8 Months Old and Gobble Gobble Gobble!

Whoo, I do not even really know where to start. Once you get behind with this blogging thing it's hard to catch up.
Tuesday Lyla Grace turned 8 months old! She is so fun! I love this age so much! She loves playing and laughing and I wish she'd stay around this age forever! But, of course that won't happen (duh!). Anywho, she sleeps pretty descent these days, from about 7:30 or 8 pm to about 5 or 6 am. Nicccce. She has her two bottom teeth and two top teeth now and she clatters them all the time. It's her new "trick" and it's hilarious. Speaking of new tricks, she's blowing raspberries like nobodies business. She's still crawling like a crazy woman and pulling up on everything. No steps yet, thank the Lord! :) I can say that we are not ready for her to walk! Let's see, she does know what she can play with and what she can't. I have Christmas decorations (garland and such) on the entertainment center and one of her favorite things is to crawl over to it, pull up, and try and grab the garland to pull it off. She knows she's not suppose to do this because Rhett and I will say "Lyla Grace!" and she'll look back and laugh! She's such a little sneak! She thinks it's funny to be destructive! As far as food, we're working on the finger foods thing. It's slow going though. We're practicing with puffs...but she doesn't quite get that they're suppose to go in her mouth, so she slings them off on to the floor. Aubbie is enjoying this "practice" time I'm sure. No words yet, nothing clear anyway. She loves the Ooooo ooooo's. We call her a little owl. Anywho, she is such a joy and I am so very excited to spend the holidays with her! It's going to be (already is!) so much fun!
My litte 8 Month Old!! :) She's not a huge fan of her playpen....

Thanksgiving was of course this week. Thanksgiving we always go to my family's Thanksgiving feast at noon and then Rhett's family's feast later in the afternoon. We are always so very stuffed! This year was no exception! Rhett made a trash can turkey for his family (my family made one as well). I LOVE trash can turkey! You literally smoke the turkey under an aluminum (clean) trash can and it is so moist! Mmmm. Thanksgiving was great! Rhett and I have so much to be thankful for this year. The biggest thing is our sweet little girl, I could not imagine our lives without her. Thanksgiving night Melissa and I went to the Foley Outlets at midnight to do some shopping! I did not know what to expect, but it wasn't too too bad. We did encounter some crazies though. For example, we were in line to go in to Gymboree when they opened the doors at midnight and this lady was ahead of us. Well, when this lady went in she ran to a rack of clothes, grabbed the entire rack, searched for the size she needed, and then threw the rack back! Melissa said, "that lady doesn't play fair"! HA HA! Nope. We had a good time though. I got Ly a few pj's and 2 Christmas dresses, one of which she'll wear to see Santa next week! :)

Friday Ly and I ate lunch with my dad and accompanied him on his errand run. We went to Best Buy where he got a digital camera and then we went with him to pick out his Christmas tree. The rest of Friday we spent lazily at home. Rhett and I have a recent addiction these days: Zoo Tycoon. Yeh, laugh it up. It's so fun and addicting. Rhett and I are so competitive and we both try to beat each other's zoos. So alot of the weekend was spent playing on the computer.
I LOVE her face in this one... my cutie!

Watching Daddy and Mommy play Zoo Tycoon

Swinging's fun!

Have I mentioned how much I love this age?!

CHRISTMAS TIME!!

Saturday night Rhett and I met Candice and her husband Nathan at Vallartas for some good Mexican food. We had a great time catching up with each other! I miss her. She lives in Rome, GA now so I definitely don't see her as often as I'd like. After dinner we went to the movies and watched 2012. Okay, so that's a depressing movie. About midway, Candice leaned over to me and said, "this is kind of sad"...and I was like yeh, to say the least. It was an "end of the world movie", but one of those that you had no hope at all... unless of course you had a billion dollars and could buy a seat on a ship that would ensure your survival. Now what kind of message is that sending? HA!

Candice and I! Friends since elementary school! Pine Meadow representing! :)

Sunday we went to church and dressed Lyla up in one of her cute Christmas dresses! I love this time of the year! There is just such a sense of joy and happiness in the air!Ly and I looking Christmasy for church.

Daddy and Lyla Grace. The loves of my life! So very thankful for them...

MORE PICS MOM ----> http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2075589&id=50101047&l=01142b61f6

