So Guess What??

You're right! Augusta is another month older! I cannot believe it! In just one short month my baby will be a year old. She she was born, whenever I thought of her almost turning a year I would think, "She's going to be all grown up!" But she's not just yet, she's still my little sweetie! ;)

This past month has seen a lot of changes for my sweet girl! She got her first tooth!! It is the front right tooth on the bottom. It is still the only one that has made an appearance so far, but I think she's getting a bubble on the lower left side so it may not be too long before that one shows up.

This past month Augusta also started walking!! Yay! And it was a quick transition, let me tell you! This little girl was ready to go, and go is all that she's done sine she's been vertical! Crawling is a thing of the past, only used when needed, like when she's trying to go under something. But she walks non-stop. Parents out there who thought their child was all over the place when crawling, just wait. Walking is a whole different ball game.

Baby on the Move!!

Not much has changed on the talking front...she consistently says "mama", "dada", "da" (for dog), "bye", "hey", di di (for dig dig). She's added "do" (for Don't), "no", "ba" (for baba), "baby", and within the past I have hard "my" when she wants some things. Hopefully this isn't the start of the "MY" phase, but if so I'll still take it!

Pointing to her first Jack-O-Lantern

On the food front, she's eating all the time. And trying so many things! She doesn't seem to be picky, which is great. Though she will let you know when she's had enough of something. And she's very big about eating on her own time...she's a grazer. She's also started exploring the world of sweets. Gammie took her to the candy store on the Square in town and got her some M&Ms minis. She loved them of course. She is also a sweet tea addict. When we give her a sip she will squeal for more, it's pretty hilarious! As for more healthy foods, she's started eating Cheerios and really enjoys them. This is great because Mommy and Gammie both love to snack on these. She's also started eating more actual meats like chicken, beef, and turkey. She's also tried orange juice and loves the stuff--Mommy's girl! :) She still eats some baby food, but for the most part she's over it. She wants what we're having!

Some of Augusta's favorite things this month are taking baths! Glad she still loves this, though we haven't ventured back to the bathtub after her meltdowns. The sink works just fine and she LOVES splashing! She seriously drenches the entire kitchen! This little Love Bug loves giving you kisses! It is the sweetest thing when she crawls up in your lap and gives you a big open-mouthed kiss! She also like her stuffed animals, and any stuffed animals in general that she sees at stores. She likes to give them love (kiss them) and carry them around with her. Her favorite is probably her stuffed Pablo, with Kumari (her tiger from the zoo) coming in second. She also still likes playing with her baby dolls. And she can't get enough of wiggling into tight spaces. Being outside and walking around is also something she loves to do. She has a slide in the backyard and she's just really discovered it which has been fun. She also likes playing with the magnets on the fridge. She enjoys taking them off and carrying them around...especially our photo magnets. She loves walking around, remotes, shiny things, and of course phones and the iPad. Also still can't get enough of the Backyardigans. (Oh well, at least Mom likes them too)

Giving Mommy sweet Kisses

This month she's not liking: being contained to a certain area. Like I said earlier, she is on the move and that's the way she likes it! She doesn't like not getting her way...she is getting to that age where she wants what she wants. She's even started getting frustrated and grunting when you don't just give it to her the first time she points. (Oh course, her SLP mom is bringing this on trying to get some vocalization from her). And when she's really wanting something she starts this panting thing, almost hate to say it but its pretty hilarious! She's still not into the car seat for extended time periods or laying down for bed before she's completely exhausted!

I have to say Augusta has entered a really fun stage. Don't get me wrong, its not that the other stages were fun, just she has come more into her own lately. We are seeing more and more of that bubbly personality that has stolen our hearts. She is crazy independent and strong-willed as ever. It's also fun to see her get excited and squeal about things. Her joy over the little things in life helps us to slow down and see them with rejuvenated eyes. Giving us a whole new appreciation for this beautiful world in which our Lord created for us. Also her words and babbles never cease to delight! And since my sweet girl keeps crawling in my lap and covering me with those kisses, I'm going to wrap this up! But just know how much your parents love you sweet, Augusta Kate. We are so blessed to be your Mommy and Daddy. Happy 11 months to you!! :)

Around the campfire with Daddy

"Can you find me?"

