Bittersweet Birthday

This week is truly bittersweet. Our baby is turning one. I want, more than anything, to watch her grow up to be a beautiful, kind, smart, funny, outgoing, faithful young woman...but I also miss our baby. I miss the sweet baby snuggles. I miss holding her in my arms while she sleeps. I miss our one-on-one time when I was nursing her.

These past few weeks she has flown through the milestones. She breezed through the transition from army crawl to real crawling, going from sitting to crawling and crawling to sitting. She is pulling up on whatever stable object she can get her hands on, and she is cruising around the house with her walker. I miss my baby.

But though I miss my baby, I am in love with this toddler. I love her smiles and her giggles. I love the way she sticks out her little booty when she pushes her walker. I love that as soon as her walker starts playing a new song she has to stop and dance to the music. I love that when she really likes a song she "sings" along. Our sweet girl can clap her hands to the beat and has that cute bouncy baby move down pat. 

She is eleven months and four weeks old...our baby is a toddler. We are so proud of her. Proud of her progress, proud of her big smile and her happy attitude. We love our sweet girl and while we miss our baby, we are so thrilled to watch this little angel continue to grow up. Friday is a bittersweet birthday. Our baby girl will be one, and we will have officially survived the first year. Cheers to many many more birthdays! We love you sweet Chandler!

10 Months!

I say it EVERY month, but I can't believe we have a ten month old! I mean, I have already ordered her first birthday party invitations?! How can that be?

This month was a big month! You really started crawling. We love your quirky army crawl...it is truly unique. We're also blown away by how quickly you can get around these days!

This month marked the entrance of not one, not two, not three, but FOUR top teeth. They all started poking through right at ten months and you've gone from having four bottom teeth to now having eight teeth! You are starting to look more and more little a little girl and less like our little baby. It is so sad and wonderful all at the same time. 

This month we went to the zoo for the first time since you were a little bitty thing! You met the giraffes and aside from that, you were generally unimpressed...but that's probably because you wanted desperately to get down and crawl or pet the animals.

You went to your first basketball game the month and together we got to cheer on Daddy and his friends. You had the best time and loved watching your dad run up and down the court.

You're eating well and we're having so much fun watching you try and love new foods. We're so happy that you're starting to eat what we eat!

We are having so much fun with you these days and we can't get enough of your sweet, funny personality. You are so silly and we love your big toothy grin!

This month we are looking forward to sharing all of our Christmas traditions with you and creating some new traditions. We count our blessings every day! Thank goodness for the wonderful you! We love you so so much, sweet Chandler!

Island Shrimp Spread

So in my last post I mentioned the amazing shrimp dip my parents made for Thanksgiving...and as promised, here is the recipe. They bought some pottery at an art show from the Island Potter and picked up this recipe when the purchased the piece. It is to DIE for...seriously...try it...now...

Island Shrimp Spread

2 cups boiled shrimp (peeled, deveined, and chopped)

2 8-oz packages of room temperature cream cheese

1 Tbsp. grated onions

4 oz mayonnaise

2 Tbsp. ketchup

1/2 Tbsp. horseradish

1/2 Tbsp. lemon juice

1/2 Tbsp. Worcestershire

1/2 tsp. salt

Mix all ingredients together in a food processor or with a hand mixer. Add shrimp and enjoy! I think this is particularly good with a little freshly ground black pepper on top...and would probably be very good with a little hot sauce for those of you who like it spicy!

What's your favorite dip? I'm always looking for new and good appetizers!

Life Lately

We have had so much fun over the last week! Thanksgiving was even better than we could have imagined! I spent the first part of the week baking cheesecakes like a crazy lady, but this little helper certainly made it much easier than anticipated!

Wednesday morning, we headed to Georgia for the rest of the week and all of our Thanksgiving festivities. We got there in time for lunch with my family, followed by table setting for Thanksgiving lunch the following day. My parents and sister were such a HUGE help to us during our visit and Chandler is sorely missing her audience now that we are back home! She loved her snuggles with Aunt Chan, Grandaddy, and G. She is very excited to see them again in just a few weeks for Christmas!