The Simple Life

Basically, this was a regular old, relaxing weekend. Not too much occurred, but here are some of the highlights...
Friday night was the very last football game of the season. Okay okay, as I typed that I knew it was a lie. Actually, Friday's game against Crestview (in which Tate killed them 44-14, I think) was the last regular game of the season...this Saturday coming up is the actual last last last football game Tate will play. They are playing a "bowl" game against Northview and I'm pretty sure that all funds raised will go to the Miracle League of Pensacola, so at least their drawing out the football season a little longer for a good cause. :) I'm okay with that.
Saturday Rhett, Ly, and I met my Dad for breakfast at Cracker Barrel and then we went to the craft show at my church. Gosh, I love craft shows!! I did not get anything (I know, shocking), but there was something I saw that sparked my interest and that I really really did want...children's books made out of fabric so that they're extra soft! The only reason I did not splurge and get a ton (hello, they were $10 a pop...that's a lot!) is because I knew that I could make some myself or my Mom could (Hint hint, Mom!)! I know they are probably a lot harder to make then they look, but I am willing to try! Anywho, we had a good time walking around and checking things out. The rest of Saturday was spent at my Dad's. We love going over there because not only do we get to spend good, quality time with my Dad, but we also can spend alot of time outdoors. It is so lovely outside. We walked down to "the back", which is a field down at the end of the road with horses and cows. We showed Lyla what cows looked like and how bad they stink. We had a good ole time. After returning from our walk we went to Wiggles and Giggles, a consignment store that sells baby and toddler items, on Nine Mile Road. My dad got a walker for Lyla to keep at his house and he also got a little ride/push car that is so cute and that Lyla loves! Rhett put Ly on it at the store and pushed her around and I just fell in love and I knew we had to get it. $10! Heck, it was as much as one of those fabric books! Anywho, I have a new love for consignment stores! I will definitely be making more trips to Wiggles and Giggles! That night we ate red beans and rice at my Dad's house and watched some of the Auburn game. Rhett was not a happy camper about that game, let me just leave it at that! :)

Sunday was of course church and then lunch with Rhett's parents at the yummy Chili's. It's so funny how our lives revolve around our families. I love it. There is so much love! Anywho, I'm pretty excited about getting involved in church activities. Let's see, Rhett and I are now Ushers for our church. We Ushered for the first time throughout the month of October. Ly and I go to Wednesday night supper and fellowship every week (Rhett would and will go when football is over). And lastly, Rhett and I are going to be reading scripture and lighting the Advent candles during the service in December. I cannot wait! I keep telling Rhett that I want us to join the choir, but he keeps saying no! I mean, come on, no one can really hear you individually! I enjoy singing, even though I stink, and our choir needs some young folk up there! We shall see if I'll ever convince him. :) Sunday night we had my Dad over for dinner, since he's always cooking for us! It was so very nice to be home visiting with my Dad and Rhett with Lyla crawling around on the floor playing with toys. So pleasant and nice.

Oh and just a little randomness, I feel like I may be losing my mind! Rhett's always the one who loses things...keys, wallet, sunglasses, money, etc...you name it. So, throughout the weekend I kept Rhett's keys in my car cup holder (because that's what we drove around and he has the only house key on his key chain, long story) just in case the garage door wouldn't open (it was acting up) and we'd have a way in the house. Anywho, I made a mental note to remember that his keys were in the cup holder, so I wouldn't forget. Well, come Monday morning I'm getting Lyla ready to go to her Grandmothers for the day, Rhett's getting himself ready for work, he's fixing to walk out the door with Ly, and he asks for his keys....I totally blank. I mean, it was killing me too because I knew I knew where they were, but for the life of me I just couldn't recall the place. Finally, after like a minute of totally racking my brain of every possible place they could be I really did remember they were in my car cup holder. This whole full-time working Mom thing is getting to me. I mean, is that what Dementia, Alzheimer's, or just plain old age feels like? You know you know, but you just can't remember to save your life?! Hmmm...

Sorry for the randomness. :) Have a nice week everyone.

An Unplanned Vacation

It's been quit a nice little vacation here the past few days! Definitely unplanned, what with Ida coming up here and all. Speaking of Ida, it was just a bunch of rain and a little wind. I slept so hard through it. It was nice. I'm a light sleeper, so I was actually surprised that the hard wind and rain did not wake me up. And it didn't wait Ly up either! She slept from 7:00 pm- 7:00 am!! Yep! Her sleeping patterns have definitely gotten better. Still not quit consistent, but better nonetheless!
Monday, I did have to go into work for a couple hours just to make sure everything was taken care of, plugs were unplugged, clients were all okay, etc... After that I met Rhett, his parents, and Ly at IHOP! Mmm mmm, what a yummy breakfast! Rhett, Ly, and I went home after that and got everything in order to prepare for a possible hurricane/tropical storm. Once that was all done, we just relaxed! That night we went to Vallartas with Rhett's parents and then came home to watch Dancing With The Stars! I did not use to be a fan of that show, but for some reason the past couple of seasons I've loved watching it! I hope either Donny and Kym win or Joanna and Derek! Those are my favs!

Tuesday I woke up bright and early and happily, to the power still on! YAYYY! I hate losing power after a storm! Basically we just relaxed and enjoyed the day off. We did put up our Christmas tree! We put on Christmas music and Lyla helped too....sorda. =) She liked knocking off the ornaments, but whatever. Tuesday night we went over to my Dad's and ate pot roast, potatoes, carrots, rice, green beans, and peach cobbler! Yummy! And I dyed my hair! HA! The upkeep for blond hair is just too expensive for us right now. I'd rather spend $100 on Ly's Christmas presents then my blond hair, so I am now a brunette....again. I know, I know...it's hard to keep up with my hair color.

