sunshine days.

I have a confession.

I tend to make these super fun plans for BG and I and then completely let them fall through the cracks.

Like make plans to go shopping or eat or something and then decide it's just too dang hard to get her and I ready and then lug a 30 pound toddler around and oh my yoga pants are mighty comfy. See?

Then on Monday it was gorgeous outside (don't get me started on this weather and my anxiety that goes with it) and while I was looking out the window at work I decided to take BG to the park that afternoon. And then I told myself that I was absolutely not allowed to talk myself out of it.

So I packed up early and headed on out to pick her up. And we went to the park. Go me.




This face? Totally worth going.

I would do anything to see that face.






As I watched her run around that park like she owned it, I almost couldn't breathe by how fast it hit me that she is really growing up.

I mean, no duh, but seriously. This is flying by.




When I was in college I could easily talk myself into going out no matter how tired I was. I always told myself "you can sleep when you're dead" and I would muster the energy to go hang out with friends or go see a movie or hit the bars hit the library. Looking back, I'm glad I spent that time with my friends. I don't regret it at all. And I lived (not sure how) despite how tired I was at the time.




And while not the same at all, it actually kind of is. That same mantra is coming into play. Yes, sometimes I just want to sit down and do nothing instead of swinging her "'gain Mommy?!?" for the fiftieth time that day, but I can guarantee that years from now, I will not regret swinging her that extra time. At all. And I don't want to take the chance that I just might regret not doing it.




The next day, we hit that park again. Because it was gorgeous and because she wanted to and because I absolutely cherish these moments with her.




The cuddles are slowing down, there are no more middle of the night feedings, there is no more laying around doing tummy time. I already miss those so, so much. But there is this; there's chasing her around a park, there's her laughing as I swing her high in the air over and over, there's an excited "Bird Mommy!!" as we check out the ducks. There is still all of that. And so long as there is all of that, I'll buck up and join her on those adventures. After all... I can sleep when I'm dead.

history being made.

Say what you will about the insane royal wedding coverage, but this morning history was made.

When I was in middle school, my obsession with the royal family began. I remember writing an essay about how I was going to marry Prince William and be Queen of England.

Well obviously that didn't happen, but since I'm a huge Kate fan, I'll let this one go to her.

Being as how I eat this stuff up and love the whole idea of the British monarchy, I got up at the crack of dawn (3:50 am to be exact) and even got the kiddo up for a bit to see a "common" girl become a a Princess.


She only made it to see Kate walk down the aisle, but she saw the making of a Princess.


Can we talk about what a knockout Pippa Middleton is for a second? For real, what is in these Middleton girls' genes?!


Kate's dress. Swoon. Absolute perfection.

dress: Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen





These two? Precious. I wish them nothing but the best. They seem to be truly in love and the best of friends. Cheers to a long, happy future!!

shout out

A while ago, I contacted one of my favorite bloggers about a little project I was dying to have made.

Jess and I share a deep love for the Beatles and when I saw the Abbey Road drawing she did for her girls' room, I had to have one.

I contacted her a while ago about making a canvas for BG to go in her room. All I knew is I wanted it to match the colors already in there and that I wanted it to have BG and our pets on it.

Oh. And be the album cover. Minor detail.

After talking back and forth, Jess hooked me up. She sent me a sneak peak and I just about could not wait for her to send it.

Finally... (and I say finally but it literally was a few weeks from my idea til I had it in my hand. No time at all to wait).

...and inside..

Y'all. It's perfect. It matches her color, it looks like our dogs, and isn't BG going to be the cutest little toddler ever?!?!

I love it. My friends all love it. And my favorite part is she is the only one in the world who has one just like this.

So a huge thank you Jess!! We seriously hung it minutes after opening it and it already hangs in her new room. I can guarantee she'll have it for years!

a visit with Aunt Texas

My Aunt from Texas came down last week to visit with the fam. It was so good to see her and hang out with her a bit. Of all my aunts, I am by far closest to this one. She might be the one in my family that thinks the most like me. I was super stoked to finally get to introduce her to my sweet girl.

Of course Baby Girl was on her best behavior for her Aunt Texas. I love that sweet girl.

She started to get a little fussy, but Aunt Texas was all over it. She was out in about five minutes..

