Pictures!

It's been a while and I don't really have anything to blog about today. So, instead, you get pictures! Everyone likes to see pictures more anyway, so here you go:

Someone had a crazy night of sleep and has the hair to show for it!

First time to swing! Although it doesn't look like it, Mallory really did enjoy it!

Just a fun picture on the couch.

Mallory's first try at "finger foods". She chomped down on that pretzel for about 10 minutes I think!


Her first tooth is officially "showing" and now the one next to it looks like it's about to say hello also. We had our first injury since the tooth came in. Last night I gave her this teether that I put in the freezer and I guess she bit down on it and her lip at the same time. It bled and she screamed. Poor girl.

Apples of Gold

So, I am starting a Bible Study tomorrow morning called Apples of Gold. It's basically a study involving older women mentoring younger moms. There will be cooking lessons, eating the food that we learn how to cook and a Bible study on nurturing things (like kindness, loving your husband, hospitality etc.). I've heard that it is a really good study. I'm excited to do it and have included my "apple seed" of the week for you all (see side bar). Mallory's excited to spend 3 hours in the church nursery...again!

We took Mallory to the park by our house this afternoon. It was the first dry day that we have had in over a week I think. The weather was gorgeous! Blue skies, perfect temperature and a slight breeze. She enjoyed the baby swing, and watching all of the other kiddos. Our child is a good "people watcher"....or maybe she just likes to stare! I wish I could post a picture of her in the swing (and the cute Valentine's shirt Aunt Kelly gave her), but it's taking too long to upload one tonight. Maybe tomorrow.

So many things!

I feel the need to give an update on Mallory. Several new things have happened over the last few weeks. Here they are in no particular order:

First, she is no longer being swaddled at night! And she is sleeping better because of it...I think! A few weeks ago, Brad was putting her to bed and just layed her in it without swaddling her. She just rolled around, talking to herself and being really cute (as we were crouched down by her crib listening to her) and then...silence. She fell asleep! And stayed that way all night. If she does wake up, usually she puts herself back to sleep before I open her door. Bliss!

Second, we are on the way to being a bottle baby! This week we have started the process of weaning her from breastfeeding. So far, so good. I will be a little sad when the whole phase is over. I have really enjoyed breastfeeding. Although the things I won't miss: planning everything around a 3 hour window, feeding her in weird places, and all the other *lovely* things that come with breastfeeding and are TMI on my blog! I have to figure out life as a mom of a formula fed baby now. Hmmm...

Third, Mallory is officially getting her first tooth! It's on the bottom, that is all I know. She will not let me see the darn thing. Every time I try to pull down her lip to take a look, she screams. Not from pain, just from not wanting to be held down. I wonder why? Anyway. I feel it every time she chews on my finger. So, everyone that has come up to me at church, in Walmart, at the mall, family reunions and at restaurants...yes, she is teething! I think I have heard that phrase for 7 months now (she has a thing with chewing on everything in sight), and finally I can say yes!

Fourth, she is no longer a vegetarian. She had her first meal of turkey and sweet potatoes tonight. She loved it! Her repertoire of food is increasing everyday. So far, the only things she doesn't like is peaches. I think they are a little tart for her right now.

Fifth, she is sitting up by herself and has started leaning over her legs and side to reach for things. Crawling might be in the near future, but we are more than happy to be patient waiting for it. It's nice with her not being mobile yet.

And I think that is all for now. I say it all the time, but I can't believe how big she is getting! It is so amazing to watch! I'm so thankful to be home with her and witness all the milestones.

It's a new blog!

Sort of. I guess it depends on who you ask.

I just asked Brad what he thought of my "new blog", and he informed me that it is the same. See, that is the difference between men and women. Women would appreciate the change (even if it is the same layout) and say, "Oh, cute colors, I like what you did to it!" Men (like my sweet hubby) say, "It's the same blog, just different colors." Yes, but what do you think of the different colors??

Seriously, they may never understand us.

The best day of my life...

...other than marrying Brad and having Mallory (and lots of other things, I'm going for drama here). There is a Target store that will open in Temple, Texas THIS July! Did you read that?? I have been giving Brad heck since we moved here and I found out the closest Target is 25 minutes away! He will be happy that I am going to save him gas money. Although I might use just as much gas by making frequent stops there; it is quite close to our house. I had heard from other "Temple-ites" that getting a Target here was in the works, but not for a whole year. Can you imagine my excitement when Brad came home yesterday and told me there was an actual sign with a date on the construction site? I couldn't be more happy. July 17th couldn't come any faster...

