1 Award & 11 Questions

 

I was nominated by Stacy over at Following the Leader for the Liebster Blog Award. I've mentioned her blog in the past, but in case you missed it, you should definitely pay her a visit. She is inspirational, sweet as honey, and her sweet daughter is a doll!

Any who, with the nomination comes a list of questions she posed for me to answer. Enjoy!

1). What is something you hope to achieve in 2013?

Hmm...I'm not sure this qualifies, but I say happiness. I'm a pretty happy girl anyways, but I'm hoping to slow down and really enjoy each day all the many blessings it brings. I'm aiming for joy in the small things. In case that doesn't count- I'd like to finish my decorating to-do list on my home.

2). What is the best advice you could give?

3). Favorite hobby? Why do you like it?

 Reading. A book can take you anywhere you want to go- anytime.

4). What is your favorite book and why?

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. It is a beautiful reflection of God's love for us. It is based on the book of Hosea and if I could make you read one book (other than the Bible)- this would be it.

5). What is your favorite "new" movie?

 Father of the Bride 1&2 - not sure if it qualifies as new. Under the Tuscan Sun, Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Fried Green Tomatoes

6). What is your favorite "classic" movie?

Pretty Woman

7). What is your favorite holiday and why?

Halloween. I love Autumn :) There's an electricity in the air that is only around in Autumn.

8). What electronic device can you not live without?

My iPhone

9). What is your favorite Non-Profit Organization?

Wesley House in Meridian, MS. I took call for their S.A.R.T.  for years.

10). Where is your favorite place to shop?

Ross- I love the low prices on their home decor.

11). If you could travel anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go and why?

Italy. Specifically Tuscany. Who wouldn't want to go there? 

There you have it! I must now nominate 11 other up-and-coming blogs and pose 11 new questions for them. I'll post the blogs I nominated once they complete their answers :)

Happy Hump Day!

 

An Afternoon Outdoors

The weather the last two days was gorgeous! So nice in fact, that Mary Grace and I spent our afternoons on a pallet soaking up the sunshine. She loves being outside- the fresh air, the sights and sounds... the grass-not so much. She would not get in the grass. She would tough it with one little finger, then pull back. She's such a girly little thing :)

Peeking

Our sweet girl has figured out how to pull down the bumper and peek out. This is her go to spot when she wants to 'fuss' about being in her crib. She sits and watches the door until we come to get her. We've even caught her asleep in this same position.

 

Oh, the fun is just beginning. Things are starting to get interesting around our home :)

Mischevious Mary Grace

 You've figured out how to open drawers.... 

                ......and how to stand up in your crib. The mobile came down about 5 minutes after this picture was taken.

We had to move your crib down to a lower setting tonight. This really made me a bit weepy- another example of how much you are growing up.

Sweet Mary Grace- 9 Months

Miss Mary Grace,

You are officially nine months. This has been one very busy month for you- crawling, Christmas, and your first tooth! You have been busy growing up and Mommy has been busy trying to catch up with you.

What's Going On. This month has been a really big growth time for you. You started crawling on December 15th and have not slowed down since. We spent a weekend with Poppy and Marlene and you soaked up all the attention- you definitely do not shy away from the spotlight. You met Santa for the first time, and judging by your Christmas loot, you must have been at the top of his 'Nice" list. You saw your first New Year, took 9 month portraits, and cut your first tooth! You have been saying 'Momma' for a while now, and recently you've added 'Uh oh' to your vocabulary. You are in love with Louie and since you are mobile we cannot keep you away from the porch doors- you insist on watching every move he makes.

A Growing Girl Indeed. You are now in size 3 diapers and still wearing 6-12 month clothing, and I estimate you weigh about 18 pounds. During bath time recently, I noticed that you are losing your baby look and instead you are looking more like a little girl. You will be a toddler before I know it. You're still leaning out and have lost your little thigh rolls, but those fluffy fat cheeks and little pot belly are still there and it's so cute I can hardly stand it. We may kiss you 1,000 times a day.

Eating Like A Big Girl. During Christmas break, Daddy and I started changing your eating routine a bit. You now get one 6 oz bottle in the morning (around 7-ish), oat meal around mid-morning before nap time (around 10-ish), a vegetable for lunch (around 1-ish), a fruit late in the afternoon (around 4 or 5), and then yogurt before bath time (around 7 pm). You get your last bottle (6 oz) just before you go to sleep. You sometimes drink 2 small 4 oz bottles to help get to to sleep during nap time (one mid morning nap, and one afternoon nap). We try to have you drink as much juice during the day as possible to cut back on your formula intake.  Yogurt is your new favorite- I believe you could eat your weight in it. You are now eating Puffs and drinking lots of juice. I plan to start Baby Led Weaning (BLW) soon. You are beginning to feed yourself- you've perfected the mess making. I am constantly sweeping and mopping around your highchair (such a glamorous life, right?).

Goodbye Hairbow

Nighty Night, Sleep Tight. I hope I don't jinx us by saying this, but you have the bedtime routine down pat, honey! You take a bath around 7:30. Afterwards, I give you a bottle while Daddy reads your Bible story and we then say your night night prayers. Sometimes you fall asleep while eating your bottle, but if not, we just lie you down. You are wonderful at putting yourself to sleep and I am So.Very.Thankful. You are almost always asleep by 8, but definitely out by 8:30. You sleep until 7-ish, but have had a few 12 hour nights which were AMAZING! You take about 2 naps a day- 2-3 hours in the morning and usually only and hour or so in the afternoon.

Waving to Daddy

I thank God everyday for putting you in my life, Mary Grace. Nothing I will EVER do will be as important as being your mother and I cherish you more than life itself. There is nothing I wouldn't do for you. I know I hug and kiss on you every chance I get, but I don't ever want to miss an opportunity for you to know just how much you are loved.
Lots of love and kisses!
Mommy and Daddy

Banana Baby

Mary Grace is trying out table foods! First up, mushy bananas...

 

 {Concentrating oh so hard}

{Baby lashes}

This One Is For Granny

I love this little monkey!

Outdoor Fun

The weather was so nice this afternoon. The temps were high enough to get tuttie out of the house for some fresh air. She was excited to try out her new wagon.

Love those dimples!

One Photoshoot & Two Teeth

Yesterday evening I took little miss to have her 9 month photos taken. Out of the blue my normally calm, sweet, and oh so happy baby turns into this screaming, snotting child that I cannot control. In the midst of her wide open mouth screaming, I see it- her first tooth! I called Nanny J to see if she had seen it. She had actually checked earlier that day and did not feel anything. It had just broken through and was really hurting. Bless her! Plus, tooth #2 is ready to come in any moment.

I am a little nervous about this month's pictures. If Chelsea was able to get just one good shot, she wins the best photographer award.

After our super quick shoot, I scooped her up and hurried home to Orajel, Tylenol, and a cold popsicle.

After all, popsicles cure everything, right?