Ileigh Grace- 11 months

Wow, 11 months. Crazy.

Ileigh, you are a fantastic crawler- way better than your brother ever was. You take a few steps at a time; like from the couch to the ottoman or from me to your daddy.

I finally caved and bought you store bought baby food and you love it. Seriously? Child, I can't believe that you would choose store-bought food over my homemade stuff- I hope this isn't a sign of things to come. Maybe you are putting on a little weight though! Hooray!

You are working on your 5th tooth and you take 2-3 naps a day and have yet to sleep through the night. Boo! Maybe before you turn 1, right? We are hopeful. You are sleeping in your own room still and love to play with your big brother. It really is the sweetest thing ever. You love to babble and have added "baby" to your vocab this month- maybe because you got so many for Christmas!

I think you are the sweetest thing ever. You have a huge smile and two darling dimples to boot.

Love you sweet girl.

Momma

Well, hello!

Ummmm...wow. It has been a long time since I was able to sit down and write a "real" blog post. We were rockn' in November with our "24 days of Thankfulness" (which we did finish by the way- they are on Chris' computer, we just haven't had time to upload them".

A few days after a wonderful Thanksgiving we headed to Branson with my parents. We took them as my dad's "Yay, we are finished with chemo" trip. We had a great time- all of us.

I wish I had pictures to share, but a few days ago while trying to steal Eli's food off the table, Callie (our first-born pup) took down our hard drive as she was jumping to the floor. I might have been yelling at her to get off the table. Boy, did she show me.

Everything was lost. Everything. Thank-the-Lord though, someone will be able to get them off. We are in the process of sending it far, far away. Not only did we lose everything of Ileigh's for the last 5 months, but also 4 families Christmas photos.

I was sick. I still don't like to think about it. I am very anxious to get those files back in my hands.

ANYWAY.

We have been a little stressed and frazzled around here.

To make me feel a little better about losing all of our daughters photos for the last couple of months, Chris took us all down to a little shop here in Amarillo and we took a few photos of the kiddos. :)

Gosh, he is just so big. And he has my heart...and he knows it. 

This is Eli showing me the "claw". 

Awww...:) Look at those bright eyes. She only smiles like that for daddy. 

Merry Christmas!

(I would post a photo of our Christmas card, but its image is also on the hard drive)  :(

Ileigh Grace- 10 months

We were in Branson celebrating my dad's last chemo treatment when Ileigh turned 10 months.

This little cutie was fantastic in the car on the way down and on the way back. I was really worried about the drive, but apparently Ileigh just wanted a chance to show off how sweet she can be!

(It also helps that the trip fell between those nasty teething pains.)

Here is our little pumpkin in her adorable Thanksgiving outfit. Those of you who spent Thanksgiving with us might wonder why you didn't see her in it- she was teething and felt like junk. In fact, if I remember correctly, she slept through both families Thanksgiving celebrations. Oh, well. At least we have a couple of pictures of her in this adorable outfit! :)

Ileigh, we are so proud of you! You took your first steps a day after your turned 10 months. You even showed Memamaw your new moves while we were on vacation.

You have all 4 front teeth and love to point and wave. 

Oh, goodness child. You are adorable! And, on a side note I cannot get over how much you look like your big brother. 

Love you sweet girl!

Momma

24 Days of Thankfulness - 22

Day 22

1. Turkey
2. Sweet potato casserole
3. Mashed potatoes
4. Gravy
5. Stuffing
6. Mom's broccoli and rice
7. Honey crust ham
8. Fresh rolls
9. Canned cranberry sauce (still in the shape of the can)
10. Stuffed celery
11. Green beans
12. Peas and potatoes
13. Macaroni and cheese
14. Corn
15. Deviled eggs
16. Cheese balls
17. Olives
18. Roasted asparagus
19. Veggie trays
20. Cider
21. Pumpkin bread
22. Chocolate-laced pecan pie
23. Pumpkin pie
24. Leftovers!

