Monday, January 30, 2012

ham for the cam

I'm so glad I had a little girl. Even though she hates the hair bows and clips (for now), she is is still so much fun to get all dolled up. I loved her outfit this Saturday. It was the perfect reason to take lots of extra pics. She's such a poser for me when I pull out my phone and I love it!


Saturday we went to Ashley Valley's baby shower. She got lots of good stuff! We are so excited to meet baby Chase. He should be here this March! Ellie was in the mood to be extra girly for the shower to see all her lady friends and new friends. She wanted to look good because Mr. Canton would be there, too. It was her first time meeting him. He's just a few weeks old! She was less than interested, which maybe a good thing. I feel like she is going to give her Dad and I lots of trouble with the boys one day! *sigh*


Afterward, her and I stopped at Grandma Ronda's and Grandpa Rodney's for a visit. That's where we had our little photo session. She was all for it.


I just love this little girl to pieces!!!

Hands always behind her back lately. She is so sly!

Then we packed Ellie's bags for her to go stay with her Grandma Glenda. She had such a good time showing off her little baby steps to Grandpa Denny and Grandma Glenda. She slept a whole 12 hours for them! Her and I will be having a talk about that . . . . 


I don't know what I'm going to do! This big girl is growing so fast! She doesn't even seem like a baby anymore! Where does the time go?


Thursday, January 19, 2012

tag! - i'm it! ...for now.

This little game is making its rounds throughout the blogging world. I think it's a great idea because you get to learn so much about your blog friends - which is always great. :) PLUS, it gives your readers a chance to find new blogs to watch.

Thank you to Hannah for tagging me! Have you seen her page? She and her little family are darling.

So here are 'The Rules'...
1. You must post the rules. (and then break, bend, or create your own)
2. Post eleven fun facts about yourself on the blog post. (I am choosing not to do this.)
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and then create eleven (or a couple) new questions to ask the people you've tagged.
4. Tag eleven (or a couple) other people and link them on your post.
5. Let them know you've tagged them!

My Questions from Hannah:

 If you could have any job in the world what would it be? 
That is a really tough question!  There are many things I would love to be, but the one that definitely sticks out the most is to be a party planner. I loved planning Ellie's 1st birthday and I can't wait for the day that I get to plan my wedding.  There's something about chalkboards, paper straws, and cupcakes that just makes me happy! I couldn't imagine if I could turn that into a full time job like Kim Stoegbauer did!

Why did you start your personal blog?
When I first started blogging, I thought it was mainly to keep others updated on my pregnancy and Ellie's first days. But then once she came, I realized how fast the time was flying by and how important it is to document every moment. I want to be able to remember these days when they're long gone. 

What is your biggest goal in life?
My biggest goal is to always be happy. I think a lot of people get caught up in the material things and can dwell on unhappy things and stressful situations. As long as I can focus on what keeps me and my family happy, I think I'm doing the right thing. 

What is your biggest pet peeve?
Without a doubt - poor grammar. I cannot take someone seriously when horrible grammar is involved. I am quick to judge when someone can't spell - and I shouldn't be, but I can't help it! :/

If you could invent anything in the world what would it be? Why?
This may sounds silly, but if it could be anything in the world, I would definitely create a magic potion that heals ALL sickness and all hurt. I hate seeing family/friends . . . even strangers! . . . in any sort of pain. I would love to be able to just take that away from everyone. 

What do you like the most about yourself?
Probably that I am forgiving. I'm glad that I don't sweat the small stuff and I won't hold a grudge. Don't get me wrong, I definitely get mad on occasion, but typically I get over things pretty quick. 

What is your biggest weakness?
Impulsive spending. I buy WAY too much - I love to shop! I need to start saving money and not buying so many pointless things. Yes, Ellie's bows are adorable, but they are pricey! Sheww!

If you were given 1 million dollars today, what would you do with it?
Pay off my parents mortgage - they do so much for me, and I would love to do something big for them!  Then I would use it toward student loans and pay off my car. THEN, do some impulsive spending.
^^ see above ^^
 Lastly, I would invest and start saving for Ellie's college costs. If education is pricey now, I can't imagine what it'll be in 18 years! 

Tag you're it....

Whitney at Willis&TBoff - She is HILARIOUS and her daughter, Rowyn, is out of this world cute!

 Meghan at AhoyNative - She has the most precious Etsy shop and a little girl named Dakota who has such a stunning smile. AND Meghan is in the process of planning her wedding! *LUCKY!*

 Abra at Better Than Cupcakes - Abra is a wonderful Momma to two little girls, Audrey and Naomi, and she has a little boy on the way!

