2011 Recap - 2 months late...

1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?
 -  Had a baby! Hayleigh Elizabeth came on March 11, 2011 at 1:05 pm 

2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
- I'm not really good at keeping them, but I definitely put in good effort.  I did make some for 2012

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
- Oh yes! My friend Heather had Hayden in January, then I had Hayleigh in March, my friend Erin had David in April, my sister in law Sara had Harrison in May, my friend Meredith had Davis in July as well as my husband's friend had a baby girl name Millia... In September, my friend Niki had Maggie, in October my friend Becky had Jude and Rachel had Lola, in November my other sister in law Kyle had Caroline and friend Jennifer had Cooper..... I think that's all of them.. hope I didn't miss anyone.. 2011 was definitely a year of babies!!!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
- Thankfully no..

5. What countries did you visit?
- None.. stayed right here in the good ole USA

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
- The ability to not get anxious or paranoid about things in life..

7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
- March 11, 2011 - the day God brought my precious Hayleigh into our lives

8. What was your biggest achievement for the year?
- Raising a child who is so sweet and cute.. :)

9. What was your biggest failure?
- Not being better about watching my weight, my spending habits and not keeping us as well with close friends as I should.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
- Other than my preeclampcia and high blood pressure from being pregnant.. I did well health wise..

11. What was the best thing you bought?
- Pictures of my daughter at all her photography sessions with Kyle Hitchcock Photography those photos are just priceless..

12. Where did most of your money go?
- Into my medical bills.. Hayleigh's birth.. and then clothes and goodies for Hayleigh!!

13. What did you get really excited about?
- Finally being a Mom and then becoming one along-side of alot of my FRIENDS

14. What song will always remind you of 2011?
- Isty Bitsy Spider... one of Hayleigh's favorites

15. Compared to this time last year, are you:
Happier or sadder?
- Happier!

Thinner or fatter?
- Well compared to Jan/Feb 2011.. thinner!!!  I was 8/9 month prego then!  ha!

Richer or poorer?
- Poorer.. we had a BABY... but RICHER.. we had a BABY!! :)

16. What do you wish you'd done more of?
- Cooked dinner for the family.. Spent more time with my parents who live in NC

17. What do you wish you'd done less of?
 - Worried about the little things..

18. How did you spend Christmas?
- At our house, with my parents here, watching my 9 month old experience it for the first time.. then headed over to my husband's parents house for a yummy meal.

19. What was your favorite TV program?
- I have always loved FRIENDS.. but I found NCIS this year while I was home with my baby girl.. Netflix helped to watch the whole 9 years or so it's been on.

20. What were your favorite books of the year?
- Happiest Baby on the Block..

21. What was your favorite music this year?
- I'm a weirdo who only listens to Christian or Christmas music.. so I haven't found anything new..

22. What were your favorite films of the year?
 - I didn't see much.. but The Help was good... as I always enjoy Twilight..

23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
- I turned big 30 this year.. and we got together with alot of my friends at one of my favorite restaurants in town Aubri Lanes.. it was wonderful!

24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
- To have been freed from my anxiety and paranoia.. definitely something I need to continually give to God for help..

25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
- Uh... cotton stretchy pants and a tank top.. not much makeup or my hair fixed.. I need help...

26. What kept you sane?
- My husband..  Friend Rachel and sister in law Kyle.. :)

27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
- Hold on to your family and thank God each day for the goodness He has given you since you never know when things may change.

A friend of mine said this for Q 27:
When someone says something to me out of their flesh or lack of faith, I can choose to stay in the spirit and continue believing God. I don't have to descend into a pit. I got to practice this a lot

Almost a year..

I have been bad about blogging.. I'm not really sure why, but life got so busy and I let many things fall to the side.  Blogging was one of them.  It's hard to believe my daughter will be one in less than a month.  Where did the year go?  When did my little baby who's first swimming pool dip was 2 blog post ago become an 11 month old. 

So much has happen since that May 2011 post.



We visited NC - met cousin Harrison, had a showering for baby Jude..
Hayleigh attended her first River Of Life.. started smiling really well.. started sitting up.. crawling on her tummy, was Baptised, really started noticing Skyler and Cassie.. would say "Ma-ma-ma-ma" and "da-da-da-da".. and "Skkkk".  Starting eating and sleeping through the nights like a champ..

She met Santa, cut down our first family tree, celebrated Thanksgiving in NC with my family & friends, pulled up in the crib.. then on the ottoman.. and now on the walls.  Found our tongue and liked to talk with it hanging out..Though my JOY of cooking cookbook was the best one and continued to pull it off the shelf.. climbed over presents, found the Tupperware cabinet, Christmas presents (bows) and ornaments.. likes to clap, loves the "isty bitsy spider", anything that makes music...

She started walking behind a push toy... continued to steal our hearts... started to really love baths.. teeth started popping through.. and then she started crawling with her belly off the ground, absolutely loves to be outside... started climbing up stairs.. .... and now her first birthday party will be here before I know it..