24 Days of Thankfulness - 21

Day 21 (Music Day - this list can in no way be exhaustive and is in no particular order)

1. Everything - Lifehouse
2. Hey Johnnie - Elton John
3. Safe and Sound - Matthew West
4. Bad Medicine - Bon Jovi
5. Mahler 5 (only slightly more different than Maroon 5)
6. 3 a.m. - Matchboxtwenty
7. Rite of Spring - Stravinsky
8. Jazz Suite No. 1 - Shostakovich
9. 18th Floor Balcony - Blue October
10. Pierrot Lunaire - Schoenberg
11. Thriller - Michael Jackson
12. Symphonic Metamorphosis - Hindemith
13. Suspicious Minds - Elvis
14. Apres Moi - Regina Spektor
15. The Scientist - Coldplay
16. City Beneath the Sea - Harry Connick, Jr.
17. Good Riddance - Green Day
18. Symphony for Organ and Orchestra - Copland
19. Lincolnshire Posy - Grainger (I don't care if its cliche)
20. Fantaisie Originale - Picchi
21. Slumber - Needtobreathe
22. Freedom - Run Kid Run
23. Hero - Abandon
24. Find Your Wings - Mark Harris

24 Days of Thankfulness - 20

Day 20
1.  Playing with the leaves
2.  New bible studies
3.  Blueberry pancakes for dinner
4.  New music
5.  Fabric softener
6.  Nursery workers
7.  14 year old pajama pants (those polar bears might have another 14 in them!)
8.  Pumpkin dresses
9.  That feeling when Ileigh puts her head on my shoulder and falls asleep
10.  Seeing nothing but Tif's and Eli's feet since they are lying on their tummies, halfway inside Eli's closet, reading a book
11.  Finding leaves in your hair six hours after having a leaf fight with some awesome kiddos
12.  The way Kaikeyi still cocks her head to the side when she wants something
13.  Clean cars
14.  Warm jackets
15.  Having a wife so giving and thoughtful as she picks Christmas gifts for neighbors, nurses, and nursery workers
16.  Having awesome neighbors, nurses, and nursery workers
17.  Being approved to be a vendor after someone decided we are "professional photographers"
18.  Watching Eli pretend
19.  Pumpkin and chocolate chip muffins
20.  Awesome new thank you cards
21.  New paintings (from our very own artists-in-residence)
22.  Re-naming Willow Tree figures while in Cracker Barrel
23.  Burt's Bees lip balm
24.  Fresh coffee

24 Days of Thankfulness - 19

Day 19
1.  Crimson
2.  Cream
3.  Ritualistic incantations evoking unwavering and unequivocal responses of pride and honor (Boomer!)
4.  NOT the Baylor Bears
5.  Eli:  "Where is Jesus' car?" Mom:  "Jesus doesn't need a car; he's everywhere.  He flies."  Eli:  "Like Superman?"  Mom:  "Yes, like Superman."  Eli:  "And Word Girl?"  Mom:  "Yes, like Word Girl."
6.  Saturday morning doughnuts
7.  Good sales
8.  Getting letters from strangers (and friends!) blessing your children
9.  Cooperative children when shopping (especially near the toys)
10.  Country Pride hamburgers
11.  Honey
12.  Eli's excitement over his new shoes (apparently Woody + lights = excited boys; even stranger because Eli doesn't know who Woody is)
13.  Getting to stare in awe at Tif while she works, especially when she doesn't see me gawking
14.  Cute little red pajama pants
15.  Sippy cups that don't leak
16.  Chamomile
17.  Hot showers
18.  The numerous times Eli requested "Daddy's Song" today
19.  Moving Ileigh into her room
20.  Ileigh's random mohawk
21.  Anticipating tomorrow's worship service and Sunday school for no particular reason than to truly worship God
22.  When stew is better the second day
23.  When the wind calms down at the right time
24.  Surprisingly slow Saturdays

24 Days of Thankfulness - 18

Day 18
1.  Laughter
2.  A good joke
3.  Diaper wreaths for others
4.  Watching others give joyfully
5.  Lunch dates
6.  Speaking of lunch dates, Rosa's Tortilla Factory
7.  Going to bed earlier than normal
8.  Friendly customer service people
9.  Having a good memory (yeah, that would be Tif)
10.  Taking time to watch the leaves fall
11.  "I want to be handsome!"
12.  Fast commutes
13.  Free carwashes
14.  Shopping for others
15.  Talking with a friendly stranger
16.  Sweaters that fit just right
17.  Artwork from church
18.  New recipes
19.  Good sushi
20.  Pink sunrises
21.  Fresh tea
22.  Having a crafty wife (meant literally, as in she is awesome at crafts)
23.  Not having a crafty wife (meant not trying to be deceptive; aka honest and truthful)
24.  Dresses that fit perfectly (from all angles)

