Summer Memories

So far this has been such a wonderful summer.  I thank God every single day that I get to live my dream of being a stay at home Mama!  There is nothing that brings me as much joy as it does to know that I get to experience all that is new and exciting with our baby girl.  It makes my heart explode with happiness!  Here is just a little taste of what we have been up to lately.  After all, isn't this what it's all about??? I want Sofia to have the best memories of time with family and friends and that's what I'm gonna do for her!!!

Father's Day at Loveless Cafe and Natchez Trace Parkway.  This was a first for J.R. and I as well.  What a wonderful time we had and we had really full bellies too!

Outside bubble time!

 Experiencing an ICEE for the first time!  I think a little brain freeze might have been happening!

 Pool Time!

We recently spent a weekend with J.R.'s childhood friend, John, and his family for the boys to play in a golf tournament.  

Sofia loves to be around people and had a great time!

 The view from John and Katherine's back yard.  They live right on the golf course and it is so nice!

Playdates with cousin Cade.  Sofia loves him so much!

 Splash time in Nashville visiting my friend Jamie and her baby boy, Townes.  I think he's trying to make a move on Sofia!  Go Townes go!

Playing in the sprinkler at Nani and Poppi's house with her cousins.  She liked the water but was not a fan of the wet grass, hence the "flamingo stand"!  Cause we all know that if just one foot touches the grass it's ok!  Oh, and check out Maggie to the right.  She was drenched and shivering but loving the sprinkler!!!  

See, these are the things I'm talking about.  Memories that don't cost a thing.  Sure, there is stress that comes with being parents.  Finances and budgets, jobs and economy, making sure Sofia is safe and healthy.  And the list goes on and on.  I just keep my faith in God that we will all be taken care of and that's all I can do. So, I will have FUN with my girl and enjoy the time we are in NOW and not worry about THEN.  Take time to do the same and we will all have a summer full of fantastic memories!

xoxo 

Happy Summer Everyone!

First Birthday!

So, I'm finally getting around to posting about Sofia's first birthday!  Whew, it's been kinda crazy lately and I WAS waiting for pictures that my sister took on her camera, but who knows when I'll get around to getting them from her, so these are just a few that I have and we will just have to deal with the poorer quality photos ;)

Her very first gift was from her Grandpa in California.  It is a little botchy (think I completely messed up the spelling but oh well!) ball set and some cash for savings ;)

She loves the balls.  We walk to St. Rose on Tuesdays and Thursdays where they play actual botchy ball and she loves to watch!  Now she has her very own child friendly set!  Thanks Gramps!

Then on her actual birthday we celebrated just a little something from Daddy and Mommy.  I know a one year old doesn't understand or remember their first birthday but I will.  I ain't missing out on celebrating the first year of this baby of mine!

We celebrated on the night of her birthday at my Mom and Dad's house with just some cupcakes and even more special guests.  We also celebrated the 8th birthday of my niece, Rayley, because she and Sofia share this special day.  I think it's wonderful!

Her very first experience with a cupcake, or really any sort of sweet.  Since I still breastfeed she doesn't eat much real food and definitely not sweets.  She was enjoying this!

All the cousins!

Sofia and Rayley.  Sofia's 1 and Rayley is 8!

This is a picture of the card Rayley made for Sofia.  I thought is was just precious!

The day of her party!  Chaotic but so fun!

We had a wonderful time and are so thankful to have shared it with all those we love!  Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate our baby girls day!!!!

Approaching the big ONE!

Well, the time has arrived.  Our little girl is about to celebrate her very first BIRTHDAY!  I can't even get over the fact that at this time just last year I still didn't know if I was having a boy or a girl and I was sitting around eating anything I wanted and enjoying the wonderful beauty of pregnancy.  I loved the last trimester.  It was glorious and what I had always wanted to experience for myself.  My little belly contained a baby that was a good deal larger than we all thought, including the doctor.  Even minutes before my delivery everyone in the room (hospital staff) was placing bets that the baby was going to be somewhere around 6-6 1/2 pounds!  Then there she was...all 8 pounds of her!  Simply perfect.  Dark black hair, chubby little cheeks, full lips.  She was exactly as I pictured.  And although I never wanted to say what I thought I was having, deep in my heart I knew it was a little angel girl.  

Who would have thought that now she has blonde hair and the bluest eyes!  I just knew she was gonna have all of her Daddy's dark features.  You really never know!  

