This Weekend

This weekend was fun and not too stressful which is always good.

Friday was uneventful. I FINALLY got all of my Christmas decorations up and put the finishing touches on our tree. I had to put the tree together in increments because when you have a little girl who doesn't nap very long, you have to choose what gets done during her downtime.

Saturday:

 Jason had to work the hospital so E and I were on our own. We went to McAllister's for a late lunch to visit with my long time friend Dianna. Of course,  I didn't take any pictures because I was too busy catching up. Oh well maybe next time. Then we came home and played a bit. When Jason got home, we watched the Heisman ceremony. I'm quite impressed that Johnny Manziel won the Heisman - the first ever freshman! Way to go A&M.


Sunday:
E and I did some Christmas shopping. We are ALMOST done with the shopping. That puts a smile on my face. Just have to get my love something and he is the WORST person for buying presents because he doesn't really give a list. (Sorry love but you are). I was hoping E would nap while we shopped but she thought it was way more fun to talk and look around.

Later that afternoon, we had some friends come over and visit for a bit. Once again, I didn't get pictures because I was too busy talking. I must get better about taking pictures with friends =). Jason and I tried taking pictures of E in front of the Christmas tree with the lights on in a wrapped box. Goodness though, it's hard taking pictures with a moving baby. I think I took 100 pics and maybe got 5 decent ones!

I finished the night watching the old version of Miracle on 34th Street and ordering some cute toys for E off of Target's website.

How was your weekend? Link up with Sami and LeeAnn!

November Photo A Day Part 2

* I know this is way late but wanted to post it anyway* Follow me on instagram! (username: ebethr)
Here is the 2nd half of the month:

Day 16 - no picture

Day 17 - the last thing you bought

A sweater and jeans for me and some onesies and dresses for little miss!

Day 18 - happened this weekend

Made a bow for E for Thanksgiving

Day 19- something awesome

This book - inspired by her story. 

Day 20- work/play

Love that I get to play with this girl all day. I love my job!

Day 21- what you wore

She would only take a nap if I held her so there was lots of baby wearing that day!

Day 22-grateful

Grateful for this little girl in our lives

Day 23 - no picture

Day 24- a sound you heard

Christmas music while taking pictures at the Gaylord

Day 25 - no picture

Day 26 - In the cupboard

Hot chocolate waiting for the cold front

The last 4 pictures didn't make it to Instagram but I did take them =)

Day 27 - tree

Setting up the Christmas tree

Day 28- no picture

Day 29 - big

Enjoying our new big TV. Goodbye old tube TV!

Day 30 - no picture 

3 Months!

Dear E, 

You are a 3 months old! You are just getting so big. This month has been so fun to watch you become more alert and social. You are just so precious.

 

You are always full of smiles when Daddy and I talk to you and pretty much when anyone talks to you.  Last month, you were starting to vocalize with us but now I feel like you are trying out full "conversations". Lots of "ooos" and "aahs" all the time. It is THE CUTEST thing. You definitely talk a ton after you have finished eating. You look up with those pretty blue eyes and just smile and talk away. You love to socialize. When I take you places, you are so alert and you look all around like you are taking it all in. 

Your acid reflux is getting a little better. I say that with caution just because I'm afraid if I say it that tomorrow will be a horrible day. You still spit up but our horrible spit up days aren't as frequent. Nighttime sleep is still hit or miss but we are getting there. Putting the rice cereal in the bottles of breast milk like the occupational therapist suggested for nighttime feeds has helped. You take naps of 45 -90 minutes long. It just depends. I'm determined to get your sleep better because I know it's so important. You love your naps to be right on my chest and those are the times that you will sleep longer. I love those times, and I cherish them greatly but I know you can't do that forever. 

You are doing great with tummy time. That head comes straight up all the way,  and you are putting weight through your forearms really well. You last about 10-15 minutes before you get fussy but I'm so proud of you. You rolled from your tummy to your back on November 6. You did it like 6 times in a row that night but since then you have only done it a couple of times. It's fine by me though because the physical therapist in me doesn't want you to realize you can get out of tummy time =). You love your play mat. We have started using it a lot this month, and you have started to notice the toys above your head. You will move your arms and legs to try to hit the toys. So fun! You are also enjoying your bebePOD more and are getting better at hitting the toy on the tray. Your head control is pretty great

as well while you are sitting in it. 

You have had many firsts this month. You celebrated your first Halloween and your first Thanksgiving. You went to visit your daddy at lunch for the first time. You were a big hit. Everyone at the office crowded around you and thought you were the cutest thing. You responded appropriately with your biggest smiles and spit bubbles. You went shopping at the mall for the first time with your mommy, and you did really well and slept most of the time. You also spent time away from your mom and dad while we went out on a date. You hung out with Nana and Papa and did great. I think it was way harder on me than you =). You also had your first low grade fever =(. It was only in the 99s but you were extra fussy that day.

You have started playing with your hands. They go in your mouth a lot (sometimes you gag yourself - bless your heart). You rub them together and try to grab things with them. You can grab a hold of blankets and some toys for a bit but haven't brought them to your mouth yet. You have gotten a hold of my hair several (ok a bunch) of times, and I have to pry your fingers from it. You have noticed your toys more this month. In general, you have become more aware of your surroundings, and I can tell that you are taking it all in. 