This is sad, very sad.

The grossest of all

During my days as an E.R. nurse, I saw some pretty nasty things. The obvious: blood, vomit, poop, broken bones. The not so obvious: smelly people, lice in the hair, boils in interesting places, horrible diabetic ulcers on feet and lots of other things that were good topics at the nurse's station while the patient was waiting in the room:)

Recently, I have come across probably the most nasty of them all: the public highchair.

Normally, I wouldn't even think about such things...but Mallory has recently achieved high chair status in restaurants. I am now suspicious of them all! The buckles gross me out the most-and that is what Mallory goes for first, to put in her mouth. Have you ever really examined one of the buckles? They are sticky, gooey and caked with nastiness!! My mother in law gave me a high chair cover back when I was pregnant, but I thought it would be too much of a hassle or too "high maintenance". Now I'm thinking it wouldn't be such a bad idea.

I'm usually not such a germ-a-phobe. Sometimes I touch the handle to flush the toilet in a public bathroom (gasp!) and I have had someone else's vomit on me before (you wouldn't run and get gloves on if someone was puking their guts up, would you?). But for some reason, the high chairs have gotten to me. I'm tempted to carry Clorox wipes in my diaper bag now, and wipe down all surfaces of anything that Mallory may come in contact with.

Unfortunately, I know this is just the beginning. We still have elementary school germs to get through...yikes!

Oopsies!

I need to make an apology to my mother in law. I'm sorry, I really dropped the ball. December was super busy and I completely forgot to do a birthday picture for her. Please accept the following picture as my/our apology! Happy belated birthday Sharon!!

And (not to leave out one of the youngest members of the fam), Happy 1st birthday Julia! We can't wait to see you get cake all over your face and play with all the boxes your toys are coming in!!

(in keeping with the theme of bath time...)

Happy Birthday Mom!

We wish we could be up in Oregon celebrating with you, but I guess this will have to do. Sorry it's not spelled right. There was only one of every letter...we had to be creative:)

Love you!

Happy New Year!

Our house is back to normal. Brad is glad, but I am always a little sad to pack up all the decorations and throw out the tree...even if it is a fire hazard now.

Brad took me on a "business lunch" today-he had an agenda for us. We were to reminisce about 2006 and talk about our favorite memories, and then make our resolutions. It was fun to think back to last January and what we were doing. We went month by month talking about what happened and how it changed us. That was easy to do because 2006 was a full year. We welcomed 3 new people into our family (Julia in January, Mallory in June and Tate in December), Brad accepted his job, I quit my first "real world" job, we sold our house in Abilene, bought a house in Temple, lived in someone else's house for a month, gave birth, moved to Temple, made it through our first collegiate soccer season, and did a lot of other things that made 2006 a great year! Of course, our favorite memory is the day that Mallory was born-and it's the thing that has changed us the most...by far!

As I was watching her in Chili's today, and thinking back to all that we had gone through to get us here, I got a little emotional. I believe that God brought us here to Temple. It amazes me to look back at all the details that needed to be taken care of, and He provided for us. Honestly, I had no stress during any of it. The Lord provided and took care of us during some of the biggest life changes that people can go through (remind us not to have a baby, move and start a new job all in 3 months ever again!!). We have not always been faithful to Him, but He will always be faithful to us. I pray that you know that. I pray that you know Him.

So, now onto my resolutions for 2007 (I don't have very many because that way I can concentrate on them and not feel overwhelmed):

1) Stop eating fast food (including desserts...I know it is insane)! This is not my resolution by choice (Brad decided to do it). I am only doing it because Brad and I eat together a lot and maybe it will help lower my cholesterol?? He is allowing Subway, Schlotsky's and pizza. I can handle that...I think. It's Taco Bueno and Chick-Fil-A that are my weaknesses.

2) Attend a women's bible study at our church. I need to do this to make friends and I really desire to know the Lord better.

3) Exercise. Seriously, how hard is it to take a 30 minute walk with Mallory in the morning?

4) Be intentional with friendships. I have a tendency to be passive in friendships. I call back, email back and usually do not initiate a "get together". Mallory and Brad may be my only friends in Temple if I continue this!

And there you have it. I am already feeling overwhelmed. Uh oh, that's not good.