Schools Out!

Well I guess tomorrow I will officially begin my summer at home with my sweet little girl! As usual, I haven't had a chance to do a mid-week update and I have lots of pictures to share. Annistyn has developed quiet a little personality over the last couple of weeks. She tries to mimic our sounds and our faces. She wants to talk so badly! I have successfully taught her the short 'a' and long 'o' sounds. She can copy them pretty good. She likes the 'g' sound too. She will also stick her tongue out if you stick yours out. She loves when you sing to her and everything is funny! She just laughs all over at pretty much everything. She has learned to squeal also. She likes the TV and has started noticing her mobile over her swing. Here is a sweet picture of her looking at it:


Since I mentioned the swing- here is a picture of Annistyn when she was barely a week old in the swing and one of her in it now!


I'd say she's grown a little bit!!! She looks twice her size.
And FYI- speaking of size- I have lost a good 3 lbs. this week. It's amazing how much those 3 lbs. helped! I wore pants I haven't worn since September! And though I'm not where I'd like to be, at least I made some progress!! I will definitely feel better when we go to the beach in a couple of weeks. Annistyn is ready too. Here she is in her new fishy outfit that Mom got her from Wal-Mart.


I thought she looked pretty cute! She also wore her new tutu outfit this week:




Shelley's graduation was Friday night- I took Annistyn hoping that she would behave and she was an angel. She slept through the whole thing! I have pictures- but they are on Mom's camera, so maybe I can post them later this week. Today Annistyn wore a beautiful Sarah Louise dress to church. It was a baby gift that we got from a lady that goes to church with us. She looked so sweet. When we got home, Michael and I made a lot of pictures of her in it. It was hard to pick favorites, but here are a few:









Well, I need to get Annistyn to bed. Hopefully I will have time to at least do a mid-week post. Hope everyone has a good week!

Finally a Minute!!!!

I finally have a minute to sit down and recap our week. I feel like I have every second of every day booked solid. Only 3 more days of school left (yay!) and I can hopefully have a more relaxed schedule. Well, this past Thursday, Annistyn decided to sleep from 9 p.m. to 4:45 a.m. so that was REALLY exciting. And yes, she has slept that long before- maybe when she was around a month old- but she was in our bed then. She slept all night in her bed Thursday AND again last night. I always lay her down around 9 or 9:30, but usually around 3 (3:16 a.m. to be exact) she starts groaning and I know it's early breakfast time. Then I have about an hour left to sleep before the 5 a.m. alarm clock goes off. So we are REALLY excited that she's slept all night (at least I consider it all night) twice in the last week. Hopefully that is a pattern that we'll continue to see! 4:45 works great- I have enought time to change her, feed her, and get her to doze back off so I can get ready for work. I have to admit though, I actually enjoy the 3 a.m. feedings in a way. She's so sweet and she always smiles at me when I pick her up. Then it's our alone time while she eats. Michael and Finley don't even hear us get up!
Changing subjects- Last night, after everyone went to bed I stayed up late playing with photo shop. I made a 10 x 20 panel of 3 of Annistyn's pictures from Mother's Day. I didn't go all out, I just wanted to do something simple to try it out. I've never made things like that in Photo Shop and sent them in for printing. So I'm using a new photo printing websiste that does custom sizes and we will see how it turns out. Here is what I made:

I have another site that I'm ordering a custom mat and frame from. I'll show you the finished product in a week or so.
On an exciting note- only 2 weeks and I will be here:

Speaking of which, Mom and I started our diet today. I've actually stuck to my guidelines- but it's only been 1 day. The only reason I'm sharing this is because it makes me feel "accoutable". I have set a realistic goal of 10 lbs. I would love to get of about 20 and look like I did in 2004, but wouldn't we all?!?
Anyway- here's some recent shots of my sweet little girl who is growing up WAY to fast:






Have a great Memorial Day!!!

Parties, Parties, & More Parties

Well, as everyone knows, I'm all about throwing a party! I have decided to break my little girl in early so she will love parties as much as I do. This week I feel like all we've done is party. Well...except for Wednesday. Wednesday was Annistyn's 2 month check up and she had to get FOUR shots. Poor baby! They also measured and weighed her. She is 22 inches long and 10 lbs!!!! I know she's filled out, but 10 lbs. seemed a little high. She had just drank a 4-ounce bottle and they left her diaper on also. I noticed when we got to the room that she had wet it. So I really don't think she's quite 10 lbs. Anyway- back to the parties. Thursday we had a surprise Grandma shower for Mrs. Lankford at school. I took the diaper cake and Annistyn was a sweet girl while we were there. By the way, I will make custom diaper cakes for anyone who wants one. Just call, or email me what you want and I will get you a price. Saturday was my friend's son Carter's birthday. It was Annistyn's first birthday party. She looked ADORABLE in her new personalized cupcake dress. I tell you with great pride that I made her dress by myself! My mom guided me through it, but I actually did the sewing. I was so proud of it.
It is reversible with her initials on pink polka dots on the other side.



