A picture journey

I have to get better at this 

whole blogging thing.

To kick start that idea, here are some pictures of

how our life has been going.

Enjoy.

Winter time.
0 degrees here in CO somedays. YIKES!

Sick cuddles with Mr.Bear

Visiting Daddy at work

Fun at the park. It was expected to be the last warm day in a while

Katie got an Anywhere Chair from PBK for Christmas this year.
Such a Score on black friday.

Look at those eyes. My babe.

Having her first sugar cookie! Eating Frosty the Snowman.

Decorating the tree with us. Gorgeous.

A little Sunday school fun. Christmas play practice.








She Also may have had her
FIRST BIRTHDAYAnd is now  currently 13 months old




Happy Birthday to Katie!





Birthday Lunch at Chick-fil-a.
Chicken nuggets yeah?!





 We had a PINK party to celebrate
=)




I love the way she looks at me.
Mommy Daughter moment.

We are looking forward to 2014.
I will post before than though.
;)

Big Girl Status

So much has happened over here lately.
Time has flown by and I haven't been able to get a post out until now.
Here are some pictures along with some amazing new accomplishments!!!

 
See this chick sippin on my water bottle?!
She loves it and claimed it as her own.
I caved.
Well I am stoked to announce that starting on September 9th she has been going potty in her Big Girl potty everyday! Now, I know early (early!) potty training isn't for everyone but it has been working great for us. It was a super easy transition too. We always had her bumbo in the bathroom, so she was used to sitting on something in there with us. She also used to do what I thought was "pretending" to push, like she was going potty too. ;)
Now, when she wakes up in the morning and after naps I place her straight on her potty and away she goes. Just like that. Magic.
I save so many diapers now. She is usually around 2 diapers a day now because most of her business goes in her potty.
I made her, her very own Potty Chart and everything.
She gets a sticker every time she goes that day.
Love her.

Next.



Katie was able to go to daddy's football game!
It was so hot outside and mommy forgot the sunscreen, so we opted for umbrellas instead.
Look at her holding on to it.
And did I mention that little curl?
So cute.


Side note.


Look how cute she is in her new bath robe!
I adore her.


Also, in the past few weeks my 22nd birthday has come and passed.
The day itself was normal and nothing extraordinary.

Me and my birthday buddy


That Friday we went for a lovely dinner to the Olive Garden to celebrate!
Yes. I LOVE the Olive Garden.
Their Chicken Marsala is mouth watering along with the Chocolate Moose cake.
It was a great birthday.

Here is the whole family.

Katie, Troy, Myself and Budee.

That's right, we have a Bunny
who is practically our son.
=)
(katie's hand is blurry from trying to wave)



That has been our last few weeks.
Oh wait!
How could a mom forget. Silly me.
Guys,
Katie has taken her first STEPS!!!

This is right before she started walking towards me =)
We caught the whole thing on video.
Such a proud moment.

Word.
I am one proud mama.
Now it's time to rest.

Remembering 9-11

Today marks another year.
Another year from when tragedy struck our home.
Our backyard.

Our place of comfort.

I was pretty young when 9-11 happened. I would be turning 10 a few weeks after.
At the time I wasn't sure about what happened other than seeing lots of commotion on the TV.
I didn't go to school that day.
And... my brother in-laws birthday is today.
That is all I can remember from the day the Twin Towers were hit.


Today.
9-11-13
I will be turning 22 in a few weeks.
After watching many documentaries on the event I can say it has gripped my heart.
So many thoughts rush through my head and emotions flood my body...and to think..I didn't even know anyone in the towers personally.
I can only imagine how those who did lose someone are feeling.

I think to myself.
Why?
Why to so many things involved in that situation.
I know as a fellow American I will never forget what took place here in America, Land of the Free and Home of the Brave.
Those men and women both in the tower that day and those that came to rescue and help were true Heroes.
They were Brave.
Those who were stuck innocently on a plane that took a deadly turn.
They were Brave.

They were Heroes.

