. I put it in bowls that she could reach into. I put the bowls and 4x6 pieces of card stock in the floor. Then I sat her in the floor with nothing but bloomers on, and she went to town! I of course had my camera up and ready to capture it all! I had to help her get used to the "finger paint" at first, and show her to touch the papers, but the rest was all her. By the end of it, she was covered, as was our floor, but we had a priceless memory I'll cherish forever! Definitely one of my favorite projects to date. My husband took his to the school where he works, and he says everyday someone comments on it! :)  The Grands all loved it as well...I think its such a special memory to be able to hold on to.

 

Finished Product!

My Birthday!!

For my birthday Chase took me out to dinner at Texas de Brazil in Memphis. It's one of our favorites so it's always fun to go there. Besides the fact that the food is fabulous, the service is always superb! And also they have the best chocolate cake ever! Seriously, if you go there you have to try it! After dinner we walked around the Peabody and enjoyed each other! It was nice to be together and have some adult time. Thanks to my love for the birthday treat!

On my actual birthday we had a fun-filled day with family, and I wouldn't of had it any other way. Lunch was spent with my inlaws and dinner with my parents. (Traditional tree decorating of course!) Such a great way to spend a birthday. I am do blessed to have so much love in my life!

Party Time

We celebrated Augusta's first birthday on December 1 with some family and close friends. We are so blessed to have so many people who love our little angel and wanted to celebrate her! I have to say the party was a huge success. The birthday girl definitely enjoyed herself, and that's all that mattered! Also all my hard work, and crafting paid off--the party was adorable and snacks were great! A big thank you to Mims and Paul-Paul for allowing us to use their house for the party, and to Mims for baking Augusta's delicious cupcakes! As for the rest, I'll let the photos speak for themselves...

 

And I know this is a ton of pics, but there were really so many more I loved and could've put on here! Thanks to our wonderful friends Chris and Whitney Baughman for capturing these precious moments for us! (I will gladly return the favor when little Turner gets here!) 

12 Months...My Baby is ONE!!

Happy Birthday Girl

Well the post title says it all. My little miss is a whole year old. I cannot believe it. It seems like just yesterday she entered this world. And yet, I cannot vividly remember my life before she was a part of it. Such a strange dichotomy of feelings to experience. But it's been such a completely amazing blessing. One of the best years of my life by far. I thank The Lord for the awesome responsibility of parenting Augusta Kate. It is a blessing beyond measure.

This month Augusta is doing so much. I know I say it every month but it still true! She is just talking so much more! She is now consistently waving/saying bye bye, as well as naming various people and things. And her receptive vocabulary is huge! (Okay, so that was the SLP in me coming out to comment for a moment.) But it has been such a neat experience watching her language develop first hand. She can identify people in her world, mostly mommy and daddy but a few others too, she even says their names sometimes. She also knows where your nose is and loves to grab it. She knows what her "Snuggle Pillow" is and knows when we go to it it's time for snuggles and kisses. (One of her favorite games.) She also knows the name if pretty much all of her toys and can bring them to you. (She's been doing this for awhile but don't think I've mentioned it before.)

Another change is she is now having temper tantrums as well. I'm talking tears, flailing, the whole nine yards. Not much fun, but we make it through. Though these are few and far between, they are no fun when they do strike. Just part of the growing process.

First Ponytail

She's also all over the place! She loves running around, but her new thing is climbing. (Not just the stairs, she's also been doing that for months) but if it is short enough she will climb it, like a bench or her rocking horse. Even if its not short enough, take our coffee table for example, she will still attempt to climb it!

She has a lot of other changes going on too. She almost has her two top teeth in the front! (Actually, at time of publication she has her front right tooth, still waiting on the front left) She's also making requests for things she wants by bringing objects to you, pointing, and gesturing. (Again, my SLP self is loving this!)

So beautiful

Foodwise this baby eats pretty much anything she can get her hands on. She 's pretty much done with baby food, save a few favorites. She really enjoys chicken, turkey, ketchup, raspberries, crackers, and mashed potatoes. But her favorite by far is Mac and Cheese! The girl is addicted! She whines while the velveeta has to cook its whole three minutes! Then she squeals while you have to blow it off because its too hot for her. She's also enjoying juice, though she's had to cut back due to tummy issues, but when she does get it she sucks it right down.

Her favorite things this month would include: watching/dancing to the backyardigans, giving kisses, babydolls, snuggles with mommy and daddy, playing outside (especially with fallen leaves), peekaboo, pulling ornaments off the Christmas tree, and climbing.

Baby loves the Christmas tree

Dislikes: not getting her way, waiting for things (she needs instant gratification), baths (don't know where this came from, she's used to love them!), having her diaper changed, being told no, and her crib.

Augusta Kate, this has been the most amazing year. One filled with so many changes, both big and small. Also lots of love, sacrifice, smiles, tears, joy, fun, giggles, and awe. Thank you for making me slow down and enjoy this life we've been giving. Thank you for rejuvenating me and opening my eyes to the amazing things that surround us everyday...all the things I used to take for granted. You've made me really see all that God has blessed us with, and made me understand how truly grateful we need to be. This has been a year I wouldn't trade for anything. Well except maybe another go at it! ;) I love you so much my snuggle buggle. I cannot wait to see everything this next year has in store for us!

Pretty Girl

Sleepy Baby

Giving Rowan "Love"

Best Friends

Showing off her dress