Decorating the Christmas tree...

She kind of got a little tired of Mommy and Daddy focusing so hard on decorating the tree...she wanted a little attention! And of course, today is Veterans Day! I am so very proud of my brother!! He'll be leaving for Africa this Friday! His ship/boat/frigate/whatever it's called will be over there for about 4 months. Jesse said that they're going over there to wave the flag around and chase off pirates. Definitely pray for him.

Now here are some random pics of the past couple of days...

She's growing up so fast! Pulling up on EVERYTHING!

She loves her Aubbie...

And her Mommy too!

We're ready for Christmas/Thanksgiving/The Holiday Season!! We just combine them all! =)

Weirdness

A hurricane/tropical storm in November?! Weird! And sucky! Well, this has caused the school district to close schools for the next two days and my work is going along with the school district so that means no work for Rhett or myself tomorrow. Rhett decided to go hog hunting all night long and he also set it up to where Lyla would spend the night at his parents. I guess he felt bad about leaving me here to stay up with her all night by myself while he was out "having fun"?! Who knows. I'm all for a little break and some sleep although I feel so weird being here at home alone. It's eerie. I'm so use to the hustle and bustle of life, and now it's dead silence. Very sad actually. Anyway, I am going to relax and enjoy this time to myself nonetheless.

Whelp, this weekend was fun! Friday night we went to the Tate Vs. Navarre game. Ly and I of course went with Rhett's parents. We stopped and ate at Outback before going on to the game. Now, I'm usually a huge fan of Outback, but that night it was yuck! Both Rhett's dad and I got caesar side salads and we both took a couple bites of them and looked at each other...I said, "this tastes like a fish"! I was so disgusted. Caesar dressing is made with anchovies, but most of the time you don't even know it. Well not at Outback! I do believe they pride themselves on having the fishiest salad of all time! I almost barfed and I did gag!! It was funny though. Anywho, Tate won but sadly (ha ha...who am I kidding) they did not make the playoffs so next week will be the last game! Boo hoo....

Saturday, we basically spent a lazy day at home. We did put up Christmas decorations (inside) though! We have yet to put up the Christmas tree, not because we didn't want to but just because we didn't have time. Perhaps we will during the hurricane/tropical storm thing. :) Saturday night my dad babysat little Ly so that Rhett and I could have a date night. Rhett and I ate at Coach N Four and it was wayyyy good! Definitely made up for Outback the night before. My Dad did great with Lyla. We are always worried when we leave her with other people, like the nursery at church, my Aunts, or my Dad (other then Rhett's mom) because she is definitely attached to us and hates it when we leave. What can I say?! She loves her Mommy and Daddy! My Dad said she cried some, but when we got there to pick her up (which was about an hour later...we tried to make it quick) she was sound asleep in his arms. It was precious really. My Dad loved it! Success!

Sunday was church, lunch with Rhett's parents at Ruby Tuesdays, and then Ly and I went to hang out with my Dad. I have really been cherishing this time I've gotten to spend with my Dad. I love that he loves Lyla. He really is so good with her! Today we got out Ly's stroller and took a walk up and down my Dad's road because it really was such a beautiful day. I just felt such peace and happiness during that walk. I really am so blessed to have the love of all my family, Rhett, and Lyla. I could not imagine life otherwise. Sunday night is basically the first paragraph of this post. It has been a great weekend! I'm worried about this storm coming, but hopefully it will just be a ton of rain and nothing more serious.

Anywho, that's about it! Everyone in Pensacola and all around where Ida will hit (you too Jo Jo!) stay safe!!!

No More Miss Moody

Happily, a corner has been turned in Lyla's always developing personality. Something has changed about her and it has happened ever so recently. She seems happier and more pleasant these days. Not that she was never those things before, just not nearly as much as now. I'm a believer in being honest, especially on here about being a mother. There have been times when my exhaustion has reached an all time high and all I've wanted to do is pull out my hair and scream (yes, seriously). Working full-time and taking care of Lyla while Rhett's full throttle in football season has not been easy by any means. Especially when Lyla has her moody moments, which could sometimes be in abundance depending on the day. However, something about her personality changed. She is pleasant and happy so often now that I have really noticed this change as being a drastic one. I don't know whether it's her growing up and becoming more independent (which she really is still so dependent on myself and Rhett) or what, but I am loving it! Where I use to stress about her crying, now I simply watch her play and crawl on the floor in complete contentment. It always amazes me how quick a baby's mood/personality/development/etc... can change at the drop of a hat. One day she's rocking back and forth wanting to crawl and the next day she's off, full speed ahead. Watching her grow has been an amazing journey so far and at the same time a sad one. I am honestly stunned that it is November. This year has completely zoomed by. Where in the world did it go? If the next 20 years go by as quickly as this one, then my life will very well have flashed before my eyes. Anywho, enough of my ramblings. I'm off to pick up my little ray of sunshine. Thank you God for her!