 

Why does it have to fly by so quickly?

I'm back....



Merry Christmas



Back...

Yes.. back..

I have missed out on documenting my baby girl's life.. yet honestly been quite busy. It's hard to believe she is 9 months already.  Where has time gone??

Since I've been gone, Blogger has changed how post are made etc... and I must say it's going to take some time getting used to it.  I do need to give my blog a face lift and I really want to start a new blog about DIY crafts, cooking, baking and other tips and tricks.  So be on the look out for it.

It is December 15th and half the month is gone, yet I have completed all my Christmas shopping and wrapped all but a few gifts.  Now it's time to start cooking and start the celebration of the Christmas season.  For the reason to celebrate is usually forgotten, I am trying to keep my focus on Jesus this year, His birth, His grace and His blessings!

One in particular being this precious child Jesus blessed me with.. and I am so thankful for her presence in my life! As I am reminded of her birth, I think of Mary - pregnant and I'm sure scared yet comforted by the Spirit.  The wonder of what her life would become, how it would change after birthing God's son Jesus.  Thinking about having to raise God's son, making choices for His life as He grew.... I cannot imagine! I am so thankful that Mary had God's care over her just as I have God's care over me as I bring up Hayleigh.  I pray that I am able to glorify God by daily giving Hayleigh into His care.  For there is nothing I can do to... it is all Christ.

Another being an inward look at myself... for I know I am the reason I sin. Through no one else's fault but my own, I self destruct myself.  I get caught up in the worldly game of life, find myself fighting for survival yet honestly I am causing more damage. By stepping back and realizing it isn't all about me, my wants, my needs, my selfishness is broken down, my pride is killed and God shows me who I am to live for.. Him and HIM alone. It's amazing how when you give into the fear (any fear), you completely forget you are a daughter of the King... you completely forget you have been saved by HIS grace.... and you self-destruct.  Yet, when God shows us how selfish and "me" centered we are (this world is), we are able to break that self destruction and are able to be FREED by God's GRACE!  Thank you Jesus, for loving a sinner like me... and for forgiving me through your grace to be free!

I pray we all experience God and Christ blessing of grace this Christmas Season!

Merry Christmas!!!

Hayleigh's First Beach Trip...

First time in the pool! She seemed to like it..

it was late in the evening and the pool was nice and warm. Had to get a picture with Daddy too! Went to the beach too.. in our cool beach pod ..

First time in the ocean.. cried a bit.

But we know she'll like it and be a beach baby like her parents!!

Cousin Caitlin took amazing care of sweet Hayleigh.

A full day at the beach makes you tired!! (Daddy too)

Another pool day.. like my hat??

Special thanks to Nana and Papa for taking me to the beach!!

And letting me experience the pool, hot tub, sand and ocean for the first time!

Family beach photo!! My parents even got a dinner out!

Another thanks to Nana & Papa, Aunt Elizabeth & Uncle John, Aunt Kyle & Uncle Andrew, Abbie Kate, Canon, Evan and Caitlin for watching me while my parents had a date night of crab legs!

I liked the hot tub the best.. it was nice and warm!

Spent lots of time in it specially with my cousins!
I loved watching my cousins play in the ocean!

I had a great time!! Thanks again Nana & Papa!!

Late Spring/Early Summer Bulk Blogging....

Just a few things have happen over the last 2 months... starting with the most recent..

Hayleigh started smiling!! They are such the cutest smiles too. She is happiest in the morning and usually after she eats before she gets tired she is smiling and cooing.

We have also been to a few baseball games.. or should I say Tee Ball. Canon, Abbie Katie and Evan all played.. and I must say Abbie Kate displayed great skill! And Evan improved tremendously since last summer.


What's neat about going to the ball games is Hayleigh gets to see her Nana & Papa as well as cousins and Aunts and Uncles.
















Also my bestie Rachel graduated from college with her Masters degree. We are so proud of her! She is also expecting a baby... we are hoping for a girlfriend for Hayleigh... even though she is moving to DC after the baby arrives in October.

We celebrated at our house after she walked the stage and got hooded!! :)

Here is Hayleigh all dressed up for Rachel's big day!

Hayleigh is changing daily. Growing longer and starting to be awake more. She started noticing the bears on her mobile.

We started giving her baths.. and she seemed to like them.. most of the time.

We took Hayleigh on her first road trip. We went first to Atlanta, and then up to Nashville.. then over to Asheville.

In Nashville, Paul ran the Country Music Half Marathon with Michael and Mallory. We were also able to visit my high school best friend Jennifer and her husband Keith.

We got to see Mimi and Grandpa in Asheville.. as well as have all my NC friends meet Hayleigh!

We celebrated Hayleigh's first holiday.. EASTER!!

Such a cutie!!!

Next post.. Hayleigh's first beach trip!