24 Days of Thankfulness - 17

Day 17

1. Late night Oreos

2. Watching Eli “shoop” his spaghetti

3. High heels

4. Musical sheep

5. Infant gas drops

6. DVD labels

7. Having a wife that could care less about Twilight

8. Going to bed before midnight

9. Change

10. Water cooler conversations

11. Not being consumed by technology

12. Continually diminishing desire to watch TV

13. Good cookware

14. Knowing how to use good cookware

15. Beautiful brown hair\

16. Finally taking a bottle

17. Trusty old laptops

18. Histograms

19. RAW

20. Not running out of things to be thankful for

21. Inside jokes

22. Not having to use Google Chrome for blog posts

23. Android phones (and their bills)

24. Fridays

24 Days of Thankfulness - 16

Day 16
1. India?!
2. People saying nice things about our photography

3. Lunches at home

4. Pumpkin patches

5. Snoring husbands….well, as long as it isn’t too loud

6. Being able to cuddle up on a cold night

7. John Deere Green

8. Thanksgiving!

9. Registering for our last 5K of the year

10. Meeting goals

11. Staying up until 1:00 for several nights in a row and still being able to function- I wonder how long I can continue

12. Vacation, vacation, vacation- and last treatments

13. Paying off Chris’ car…within a year of purchase

14. Deep conversations

15. More friends

16. Warm house

17. Beautiful kiddos

18. Friends who love to give us baby girl clothes

19. Seeing Eli play with his best friend

20. Editing our last wedding photos of the year

21. Good music
22. Splenda

23. Chocolate chip cookies

24. Crawling babies

24 Days of Thankfulness - 15

Day 15

1.  Watching Eli get the hang of his “bicycle”

2.  Taco Tuesdays

3.  Eli’s new “leaf song”

4.  Salsa bars

5.  Cookie clubs

6.  “Thook thook”

7.  Healing

8.  A sense of accomplishment

9.  Pinterest

10.  Watching Eli help me park

11.  “No tickles”

12.  “Do it again!”

13.  Guitar blankets

14.  New house shoes

15.  Mentor programs

16.  When Eli comes to our bed in the middle of the night…with completely different clothes on

17.  Fresh baked chocolate chip cookies

18.  Knowing that perfection is God’s domain, not ours

19.  Being awed by your spouse every day

20.  Canon 5D Mark II

21.  Superman glasses

22.  Cowboy hats

23.  “Mommy the Sid”

24.  Finishing lists

24 Days of Thankfulness - 14

Day 14

1.  Seeing former students

2.  Cute babies

3.  Compliments from strangers

4.  Friends who give props on the interwebs

5.  Fresh cilantro

6.  Positive attitudes

7.  A child’s genuine attitude

8.  Sunny days

9.  Stickers

10.  Smelling chocolate chip cookies when you walk through the door

11.  Fresh perspectives

12.  Getting caught up

13.  God’s ability to continually bless beyond your imagination

14.  A passionate wife

15.  Crisp breezes

16.  Calling Amarillo “home”

17.  Giving souls

18.  Living in a society that allows freedoms that most people can’t begin to understand

19.  Realizing that everything is God’s anyway, we’re just looking after it for a while

20.  Lowepro camera bags

21.  Crock pots

22.  Discernment

23.  Having a front row seat to our kids’ lives

24.  Completing projects

24 Days of Thankfulness - 13

Day 13

1.  Family gatherings

2.  Baby dedications

3.  Stew

4.  Fresh pumpkin bread

5.  Piles of leaves

6.  Pink lace

7.  Boy Scout popcorn

8.  Quiet offices

9.  11th floor sunsets

10.  Car rides without kiddos

11.  Big cokes

12.  Having our parents in church with us

13.  Dedicated parents

14.  “Daddy, you’re snoring!”

