11 months

How in the world are you 11 months old!  I'm not ready for you to be one yet!  We are loving this stage right now.  You are so busy exploring and talking and just taking it all in.  You had some big milestones this month.  You took your first steps!  Could not believe it.  You are loving your new found skill.  You are slow and steady with each little step.  It's so cute!  You are standing up all by yourself and just stepping away.  The only way I could get your picture this month is if I distracted you with books!  You just can't sit still!

You are mimicking more and more of what we say and sounds we make.  You said "bye-bye" to Grammy, and are saying "dada" more and more.  We love the cute sounds and noises you make.  You love carrying on long conversations with us.  We don't exactly know what you're saying yet, but you definitely have a lot to say!

You do this cute thing where we say "bounce, bounce bounce" and you bounce up and down on your bottom.  And when we say "shake, shake, shake" you shake your head back and forth as fast as you can.  I don't want to forget these cute things you do!!

Food is still slow moving.  We're doing more and more solids.  Green beans, avocados, plums (you LOVE plums), and puffs....you could eat puffs all day long if we let you.  You like to share things with people.  You usually take it right back, but you share for a second.  ;-)

You love opening and shutting whatever you can!  Definitely exploring everything!  In fact, you are no longer containable in your little baby gated area.  You have figured out how to open the gate.  So smart!   It's so fun seeing you learn and grow.  Everyday there is something new!  

CUTEST

BABY

EVER!

And we're busting out!

Freedom!

Visiting Daddy at work!

We love the computer!

Phillip and John

Travis and I got a rare night out on "the town" to see Philip Phillips and John Mayer.  We are HUGE Phillip Phillips fans, and were so excited!  It started out with just 2 couples, and ended up being about 10 people.  So fun!  Can't say John lived up to his last performance I saw, but LOVED Phillip!

Happy July 4th!

It was a great July 4th.  We celebrated in Houston with Travis's parents.  It was  Annabelle's first vacay poolside!  She loved it.  Such a water baby.  And I have to say, there's nothing cuter then a chunky baby in a bathing suit!  Here are some fun pics from the trip.

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...