Christmas in the Park

We had been looking for some fun family activities (that didn't cost a ton since Taylor won't remember any of it) for Christmas. B told me about Christmas in the Park so we decided to go...it just so happened that Emily was wanting something for Samad too.

P.S. Its my 100th Blog!

3 Months!

I can not believe it has been 3 months already! I simply want time to slow down enough that I can really enjoy Taylor at this age and soak up all of her cuteness.

* You weigh around 12 lbs. and are almost 22 inches long. (and thats rounding up)
* You still don't roll over but you are trying so hard to sit up on your own...its a little to early for that.
* You are growing some hair these days...not much but still its something.
* You are still sleeping in your bassinet, but as of today no more boppy pillow. You are moving around to much in your sleep now.
* You have been very hard to get to bed these days but once I get you to sleep...you sleep until 6:30 everyday.
* Lots and LOTS of drool but no little teeth yet.
* You are eating very well...5oz. every 4 hours and 6oz. at bedtime.
* We tried cereal for the first time about two weeks ago and you didn't really care for the spoon so we will try again next week. If you still don't like the spoon then we will wait a few more weeks.
* Santa brought you an early Christmas present ...a new floor mat! You LOVE it! You know which toys make noise and you reach for them until you can hit it over and over.
* You still LOVE your Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!
* You got an early Christmas present from Pa... a DVD player for the truck. This has kept your mommy sane when its dark outside.
* Yes you are still very afraid of the dark.
* You laugh so much now...you copy faces and sounds too.
* You still don't respond to your name...but mommy is working on that. (if we can just get everyone to call you by your name instead of all the 20 or so nicknames you have)
* You like to hold on to something all the time. It can be your bunny or a blanket it doesn't matter as long as its something.
* You are still in 0-3 Months Clothes but you will move up soon...at least for some things.
* You got to see your first snow...even though you didn't want to look at it...it was very bright outside.
* You are starting to know the difference between who is holding you and if you don't want that person to hold you...you are not shy about telling EVERYONE around.
* Your belly still has its issues...but they get better and better.
* Mommy left you with Amanda for the first time this month...to go see a movie with Daddy.
* When you get hungry you don't cry you SCREAM!
* You have decided that you like to grab handfuls of Mommies hair...Mommy doesn't like this so much.

Its almost Christmas and we are so excited.

@ 3 Months

@ 2 Months

 Watching Mickey Mouse

 I love my floor mat.

 Christmas Outfits.....

All SMILES!

Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday! I love that everyone comes together and no one is there for presents just to spend time together. It's also a day to reflect on all things that we should me more thankful for all year long. These are the same reason that my Grandmother loved Thanksgiving.

This year was a little different....It was the first year since my grandparents passed away that I did not cook and do a big dinner at my house. I started that tradition because I wanted to make sure that everyone that could come (and for Michael to always have) to the same kind of Thanksgiving celebration that we had growing up. 

This year I decided that with the new baby and our apartment being SO small that it just wasn't realistic to try to have Thanksgiving here. It also happen to fall this year that my Grandmothers birthday was on Thanksgiving. 

The major holidays are always a little sad when so much of your family is gone but this year seems a little worse because I wish so much that Taylor could spend these holidays the way I did. I at some point lost all perspective and decided I didn't want Thanksgiving this year. I was sad about my family and irritated that we were going to be traveling all over the place (something I have never done) to several different Thanksgiving dinners. I just wanted the day to come and go and not leave any marks behind. For weeks I actually dreaded my favorite holiday....how selfish of me. I have so much to be thankful for...more that some and I was being a big baby. 

It wasn't until Thanksgiving morning after the first cry (it's normal for me to cry on Thanksgiving) that I came to my senses and decided I was going to enjoy my day. We had already had one dinner Wednesday night with Justin's dad and step mom and were headed to Waverly to eat and spend time with his mom and step dad then we were headed to my brothers house to bring our day to a close. We were on a very tight schedule because it is a 2 hour drive to see Justin's mom and of course we were late...lol  Actually we were late or forgot something for everything on Thanksgiving but it was still a GREAT day! We have a tradition where we go around and everyone tells what they are most thankful for....Justin even said "I am thankful we are loved enough for this to be our third Thanksgiving dinner" That says everything doesn't it! 

Now for some Thanksgiving pictures: 

2 Months!

I can't believe you are two months old! It seems like just yesterday when you were born. You have grown up so much this month. So here are a few things that we will all want to remember when your 10 and don't like me anymore...lol

* We think you weigh around 10 lbs. (I am putting off your doctor visit until after Thanksgiving)
* You don't roll over anymore...lol LAZY!
* Your hair is falling out and/or you are pulling it out.
* You sleep in your bassinet now...in your boppy pillow on your side.....position is very important.
* You slept until 6 am this week....made momma happy.
* You are teething...lots of drool and you started chewing on a teething ring today.
* You still eat 4 oz...every 4 hours or so...except bed time then you eat 6oz.
* You like your swing but you love your bumpo seat
* You watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse EVERYDAY from your bumpo seat
* No more baby acne!
* The car is ok as long as you fall asleep before it gets dark...lol
* You had your very first family picture and your first set of Christmas pictures made
* You loved the Christmas lights at Opryland Hotel almost as much as you love the ones on our tree at home


and some pictures:

 @ 2 Months

@ 1 Month

& some Christmas and Family Pictures

w/o a bow :(

Halloween

We had a little strawberry for Halloween! I kinda love holidays even the small ones. Halloween is no exception, so we dressed up for several days (as many days as I had outfits that would fit)....Here are some pictures: 

She had jeans on with this shirt but I had just changed her diaper...lol

My FAVORITE Halloween outfit....honestly she may wear this one after the holiday at this rate.

I made these for a party we went to....I am very proud....they even tasted good.

Her last outfit....even glowed in the dark.