Three Dogs and a Baby! Remi's 1st Christmas

For Remi's first Christmas, we were surrounded by family...their dogs...and we truly enjoyed celebrating the true meaning of Christmas, Jesus. So many get caught up in the the hustle and bustle that they forget what it's truly all about. This year, we took time to reflect and celebrate Jesus' birthday!!

My parents, neice & nephew arrived on Sunday, Dec. 20th and the festivities began. We shopped all day Monday, then on Tuesday we took Chan & Vannah ice skating and ended the day by building my first gingerbread houses! WHAT FUN...a new found family tradition!! Then on Wednesday we anxiously awaited my sister and brother-in-law's arrival by baking A LOT of cookies. Once everyone arrived, we officially had a FULL HOUSE!!! Six adults...2 teenagers...a baby...and three dogs! WOW!!!

On Thursday, Christmas Eve, we baked more cookies and just enjoyed being with family. Randy's dad, grandma and brother joined us for dinner. At 11 p.m., most of us went to the Christmas Eve service at my church and it was just wonderful...a very nice way to start Christmas Day. Christmas Day was spent in our PJs, just relaxing and enjoying all the gifts that Santa had brought!! :)

It was very loud and chaotic at times but honestly the best time ever. I soaked it all in!! Unfortunately, after weather reports expected a very snowy week while they were here from Bama, we didn't have any snow at all :(((( But, at least there was snow on the ground for their arrival.

Remi'a first Christmas was wonderful and she turned 8 months old on Christmas Day. She is such a happy baby, full of smiles and giggles! She was very excited by all the paper and bows but most of all her cousins! There was nothing that Vannah & Chan couldn't do that wouldn't make her smile and laugh. We loved it! They were also a HUGE help...changing diapers and playing with Remi the entire week! We're sure going to miss them.

Here are some pics from the week. We hope you all enjoyed your Christmas as much as we did. We have Randy's cousin and his family arriving from Maryland on Wednesday...let the holiday fun continue :)

From our family to yours...Merry Christmas!

Santa Baby!

We did it! We got up early and out of the house by 7:45 a.m. to see Santa at Somerset Collection and it was well worth it! You see, the Somerset Santa is so popular that they give out appt. times when you can sit on the big guy's lap. We arrived at 8, and our appt. was at 9. I like to think I'm "particular" not crazy :) As neurotic as people may think I am, I just want the best for my little girl!!! She's pretty special, you know.

Remi did GREAT! She was more interested in her two front teeth than the big guy. She didn't cry...she was perfect! What a great first visit :) We're Looking forward to the rest of the holidays and our family's arrival from Alabama on next Sunday. We are so excited for this Christmas! We hope you're enjoying the holidays as much as we are.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

The holiday's are upon us and Winter has arrived here in Michigan. Today - snowy and blistery cold! Since staying inside every single day isn't an option, I'm trying to figure out just how to take a baby out in the cold. Since I wasn't born & raised in Michigan, I find it hard to take my little baby out in the freezing temps! Randy says it's fine...she'll be okay! Or sometimes I'll get the infamous..."when I was a kid!" Yes, it's already starting!! I know, I know..."up hill, in the snow..." :) HA HA! Anywho...I'm learning and Remi thinks its fun to open her mouth when we're outside and eat the cold air! I think she's pretty cute!!! :)

We've decked the halls at Chateau Partin and are the holiday's are in full swing. This weekend we're planning a visit to the big man himself. I hope he's ready 'cause we've got a baby who's infatuated with pulling hair...just ask her BFF, Audrey! OUCH! She's also teething pretty bad with two top teeth coming in. These have been much worse than when the bottom two came in. She's working hard on almost everything to tear it apart with her tiny little chompers!!!

So, here's a few pics until next week. Hope everyone is staying warm and enjoying the holiday's so far. Tis the season!!

Remi's First Turkey Day!

First, I have to say just how much I LOVE this outfit - a gift from Granny. I'm so happy she was able to wear it so many times ;) THANKS, Granny!

Remi's first Turkey Day was great....so great, we actually were able to "give thanks" twice in the month of November.

Early November, before Randy's mom & stepdad left for Florida, we hosted his mom's side of the family over for Thanksgiving. We had a full house and enjoyed hosting Remi's first Thanksgiving dinner. It was an unseasonably warm November day and just beautiful!

Then, on actual Thanksgiving, we had a nice relaxing day and then we hosted Randy's dad's side for Thanksgiving dinner.

Carrying on my Thanksgiving weekend tradition - Sally & I rose early at 5 a.m. to get totally engrossed in the Black Friday sales...scoring a new laptop and fun gifts for some special ladies :)

I ALWAYS decorate for Christmas on the day after Thanksgiving, but this year, I was a little tired and I had a little extra company ;) So, we trimmed both trees on Saturday and Clark, I mean Randy, decked the halls outside on Sunday. The house looks great and it's so warm and festive...my favorite!

I just love this time of year and can't wait to see Remi's first holiday season unfold. Check back often throughout December - there's Santa and parties and then my family arrives on the 22nd from Alabama!!!! Here's hoping for a white Christmas for my southern neice & nephew who've never actually seen a true white Christmas ;)

Happy Holidays everyone!!

