11 Months Old

Mallary,
I can't believe we are in the final month until you are 1. I am planning your parties but it seems like I keep putting it off b/c it seems impossible that you are actually going to be 1 already. It seems as though you just got here. I'm sorry I never got a 10 month post done, so I will combine the 2 b/c there is not a whole lot of difference. You are sooo sweet I can't stand it! We say kiss and you will give us all the biggest, slobbery best kisses we have ever had. You love to clap for yourself and play pat - a - cake (you want to make our hands clap when we play!) You also love pulling stuff over your head (especially your dresses) and play peek a boo. You are eating all big girl food - you eat toast and yogurt for breakfast, fruit, turkey and cheese for lunch, green beans are one of your favs and you eat them for dinner most nights. You love, pears and applesauce and even some chicken nuggets. We still give you 3 bottles a day, but we're working on the sippy cups (you really got the hang of it when I put some Kool-Aid in one!) You will kinda stand on your own, but I doubt you will be walking by your 1st bday - you get around pretty good crawling and pulling up so I guess you are like Gracie and content to crawl! (which I am very fine with b/c life takes on a whole new dynamic when a little starts to walk). You are saying DaDa and Hey, but that's about it. Sadly, you have been sick a lot the past 2 months. Ear infections, colds, and RSV. You had been so quiet and we could tell you didn't feel good for so long, but you gotten livlier so hopefully the sicknesses are all on their way out. I love you sweet girl!!!

Something New to Love!

My friend Tara has started a new business! She is creating and designing the most precious shirts for children (and adults)! I recently had my 1st one made by her for a special 1st birthday gift and I was more than thrilled with it! Super Cute and really good quality! We can't wait to see what new designs she puts up for spring!

Check her out here.

Fun in Kentucky!

Saturday morning we loaded up and headed to Kentucky to see Grandma (Grammy) and Grandpa (JJ) Aunt Mary Beth and Emma. Our Ohio family had never met Andrew so we made a weekend and met them halfway so we could visit.

We arrived and Gracie immediately found the indoor pool, but I didn't pack a suit for anyone thinking it would be too cold in there to swim. Luckily, MeMe bought Gracie a suit at Target so she could swim with Emma! Thanks Em! (Mom said she was probably the only person buying a suit in ky when the temp was all of 32 degrees).

We shopped, went out to eat, played cards and games and had a super fun (super short) visit.

We miss them all so much all the time. Gracie always asks about Grammy and JJ and wants to go out to eat with JJ and go to Ohio. Today when MeMe called - she was even asking where Mary Beth was. We're so lucky to have them and get such fun visits with them!

Grammy and JJ with all the great grandkids

Grandkids and Great Grandkids
(minus sweet Jacquelyn who couldn't get away)

(notice all the girls...how did we ever get Andrew?)



I tried to take a pic of Gracie in the pool with it snowing out the window.
So, a terrible pic of Gracie swimming and you can't see the snow, but we know!



a little later it looked like this!




and we woke up to this Monday morning.

Gracie wanted to make a snowman sooooo bad!
(that is until she actually touched the snow - too cold!)

poor Mallary, we tried to snap a quick pic of her in
her 1st snow, but got this instead. and it's the only
we took so up it goes.

My Christmas Present...

I haven't blogged about my 2 Christmas Presents because quite frankly I haven't had time to sit down and figure it out!!!

I got this

This was one of my things from mom and dad...

Yes, about the most basic sewing machine that is made,
but I haven't sewn in, like well....16 years since I was a freshman
in high school and took food, fabrics and fun (AKA Home Ec)

BUT, I got an A on those projects so here's hoping that something stuck!


This was from Alan

an antique sewing table to store the thing.
(AKA a new piece of furniture for me to pile stuff up
on if the sewing doesn't work out)


I bought this at Hancock's the other day
(girls that sew....where do you find your super cute fabrics?
b/c it not at hancock)
I did like these 2 lime and purple polka dots though




and I picked the pattern b/c it had this word on it

If time would stand still, my children would nap or something else would happen that would give 2 hours to sit down and get things going I will post what happens (be it good or bad...)

I think it's a win!

This week, Alan competed in our church chili cook-off.

Tuesday night, he (along with his sous chefs) made a big batch of chili.

even Mal gets in on the action!

adding the special ingredients

We waited patiently for the results after dinner was done.
Out of 21 entries his batch won this....

