So fast...

My baby girl is 1 today!  How on earth did that happen?!  It's been such a good year with the sweetest little cupcake ever.

7 Quick Takes

1~  My lovely friend "Aunt Mari" is in from Paris right now.  The kids were beyond thrilled to see her, as was I.  We've stayed up too late the last two nights, but it was worth every second of catching up.

2~  Annelise's legs are getting stronger by the minute, and I am so grateful for the friends who helped us get her here.  She loves to stand and dance now...it's adorable.

3~  For a few days earlier this week, I really thought I might be pregnant.  At first I had a "oh crap!" reaction...but only very briefly.  The beauty of NFP is that God always has a shot to accomplish His will.  There are no chemicals in the way.  We have to trust that if even if we don't feel it's the best time for another baby, God may think otherwise, and we might get a baby when we weren't expecting one.  I must admit that I was disappointed when my cycle started.  Many mamas will tell you...even though it's doesn't feel like the best time to have a baby, thinking you might be pregnant and finding out you're not is a let down.  Deep down, in heart and soul, we mamas were made to do this...to welcome life.

4~ I am in list-making mode for the holidays.  I want to purposeful and spontaneous, but I've learned that if I don't plan ahead quite a bit, spontaneous just doesn't stand a chance around here.

5~ Fall, thank you for coming back in the last couple of days.  It was not so great when the temps were back on the rise earlier this week.

6~ Two more weeks.  That's all I have left of her first year.  Two measly weeks.  How in the world did that happen?  She's finally sleeping a bit better, usually waking only once.  She remains such a cuddle bug.  She absolutely delights in her siblings, and they in her.  She puts her head on our shoulders if we say "Love Mommy!" or "Love Daddy!"  She loves to eat, loves her almond milk, still loves to nurse, and will lick your face for a kiss.  This is your warning.

7~ We celebrated the return of FND last night.  Being the terrible mom that I am, I forgot the camera.  However, I remembered all four children, pina coladas, pizza, plates and OFF.  Courtney had the camera.  I'm sure she'll share the pics.

Off to be productive...even if that's only making gobs of lists.

Random Things...

~Mom and I were grocery shopping at Wal Mart on Monday evening.  She was carrying Annelise, and as we were walking side by side toward the checkout, my sweet baby reached her hand to reaching out for me and placed it on my arm that was pushing the buggy.  She turned her head to look at me, then she looked back at Mom, and that's how we walked out...Nana holding her, but with one arm on Mama.  It was adorable.

~ We enjoyed a wonderful family day out at Big Woods on Tuesday.  Phil took the day off to come to Pioneer Day with us.  The girls sewed, Jacob tied knots, they all made butter and learned to start a fire, and the bigs went on a really cool nature hike.  Annelise was stellar...I couldn't have asked for an easier, more laid back baby that day.

~FND was out again this week!  Our friends have been sick.  What a bummer.

~Last night we went to Wisdom's first "Supper and Substance" couples' night.  It was awesome!  The fellowship, food, and speaker were all fabulous.

~I am LOVING crocheting!  It feels like such a "Fall" thing to do...curl up under a warm blanket with a cup of coffee or hot tea, and create something warm and cozy.  I made another hat last week that was supposed to be a Christmas gift for one of the parrains, but it barely fit Annelise.  It's cute as a button, though.  My gauge just must be off.  I measured his head last night to try again.

~Annelise plays peak a boo.  She puts her blankie over her face and waits for me to say, "Where's Annelise?"  Then she yanks it off and belly laughs.

~I discovered chai tea with french vanilla creamer this week, and I loved it.  I've always wanted to be a tea drinker, but no matter how many times I've tried it, I've never liked it.  The chai tasted much more like a cider than like grass (which is what I always feel like I'm drinking when I've tried other teas).  I'm looking forward to actual tea times this winter.

~Annelise has not been standing up at all; the lazy little thing scoots everywhere on her rump.  She is lightening fast.  I'd started getting concerned that she couldn't bear her weight, so I called some friends who are both PTs, and they checked her out for us.  She's got a bit of low muscle tone in her quads, so they aren't holding her knees steady enough to stand.  They gave me some tricks, and I am amazed at the difference already.  They both said she'll be doing it on her own in no time.  What a relief!  And really, I'm tired of having her clothes being black on the butt at the end of the day, not to mention the sides of her feet being just nasty after a day of scooting.

~The bigs all slept over at Phil's parents' last night for the first time.  They picked them up yesterday morning to go to the zoo, and we got so much accomplished!  Fans are clean, the island is caulked and spackled, birthday invites are being created, the blog is being updated, the laundry room has a new shelf, and the floor is mopped.  There more to do this morning before they get back!  Whew.

I'm hoping to come back to add pictures to this post, but I'm out of time!

7 Quick Takes

1~  We celebrated St. Therese on Friday morning.  It was lovely.  The weather was spectacular for the first time since we've had these parties, and it was our first morning party so the kids loved being outside.  We had French toast, crepes, rose cupcakes, and rose lollipops, and finished the party off at Mass.  The only bad part?  I did not take one picture.  Boo.

2~  Ava went to a party at The "Bullay" Studio on Friday.  She was in Heaven, telling the little girl's mom, "It's just like I imagined!".  Then we went to my brother's football game where she shook her booty to YMCA for anyone willing to watch her.

3~  Yesterday we went to a baby shower for my cousin Claire.  Ava was the gift assistant, and she almost stole the show with her "OH! It's soooooo cute!" after every gift.  Claire really got some lovely gifts, and it was wonderful to see her fabulous six chicks again.


On that note, I crocheted my first hat for Claire's baby, Elise.  It was so fun, mildly frustrating, and a hit with the mama to be.  Here it is:

4~  Mary-Grace called me from a birthday party last night and left a message on the machine.  I will never erase it.  She sounded so very grown up and mature.  Here's the transcript:  "Hi, Mama! I was wondering when you could, um, come pick me and Zoe up.  Call me back soon, but be quick!  Because we're about to watch Jack & the Beanstalk and I really want to watch Fashion Fairytale.  Bye, Mama!  I love you! God bless!"  Cutest thing EVER.


5~  I missed FND this week.  Because of the football game and birthday parties on Saturday night, it just couldn't happen.  I realized just how good for my soul it is.  I'm anxious for this Friday already.


6~  Annelise hit 11 months on Thursday.  I can't believe her first year is coming to a close.  I so enjoyed her baby-ness.  She gave me the gift of two full nights of rest this week!!!  That was a first.  Birthday plans are underway.  I can't wait!


7~  The cool weather does so much for my soul.  The change of seasons brings such thankfulness for so many blessings, amped up prayers for things to come, and smells that I absolutely crave.  Welcome back, Fall!  I'm so glad you came.