After church one night, we stopped by the grandparents to hang out with Aunt T again. While there, BG showed off one of her newest tricks; she's just starting to be aware of her feet. She doesn't grab them yet, but is becoming aware that there's something down there.


I love this picture!

Over the weekend while she was here, Uncle Marine managed to come down as well. There was definitely enough family around to keep BG entertained for hours.



Uncle Marine had a wedding to go to and actually had to put real clothes on. I figured I should document the occasion since it basically never happens.

The next day, all of us that were in town got together for lunch. And the much looked forward to (dripping with sarcasm..) family picture.




Last Tuesday while Aunt Texas was still here, BG and I went with her, my other aunt, and my Granddad, down to the historic district in town to do some of the tourist stuff.

It was beyond hot. BG was not a fan.

Neither was this girl.

We drove out to the beach to go to one of the historic forts in town. I pulled out the infant carrier for the first time since BG gets so hot in the stroller. Well, and because I was over pushing the stroller.

As is par for the course with my child, BG didn't want to sit the way a "baby" sits. So I had to flip her around to be able to look at. She was good as gold once she could see. I think she's a history buff like her Mama..



After about twenty minutes of walking in the heat around Hell the fort, (seriously, so hot), BG was over it. She lost it. I could not get out of that fort fast enough. My Aunt P and I went and got the car where we drove around til she conked out.

This is her "What?! That wasn't me that just threw a Texas sized meltdown and screamed over the tour guide so that the tourists gave my Mom multiple dirty looks" face.

sigh...
That night we all went out to eat for Aunt Texas' last night in town. It sucks that she lives so far away, but it does make for a really fun visit when she comes to town. We can't wait to see her again!

first father's day.

We had a great first Father's Day celebration for Mr. Perfect yesterday. Baby Girl and I let him sleep til 7 (that's late in this house nowadays!) and then went in and woke him up to give him his gifts.

Baby Girl, myself, and the pups all gave the Mister a nice card, but I think Baby Girl's might have been the best. =) I had found a card where she could record a message and got her to coo into that. Only took 4 days to get her to do that (she'd be cooing or laughing away til I pressed the record button, then silence), but it turned out so cute!



We got Mr. Perfect a new shirt and some cigars that he wanted, but the best present by far was from BG. Her and I had gone a few weeks ago to make him a Father's Day plate with her footprints on it and it turned out awesome. I know guys don't usually dig the sappy stuff, but he seemed to really like this. I personally love it. But I'm a sucker for that kind of stuff.. =)


my heart and soul..


After opening gifts, we headed to Sunday School and church and then lunch at the grandparents after that. Of course there was a photo session..

Could they possibly be any cuter?!?

Baby Girl with her Daddy and great-granddad. We missed our Pops!!

my family...

I adore my family. I can't thank God enough for blessing me with these two. They are my world!

After lunch Baby Girl and I sacked out on the couch until Mr. P woke us up to "get his girls home and in the bed". I love hearing that. And so we headed home where her and I slept and he enjoyed some time to himself.

In all honesty, that was probably the best gift we gave him yesterday!

Hope you had the best Father's Day ever babe. Your girls sure do love you...

10 weeks

It seems like at this point, my little girl changes so much every week. Just this past week she has hit so many little milestones. I really wish she'd slow down on this growing thing...

She no longer wants to be held in a cradle hold unless shes super tired. She wants to sit up and look around. If you hold her in the cradle hold she gets super mad. Where is my baby?!?

She has been grabbing at the toys on her playmat for a couple of weeks, but now she grabs them and pulls herself slightly up with them.

She puts her feet down and pushes her back off the ground. I see rolling over in her very near future.

She wants to grab everything and everything makes its way into the mouth. Especially her clothes. She grabs the hem of her dress constantly and puts it in her mouth. We're going to have to work on that flashing thing...

She "talks" all the time. She lays in her crib and talks when she's supposed to be sleeping. Yet one more thing to keep her from taking a nap!!

She is a drooling machine. Like she seriously looks like a rabid dog about 98 % of the time. We have to keep a bib on her or just have a soaking wet outfit.

And finally.. she will now support herself on her legs if you hold her up! And then she bounces up and down. It's truly amazing people.

Such a big week at our house. We get nothing done anymore because we just want to watch her. She prefers it that way too. =)

And just because I didn't post them...

9 weeks

8 weeks

7 weeks