busy baby

Miss Ryleigh is growing so fast, and she is changing constantly…I figured I’d write some things down so I can look back and remember these precious moments later in life. She is as proud as a peacock when she is sitting on the floor like a big girl, and it’s hilarious to watch her maneuver her way around right now. She pivots on her tummy, rolls to her side and with a quick motion sits up straight and tall. She smiles a slobbery smile, and waves her arms in excitement. She loves to play peek-a-boo, even if she’s sitting alone on the floor (maybe she already has an imaginary friend?) She still isn’t quite so sure about juice or fruits in general…she doesn’t seem to like anything sweet just yet, which is beyond me, but just fine for now! She loves to bounce, rough house with her daddy, and listen to mommy read to her. She’s fascinated by everything she isn’t supposed to have.  She loves Larry’s silly songs on Veggie Tales. She pulls Mommy's hair, gives kisses, and her screams are a lot louder now when she isn’t receiving the attention she believes she deserves. She’s 7 months old and almost too long for all of her 9 month outfits, and she still loves bath time!  She’s still a little stinker and getting up in the middle of the night for a feeding. Jason and I take turns as we’re both working, and are very blessed that she goes right back down after she’s done.  We’re inching closer to 8 months now…where do the days go?!

I miss her terribly during the day, but daycare is going really well! Knock on wood, but we haven’t had any health issues in the last 4 weeks!!! Picking her up after work has always been my favorite part of the day, but it’s even better now because of that huge, gummy smile, her rapidly waving arms, and this cute excited little sound that she makes!

We had our first Easter, our first park visit, our first swing experience, and our very first overnight at Nana & Papa Neel’s house all in the last month. Ryleigh has been one busy baby!

We can’t wait to see what her next first will be…

stuff i like

Just a little board of things I'm loving at the moment! A splash of color might be just what our love nest needs!

1. circa bowls - Crate & Barrel 

2. chicago wall art - lampsplus.com 

3. mini tapas pans - Bed Bath & Beyond 

4. colorful pitcher - farfetch.com 

5. wine bottle holder - bloomingdales. com 

 6. 3 pc. topiary candle set - Crate & Barrel 

7. storage boxes 2 pc. set - monsoon.co.uk.com 

8. chole chair - Crate & Barrel

Easter 2012

A day so worthy of celebration. A day to reflect on the most amazing gift we can ever be given.

Our Easter was filled with voices raised high in worship, baptisms, and a message with the beautiful reminder of what Easter Sunday is really celebrating.

Ryleigh looked cute as a button in her Easter dress, and she was so excited about her Easter basket filled with treats that she fell asleep. Silly bug!

I hope all of you had an amazing day!

"I am the resurrection and the life.

He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;

and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.

John 11:25-26

happy

I love watching the sun rise as I'm driving to work in the morning...this is aided by the coffee I'm drinking that has me awake enough to really feel the endless amount of possibilities that the day could bring me. 

I love Ryleigh's slobbery smile when she first sees me when I pick her up from daycare. She knows her mommy is there, and that smile melts my heart constantly.

I love maintaining our home. Dishes and laundry don't get me down...even when the sink is piled high and the hampers are overflowing. I'm thankful for the man and the baby that dirty them:)

I love this chapter of life, and I realize that with one day bleeding into the next that I need to slow down a bit and enjoy everything. Appreciate everything.  After all, we can't get tomorrow back.

I love the family and friends that surround, support, understand, and encourage the three of us. Without each of you, a piece of our happiness would be missing. With all my heart, thank you.

I love that in spite of my faults, sins, and shortcomings, God loves me, and His provision is and will always be perfect.

6 Months

I'm a little behind on this post...but just 2 short weeks ago we took Ryleigh's 6 month pictures!! I can't believe how fast that went! She's changed so much in such a short time, and everyday it seems she's learning something new and becoming more curious by the minute. Lately it's been high pitched screams to get our attention, sitting up all by her big girl self, putting everything and anything into her mouth, and scootin' around on her tummy...I think crawling is just a week or two away! Exciting and terrifying at the same time!


She loves sweet potatoes, hates peas and green beans, and will suck on a strawberry any chance she gets. She's been giving us a little trouble at 4am with wanting a bottle, but other than that she's a pretty good sleeper which Jason and I are SO thankful for. She loves playing peek-a-boo, playing in the bathtub, and pulling on my hair (she has quite the death grip) 


She's 29 inches long and almost too tall for her car seat, so crazy! I purchased baby gates this afternoon, and we'll have to start baby proofing everything in the next day or so...we're a little behind on that...


Daycare has been both a blessing and a curse...the facility is wonderful, and we love the ladies that take care of her, but she's been sick a few times already...which is so hard to watch. I have heard that most kids are sick a lot the first year at daycare, but with time their immune system grows stronger! We've already been through RSV. Thank goodness that is over. Her cough made me cringe. We have 4 days left with the meds she's been taking for pink eye that she's had all week. Goopy eyes are pretty gross. She is a trooper though, always smiling through it all, and still eating and sleeping like a champ. We're very blessed, and I definitely don't take that for granted. 


She's awesome, and we're more in love with her than ever!! 

E is for Easton

Yesterday we spent the morning celebrating baby Easton! What a wonderful morning it was...filled with cupcakes, boogie wipes, baby stories, and many well wishes for baby E! I'm so excited for Jenn and Bo, and everything that is to come with the birth of their first child. 


Being a mommy is the most challenging, yet rewarding thing I have ever done, and I can't wait to be able to share this with mama Jenn! 


We can't wait to meet you Easton!!!