There was that time in my life, not long ago at all, that I had come to term with the reality that we may never have a baby of our own.  I thank the Dear Lord above each and every day and night and sometimes even more than that!  She has made what was already a home filled with love to one busting at the seams. J.R. and I could not be happier.  So now it's time to CELEBRATE!!!!  We are having her birthday party at our house in the back yard (please don't be TOO terribly hot!) and the decorations and balloons and bounce house and everything else is a go!  There will be food and cupcakes and music and lots and lots of love.  I just couldn't leave anyone out of our celebration so the list ended up being a tad long but I wouldn't have it any other way.  I know she won't remember it in her mind, but one day she will see the pictures and videos and see all her family and friends that came to celebrate her very first year of life with us.  I can't imagine anything better :)

Thank you to everyone who supported me before, during, and after pregnancy.  It means more than I can ever express to you.  I love being a Mommy to this precious little girl and I am so excited to celebrate and create her first birthday!!!!!

Her actual day of birth is June 5th so I will post a little bit on that day too!  

Next time you see her she will be the big 1!!!!!

Beach Time!

We recently returned from our second beach trip since having Sofia.  It was wonderful!  We went to our usual and favorite location, Rosemary Beach.  This time it was just our little family plus my Mom and Dad, or Nani and Poppi :)  It was absolutely perfect.  Low key, relaxing, and unlimited attention for sweet Sofia.

We drove half way Saturday to Montgomery, AL.  One of the perks of my Dad being retired military is that he gets to stay on base instead of hotels (nice discount!) and it's so fun and not to mention you feel extremely safe.  Here are a couple of pics of Sofia arriving for her first "military" stay.  The family one in the bowling alley was of the night we ate dinner on base.  It was "70's Night" and burgers, fries, and cokes were $.75!!!!! We all ate for under $9!!!!!  Awesome!  Also, it was great to stop halfway with an 11 month old.  She is not fond of carseat riding but we won't talk about that ;)

 The next morning we were on our way only 3 1/2 hours to go!  It almost took that long to get our breakfast at Cracker Barrel!  Seriously, even Sofia was like, "Come on!  It's just pancakes people!".  By the time we were done eating she passed out on Nani's chest from all the exhausting waiting!

 Then, the time came.  BEACH time!!!!  Sofia was ready...shades and all!

She really didn't care for the sand but tolerated it.  

Her favorite place was the swimming pool!  This girl could be pushed around in the pool for hours!  Plus, the water made it easier for her to stand up and she loved standing on the steps and thinking she was big time!

Here she is with her chicken that lights up like a disco ball.  She just had to have it while out shopping in Rosemary.

One of everyone's favorite thing was riding the bikes together.  We did this several times, but every single night.  It was wonderful!  Oh, and if you see my Mom, don't mention her MANY encounters with shrubbery while riding.  All I can say is that she is lucky the camera or video camera wasn't on me at the time or she would be in for it!!!!  

J.R. and I also got to have more quality time than we have had in months!  One of the perks of vacationing with parents :)

Sofia being escorted around the pool by her daddy.

"Hey look!  I'm up all by myself!"

We found these little sunglasses and they were perfect!  She looks pretty stinkin cute in them too!

She is totally into wearing other people's hats and sunglasses as well.

Sam got to go along for the trip this time.  I don't think he had a good time though ;)

Actually, he was hoping we were all moving there together I'm sure!  He LOVES my daddy and this is pretty much what they did most of the time.  

Shopping in Seaside

The men golfing at Camp Creek.

The beautiful sunset

One of my favorite times of day on the beach is at sunset.  I could stay there forever!

 Sofia scooting all over the place at the house!  She was pretty rotten about 24 hours into the trip being the only baby with four adults (and one dog).  But, isn't that what it's all about?!

Family photo on the porch where we swang and visited several times a day.  We meet wonderful neighbor's and made new friends and memories.  Our neighbor, Allison, is taking this picture while her boyfriend, Brandon, is getting Sofia to smile.  She's such a flirt!  Watch out Allison!

Our little Rosebud was completely exhausted on the way home!  She did great the whole time and we couldn't have ordered a better trip.  

A special thanks to Nani and Poppi.  We love you and always love spending time with you both. XOXO

Now, back to reality and the blow up pool in the back yard :)  Life is good!