Tori at Curiouser & Curiouser - Tori is an Art Teacher and just finished up a temporary teaching assignment - a little over one semester. She is so talented!

Jami at from the nato's - Do you read her blog? She is seriously one of my favorites, possibly even my favorite. Her instagram "about me" is: a mom. with kids. all the time. crafts are usually involved. -----> doesn't even begin to sum it up. She is another hilarious blogger, but serious when need be. I can tell you, when I see she posts, I instantly read. 

Brooke at All About Anastyn and Natalie - Momma to two spunky little sweeties - need I say more? :)

Sharon at all's bright at the albrights - Sharon is one of the first bloggers I started to follow. She has an adorable family, loves all things vintage and Texan! She also designed Ellie's first birthday invitations! 

Here are my questions for you ladies...
1. What makes you smile? 
2. What is your favorite childhood memory?
3. What activities make you lose track of time?
4. What makes you feel great about yourself?
5. Who inspires you most? 
6. What are you naturally good at? (Skills, abilities, gifts etc.)
7. If you had to teach something, what would you teach?
8. What were some challenges, difficulties and hardships you’ve overcome in the past or are in the process of overcoming? How did you do it?
9. If you could get a message across to any large group of people, who would they be? What would your message be?
10. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
11. What is your favorite recipe?

Ready........Set.......GO!

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Precious little poodle.

Mornings are my favorite ((when I'm not running late, which is sort of often --- I like the snooze button!)) Ellie is the sweetest little beebee in the mornings when I wake her up to dress her. She yawns and stretches and then she's ready to take on the day -- after she has her milk. I can't help but smile when she gives me that goofy grin with that adorable bed head. She really starts my day off right!
that grin I was telling you about....

stretching and trying to smile at the same time - she's too sweet to her Momma. 

Are you just going to stand there, or are you going to make me some eggs?

those lips.
they melt my heart instantly. :)

Friday, January 13, 2012

She's Granny's Girl....

Ellie and Granny Linda enjoying one of Uncle Jesse's ball games :) 



Aren't they cute?!

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Because you've been wondering what's been going on at our house..

Here's a bunch of pictures that don't really have much of a story to do an entire blog post on, but are too good not to post.

Ellie loving on her Bitty Baby from the Honse's. She LOVES IT!

Just chillin' in Mom's bed. 

I binded her first birthday cards together with some pretty ribbon! That way, they won't be in a messy pile in her memory chest - but in a cute, organized little booklet!

Just face-timing with Elmo. No big deal....

A little package Ellie and I put together for her Auntie Claire!! Magnets of Ellie, some hand sanitizer, and Claire's favorite Scentsy scent! :)

Is this not adorable?! Ellie's Aunt Toni, Uncle John, and cousins Tori and Addison got this for Ellie for Christmas. I didn't even know they made Under Armor this small! SOO cute! She is wearing it tonight to her Uncle Jesse's basketball game. I'm sure she will be a little show-stopper in this.

So sassy!

Playing with Christmas beads. And yes, her Papa was freaking out during this little play session. "She's going to choke!" - - - not like I wasn't sitting there next to her, on guard! Just call me Super Mom - seriously!

Yes. My daughter does the Stanky leg!
I hope you choose to ignore the tons of toys and dogs running around in this picture. Our house is chaos - we've learned to deal with it.

And I'll leave you with this little nugget. Funniest/cutest picture ever? It is in my book. 

First haircut.

Ellie got her first haircut last week. Her hair was just starting to look like dead baby hair - all scraggly and stuff. Nana took her to Marsha's for a trim so it will grow faster!

She did okay at first, being distracted by Nana's Nook.

Giving Marsha the stink eye. She was all like what are you doing to me?!

Only one caption is suitable for this photo: pissed off. (excuse my french, had to do it! Sorry, Jimmy!)

A special thank you to Ellie's uncle Jesse for taking 127 pictures of the event since I couldn't be there :)

Embrace the camera.

I guess I looked like I was needing a kiss.


If it weren't for Emily Anderson and her blog, The Anderson Crew, I would never have kept this picture. I'm not fond of pictures of myself - even if Ellie is in them. BUT, Emily's blog has made me realize just how important it is to keep these pictures for the sake of memory. Looking back, I don't have any pictures of my Mom and I from my childhood; because she, like many, does not like being in front of the camera. I wish had lots of those precious memories documented, which is the reason why I will document them for Ellie. 
(even though I'm in my jammies, and my hair is a wreck - - - who CARES! Ellie will adore this picture one day, I'm sure. Hopefully she won't mind that it's a blurry cell phone picture. The girl moves QUICK.)