Goodbye 2011 Hello 2012

Wow! I can't believe another year has gone. This has been an awesome year! 9 months ago we recieved the most prescious gift from God....our sweet baby girl Reese. Wow, I can't even believe she is 9 months old. In just a few short months we will be celebrating her 1st birthday. AAAHHHH! The past year and a half have been crazy, with my surgery and preparing to welcome our daughter in this world. I'm hoping for a much calmer 2012. It seems so much has been going on within our family and friends lives, we deserve it.

                     Daddy had just given Reese her first pizza crust to nibble on......

My Dearest Reese,

        The last nine months with you have brought such joy in mommy and daddy's lives. We have enjoyed every moment with you. You are such a happy baby and have the sweetest personality. I have soooo much been enjoying all the hugs you have been giving me lately. I am so honored that God picked us to be your parents, you are a very special little girl. You bring joy to everyone around you, everyone always talks about how much they love you and how good of a baby you are. You defintly don't know a stranger. I never knew I could love something so small so much. I am so very blessed to be able to stay at home with you and watch you grow and learn new things. Right now you are for sure a mommy's girl but I know one day that will change so I'm gonna enjoy every bit of it. I look forward to more smiles and giggles and can't wait to see what the new year has in store for us.
                                                                Love,
                                                         Mommy

P.S. I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living, my baby you'll be

Christmas 2011 Part 2

yep, she just stood up on her own :)

Christmas 2011 Part 1

What a great Christmas we had this year! This was the first year we started a tradition of staying home as a family on Christmas Day. When I was growing up we always opened presents early in the morning and had a big breakfast with my parents and my Mama and my Papa Bel then went to my other grandparents and were there most of the day. When Garrett was growing up they always stayed home on Christmas. We decided when we had children we were gonna do the same and I loved it.

We went to Pippo and Pappy's house the Wednesday before Christmas. We decided this year that we weren't going get up very early this year (usually I am the first awake and ready to open presents bright and early). I was so anxious to see how Reese would do. Of coarse she is small and I wasn't expecting a lot but it was still fun! I so much enjoyed watching her and Maelea play. Maelea is such a good sharer. I had brought some chocolate covered pretzels and Maelae had one in her hand and Reese took it all for herself. I can't wait until next Christmas when they are bigger and really have some fun!

My Mama and Papa Bel came over Christmas Eve. Our tradition was we always made homemade tuna casserole for supper Christmas Eve. It had been a few years since we have done this and sure was gooood! Then Grammie came after church on Christmas Day.

This picture cracks me up.......

Sweetness

Reese has be staying with a lady named Julie when I volunteer. She also watches a girl a month younger than Reese. When I picked her up on Monday Julie told me that Reese and Ali were scooting around the floor and Ali stopped and starting fussing then Reese turned back around, went up to her and put her hand on her cheek and rubbed it. Ahhh. When she told me this my heart melted. For such a small person, Reese has such a big heart. She is such a special girl. I know God has big plans for her and I can't wait to see them.

Katy and Campbell came for a visit today. Reese isn't quite sure what to think about him but she was definitely curious. It was funny watching her trying to touch him, of coarse she doesn't know the word "gentle" and kept wanting to tap him on the head.

I was finally able to get some good pictures of her first two teeth!!!.......

Isn't she just beautiful........

When Garrett is home for lunch, he usually gives Reese her bottle. Well the other day I was not paying attention and he said look at your daughter. She was laying on the floor drinking her bottle. I got so excited because she had never done that before. But apparently she had because Garrett said she has done it several times. I had no idea. Anyways she is getting so good at drinking her bottle in her own, I am very proud of her.

Aunt Katy showing her how to be gentle.....

So handsome......

I look at this and can't believe Reese used to be this small

She loved her block Pippo brought her.............

Yep.....she is up on her toes.....

Then went to her knees and started rocking back and forth.....I thought she was gonna take off