Annie: Sixteen Months

At sixteen months, Annie is in full-fledged toddler mode. (BUSY) Trying to get her to hold still for these photos was impossible, so we just went with capturing her in motion. She talks all the time, even though we don't understand most of what she is telling us. She obviously understands us--you can ask her to go get something for you (shoes, diaper, cup) and she is happy to oblige. We are learning to identify fruit and letters and it is so much fun to watch her little mind at work! She is also learning to do simple puzzles and loves to sit in her rocking chair and read books. Shape sorters and stacking toys are lots of fun, too. Annie likes her play purse and is starting to carry around a doll or stuffed animal. Still taking two naps a day, can do one but it is hard and Mama has no objections to two naps. :) We dropped one nursing session last week (down to three now) and she has been very displeased. I replaced it with a snack but it takes about 30 minutes to get her out of her grouchy mood. This should get better soon, right? Still being really picky about veggies, getting a little better about meat. And still in 12 month clothes and size 3 diapers.

We're Ready

Our foster parent preparation work is finished.

Home visits are completed.

We're CPR trained.

We're ready for our first placement.

Our license should be signed off next week.

We will be licensed for 0-4 year olds, up to three children. (Though we can only take one until we buy a larger vehicle, and will likely only take two after that.)

We'll see what happens.

We're excited, nervous, a bit terrified, and praying a lot.

I'll keep you posted.

Before the Throne of God Above

I love the words to this old hymn . . .

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in Heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me.

Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace,
One in Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God!

The Bachelorette Bash

Ready to party




Love these flowers


Guess which one is spiked with vodka?
 

Wesley made these, too cute!


Strawberry cupcakes


A party game that turns into favors: decorate your own edible panties!


 

 

My mom and her sisters crashed our party. Love their Goodwill bridesmaids' dresses.


Getting her ready for the honeymoon


Surprise!


A little interview with the groom-to-be


It made us laugh




Learning a dance for the reception


A few posed shots

Belated Father's Day Post

Wedding!

Annie and her Daddy skipped the ceremony (which was beautiful) and came for the party afterwards! She had the best time dancing. She was walking around bouncing to the beat and clapping; it was hilarious.

Annie was pretty tired till the food showed up.


But then she started doing Silly Walks with her Uncle Tyler and cousin Rhiannon.


I wish you could hear the baby giggles that go along with this photo.


they're next!


the girls


the bride and groom


so glad I married this man over five years ago :)


and so grateful for our sweet family


Papaw and Aunt YaYa


Nana and Papaw doing the twist! They won the dance-off for the couple married the longest--congrats!

Made for Each Other

Last weekend we were in North Carolina for my cousin's wedding. My mom and her sisters hosted a "Made for Each Other" shower for the bride and groom. The guests brought gifts that went together, like a muffin tin and oven mitt. It was very cute and the food was yummy, as always.



nothing goes together like an electric skillet and a fire extinguisher




reading with Rhiannon


practicing Silly Walks (Monty Python) with Poppa


L'il Bit loves her Daddy

Gymboree Sale!

I love Gymboree baby clothes but I can't justify spending that much money on Annie's clothes, no matter how adorable she looks in them. Today we were out keeping Annie awake until naptime. I had Bible study this morning so she missed her morning nap, and if we go straight home she wants to crash at 11:30 and wakes up at 1:30 and can't make it till bedtime . . . so we go out to lunch and run errands or window shop until 1 on Bible study days.

Anywho, we stumbled on a great sale at Gymboree today--everything in the store is $13.99 and under! The salesclerk told me this is the biggest sale they ever have, and it happens once a year. For less than $25, I bought Annie a dress, two tops, and a pair of pants. And she's going to look so cute in them! 

(these aren't the ones I bought, they didn't have her size--but it gives you some ideas of the cuteness that can be had!)

Yes, I bought my daughter more clothes that she does not need just because they were cute. First world problem, I know. But wait till you see her picture in them.

And as a side note, she is so petite. I don't even think about it till I start buying clothes. I bought her a mix of 6-12 month and 12-18 month sizes, some of the 12-18 month sizes are still falling off her. I'm thinking she will probably still be in 12-18 month sizes this fall. If you go by weight a 12 month size is usually 20-24 pounds, and she hasn't even hit that yet. Peanut. But such a cute little peanut.

I'm going to throw my back out when our next kid weighs 20 lbs at 6 months, ha!

While I'm touting brands (for which I receive absolutely nothing whatsoever) I'm also in love with Tiny Toms and Jack&Lily baby shoes! Here are a few of my favorites. :)