Goodbye 2008...

What a wonderful year this has been. Looking back it feels like a blur but it was a year full of newness, freshness, excitement, and change. 2007 seemed like such a struggle...Aaron and I both working hard to finish up school, lots of job transitions that didn't measure up to what we thought they would be, etc., etc. 2008 began with a bang! We found out we were pregnant which was the best start I could imagine! Aaron got a wonderful job and we made a big move. This year has made me appreciate the wonderful gifts of family and friends that I have in my life. Now with the year coming to an end, I look forward with anticipation to all the new year has to bring.

I look forward to watching my sweet, baby girl grow and cherishing her as the gift she is to us.

I look forward to spending another year with my wonderful hubby and friend.

I look forward to what the Lord has in store for each one of us.

I pray that your 2008 was filled with as much joy and love as mine was and that next year is even better!

There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays

Yes. That is true...but there is also no place like home AFTER the holidays! We had a wonderful Christmas spent with family and friends but it is really nice to be back home again. Traveling is exhausting sometimes, even though Marli does so well. Here's a few pictures to enjoy of Marli's first Christmas...

Notice her cute little Christmas jammies...I had almost the identical outfit, wish I had a picture!

Marli's first baby doll...which she obviously loves!

She likes to hold her (although it might be more accurately described as attempting to get the dolls head in her mouth!)

Santa Baby

This weekend was Aaron's work Christmas party so we spent the weekend in Guthrie. The party was nice and was our first time going out without Marli. She spent a few hours back at the hotel with Lollie, Papa and Drew.

The weekend was also filled with Christmas fun with Mom, Dad, Ben, Drew and the Wyche's. Here's our pretty Santa baby...

Shelby and Marli in their pink Santa hats...Two very pretty girls :)

It's kind of hard to see us, but here we are out doing the Guthrie Victorian Christmas walk...So much fun and Marli was super cute bundled up like a little snowbaby.

Aaron and I never have a decent picture together...These attempts proved to be no different :)

I love this guy so much...and despite this face I know he loves me too :)

On a side note, Marli has recently discovered an affinity for television, well sort of. Here she is captivated by her PraiseBaby DVD.

Elf Yourself!!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Baby It's Cold Outside!

BRRR!!! The snow has arrived so we're bundled up inside. We went to the pediatrician this morning for Marli's 2 month checkup and everything is great! She is now 14 lbs and 24 inches long. Here she is sporting her newest hair accessories and of course that adorable grin...

We just got back from a surprise visit to see all the grand-parents (and greats!). Lollie and Papa knew we were coming but we surprised Grammy. It was great and we were so glad to see her. I wish I would have gotten pictures. Here are a few pictures of Marli with Mamaw and Grandaddy...We were both soooo glad to see them :)

Look how big Miss Marli is...She loves to sit like a big girl :)

Meet my new friend

Marli loves her lion. When we have her in her carrier, whether we be out or she is just sitting in the kitchen watching mommy cook dinner, lion is a great entertainer. Yesterday I had to go to the bank and while I was completing my transaction she woke up and enjoyed her friend. She was a hit at the bank and everyone commented on how much she loved her little toy.

Thanksgiving

Marli's first Thanksgiving was a good one...a little non-traditional but lots of fun no less. Thanksgiving evening we met Mom, Dad, Drew, Ben and friends in Edmond to go ice skating. The ice rink ended up being closed, contrary to what their website said. We found a Japanese Steakhouse that was open for dinner (boy was Mom glad since Braum's was our only other choice!) and went bowling instead. Here's drew trying his hand at the hibatchi grill...he did pretty good with his egg toss.

Friday we had fixed all the Thanksgiving goodies with one exception, steak instead of turkey. If you ask me, that should be the way we do it every year! After some nap time...

it was time for some family football...

Let's just say none of us were as good as we hoped to be. Next year I think we should go for a leisurely family stroll instead of playing a competitive game of football!

Here's a couple more cute pictures of Marli from the weekend!

Post-worthy

Not much new but I love this picture and thought it was worthy of a post. Marli is smiling and making sweet little noises all the time, especially for Aaron. She is staying awake alot more during the day so we have lots of fun! As you can see, bath time is a pretty enjoyable part of our day!