2nd Place!!!
(please excuse the messy crock pot,
this was after the chili dinner when we
got home)

He's so proud!

Not much going on

It's been pretty quiet around here. Gracie started back to school last Wednesday and enjoyed getting to see her friends again. We've kinda isolated ourselves from everything so Mallary could get better - which she appears to be 110% now! Yippee. But now it is going to be cold, cold, cold here. I just wish it would snow. Gracie spent the weekend with MeMe and Chief and had a big time. Here are just a few shots of the past week or so...

Must have been a rough day (it's like 6:00)

Look what this little baby did all by herself!

Thanks for the new boots MeMe.
I insisted on wearing them to school yesterday
(Only for the teachers to tell me she refused to wear them
once she got to school!)

Hey DaDa!

You finally did it Mallary! Tuesday morning instead of our normal "monster" wake up you do, you looked over at Alan and said Hey DaDa! Totally unprovoked and clear as could be! We were both shocked and you said it over and over. You have been saying hey for awhile, but you haven't put words together like that! Good job. You say it everytime you see DaDa now you say Hey DaDa.


and funny Gracie story....She is dressed up in a fairy princess outfit today (yes all day) and I said take this toy to your room, she was jumping around the kitchen and said "Tinkerbell's don't clean, they fly!" Oh really.....

Outside!

I love when we get these warm days to play outside. I feel like between the girls being sick, on the road for holidays, lots and lots of rain we haven't played outside much. Yesterday we got out the wagon and went for a wagon ride, we played tag, got out Daddy's new tent and set it up and played "camping". Gracie told us "scary" stories, gave us our camping list which included marshmallows, pretzels, flashlight and sleeping bag. Gracie also got a big girl haircut yesterday. You could just tell she thought she was a glamorous princess while she was getting it done. She just had this smile and look about her. It was so cute!

telling me to take a picture of her haircut!
(She wouldn't let me put the bow back in)

Tag! You're It

Mallary loves the wagon!

P.S. Mallary is getting better. We are trying to wean her off the breathing treatments. She is off on of her medicines and is playing better. RSV go away! She still isn't allowed to go to nurseries, etc. for a few more weeks so friends, we'll see you in a couple of weeks!!!

Finishing Up

The day after Christmas we celebrated with my dad's side of the family and some close family friends. They just come over and we have a little party and all get to visit. It's fun. Gracie did have another surprise to open. The other highlight of her night was Pat teaching Gracie and Jana "magic" tricks.

One funny story from this night...Jana and Gracie were sitting at the island in the kitchen eating dinner and Jana said she wanted a coke. Well, I told her they were downstairs in bar and to go ask Wesley for one. Gracie yells to Jana as she's going downstairs - the beers are down there too as if 5 year old Jana would be looking for one of those as well!

Jason and Emily

Jana and Aunt Dotty

Mom and Pat

P.S. We celebrated Christmas with Alan's dad and step mom the Saturday after Christmas however, the pictures there are even worse than they were from his mom's house. Next year, I will take any and all pictures!! But Karyn and Alex hosted us and made a wonderful brunch. The kids played and the biggest fun was checking out the Wii Fit and watching Alan imaginary hula hooping!!

Christmas at Nana's

We celebrated at Nana's house the day after Christmas this year. The kids did their stockings out in the playhouse and they went out to get them. They also got to decorate Christmas cookies. In true Gracie fashion, she just turned the sprinkles on top and let them pour. Alan was in charge of pictures since poor little Mallary was starting to get sick and would not let me put her down - and Alan just takes the camera and snaps without any poses.

Christmas Day at MeMe and Chief's

Santa came to MeMe and Chief's for everyone!!

Mallary and her new pony

She loves the wagon!

Gracie and her pile

This is going to be fun!

Andrew's first Christmas too!

Gracie got a new pinkalicious book from Grammy and JJ that she loved.
She snuggled up in her new robe from Aunt Elaine
and conned us all of into reading it over and over - even Chief
I think b/c she looked so cute and snuggly!

After opening all our Santa presents, we loaded up and headed to Birmingham. Much to the girls surprise - when they got to MeMe and Chief's house - Santa had been there too!!! We ate our delicious lunch and then tore into all our goodies! Santa left them a wagon there - we can't wait to take it for rides and to the zoo!

More to come....