For this reason and numerous more, I want to teach my daughter to be Kind. I want to teach her to be gentle, loving, Heroic, sweet, pleasant, courageous, God fearing, and patient.
I want her to Love others.
I know that if I want to teach her that, then that is what I must model.
And the best way I can do that is by making sure I seek God with all my being.
I need Him.
I need Him to help me teach her and to continue teaching me.


So today, when you are at work, with your babies, with your wife or husband or family, when you're driving, waiting in line or having a conversation, be patient.
Take a breath.
You never know what the person next to you has or is going through or what they are about to face.
Smile, Love and show grace.

Maybe you will be the only person who shows them that.


And
Never
Forget
9-11-01


























How are you doing today?

Weekend Fun

This weekend we had tons of fun. By the end we were all tired out!
The last two Fridays Katie has been blessed to spend time with some new friends. She gets to spend every Monday and Friday morning with them. Blaise and Ember are the two cuties names.
They are so much fun and katie learns so much just by watching them.
Ember is younger than Katie but that doesn't stop these two from doing some tummy time together.
You go girls!

Are these two cute or what?

On Saturday I made a huge breakfast. It included the works. Pancakes, hash browns, eggs and sweet crispy bacon. Yum. 

we then relaxed around the house and
got some cleaning done.
That night was when the action-packed-fun hit!
CCA High School football game.
The team has been obliterating every team they come in contact with this season and this was the first home game.
We were excited.

They brought In another win with

52-7!
We bought Katie an oh-so cute Bulldogs outfit and she rocked it!
She made it all the way to half time without a single fuss. This was at 8:35pm so it was past her bedtime.
She cried the whole way home but then she went straight to bed.
What a great little girl.
I think she had a blast!








It was so crazy for me to think back on last season. The last time I had sat in those chairs and bleachers was when i was very  pregnant with Katie.
Now look at my little lady.
I love her.


On Sunday we had a great morning at Church and a delicious lunch at Chipotle.
Then we had a nice cool walk through the park.

And
Big news for this Mama.
It was past Katie Belles bedtime when she decided she wanted to stay up and play. So...
Troy took me out for ice cream... not Katie and I.
Just Troy and myself.
Grandma watched Katie Belle for 20 minutes while we made a quick trip to Sonic and I got the most delicious Reese's Pieces Blast.
I was a nervous wreck half way there...talking about Katie non-stop and asking "what if she needs me?" than what? Mommy isn't there.
I needed a hug more than Katie needed me. Haha
We arrived home shortly after and guess what?
Katie was fine.
Safe. Clean. Happy. Smiling. Having fun.
She didn't even know I had gone missing for the last 20 minutes.
Haha.
It's like I told Troy,  I deserved that Ice cream.

Thank you Katie.
Mommy and Daddy appreciated that.
=)


How was your weekend?

Only 2 months to go...

Until Katie's 1st

Birthday!
Can it be true? Can she really be 10 months old today? Well whether I'm ready to except it or not it is true, and time just keeps moving.  The last 10 months have been incredible and crazy all at the same time. Being mommy to this little princess is the best job ever,
and there is some BIG news happening over here, I bought Katie her first box of
Cheerios!

She was getting tired, but happy to get some "O's"

I think this is really one of the first "foods" I have ever bought her. She was so excited and she also got a new little bowl to tote them around in.
I do want to share though, something very important I realized about Cheerios. When you buy your little lady or lad some Cheerios, make sure if they are younger than a year, that they are not Honey Nut
Cheerios. Babies under 1 year of age are not supposed to have Honey because of a bacteria their tiny tummies are unable to tolerate well. So sticking to plain-ol wheat cheerios is the best route to go. Also adding in the important factor that Nut allergies are a worry too.
So, make sure to give this some thought and look at your foods labels.

Also
I thought I would share this amazingly cute winter vest Troy and I bought for
Katie Belle at The Childrens Place. That store is amazing if you've never checked it out.
Do It.