Thanksgiving day was filled with family and a pretty fantastic Bloody Mary Bar...because you know, Thanksgiving!?! Aunt Chan, my dad, and Uncle Patrick set up an awesome Bloody Mary Bar...I had three one and it was amazing. Each year that my parents have hosted Thanksgiving, they've prepared this amazing shrimp dip and this year was no exception. Luckily I got a copy of the recipe and I'll be sharing it later this week!

After our day of eating (we did go for a good walk...thank goodness), we had a day of decorating. Chandler took her first trip to the Christmas tree farm  and we got everything ready for Christmas. I love the holiday season and it is so fun to be with family...it makes even the slightly mundane (like stringing Christmas tree lights) fun!

Playing in the grass with G at the Christmas tree farm!

I did get a chance to try out a new cheesecake recipe while we were in Georgia and I'm excited to say, that is was a success. I still want to tweak it just a little, but hellllllooooo Cranberry Swirl Cheesecake!!! Just in time for Christmas! #verymerrycranberry

This little cutie put on a show for everyone throughout our visit, but this shot is one of my favorites...blueberry beard! She loves blueberries and her grandparents spoiled her rotten with endless blueberries throughout her visit!

I think I've said it a million times, but we had such a great time! Chandler got to crawl all over the place, pet the dog, chase the cat, go on walks outside with Grandaddy, eat blueberries until she was literally blue in the face, and snuggle and read books with Aunt Chan. 

What a wonderful way to spend Thanksgiving week! And now that we're home...let's get ready for Christmas!

What are your favorite Christmas traditions?

Let's Give Thanks

I missed the boat this year on posting one thing a day that I am thankful for in my life, so I decided to give you a run down of 30 things...

ONE: I'm thankful for a husband who is funny, supportive, loving and hard working. He gets up and goes to work every day so that Chandler and I can stay home together, and he comes home with a smile on his face ready to tackle bath time and bed time so that I can have a break. I am eternally grateful for everything he gives us, he is definitely our glue!

TWO: My happy, healthy, beautiful, funny daughter. I still cannot believe that I get to be your mom. You humble me, you try my patience, you love me in the most special way, being your mother has been the single best thing I have ever done. 

THREE: My mom. She is an incredible person who loves us no matter what. She taught me how to be a mom by setting the best example. Her smile, laugh and happy chatter definitely keep me going on days that are tough.

FOUR: My dad. He showed us the world. From teaching us how to drive tractors and use a nail gun to taking us all over the world, he has made sure that we are prepared for life...and he's pretty amazing for fielding my never-ending questions even now!

FIVE: My sister, Chandler. I mean she'd have to be pretty amazing for me to name our sweet baby after her. She is the sunshine in my day. She always has a bright smile and her happy personality is infectious. On top of that, she's killing it in school and is going to be one seriously successful Speech Pathologist! I admire her dedication to everything she puts her mind to!

SIX: My in-laws. They are a steady stream of willing helpers that I rely on, more than I'd like to admit. They are always here when I need them and they love Chandler so much. 

SEVEN: Chandler's grandparents...I realize that I've already listed them above, but seeing our parents as grandparents is different from seeing them as our parents. They have endless patience with her and the love they have for her is something you can absolutely see. I think they each have a very special relationship with her and I love that!

EIGHT: A roof over our heads. After the flood this year, I am so thankful for everything that we have. I'm also exceedingly aware of all of the excess that we have. It's a constant reminder to give and I'm thankful for the roof and the fact that it reminds me to give back.

NINE: I'm so thankful for good health. This year started out with a bang in the healthcare arena for me...c-section and then a DVT. Today I can say that the DVT has been treated and we're still working on getting it resolved, but I'm safe and healthy. As for the c-section, other than a small scar, which I actually like (it serves as a reminder of my sweet baby), it's as if I never had one! Which leads me to number...

TEN: Doctors. I have two absolutely wonderful doctors. They are both so knowledgable, down to earth, real, and relaxed. They have taken the best care of me, one doing an impeccable job with my c-section and the other making sure I got through this blood clot situation unscathed. 