Our Little Turkey! 7 Months Old

Hard to believe, but our baby girl is 7 months old today! She's the light of our lives and changing so much every single day. I am thankful that I'm still home with her, but still seeking employment. I know that God will provide a new path for us when the right opportunity comes along. Until then, I'm enjoying being a homemaker for my family :)

Here are Remi's stats:
*19.5 lbs
*28 inches
*Two bottom teeth and pretty sure we've got a top tooth making it's way in
*She chews on EVERYTHING
*Loves grabbing anything she can reach...especially mommy's hair and face! OUCH!
*Loves jumping up and down. She's definitely a mover and a shaker!
*Still in love with her big brother Buck - thinks he's funny and now when we say "Where's Buck?" she looks all over for him....so cute!
*Sleeping 12-13 hours at night. She was waking at 10:30 every night for a little extra snuggle time with mommy, but daddy broke her of that. Way to go Daddy!!
*Eats ~ 30 oz of formula a day with rice, fruit and veggies 3xs a day
*Sitting up completely on her own
*Still LOVES bath time and now sits up in the tub and plays with toys. Mommy is basically "in" the tub with her, leaning over the side to step in if any wobbliness occurs

We are looking forward to Thanksgiving tomorrow with Randy's dad and family. We have so much to be thankful for. With the birth of our sweet Remi Caroline, our wonderful family that surrounds us, old friends who continue to add joy to our lives and new friends (young and old!) who we look forward to sharing many memories with in the years to come, we are truly blessed!

Here's to a wonderful Turkey Day to you all!!

Nothin' Slow About this Little Turtle!

Remi's first Halloween was so much fun with our little turtle. I bought her costume when I was expecting and didn't know the sex of the baby yet. At the time, I had no idea just how cute it would be!!! :)

On Wednesday we went to our Beaumont Parent Group Halloween party. Remi always has a good time with all her friends! Then on Halloween, Randy carved our pumpkin while Remi and I watched from inside, it was a wee bit chilly! After it was carved, we took our little punkin and stuffed her in the hollow pumpkin. She loved it and we loved the photo opp...as usual! We finished up the night with a party at the Zeller's. By the end of the day, Remi was falling asleep in my arms.

Our little turtle is a mover and a shaker these days, changing so much every single day. She was such a trooper and did great with me taking her in and out of this costume at least 10 times without shedding one single tear!

Now...off to find that perfect costume for next year - at a discount! Always after a bargain :) Hope you all had a HAPPY HALLOWEEEEEENNNNN!

183 days...Half a Year...6 months

Oh my! I can't believe Remi is 6 months old already. I was just looking back at pics from the big day, and she has changed so much! She doesn't even look like the same baby. :( And the changes we've gone through as parents in these first 6 months....so much to learn and learning still. Remi brings so much joy to our lives, I can't wait to see how much more I can take :)

At six months, Remi is:
*18ish lbs. - we go to the dr. tuesday for an official weight
*long....don't know exactly. all is know is, she's hanging out the end of her infant carrier, but i refuse to move her to the big girl carseat...i'm not ready for that :(
*rolling over, not all over the place...yet
*sitting up, but a little wobbly still
*2 bottom front teeth and MAN! are they sharp
*LOVES to eat! 7 oz. every 3-4 hours and rice cereal, veg and fruit 2x's a day
*learning the ropes of handling a sippy cup - she gets SOOO excited when she sees it, absolutely adorable!
*bath time is her FAV! she especially loves it when I sing "Splish Splash" - she then kicks her legs around almost like she's putting on a show for me!
*LOVES Buck...thinks he is the funniest thing and has started to "pet" aka pull handfuls of his fur, which he's fine with! WHEW! and he's starting to get used to her too
*naps 3x's a day - 30 minutes each, but is starting to stretch them out a little longer :) YEAH!
*starting to really enjoy playing with her toys
*has discovered coughing and the fact that when she does it mommy automatically looks at her to see if something is wrong...therefore making it a "very bad cough!...you poor thing" and {BIG SMILE} from our drama queen!
*has a crush on her daddy and LIGHTS UP! when he walks in the door at night...or anytime actually! it's really sweet :)
*most importantly...a SUPER HAPPY baby!!

Cutest Pumpkin in the Patch!

Today we ventured out to the Wakeview Orchard with the Nelson's, Kim & Zach, and Diane & boys for a day of full of Fall fun. It was COOOOLLLLDDDD - only in the 40s - but we kept moving and we survived. We enjoyed our day at the orchard and Remi had fun too, at the petting zoo and then later in the pumpkin patch. In fact, she had so much fun, she boycotted all naps...making for a very cranky baby for us tonight. Oh well, it was worth it for the memories we made today at Remi's first visit to a pumpkin patch. Here are some pics from our day. FYI...I did have gloves on the baby all day until I realized that she had soaked them by sucking on them all day! Note to self: always carry an extra pair! This parenting thing is definitely a learning experience. Every day it's something new!

Thanks, Kim & Diane for inviting us. Can't wait to go back next year!

And...HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIKE! Thanks for spending your birthday with all of us. Even if there wasn't a cake...cider and doughnuts all around! :)

Happy Fall Y'all!

Fall has definitely arrived in Michigan. This is my favorite time of year. It's just beautiful!! And this year, it's quite chilly...but that's the way I like it and one of the reasons I moved to Michigan nearly 10 years ago! (*WOW!*)

We had a great weekend, spending a lot of time with our BFFs, Sally & Audrey. The boys went up north, so it was just us girls. Yesterday, when the boys got home, we all went to the Clawson Fall Fest. It was nice, but BRRRR was it cold! Remi was all bundled up, but I still thought it was still a little too cold for my baby, so we stayed for a bit and went back home.

Here are some pics from the weekend. We have a busy week with playdates, parent group and a trip to the cider mill planned. We hope everyone has a great week!

BFFs?


Audrey helped Sally give Remi her bottle...such a big girl!

Sally & Remi Roo

Gigglefest with Audrey!

Clawson Fall Fest

Remi is definitely a daddy's girl

All bundled up!