Getting ready for football!

Our little Marshmallow!

Squealing!

Mommy and Goo

Pumpkin Carving 101

This weekend we did one of my favorite fall activities--carve pumpkins! Well I guess I should say carve pumpkin bc we only carved one! Ha! Still I enjoy it so much. And I especially enjoy the resultant jack-o-lantern!

I drew a big happy face on the pumpkin we selected at the pumpkin patch last week. Then Chase hollowed out the pumpkin and carved the face. Augusta and I are lucky he's pretty handy like that, because Augusta's first jack-o-lantern looks fabulous!

"Whatcha doing, Daddy?"

Having so much fun!

Intently listening to her Daddy

"I'm not so sure about this..."

Miss Priss wasn't too into the carving, or touching the pumpkin insides for that matter. (Who can blame her?) But we lit it for the first time last night and she absolutely loved it then! Carving pumpkins with my family is something I always enjoyed in my childhood, hopefully Augusta can make some lasting memories doing this the same way I did. :)

Okay, now I'll touch it

Finished Product all lit up!

First trips

Last weekend we took Augusta on her first trip to the zoo, and I have to say it was a success! So excited because I personally love the zoo and I can't wait to make lots of memories there with my family!

All smiles on my first zoo trip

First off, the weather was perfect for being outside. And where better to be than strolling around at the zoo looking at all the animals. Second off, Augusta was in the best mood imaginable. She slept the entire way to Memphis, and we actually had to wake her up when we got there. But she was so pleasant! And third off, though I guess this kind of relates back to the weather, all the animals were out and moving around. (For the most part.) This was exciting and a pretty rare thing at the zoo.

Mommy and Augusta check out the Gorillas

Daddy and Augusta waiting for the Grizzly Bear feeding

We had a blast looking at everything. Augusta's favorites were the penguins and the panda bear. She also liked watching the polar bear swim around as well as the fish and turtles in the aquarium.

By the end of the trip, both baby abs parents were exhausted. Augusta fell asleep before we were out of the parking lot, holding her stuffed tiger she got as a momento of her first zoo trip. And Mom and Dad were wishing we could do the same! Lol! But it was a great experience and one I'll always remember!

Wiped out!!

Also this week Augusta had her first trip to the pumpkin patch! There is a church in town that always sets up a pumpkin patch and going there for a photo shoot is practically a right of passage in this town. At least I say it is! Well needless to say we took Augusta there to explore the pumpkins and help us pick out one to carve. Here are a few pics from the occasion. More to follow on how the carving goes!!

Picking a baby pumpkin for the baby!

"Can we get this one, Daddy?"

Add caption

Look who's walkin now!!

Well actually this has been going on for over a week, but life has been crazy and I haven't posted about it. But here it is: my sweet baby is officially walking!! She's not 100% sure about it, and still crawls, but she's making a conscious effort to walk on her own. She's getting herself into the standing position and taking those steps...mommy and daddy aren't just placing her on her feet and expecting her to go!

I know I could've waited until her monthly update, but I just had to share! First steps are so exciting!! Oh and sorry for the blurry pic...sometimes its the best I can do with a little one on the move! :)

Ten Months Old!!

Big 10 month old!!

Wow, I cannot believe in two short months my sweetie will be a year old! I know it'll fly by, but for now were just going to enjoy her being 10 months old! I remember when her biggest accomplishments included holding her head up, crazy to think it was so long ago. It seems like just yesterday. (And now I sound like an ancient person...moving on!)

This is such a fun stage! Augusta is doing so much! She babbles non-stop and is constantly on the move. And with her being on the move, comes her curiosity to explore and get into everything she can! This little miss is all over the place, literally climbing in her toy box!

At her most recent well-baby visit a few days ago, she weighed 20 pounds and was 28 inches long! The doctor was so impressed with her growth. And she was meeting all milestones. She was even ahead of her peers in some areas! (Gotta brag about that!) My baby's so smart!

