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!



Remembering

Sunday morning, we took some time to remember our beloved Aunt Debbie.

Each year we walk the Whisper Walk 5K as a family to remember and honor her fight with ovarian cancer.  This year was Natalie's first walk, so I did her up right in everything teal I could find in her closet. 

It was chilly that morning, so we added tights, a cardigan, and sweet baby hat to keep the little bug warm.  She snuggled into her spot in her infant seat and snoozed while we strolled.

This is the seventh year that we've done the Whisper Walk, and I can hardly believe that so many years have passed so quickly.  Four years ago, my sweet auntie lost her battle.  But we carry her with us in our hearts....she will forever be a part of all of us.

Natalie didn't meet Aunt Debbie.  But she'll know all about her some day.  About her love of holidays, her fiesty spirit, her ability to host a party like nobody else, the way she crafted special traditions within our family, her unending love and devotion for her daughters, her scarecrow collection, her meticulously clean house (although a secret pack-rat lived within!), her famous handwriting (handwritten recipes & notes are precious around here).  She never missed an important event, birthday, or accomplishment.  She loved music.  She gave great hugs.  She knew how to make stuffed animals talk.  She always made you feel at home.

(Aunt Debbie in the middle.  2006 Whisper Walk.)

I love you and miss you dearly, Aunt Deb.

xoxoxox

{seven months}

Seven months of loving you....

Yes, I say this every month....but I cannot possibly fathom how the last seven months have gone by so quickly.

You are beautiful and sweet and spunky and fun.

And you still have the cutest toes in the whole world!

Natalie Grace, you are growing and changing so fast.  It seems like every day you are doing something new and exciting.  Sitting up, eating new foods, scooting around on the floor, breaking in a new tooth, making new sounds - it is always something.  You surprise us with how quickly you learn.

This past month has definitely been full of the most change since you were born.  Mommy back to work, baby to daycare.  We are finally in a workable routine.  You have adjusted well, and while I miss you like crazy all day every day, I know that this is what is best for us. 

You still nap three times a day.  To bed at 7:30, and I wake you at 6:30 the next morning.  Mommy is so glad that you have always been a good sleeper -- you must get that from your daddy. :)

This month, you are loving your exersaucer, moving, singing & dancing, music, trying new foods, playing with your toys, reading books, YOUR DADDY, being outside, riding in the car, and grabbing at hair/faces/jewelry/clothing, etc.

Feeding has changed once again.  I've given up pumping at work, so I nurse you morning and evening, and you have formula the rest of the day.  You haven't seemed to notice the change, really.  You enjoy bottle time with mommy just as much as you enjoy nursing.

I am in complete awe of you, sweet baby girl.

 You are my sweetest dream, come true. 

These blue eyes of yours are so enchanting...

My life will never be the same.  In seven months you have consumed me.  My heart will never stop loving you, my beautiful baby girl.

Love,
Momma