10 Months

What a fun month!  You are doing so many new, BIG things.  We did a lot of traveling this month.  What was intended to be a 10 day trip to Nashville for a couple family weddings, turned into 14 days, your first 2 flights, and traveling to Missouri.  It was a long, fun, but hard two weeks, but we survived!

You're babbling and making all kinds of new sounds.  You love pulling yourself up onto anything and everything possible.  You're getting pretty daring and using just one hand.  You get so excited!  You are up and down up and down, squatting (with perfect form I might add) ;-) . You are even beginning to stand by yourself.  You look like such a big girl!  I can't believe it!

We are trying to add more foods to your diet.  We still have to be pretty careful with all of your food allergy issues.  You are liking avocado, bananas, and pretty much anything that comes in a pouch.  You have some texture issues when it comes to food.  You're not a fan of anything with skin on it, or anything too cold.  The face you make is priceless.

You are in all out explore mode.  You love opening and closing anything that will open and close.  You'll sit there and do it over and over and over and over again.  ;-)  You have a Baby Einstein table you love playing with.  You also love when Daddy and I start to chase you.  You always stop to make sure we're following you.  Just the cutest!

Couldn't resist...We had a little breakdown at the end of our monthly photo shoot...poor baby

Summer Days

Some summer fun happenings...

One of my long time childhood friends, Christy, came into town, and got to meet Miss Annabelle.  Christy and I went to church camp together for many years, and she ended up marrying one of my good friends, Cody.  They now live in Colorado with 3 wild and crazy boys.  Travis and I have tried to make our way to that beautiful state, but God obviously has other plans.  I was soooo excited to see her, and let her meet my little one.  Can't wait to go visit you guys soon!

We had a fun pool day with Grammy!  You are such a water baby...you loved it!  I absolutely love all of your expressions.  You have such the personality!!

The Lake

My Grandma's lake house has always been such a tranquil place for me.  I have so many memories here...it's really just a wonderful, peaceful place.  I love waking up with the sun rising over the lake, the sounds of waves hitting the shore, and the perfect fresh air.

Saying goodbye to Grandma was hard.  It was really hard.  I'm thankful that so many were able to make it to say goodbye.  Here are some pics from our time remembering and saying goodbye to Grandma...

Helping Addison drive

My mom's siblings with Grandpa Henry

The obligatory sibling pic

The cousins...just missing Matt

Thank you Addison for these amazing pictures! 

Seriously, some of my favorites!

Grandma

Our trip to Tennessee took an unexpected turn for the worst.  It took me a few more days to write this post.  I still can't believe it's real...

The day before Travis was flying out to see us, my mom informed me my Grandma had fallen and broken her hip.  Grandma's health has been declining for the last few years, so I knew she was going to take it hard.  I also know my Grandma is one of the strongest women I know.  I really didn't think much of it.  Travis flew in on Friday, and mom called to let me know Grandma wasn't doing well.  Honestly, I still didn't think much of it.  It was when I started seeing messages from cousins and aunts that were driving to see Grandma I knew something wasn't right.  Within a few hours after that my Grandma passed.  I could not believe it.  Complete and total shock is all I felt.

So, after 10 days without my husband, we had to decide what we were going to do.  I had to fly out from Nashville to Kansas City for the funeral, but we had no idea when that was going to be.  We decided he would fly back to Dallas, and I would take AB with me.  We got one night and a fully day with Daddy, and then we all flew our different directions.  Hardest thing ever!

My Aunt and cousin were able to pick us up from the airport, and drive us to Grandma's on Lake of the Ozarks.  It's one of my most favorite places to go.  It was a sad, hard time, but it was great to reconnect with so many family members I hadn't seen in so long.

My Grandma is an amazing women, with an amazing story.  She fought and overcame so much.  She provided for and raised 6 children on her own.  She loved the Lord, and loved her family.  I know she is pain free walking with her Heavenly Father, looking down on us all.  I am beyond grateful for you, and so glad you got to meet my sweet baby.  I miss you Grandma.  Love you forever...like you for always...

Fathers Day

We love our Daddy!

 We had a great Father's Day, celebrating our favorite Daddy.  We went to church, and then met the fam up at BJ's (one of Daddy's FAV restaurants).  After that Daddy just wanted to go home and relax with his girls.  It was a great day, and we are SO thankful for this man!