Marli and I got to spend a few days in Canadian last week and it was fantastic. I think it was the first trip we got to relax and enjoy. Nothing to do and no crazy, fast cross-country tours. Marli is continuing to grow and change so quickly. Here you can see how good she is at holding her head up. (That's kind of a funny face but she was really focused on showing her other skills.)


Marli and Chug are getting to be good friends. I love how he has his paw on her leg!



Our newest fun activity is definitely strolling. We are trying to get as many trips in as we can before it gets too cold. This morning we went for a walk with Daddy and she loved it. We also learned that the hills around here are no joke. I'm going to have to map out a better route, my poor, out of shape legs barely made it!

And to finish this post...I just can't resist taking her picture when she sleeps. She is just so precious!

Okay Mommy that is enough for now!

Growing Girl

I can't believe our baby girl is already a month old! She is growing and changing so fast. She is super strong, holding her head up so well and pushing with her strong legs, and of course more beautiful everyday. She is getting much more expressive too; she loves to smile at mommy and daddy! Here she is doing another thing she does well...sleeping :)

One month checkup...We visited Dr. Wright again this week and Marli is doing great! She is a big girl, measuring in the 95th percentile in all categories. Here's her latest stats:

Weight: 11 lbs 6 oz

Length: 22 1/2 inches

Head: 15 1/2 inches

She got her second Hep B shot this trip...thank goodness Daddy was there for Marli and Mommy

Here's Marli waiting for trick-or-treaters...well, she's a little early but I wanted to take her picture before we had to change clothes today

or in case she ends up like this by the time they start coming!

Beautiful Weekend

Here's Marli waiting to start our trip to pick up Darcy and Brandon and go to Karly and Kyle's wedding. The weekend was wonderful: beautiful wedding, beautiful family, beautiful friends, and of course our beautiful baby girl!


At the airport with Aunt Darcy!



Mommy, Marli, and Darcy

All the girls!

Darcy, Brandon and Marli

On the road again...

We made our second trip to Texas this past weekend and it feels like it takes me forever to catch up when we come home. Marli is an awesome road-tripper and such a polite guest (I think she actually sleeps better at Lollie's house and at Grammy's too!) Our last trip was quite the circuit but well worth it...we saw friends, grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins many for the first time. We left Wednesday afternoon to take care of somethings that Aaron needed for his trip in a few weeks. (**Aaron won a trip to the Cowboys at the Giants in two weeks from Alltel. He and friends are flying on a private jet for a day full of perks and a great game. I'm so jealous that Marli and I can't go!**) We spent the night in Amarillo then were off to Canadian for a couple days of family, fun and football. Saturday we went back to Canyon to see the Buffs take on ACU...what a disappointment! but we did get to see some great friends and Marli enjoyed her first football experience by sleeping the entire time. We spent the rest of our trip with Grammy and were finally home sweet home on Sunday.

I didn't end up taking any pictures to document our trip as I intended, but I'll leave you with a couple recent pics so we don't disappoint. Next week we are headed back to Texas for two very important events. Marli will be meeting her Aunt Darcy for the first time when we pick her and Brandon up from the airport for Karly's wedding weekend. I promise to do better with the pictures on this trip!

Such a pretty girl! Can't believe how fast she is growing.

Marli loves to swing and I love to see that smile!

Tummy Time on my new surfboard mat!






Sleeping in my carseat...I'm already logging many hours on the road this month!

Weekend at Lollie and PaPa's

We had our first trip to Canadian this weekend for Marli's shower. We had such a fun time but we definitely missed Daddy since we had to leave him at home this time. The shower was amazing! It was so wonderful to see so many family and friends and Marli made a haul...thank you so much to all of you wonderful people for the awesome gifts! Here's a few pictures of our weekend at Lollie and Papa's. I'll try to post some more pictures from the shower soon.

Marli got to spend lots of sweet time with Lollie, Papa and Drew...




Here's mommy and Marli getting ready to head to the baby shower.

Four Generations: Great Mamaw, Lollie, Mommy and Marli :)