Our Sunshine!

Our sunshine! I look at this precious, little face each day and am so thankful for this gift of motherhood that God has given me! Her smiling, little face as she runs towards me, her happy voice saying, "ahh-morning!" as she climbs in bed with me, her animated chatter, her silly antics that keep Nathan and I in stitches and entertain all of you, her sweet kisses and hugs...She brings me so much joy and I am thankful that even on the difficult days- there are still moments where her sweetest side shows and makes me love being a mommy all over again!

The little punkin grew an inch over the last two months so we had to get some new clothes for her! I have to say, I love Children's Place and their sales- plus I can always find an online coupon and get additional savings!!! Its been a little tricky to buy a size ahead, since I have no clue about the weather here, so I have been having to get things as they are needed but so far, I have still been able to satisfy this "deal-loving momma's" heart! Nothing like brand-new clothes at garage sale prices!

My new project...

As you could see in the earlier post, Ariana's room was a very brilliant shade of lime green and purple. Perfect, if you are a TinkerBell fan but not for this muted color lover! Ariana's room was the first room we painted when we moved in but it has taken me awhile to get to making the fabric wall applique's I had pictured in my head! My finished idea is that of a woodland scene- complete with little animals- but so far I have just finished the tree. I do have to say, I am liking the results of my freehand drawing and am completely thrilled that it looks like what I imagined in my head! We are planning that she and the baby will share the room, after the baby moves out of a bassinet in our room, so I wanted something that would be gender neutral since we don't know what we are having yet. The fabric coordinates perfectly with the quilt I made her- I couldn't be more excited. It has been wonderful to work on something creative again!

Big Girls' Sleep in Big Girl Beds

After waiting three weeks after we arrived here, we finally were able to move into our house. We had to wait yet another three days before our belongings were delivered. I was sooooo ready for our bed after a sucky hotel bed and an air mattress! In the process of the move, a few items were lost...one of which happened to be two of the hooks that are very necessary in order for the crib to be assembled. We had been talking about it and since we couldn't set up the crib, decided to make the leap to the "big girl bed". It has been a super smooth transition- I couldn't be any more delighted! Ariana was so excited for her new bed and this is her first night in it. (This is also before we painted her room and got everything situated in there!)

Stylin' It

Before we left New York, we got to see Grandma Bette and Grandpa Ray one more time. Grandma brought some special gifts for Ariana and this is the little dress modeled by our beautiful girl! I think the sunglasses give the outfit that extra "zing"- we all know it's all about the accessories!!!

My Two Loves

After yet another long day at the hotel for Ariana and I and work for Nathan...

The Beach at St. Augustine

While, visiting Nathans' family in Florida, we fell in love with St. Augustine and spent two of our days there. The beach was wonderful and they had this amazing splash park for little kids to play in- Ariana loved it! We played mini golf- Ariana got her own set of clubs (the little plastic ones!!! I had our shins in mind!) and played with us. After watching what Mommy and Daddy were doing and hitting her little ball around, she finally just picked up her ball, walked over to the hole and dropped it in! It's a lot easier to get a "hole in one" that way! We ate fun food and just completely enjoyed our days out in the beautiful sunshine! The whole visit to Florida was wonderful- very relaxed and refreshing. It was wonderful to finally get to spend some time with Nathans' mom and to meet her new husband!

yes- that is a baby bump already! It's amazing how fast you "pop" with the second one!

Easter- April 2010

Easter was a special day for us this year. Not only was it our first one together as a family, but the day on which we celebrate our new life in Christ- our Risen Savior, we found out that we were welcoming a new, little life into our family!
We actually found out we were pregnant at 1 am...I was planning on taking a test in the morning because I felt like I "felt" pregnant...You are supposed to take those tests first thing in the morning...well, there wasn't a clock in the guest room at Mom's. So when I awoke, after feeling like I had been sleeping a long time and needing to use the bathroom, I decided to take it since it was so close to morning. I was so thrilled to see that little plus sign! I came back to bed and asked Nathan if he was awake- well, I woke him up so he was, but barely coherent. When I told him the news, he was instantly alert and God bless him- my dear, sensitive man- cried with joy as he held me. Needless to say, it was almost impossible to fall back asleep after that. Nathan ended up going downstairs so I could sleep without him tossing and turning next to me and that's how we found out that it was 1 am. Doesn't get more "first thing in the morning" than that! We are overjoyed and expecting this little one to arrive around December 9th.

We got to spend Easter with my parents this year. They were absolutely thrilled to be a part of Ariana's first Easter egg hunt. She LOVED it! Nathan hid the eggs outside in the grass and every time she found an egg she would exclaim, "EGG!" with such delight and wonder! She didn't even know till after she found them all that the "egg'ies" contained goodies! We played find the eggs multiple times afterwards- reminding me of my siblings and I doing exactly the same thing when we were little!







I know these are quite long overdue- but April and May were rather crazy with all the traveling we did and our move here to Texas! Please forgive me!