I don't know how I found the time to do this, but over the last couple of weeks I've been catching up on Natalie's scrapbook here & there.  Luckily, these pages go fast!  Here's the latest:

Now, if only I could find the time to get my house clean and the laundry caught-up. :)

It's official.  My baby girl is a genius.  Evidence below:

(The first part is Natalie eating her toes....but after that, you'll hear her say "mama" and "dada"!!!)

I told you....she's brilliant. :)

And, a bathtime video.  'Cause who doesn't love a naked baby with a rubber duck??

Making Memories

Today was a beautiful fall day....cool breeze, warm sunshine...perfect weather for some pumpkin pickin'.

I've been waiting for this.  Fall is my absolute favorite time of year, and there is something about a baby that makes you want to dress 'em up cute, load 'em up in a wheelbarrow with some straw and pumpkins, and start clicking away like your life depends on it.  Seriously, babies and pumpkin patches are like peanut butter & jelly....they just go together, ya know?  There were tons of cute babies and crazy picture-taking mommies all over that place today.  Made me feel normal. :)

Making memories with this little girl is my new favorite pasttime.  Each season, holiday, milestone brings another opportunity to start creating new traditions as a family.  We are making memories, her and I.  Some for her, some for me.  But they will be forever linked.  Someday, she'll grow up and tell her own family My mom and dad took me to the pumpkin patch every year.  We need to go there, too!  And, of course, there will be plenty of pictures to document the occasion.

Baby girl was in heaven with all of these new textures to explore.  She was especially fond of this prickly straw, and the smooth bumpy rind of the pumpkins.  As fast as I could snatch the straw away from her, she had more of it in her mouth.

I love her.  And I will do anything to make her know that she is loved.  Yes, I know that a day at the pumpkin patch does not equal love....but someday she'll look back on the special traditions that we had as a family and know that we cared enough to do something special with her, to take the time to give her a new experience.  I would have sat in that pumpkin patch all day with my girl.  She was so happy throwing straw, licking pumpkins, smiling at strangers....such a sweet and happy baby. 

What are you doing with your family to celebrate fall??
Next on the list -- making Natalie's Halloween costume. :)
Have a great weekend!

TGIF, Baby

It's Friday!  Nothing profound to write tonight.  Just some pictures evidencing the beautiful evening sunlight that found its way through my bedroom window tonight.  We were having some family snuggles, and enjoying the rolls and rolls (and rolls) of our sweet nakey baby.

Grabbed the camera to snap some pics of the little one.  {Let's face it...that just doesn't happen as often as it should these days.}  Looked through my lens and saw this:

Oh, hello there, sun glare.

Only lasted a few short minutes....

Story of my life these days.  A series of fleeting moments.  Sweet moments.  Not-enough-time-with-you-beautiful-girl moments.  I still miss her all day long when I'm at work.  Thought that would go away after a few weeks...

Be still my heart, blue eyes.

Where are you, little teeth??

There you are!  Two little baby teeth.  So cute.

Back rolls??  Yes, please.

Here's to evening sunlight, beautiful babies, and WEEKENDS! 
Pumpkin patch tomorrow! :)

Pumpkin Baby

Anyone else love Fall like me?
My favorite time of year!  My little pumpkin is growing like crazy... Not only getting bigger, but developing into what we refer to around here as "Little Miss Attitude".

You see, now when she doesn't like something she arches her back, throws her head back, and shakes her head back and forth.  While screaming.  And hitting me in the face.

The scratch on her nose is because she fights and screams like a wild bandshee when I try to cut her fingernails....she repeats the performance when I have to wipe and/or clean out her runny, snotty nose - which has been everyday for the past month.  Oh, daycare.

Luckily, she still looks sweet as pie when I take her picture. :) 

Happy Fall!