We don't know your official stats because you didn't go to the doctor this monthbut Iweighed you on our scale and you are about 15 pounds. You are wearing 3 months, some 0-3 month and some 3-6 month clothing. You wear a size 1 to size 2 diaper but you are in cloth diapers during the day. 

E, you are so special to us, and we cherish the time we get to spend with you every day. We love watching you grow in front of our eyes, but we want you to stay little! 

We love you,

Mommy & Daddy

Photo A Day November Part 1

This month I decided to join in on a photo a day on Instagram. I thought it would be a fun way to take a picture every day. Follow me on my instagram if you like (username: ebethr)

Here is the first half of the month:

Day 1 - no picture

Day 2 - colour

Afternoon tummy time

Day 3 - breakfast

Pumpkin bread and the first red cup of the season

Day 4 - TV

Once Upon A Time - one of my faves

Day 5 - 5 o'clock

Working on a craft project for a baby shower

Day 6 - no picture

Day 7 reflection

Reflecting as I do the Exodus bible study

Day 8 - something I do every day

Early morning baby snuggles

Day 9 - small

little baby hands wrapped around her mama

 

Day 10 - can't live without

Day 11- night

Day 12 - drink

Lemonade from Chick Fil A while shopping at the mall

Day 13- where I slept

when the baby doesn't sleep well this where I get to sleep holding her

Day 14 - man made

 Homemade pumpkin chocolate chip bread

Day 15 - in my bag

Wet bag. change of clothes and wipe case ready for the day ahead

Thanksgiving Recap!

We had such a great Thanksgiving break. However,  both Jason and I came down with colds so I'm covering myself in hand sanitizer and praying that E doesn't get it. My parents came down on Wednesday night and came over on Thursday morning.

We watched the Thanksgiving parade and Jason started the turkey. E enjoyed watching the parade, and I hope it's tradition that she enjoys for years to come just like I did growing up. I made a sweet potato casserole that I make every year, and I tried a new recipe for stuffing from the Pioneer Woman. The stuffing was awesome. I even took out the sausage and made it a vegetarian dish and it still turned out well. We also had mashed potatoes, deviled eggs, rolls, and loads of pies - thanks to my mom!

My yummy plate

After our late lunch, we went over to my aunt's house to visit for a bit and then came back home. My parents and I ran to Target because I just happened to run out of something that I couldn't wait the next day to get. Oh my goodness. Target was insane. I picked up a couple of things for gifts since I was there and then went to stand in line. The line was all the way to the back of the store to check out and if I didn't need to get something I would have just left. Never again. Black Friday or in this case Thursday is just not worth it.

This was just a portion of the line to check out

On Saturday, Jason and I got to go out on a date!! We hadn't been out alone since E was born so it was nice to have some time together. We went and saw Breaking Dawn Part 2 and then went and had lunch. Breaking Dawn was really good, and in my opinion, the best movie in the series. The ending was crazy and that's all I will say about it =)  Later that night, we headed to the Gaylord to take Christmas card photos. Getting a baby to look at the camera is definitely a challenge. Here are some outtakes:

If you live in the area, I highly recommend going to the Gaylord. The inside is decorated so pretty for Christmas and you can get some great pictures in there.

Sunday was spent getting ready for the week and having coffee with a good friend. I was sad to see the weekend go away. E's first Thanksgiving was a success and one that I will always remember. So much to be thankful for and she is definitely the biggest blessing.

Our first Thanksgiving as a family of 3 

Thankful

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I can't wait. Turkey and all the sides - I am excited to stuff my face. We are just having a low key Thanksgiving here at our house with my parents. Thanksgiving has been a hard holiday for me and Jason the past 2 years and yet even with our pains and struggles, I have SO MUCH to be thankful for. This past week I have been thinking about all the blessings in my life, and it has made me grateful and humble for all the things in my life that I don't deserve.

I am thankful:

- that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I am thankful for His grace that covers me every day and when I fail that he continues to love me. I am thankful that it is none of my doing that He saved me and His faithfulness.

-for my husband. God blessed me with an amazing man. He is my best friend and I am so glad that I get to grow old with him. Life with him gets better every day.

- for E. We have waited so long for a child and every day I thank God for this little blessing in our lives. She is the most precious thing and words cannot express our love for her.

-for family. For my wonderful parents, Jason's parents, and our siblings and siblings in law.

-for friends. For friends who are like family. I have wonderful friends who have stood by me in the good times and bad, and they are all so special to me.

- for my dog, Lucye. She is such a good dog and has been great with E (with just a little bit of jealousy). She gives unconditional love and makes your day better with just a cuddle.

- for a roof over my head, clothes on my back, and food in my tummy.

- for my health and my family's health.

- for laughter.

- for my church.

- that I live in this country where I have freedom of religion and speech.

- for chocolate and sugar =).

- for coffee.

- for music and how music can tell a beautiful story.

- for creative expression in all its forms.

-for Christmas time - it truly is the best time of the year.

What are you thankful for?

Wednesday Loves!

It's time for what I'm loving Wednesday via Jamie

1. I'm loving this dress I got for E for Christmas. I die! I bid on it at Carisa's Bowtique and guess how much I got it for?! 10 dollars! Go me!

2. I'm loving that we are having Friendsgiving with our home group this weekend. Can't wait!

3. I'm loving that Breaking Dawn Part 2 is coming out this Friday! I'm excited to see it. It's going to be a good one!

4. I'm loving that Thanksgiving is next week. Bring on the food coma and Macy's Thanksgiving parade!


What are you loving today? Have a great Wednesday!