Tennessee Part 2

The second half of our time in Nashville we spent with Uncle Tom, Aunt Sherri, and the girls.   By this point in the trip I felt like I was in survival mode.  Did I mention she decided to start cutting 4 teeth during this trip?  Yeah, BRUTAL for this mommy!  Single parents, I have no idea how you do it!  Having to share a room with Annabelle was virtually impossible.  Poor baby just wanted me to hold her the whole time.  Sleep got more and more scarce as the days went on.  My picture taking diminished at this point.  Here are some fun pics...

Danielle LOVED Annabelle, and was such a great buddy for her all week!

Miss Bethany (aka social butterfly) was so great with her!

Annabelle loved Allie!  

Chewing on EVERYTHING!

Meeting old friends...

I got to meet up with an old dear friend from college while in Nashville.  It seriously had been almost 10 years since we had seen each other!  Sara has 2 beautiful boys, and it was SO great catching up with her, and can't wait til next time!

Tennesse Part 1

 Annabelle had yet to meet all of our wonderful family in Tennessee, so we decided to drive up early with my mom and step dad.  My Pepaw was getting married at the end of the month and Leah, who has become the little sister I never had, was getting married the next weekend.  Travis was going to work, and fly up the Friday before the wedding.  For those of you that caught that, yes, that is an almost 12 hour car ride.  I know...12 hours in a car with an almost 10 month old.  Happy to report the little one did great!  We decided that best (safest) bet was to drive through the night with her.  So so SO glad it went well!

Instead of typing out everything we did, I figured I would let the pics do the talking....enjoy!

On our way!!

Helping mommy unpack

Meeting Miss Sadie

It took a couple days, but we loved Andy!  

Took some walks outside

We LOOOOVE Nancy!

We got to help Leah with her beautiful bridals

Beautiful Leah

9 (1/2) months

You turned 9 months while we were in Tennessee.  It was your first really long trip.  We left on a Wednesday night, drove through the night to arrive in Nashville the next day.  You did awesome!  Especially since you decided to start cutting 2 teeth right before we left! You slept pretty much the whole way.  We drove up with Grammy and Papa.  I know they had to have been just a little nervous about the 12 hours in the car with an almost 8 month old.  BUT you were perfect.  

You are still in the 90th percentile in weight, about 65th percentile in height.  You weigh about 22 lbs, and are 28 inches long.  We finally figured out why your face would never clear up.  You've had eczema on your face for several months.  We had tried several doctors, but couldn't figure it out.  We finally went to a dermatologist and discovered you had a staph infection on your face!  Could not believe it.  We felt HORRIBLE!  Thankfully, 10 days of antibiotics later you were all clear!  Just thankful we caught it before it got too bad.  

Our new toy all the way from Prague!

Could just hold you all day!!  Sweet baby

You are growing and changing WAY too fast.  You sit up by yourself now.  You mostly army crawl everywhere, but are toying with the idea of crawling on your hands and knees. You love pulling up and standing whenever you get the chance.  You do this cute thing where you bounce up and down all the time.  Whether on your bottom bouncing or standing up bouncing.  You get the biggest grin while you're doing this!

Your schedule is pretty set, and you're finally napping now!  WOOHOO!!!  It's hard to keep you up at night until your 6:00 bedtime.  You're really ready to go down by 5:30.  Gotta work to keep you up!  You wake up around 4:00 or 5:00 for a quick feed, then usually wake up around 6:00 or 6:30.  Naps are getting better.  You nap about 3 times a day.  Morning nap around 8:00, afternoon around 11:00, and then again around 2:00.  I don't know what to do with all my "free" time!

You are eating a bit more food.  You're obsessed with mangos and bananas.  You like pears, apples, and are coming around to squash and carrots.  You still love nursing, and nurse about 4 or 5 times a day.  Thankful you figured out your sippy cups!  Considering you never took bottles, we were a bit nervous!  You love spending time in your high chair.

You make the funniest faces.  Your personality is really starting to show!  You love to smile and giggle.  You're mimicking Daddy and me more and more.   I know I say this every month, but you are just so fun!

Visiting Daddy at work

We LOVE pulling up to play!

Uncle Ryan graduates!

Bath time fun!