The big thing for Augusta this month is the fact that she's about to get a tooth!! I cannot believe one is finally trying to come in! It's a little (well actually it's gotten pretty large) bubble and it's staring to turn white...that little tooth just hasn't poked through yet. It shouldn't be too much longer though. I've been checking every day, do it feels like its been working its way through for the longest, but it really hasn't been too long.

This brave little girl is also gearing up to take those first steps--I just know it won't be too long. She's going from sitting, to a squat, to standing unassisted! She's also letting go and standing by herself. And though she hasn't taken that first step yet, she will lunge towards you of you hold your arms open for her. She's just getting so big!

Into everything--See I wasn't kidding!

Augusta's favorite things this month are: the backyardigans tv show (still)! She loves her "Pat the Bunny" book to pieces...literally, she's ripped off the front and back covers! My little girl has discovered the joy of Barbies! Looks like she's going to following right in her mom's footsteps. She also still loves all the usuals, her babies, Rowan, her cousins, all her many relatives, and eating! She's very into climbing...and she's much better at it than she used to be. She's even mastered climbing off of smaller objects...yay, Augusta! She's also enjoying looking out each and every window! We have a nosy little thing on our hands! ;)

Not liking: being put down...she has her moments that she just wants to be held and all you can do is go with it! Which we don't mind at all, I love my snuggles, it's just harder to get things done. She's also not digging her Carseat. But she's too little for her big girl seat, so she's stuck with the carrier for now! She's also not liking being stuck in her walker or Exersaucer. I guess since she's mobile now she doesn't like to be confined! She's also not liking sleeping late...ladies and gentlemen, I think we have an early riser on our hands!

As far as eating goes, this girl is eating anything and everything! Anything you have, she wants! And she's trying so much! So far, she's not picky, which is great. Hopefully she'll take after her dad there. Her favorite new discovery this month is sweet tea...she's only had sips but she loves the stuff! She will whine until you let her have a sip.

I cannot believe how much my love for this little person grows every day! I cannot imagine my life without her. She makes every moment so much more special. I am so blessed I get to share in all the moments of her life, both big and small. But I'm even more lucky I get to call myself her mom! I love my sweet Augusta Kate!!

Sweet Baby Snuggles!

"See Mom, I told you this was a jungle gym!"

Latest Project

So I've been wanting to get crafty, and my latest scheme was to make some seasonal door hangers. And of course, my supportive husband jumped all over the idea. I love him, he always backs me up and encourages me onward! Thanks baby!

The first batch we decided to create are in honor of football season. (And I have to give credit where credit is due. to my father-in-law for this idea!)

My husband cut out the football shapes and then spray painted them for me. I did the decorative painting. Then for the finishing touches he hung the wire and I made some bows from woven ribbon. I love that this was a group project that we did together. Now I just hope everyone else likes them too! Thinking my next project will be a Halloween door hanger for myself! :)

Footballs cut out and painted

Laces Added

 

Two of the designs I created

P.S. I have no idea why the alignment is all crazy on the pictures...I tried to fix it, but honestly I'm too tired to mess with it anymore! Perks of not being a perfectionist! ;) 

Happy Birthday Madelyn Reese!!

Today we celebrated my baby niece's first birthday...although she actually turned one on August 30th. (The same day Augusta turned 9 months). So the best friends are exactly 3 months apart!

Baby Besties!!

I cannot believe this sweet baby has been in our lives for a year. It seems like yesterday we were waiting for her to make her debut. She's a sweet little and she's Augusta's best friend! We love that little munchkin so much!! Maddie we are so blessed to have you in our lives and cannot wait for many more birthdays to come!

She had Minnie Mouse birthday, in keeping with her family's love for all things Disney. It was so much fun! I think everyone there had a great time and I know Augusta had a ball. Here's some snapshots from Maddie's big day!

Maddie's "Minne Mobile" Courtesy of Mims and Paul-Paul...a great Pinterest idea brought to life!

Someone loved the ball castle!!

I love to Par-Tay!!