ELEVEN: Exercise. I feel so lucky to be able to move my body and exercise. I can stay in shape by running or walking or doing pretty much whatever I want and that is a blessing. 

TWELVE: Friends. I have some pretty wonderful friends. I am so thankful for their wisdom and advice, their support and love. I can always count on you guys to lift me up and make me feel like I'm on top of the world. 

THIRTEEN: Keep Your Fork Cheesecakes. It seems silly, but this little business has taken off in a way I never expected. It has been a fun surprise and I'm so thankful for the ability to make sweet treats for others to share. It has really been a fun adventure.

FOURTEEN: Cousins. I don't get to see you guys much, but it is so much fun when we get together! I always look forward to this time of year when we can see each other and catch up...and play the quiet game ;-)

FIFTEEN: My church. It took me awhile to find just the right fit. But now that I have, I feel as though I'm at home. I am blessed to have a wonderful church and choir family and to feel safe, comfortable, and loved when I am there.

SIXTEEN: I'm thankful for clean water, hot water especially, but after boiling water for almost two weeks during the flood I am so grateful for fresh, clean water that comes out of the faucet. Water that is good to drink and safe for showers and brushing my teeth. 

SEVENTEEN: I'm thankful for electricity...Need I say more?

EIGHTEEN: Money.  I have a love hate relationship with money...I hate that we have to have it and that we rely on it so much, but I am so happy that we have enough to keep our water and lights on, to put good food on our table and to keep us warm (or cool) and clothed.

NINETEEN: I'm laughing as I write this, but I'm thankful for Abby Cadabby. She makes Chandler laugh and smile when nothing else will...Sesame Street in general is a blessing (silly though it may seem!)

TWENTY: Books. I'm thankful for books and the ability to read them. There is no better escape than a good book.

TWENTY-ONE: McIntosh Cottage Antiques. Because of this business, my dad's hobby, and the generosity of my parents we have a well-furnished home...heck...we have a furnished home! Without them loaning us furniture, we'd have a sofa and a bed...and that's it.

TWENTY-TWO: Our camera. I am grateful for the ability to capture special moments. Adam and I have captured our travels, our milestones, and most recently our beautiful daughter all with the click of a button. And with the click of a few more, we can relive those brilliant memories.

TWENTY-THREE: Travel. I have been so blessed to be able to travel in my life. It is probably my favorite hobby and I can't wait until we can pack our bags and head off on another adventure. 

TWENTY-FOUR: My car. It gets us all, along with the mountains of stuff we seem to always need, from point A to point B.

TWENTY-FIVE: My phone. It seems frivolous to be thankful for a phone, but because of the phone I stay connected to the people I love the most. Cell phones have made it so easy to span the distance between us and I am grateful for that. I am thrilled that with the touch of a button I can talk to my family in Georgia or chat with my best friend in Arkansas, or set up a girls night with three of my best friends who are just a few miles away.

TWENTY-SIX:  Just Frivolous. I'm thankful for this blog that is my outlet. I've met some really great people through blogging and reading blogs. It's a great way to share experiences and learn from others.

TWENTY-SEVEN: I am thankful for my previous job. I learned so much working for a great group of people and I am still thankful for the support that shared when I decided to become a stay at home mom. I didn't know what to expect and everyone sent me on my way with their most sincere blessings.

TWENTY-EIGHT: Food. I love food. Eating and cooking are two of my favorites hobbies. I love reading about food, experimenting in the kitchen and trying new restaurants. One of my dream jobs would be to be a food critique!

TWENTY-NINE: I am grateful for music...all types. I am so happy that my parents exposed me to all types of music and encouraged me to take piano lessons and sing in the choir. I am thankful that Chandler loves music and I am so thankful for her Music Together class where she can learn about music in an environment that encourages her to let go and have fun. 

THIRTY: I am thankful for my life, the ups, the downs, everything. I have lived a pretty perfect and amazing life and I don't take time enough to stop and remember that. Everything I have done and have been able to do and experience is a blessing. Even my "bad" days are nothing compared to what others have endured. I am truly blessed and have so much to be thankful for.

What are you thankful for this holiday season?

And now let's get ready for Thanksgiving!