15.  Reverse psychology on a two year old

16.  Sleeping babies

17.  Fresh cornbread

18.  Comfortable jeans

19.  Favorite fleeces

20.  Needy puppies

21.  Finger-saurs

22.  “That’s Eli!” (said loudly during a quiet slideshow)

23.  New razors

24.  Being reminded by a website that I am, in fact, awesome

24 Days of Thankfulness - 12

Day 12



1. Fun photoshoots


2. Cooperative kiddos


3. Perfectly diffused light


4. Leftovers


5. Hearing Eli sings songs we’ve never heard


6. Clean sheets


7. The smell of stew simmering overnight


8. Fall leaves


9. Heath Bar cookies (thank you McAlister’s!)


10. Family’s safe travel


11. Watching Christians be courageous in their faith


12. Supportive family


13. A wife immeasurably devoted to our family


14. Blue eyes


15. Freckles


16. A sacrificing wife


17. Nicknames


18. Secret signs


19. Saying random things/singing random songs at the same time


20. Crunching leaves


21. Little babies in pumpkins


22. Geese flying south


23. Watching as Eli sings to a total stranger, even though he is super shy


24. The complete stranger’s face after Eli sang to her

24 Days of Thankfulness- 11

Day 11



1. That Tif doesn’t like M&M’s as much as me


2. M&M’s


3. Lunch with friends


4. U.S. Army


5. U.S. Marine Corps


6. U.S. Navy


7. U.S. Air Force


8. U.S. Coast Guard


9. Reserves


10. Guard units


11. Humor


12. Sunroofs


13. Weekends


14. Caymus cabernet


15. Fajita tacos


16. 50mm 1.4


17. Cousins


18. Who needs a chiropractor when you have Dr. Chris?


19. Having a cousin that is a chiropractor


20. Having Dr. Kaci on speed dial


21. Life through death


22. Hidden candy stashes


23. Pumpkin patches


24. That the hubby is getting more into these lists than me…:)
(He is in the bedroom, rocking Ileigh and I happend upon his list for today.)

24 Days of Thankfulness - 10

Day 10



1. Lunchables


2. Enchiladas


3. Radical


4. Wifi


5. Old pajama pants


6. Swapping travel stories


7. Having travel stories


8. Baby dedications


9. Free lunches


10. Getting to experience the gears turning in Eli’s head


11. Space heaters


12. Sticky notes


13. Friendly banter


14. “Am I free (aka three) yet?”


15. Sweet deals on Amazon


16. Night at home with no photoshoots, previous commitments, or classes; first one in over two weeks!


17. Can I ever be too thankful for MDO?! I think not!


18. Surprises from daddy


19. The “calm” right after both children have been screaming


20. Going to bed before midnight


21. Long conversations with my dad


22. Hearing Chris open the garage door


23. 50 cent shirts from Old Navy


24. Hitting all green lights when leaving the office

24 Days of Thankfulness - 9

Day 9



1. New friendships


2. Little boys snoring


3. “Here me comes!!!!”


4. A truly amazing God


5. A peaceful sunrise


6. A wife who sacrifices so much for the betterment of our family


7. That God chose us despite our flaws and weaknesses


8. Sleep


9. One more treatment


10. Positive attitudes


11. Watching Ileigh “dance”


12. Apple cider


13. Reading to Eli


14. Eli’s prayers at night


15. “Thank you God for good food. Thank you God. Aaaaaaa-men. Yea!”


16. Wagging tails


17. Cinnamon


18. “I’m a giant. Bom, bom, bom, bom.”


19. Faces covered in Cheerios.


20. Mommy sandwiches


21. Readily available chapstick


22. The smell of starch


23. Happy squeals


24. The look on Callie’s face when she wants a treat (which happens way too often)

24 Days of Thankfulness- 8

1. Did you see that sunset?!?



2. Little yellow mailing envelopes, filled with CD’s!


3. Time to work on getting caught up.


4. Christmas decorations in the mall.


5. Fresh, cool air.


6. Christmas music in stores.


7. Shopping ALONE.


8. Choosing not to take a basket because I don’t have to haul a car seat around Target.


9. Ileigh liking her sweet potatoes.


10. Eli’s obsession with Band-Aids


11. How Eli has a “boo-boo” in the exact same spot has his gramp’s “boo-boo”.


12. Meals out.


13. RAIN!


14. The rain starting literally 2 minutes after ending a lunch photo shoot.


15. Wobbly baby legs.


16. Taking goodies to my dad’s nurses.


17. Knowing just how thankful he is that I do it.


18. The way Eli tries to sneak up on me working when he wakes up from his nap.


19. How he lets me cuddle with him until he wakes up a little more.


20. “Little drummer boy”