Printed Puffer Vest

Like I said, only 2 months to go until the big O.N.E! So now I need to get my booty in gear and start planning this Party.
The theme is Pink Ombre with a few touches of gold.
It will pretty and fit for a princess, and why should she except anything less.
=)

Maybe I should top her cake with
Cheerios.... than again...maybe not. 

9 months!

Yes, I am a big girl now.

Hurray! More room for me to stretch! 

I can not believe that my daughter is 9 months old. She will be 10 months (did i just say that?) this coming Thursday. The last post I did was when she was 6 months and holy moly does she look itty bitty. Too cute. A lot has happened since then so allow me to update you. Enjoy the pictures.



This summer we were able to attend two glamorous weddings. One was a little closer to home and Katie enjoyed spending time with some well known friends of hers.
The next wedding was further away in Keystone, CO. This by far is the  biggest trip we have taken with the little munchkin. She did a pretty phenomenal job.  Once we arrived at our beautiful room, Katie was more then ready to take a nap on the HUGE bed.

The next evening we attended the wedding and had a fun time at the reception, Troy and I were able to dance for the first time since our little love came along and  I absolutely loved it!
Katie gave us a monster scare though when her left eye decided to turn red and swell up! As her mom I took full liberty to freak out and call the on-call nurse at Children's. Thankfully she calmed my nerves and helped me remember that a few minutes before hand, she had rubbed Spit-up into that exact eye. No big deal, and after a little while it cleared itself up. I adore this picture of her looking at daddy like " what is going on with my eye man?"

Daddy, why is my eye all funky at the party?

That night we took off on an hour trip to Vail, CO. Even though it was a long car ride and Katie flipped out only minutes away from the condo...in the end.... we got there. =)

Vail, CO was so pretty. Can't you smell the crisp, fresh air in this picture?

We had such a relaxing time and came back refreshed. Katie slept the whole way home! It was AMAZING!
Since then, Katie has turned 9 months old before our very eyes, and now is speeding up to 10! She has taken a liking to Cheerios  and eating huge big-girl pieces of banana. I almost cried! Ha.
She also tried her very first tiny bite of chicken from Chick-fil-a. Hmm....that gives me a good excuse to go there more often. ;)
Well, a woman can try right?

Smile, you're on mommy's camera

Wow, Jesus has installed a massive amount of beauty
in this girl.

Feet First. Helpful Tip #1

Readers, Fellow Parents?

Yes, this one is more so for you than it is my daughter at the moment but Katie Belle when you grow up and become a babysitter, Aunt, or Mommy of your own you can apply this too.
Being a new mom I have discovered plenty of situations that I didn't exactly know how to handle until they were placed in front of me. With tons of practice, I have learned some pretty neat ways of dealing with them. This post is a Helpful Tip that I would have loved to know when my daughter was a newborn. I would guess that some or all moms and dads know this, but I will openly admit that I had NO CLUE! =) So, here is a Helpful tip that I'm sure you already know ;)
         
                                                                       Feet First
A newborn baby is so tiny, fragile and precious. You just want to hold them and cuddle all the time right? Yes, but one thing that is a absolute! You have to support their head until they gain control over it. This is a given. I know when my daughter was born, I was so nervous to dress her in any outfit that I did not enjoy trying to put a onesie on her at all. Trying to hold her and keep her head safe and slide clothes over her was not fun nor easy for either of us. A few weeks after going through this, I noticed the neck opening on most onesies were big enough to slide over her hips and up to her neck. I didn't even need to mess around with her sweet little head. This way is so much easier and nicer for the two of us.
                                                     Here is how we do it. Step by Step.      


                                                                             
                                                                              Step #1

Pull the onesie up through the neck hole and allow the feet to stick through the bottom.
                                                              ....  A.K.A Feet First ....
                                  (If your baby is old enough they just might help you.)
                                          

 Step #2
Bring the onesie up underneath the underarms and button your bottom.

mommy why are you taking pictures of this?

Step #3

Put arms through the arm holes.

And now you are finished! The product is a happy baby and a happy mommy. I never had to lift her little head or feel nervous. As your baby gains control over their head it is less scary to put a onesie on over the head but I find this way to be much easier. It also allows dressing time to be much faster and efficient. It's even better if getting ready is not your sweetie's favorite activity.