On Sunday, I had Shelley an ice cream sundae party and Annistyn wore her ice cream dress. She looked so festive!





So as you can see, we've had a busy weekend! But it was wonderful to spend it with my family! Look for Annistyn's 10 week photo shoot later this week!

The Best First Mother's Day EVER!

Well, I have to say today was the best first Mother's Day ever! It was our Baby Dedication service today at church, so I got to start off the day with that and it turned out great! She had both sets of grandparents, both aunts, and 5 out of 8 of her great grandparents. Two weren't able to get out and the other went to church with his mother, who is Annistyn's only great-great grandmother. Annistyn looked like a little angel wearing a french lace dress made by my mother. Don't worry- there are plenty of pictures below. Michael, Annistyn, and Finley bought me a new pair of Costa Del Mar's for my Mother's Day gift and they are awesome! I've never had sunglasses that cost more than $20. Most of mine cost about $5.00. I spent the day with family and then tonight Annistyn wore her new smocked monkey outfit that I bought yesterday in Elba. I had never been to Kids Unlimited and Mom and I went yesterday. I could seriously spend some mega money in there. I walked in the 3-6-9 room and I wanted EVERYTHING in there. I only bought 2 outfits and 3 hairbows though. I plan to go back soon. The other outfit has ladybugs and she will wear it Thursday or Friday probably. So check back then. She wore her new zebra dress yesterday and it was really cute too. I love having a little girl (who is 2 months old today by the way)!!!! Okay- now what we've all been waiting for. Here is my little angel:










I thought she looked so adorable! I want to play with some of those pics in photoshop and make them look antique. Maybe later this week! Anyway here's the monkey outfit:




So, as you can see, today was a day of many blessings and those pictures can't even begin to capture everything. Annistyn was in a great mood all day, so I got to see that wonderful smile many times. Everytime I look at her I just want to cry- I love her so much! Between the dedication service this morning and the smiles and being able to hold my sweet baby all day, and spend time with my mom and grandmother and other family members, I really really really really feel blessed.

Annistyn is officially two months today. This month she has started rolling over- half way. She can roll from back to stomach. She is smiling a lot and actually for a reason. She smiles when you make faces at her, when she sees someone she knows, etc... She is really interested in watching things above her- lights, mobiles, and she looks at you soooo funny when you have a hat or sunglasses on your head. She is really close to sleeping through the whole night. She loves bathtime. She also loves reaching up and grabbing Mommy's hair. She makes silly sounds and cooing noises.

So, in conclusion, even though I LOVE my new sunglasses, God has already given me the greatest gift anyone could ever ask for- the gift of having a beautiful healthy little girl and being able to call myself her mother. These have been the best two months of my life and I hope God will bless us with many more. Happy Mother's Day to all the other mother's out there!!!!!

A Tribute to My Mother

Tomorrow everyone will stop and spend time with their mothers and let them know how much they mean to them. But we really should do this every day. I know I don't tell her enough- but my mom means the world to me. I have no idea what I would do without her. I realize it even more now that I have my own little girl. I hope that one day she will find a best friend in me, like I found in my mom. So, as a tribute to my mom, here is a poem I wrote for her before my wedding and revised recently:

Mommy’s Hands

Mommy’s hands propped on her side
As she feels the kick of her baby inside
Mommy’s arms holding her baby girl
The minute she arrived in this world.
Mommy’s hands feeding and bathing
Dressing and hugging, rocking and playing.
Mommy’s fingers stitching the lace
Of her little girl’s dress for Easter Sunday

Mommy’s hands propped on her side
As she waits for her daughter to come home on time
Mommy’s arms hugging her baby girl
As she comes in yelling he’s ruined her world
Mommy’s hands wiping the tears in her eyes
As her daughter cries over some silly guy
Mommy’s finger stitching up the parts
Of her little girl’s freshly broken heart.

Mommy’s hands propped on her side
As she looks at her little girl, who today is a bride
Mommy’s arms holding her baby girl
And adjusting the veil over her dark brown curls
Mommy’s hands shaking as she zips
A wedding dress over her daughter’s hips
Mommy’s fingers stitching a pearl
That has fallen off the gown of her little girl

Mommy’s hands propped on her little girl’s side
As she feels the kick of her granddaughter inside.
Mommy’s arms holding her daughter’s baby girl
As she makes her entrance into this world.
Mommy’s hands wiping a single tear
As she remembers her little girl being born here.
For it was 23 years ago in this very place
That she first saw own her daughter’s face.

My mommy’s hands paved the way
And led to become the woman I am today.
My Mommy’s love gave me wings
And told me I could do unimaginable things.
My mommy’s strength held me together
When I thought things would never get better.

And as I hold my own little girl,
my only hope is that I can be.
At least half the mother to her,
That you have been to me.

Written for my Mommy- 12/23/06
Revised 12/14/08












I LOVE YOU MOMMY!!!!