21. Ileigh singing into the microphone.


22. Heated seats.


23. Getting emails that Chris forwards me about how much his secretaries love our kids.


24. Seriously, did you see that sunset?

24 Days of Thankfulness - 7

24 Days of Thanksgiving – 7



1. “I’mafrogribbit”


2. Dinner with friends


3. Watching Tif work her PhotoShop magic


4. Puppy dog eyes


5. Sharing hot chocolate with your lovely spouse


6. The smell of clean laundry


7. Freedom to worship


8. Unexpected opportunities


9. Rain


10. Our own family pictures


11. Warm socks


12. Little girls’ dresses


13. Compliments about our children


14. Marshmallows


15. PB&J


16. Letters to our kiddos


17. Sharp knives


18. A quiet drive while the kids are in the car


19. Bluetooth


20. Watching people watch your kids


21. Doppler Dave


22. Red bell peppers


23. Shout stain remover


24. Garage door openers

24 Days of Thankfulness - 6

Day 6



1. Chicken and Dumplings


2. “Daddy, come play with me!”


3. “I want to push the escalator”


4. Eli’s prayers at bedtime


5. Giggling little Ileighs


6. Watching others grow


7. Imaginary presents from your children


8. Great bible study classes


9. Sibling banter


10. Prime lenses


11. Incredible bokeh


12. Birthdays


13. Giving spirits


14. Holiday season


15. Daylight savings time – fall only


16. Mary Jane socks


17. A wife who truly loves her friends


18. The man at church who always shakes Eli’s hand


19. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches


20. Peanut butter and jelly hands


21. Second bedrooms


22. Family traveling safely home


23. Weekend plans


24. Whimsy little clouds

24 Days of Thankfulness- 5

Chris decided that he was missing out on all the fun, so he wanted to make a list today.
:)

Day 5



1. Family gatherings


2. Brothers


3. Butterfinger pie


4. Wife who made said butterfinger pie


5. Nieces who love to play with their cousins


6. Warm fires


7. “Oh the bun, it is to write, open slore, hey!” (aka Eli’s version of Jingle Bells)


8. Onion rings


9. Dimples


10. Bleu cheese


11. Churches that put heavy emphasis on marriages/families


12. Eli singing Happy Birthday to Papa


13. Dishwashers


14. Mom’s (Gloria) pound cake


15. “I like your new Nissan”


16. OU beating A&M


17. Sisters-in-law


18. Heated seats


19. “Mamamamamamamamamama”


20. Happy puppies


21. True forgiveness


22. Realizing that perfection is God’s business, not ours


23. “Watch out for dump trucks! I’m goin’ to!”


24. Tif’s smile

24 Days of Thankfulness- 4

1. “This is Moses, mommy. He is holding two mailboxes.”



2. Anticipation


3. Pink note cards


4. Laughing at the Dollar Tree


5. Scratching Ileigh’s back


6. “Here is a spot for you, mommy.”


7. “That cloud is a puppy dog!”


8. Smell of fresh laundry


9. Little boy bed head


10. “Gansta Baby”


11. Self portraits in a crowded restaurant with people looking at you like you are a young, crazy in love couple.


12. Recalling “best-of moments”


13. The way Ileigh laughs at Eli…every time


14. Baby shower invitations in the mail


15. Unexpected thank you cards


16. Finishing up a project


17. pretty toe nails


18. My polar bear PJ pants Cami got me in the 9th grade that I still love


19. “STEAM”


20. YouTube “I ate your Halloween candy”


21. “Yep, I’m are.”


22. Churches that watch my kiddos so that I can go on a date night


23. “I want to go up high”


24. Ileigh clapping