Are you sure it's been 10 months?

There is no way that 10 months have flown by this quickly. At this time last year, I had just started painting your pink walls and measuring the space between each green polka-dot. We set up your crib and made sure everything was perfect for when you would come into our world. I had finally begun to feel like I was past the "I love being pregnant" stage, and I was so ready for you to actually be here. Time was moving very slowly. I really thought your day would never come, and my ribs could take no more of your already strong legs:). I'm not quite in such a hurry anymore, but time has decided to move fast on its own. I really want to push pause, or even go back to when you were brand new. You are like a real little person now, pulling up on everything with those same strong legs and knowing you are the queen in any scene. Sometimes when I try to reach out and grab a memory from just a few months ago, I can't. I am just trying to drink in each second of your smiles, faces, new words and sounds, watching you play, and helping you take steps. Your favorites right now are: falling asleep in your swing, mac and cheese, dancing to music, shaking your head no, mocking other babies when they cry or other people when they cough, looking at books, your little guitar, playing with things you aren't supposed to play with, chewing on your shoes, and your bathtime duckies. Your least right now favorites are: when mama asks you to sign for "more" when I am feeding you (you just pretend like you are too tired and then rub your eyes until I give you more anyway), baby food (now a thing of the past because table food has taken the place of Gerber), and the rocking horse you got for Christmas because it is just scary to you. Sometimes I look at you and wonder how I got so lucky. Who am I to have been blessed with something so wonderful as you? One of my favorites is in the quiet of the night when I go into your room to move you from your swing to your crib. You lay your little head in the crook of my neck, I pray my mommy prayers over your life. I pray that the kingdom of heaven will rain down in your little life. Thank you, Jesus, for my little bug...she is wonderful.

Look at this face...

Look at this face, so innocent and sweet. Nothing could ever make me feel any different, except maybe the recent events of last Wednesday morning...

It hit me suddenly, like the rush of a forgotten memory finding its way to the forefront of my mind. It was a "something is not right" feeling weighing on my shoulders or, as some would call it, a mother's instinct. I curiously and quietly approached her bedroom door hoping to determine the reason for my suspicion. As a drew closer, the smell immediately reached my nose and it confirmed there had been some foul play on the other side of that sparkling "G". In a small panic I swung the door open to survey the damage; and I saw it everywhere. Her sheets, stuffed animals, pink pajamas, face, hands, and even her crib were all alibis to the morning's events and they had the brown stains to prove it.

The culprit was a guilty little girl with a quivering lower lip. The accomplice was a day old, poopy diaper whose remnants were now smeared all over my precious bundle of joy. Unbeknowst to me, the used diaper had been stuffed by an innocent bystander into the top of a very full Diaper Genie in the corner of the room. Coincidentally enough, it was just within arms reach of a determined, chubby hand reaching through the rails of her crib. Once the diaper had been spotted, it was already too late. I have never seen a face look so guilty as her's did that morning. Those blue eyes full of worry told the story of exactly how the stinky situation had transpired.

It took me almost a half a day to get the smell out of my nose and lots of soap and bleach to clean up the aftermath, but nothing will ever erase the memory of that morning from my Mommy Rolodex.

Guitar Hero

My Favorite Nine...

You are a diva with an attitude that is too cute for words. You have a big personality with big blue eyes to back it up.

You are so animated and you love to make silly faces; especially at mama. You love to stick out your tongue and make funny noises, too. Everywhere we go, you know the tricks you can show off that will charm pretty much anyone. You have the ability to captivate every audience.

You are scooting around so fast and rolling all over the place. Not to mention that you are pulling up on everything, even the bathtub while you are in it!! You are so active and independent, sometimes I don't even recognize you at all! But, I quickly remember when I walk out of the room for only a minute and I hear your over-dramatic baby cry. This is my simple reminder that you still need your mama. Almost instinctively; I come in, scoop you up, and you grab onto my neck. I look at your sweet baby face and see your three-toothed smile, with no real tears in your baby blues. I hate to admit it, but I just love that you need me that much.

You are growing into this strong-willed, funny, tender-hearted, sweet little girl. You have your own likes and dislikes. You have your own opinion and you aren't afraid to share it with others:). I will try my best to let you grow into the person you want to become, with the unique talents God has given you. Daddy says he is proud of the beautiful personality you have started showing us more and more everyday. We couldn't ask for more than being your Mommy and Daddy. The nine months of having you on this Earth have been my favorite.

Love you more,

Mama

Words for my now...

Crazy.
One word I would definitely use to describe this hectic season in my life right now. Example #1: I just got my Christmas tree down, and ladies and gentlemen, its January 20th. Example #2: Taking a shower seems like a luxury and make-up has been on the back burner for a few weeks now. Must I go on?

Gorgeous.
This precious baby girl who is growing so fast in front of me. Some days I hardly even recognize her because she is changing so quickly and growing so big. I don't want to miss anything...not one thing. I want to soak her in, and never forget even a second.

Undeserving.
I can't wrap my mind around it. People who pour into others' lives without asking anything in return. People who will give, talk, and love the second they meet you; as if they have known you all their lives. There are two who did that for us, and it was enough. Just enough for them to be Jesus with skin on in that very moment.

Loved.
God has seriously shown up in a big way in this department. Knowing that I am truly loved by Him has been very apparent lately. God has given me a place of solace and renewal in this season of change, growth, and chaos. Even on the bad days, it doesn't get any better than that.

The last 8 months of 2008...

Gracie,

The last 8 months of 2008 have been the most life changing but life giving. I have become a whole new person because of you.

I spent the last day of 2007 planning a party for about 30 of my friends. I furiously shopped, baked yummy appetizers and desserts, cleaned, and sent texts to everyone I knew. The house was full of a bunch of twenty-somethings and we rang in the new year with music, laughter, drinks, and fun.

I spent the last day of 2008 planning a day of fun for one little girl. I shopped for bottle liners, baby vicks, and batteries for your swing. I fed you appetizing dishes such as; cereal, vegetables, and bananas. I cleaned your nose and tickled your tummy. The house was full of your new toys, baby bottles, and the sound of your sweet laughter.

Oh, how life has changed for me and I know it won't last long! I feel like I will just blink and you will be a twenty-something ringing in the new year with all your friends. But today you were all mine, and I savored every moment of being your favorite person in the world. I am the most blessed to ring in the new year with you. The best is yet to come.

Love you,
Mama

The Sweetest Seven

GA, (As Papa Dale calls you)

*I am so late on your monthly update...our world has been very busy!*

It feels so good to laugh uncontrollably with you. The kind of laugh that makes you stop breathing a little, or the kind of laugh that brings tears to your eyes. That is the way we laugh together now. When we play peek-a-boo every evening or when I squirt you with your suction thingy in the bathtub. You laugh so hard and it is so contagious. You keep me young at heart.

My sweet girl, one thing that has not made us laugh lately are those stinky old teeth! You have two bottom teeth that just popped up and those little things have kind of consumed our life the last few weeks. Through a few rough weeks, sinus infection, and fever; I hope we have made it through the worst.You do look really cute with that toothy smile, and you love to cuddle with mama when you are sick. :)

You love to talk, talk, talk!! (I think you take after your mama.) Rolling around under the Christmas tree is another favorite of yours. You have found a whole new world under there! You are so much fun!! I pray for your little heart to grow strong and courageous everyday. You are beautiful Gracie Ann Bullard!

Love you,
Mama