                                               She was so happy to chew on her bows.
                                    All dolled up and pretty in her new outfit daddy bought.                                                                                               (Thanks Daddy)

Well, I hope you found this to be a Helpful Tip, even if you already knew to do it!
It made our life tons easier.

Apple Chips

Katie Belle,
The last few days have been long, busy and just out right tiring! That would make sense to why you are asleep here next to me while I type this. ;)
On Tuesday we took a fun trip to the grocery store where we bought some pretty cool foods. We got a coconut, papaya, pineapple, cucumbers, and more. You did a great job and I was so proud of all the patience you showed. I attempted to create a papaya smoothie when we got home and boy oh boy was that a terrible idea. It smelt so bad in my opinion but I would love for you to try papaya when you get older. You just might love it, and hey if you do, great! It has tons of health benefits.
Well after that we created some delicious Apple chips. This is how we made them...
I preheated the oven to 225 degrees and sat you in the bouncer while you watched me bop around the kitchen getting ready to cook. You looked so cute!

I sliced a green apple into thin slices and placed them on a cookie sheet.
I then sprinkled them with cinnamon sugar and placed them in the oven on the middle
rack for 1 hour.

We played, nursed and you napped while they cooked for the first hour.
When the hour was up, I flipped the chips and stuck them back in the oven for another hour.
During this time you had fun playing with cousin Lily and walking around the house with me.
Finally the chips are done!!


To close the day you had some much needed and tremendously fun daddy daughter time.

hmmm..where did daddy go?

Oh! There he is!

Way to be a rock star baby! You are such a trooper.

Momma's Day!

Belle,
Yesterday was mothers day and it was incredible! I woke up about 6:30 or so only to find a beautiful gift awaiting me on your changing table. You and daddy followed me in the nursery so you could see my reaction. You gave me a picture frame filed with "magic" paper and a sweet little hand print. =)
Thank you princess.

We got ready for church after that and we were stylin profilin! We didn't capture a picture of all 3 of us but here's the 411. Daddy wore a yellow polo and dark gray shorts and shoes, I wore a white tank top under a blue and white stripped dress shirt with blue capries and gray flats, last but most eye catching of them all! You wore a blue and white stripped dress that had a yellow flower and buttons on it, and to top it all of you rocked a yellow bow and occasionally your heart shaped pink sunglasses.
Bam!! Gorgeous!

We had a great time at church and you loved playing with the flowers we got. After Church we went and had lunch with Grandpa at Village Inn. After a short nap we headed off to the mall to shop! Thanks for being so well behaved with daddy while I looked around. You helped pick some stuff out and I'll admit, you have a good eye for fashion! Fashionista huh?! I may have forgot to mention a little something.... you may have made your pretty little dress wet while daddy Was changing your diaper earlier. Haha!! Good thing mommy had a back up in the diaper bag. You still looked breath taking.

You decided to try driving us home but needed another rest so daddy took over the job. =)

We sat down to a delicious Olive Garden dinner at home and called it a night. Thank you husband for being soooo amazing and giving me a break today. And special thanks to you baby Belle. You are my sunshine.
Happy Momma's day fellow mothers.

Airplane Hanger

Katie, Today you went inside an AIRPLANE HANGER! Yes, the 2012-13 Athletic banquet was today as your daddy was the MC and MIC (man in charge). It was one crazy cool experience. There was an actual plane parked in the hanger and you got to touch the wing of the plane! Sorry I didn't capture any photos. You wore your oh so cute baby Under Armour pink onesie and blue skirt. You were 100% pooped just like daddy so you crashed when we got home. Later we went to BabiesRUs and got tons of cute stuff for you including bows!! Then we continued to Dicks Sporting Goods and looked at golf stuff with daddy. All in all it was a great day. I'm proud of you big girl. Mother's day is tomorrow and I am so blessed to be your mama! Here's a picture of you in your new pink bow on our way home from shopping. =)