We are just a little over two hours away from the end of 2011. I am sad to see it go because it has been such an amazing year for me and our family.
To briefly sum up the year...
- Got to see that lovely word that I was waiting, praying and hoping for... "Pregnant!"
- Was really really sick with morning (all day) sickness for more than half my pregnancy
- Found out we were having a sweet little girl!
- Went to Mexico for a Babymoon
- Had horrible pelvic pain
- My tummy grew and grew, and I loved every second
- Went back to Walt Disney World, the most magical place on earth
- Libby Anne came into the world 4.5 weeks early - what a miracle and blessing!
- Spent 9 days in the Special Care Unit with our precious little angel
- Watched in awe and amazement as our little girl grows and changes
- Absolutely loving being a Mommy to my little princess
2011 will always be special to me. However, I am certain that 2012 will hold many new adventures to enjoy.
Happy New Year!
Our Family
Saturday, December 31, 2011
She is back! (kind of)
Libby Anne slept last night! REALLY slept! She went from 10:30pm to 9:30am without eating.
Unfortunately she still struggled with getting to sleep. But once she was asleep, she did great! Hopefully tonight will be a little better as far as getting to sleep easier and earlier.
In other news, Libby Anne is taking her first nap in her big girl crib in her nursery. Of course, I am sitting right here next to her to keep checking on her... but so far she is sleeping soundly!
(excuse the lack of quality of the picture... I took it with my cell phone)
I am not ready for her to grow up anymore. She is 14 weeks old tomorrow and I am still in denial that she is getting bigger. Some of her 0-3 month clothes are too short for her now, but I still haven't packed away her preemie or newborn clothes yet. They are all still sitting in her closet even though they haven't been touched for weeks or months. There is something about actually packing them up that makes me sad. Sometimes I really miss my itty bitty Libby Anne who needed me 24 hours a day.
Unfortunately she still struggled with getting to sleep. But once she was asleep, she did great! Hopefully tonight will be a little better as far as getting to sleep easier and earlier.
In other news, Libby Anne is taking her first nap in her big girl crib in her nursery. Of course, I am sitting right here next to her to keep checking on her... but so far she is sleeping soundly!
(excuse the lack of quality of the picture... I took it with my cell phone)
I am not ready for her to grow up anymore. She is 14 weeks old tomorrow and I am still in denial that she is getting bigger. Some of her 0-3 month clothes are too short for her now, but I still haven't packed away her preemie or newborn clothes yet. They are all still sitting in her closet even though they haven't been touched for weeks or months. There is something about actually packing them up that makes me sad. Sometimes I really miss my itty bitty Libby Anne who needed me 24 hours a day.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Where did she go?
Where did my sweet little girl who slept hours and hours at night go?
The past couple nights have been rough. Libby Anne has really struggled going to sleep and staying asleep. I am not sure if it is a growth spurt, her acid reflux acting up, or that she is just over-tired. Hopefully she will go back to sleeping well soon.
Tonight she went to sleep without wanting to eat much at all. I am guessing she will be up shortly to eat. Only time will tell....
The past couple nights have been rough. Libby Anne has really struggled going to sleep and staying asleep. I am not sure if it is a growth spurt, her acid reflux acting up, or that she is just over-tired. Hopefully she will go back to sleeping well soon.
Tonight she went to sleep without wanting to eat much at all. I am guessing she will be up shortly to eat. Only time will tell....
Monday, December 26, 2011
Merry Christmas
It is hard to believe that last year this time, we were hoping for a little Libby Anne, but she wasn't in my belly yet. Now, a year later, we have the most precious little girl we could ask for!
We had a wonderful First Christmas with Libby Anne. It was busy, but Libby Anne did great with all the excitement and running around.
On Christmas Eve we went to Rick's parents' house for dinner after Rick got off of work. Unfortunately, on the way, we witnessed a really bad accident right in front of us. The at fault driver had an eight month old baby in the car with her. It really hit home for me because I cannot imagine being in an accident with Libby Anne in the car. I would be beyond terrified. However, I would not have driving intoxicated without my baby's car seat appropriately attached to the vehicle like this lady did... but I digress.
The situation really made me take a break from the hustle and bustle of the holiday and count my blessings. I am so thankful for my family and that we are all healthy and happy.
After standing out in the freezing cold comforting and holding someone else's baby for about 45 minutes, we headed to spend time with Rick's family. We had lots of goodies to eat and spent some time together before heading home for the night.
Santa came to visit our house that night! We had stockings so full they were overflowing.
We woke up at 5:45am so that we could get all of our Christmas presents opened before church. Libby Anne slept through the night again and I had to wake her up for Christmas. Needless to say, we were all a little sleepy.
Libby Anne's first stocking:
Alli's stocking:
After we finished our stockings, we headed downstairs to our Christmas tree.
Here are just a few of our favorite presents.
I surprised Rick with a picture frame from the Disney parks with a picture of Libby Anne in a cute little Minnie ears hat.
Alli said one of her favorite presents was her pillow pet (she has been asking for one for a couple years now, and at 14 yrs old she still wanted one... so she got one this year)
She also really liked her owl hat
Libby Anne really enjoyed watching us open gifts and looking at the Christmas tree. She got lots of books, a couple hats, several toys that light up and make noises, and some clothes
I had my eye on this outfit for Libby Anne for a couple months, but couldn't bring myself to pay all the money for it. Rick was able to find it on sale and surprised me by giving it to Libby Anne for Christmas. It actually made me cry because it was so thoughtful of him.
A couple of my favorite gifts were a heart necklace with two stones in it (one is my birthstone and one is Libby Anne's birthstone) and a calendar that Rick made me with lots of pictures of Libby Anne!
Libby Anne got tired and decided to take her morning nap in the middle of present time...
We had a wonderful service at church and then headed to Rick's parents' house for Christmas with them.
Adorable North Face coat from Rick's parents
My parents and my younger brothers came to visit that evening for dinner and some time together.
We had an absolutely amazing Christmas this year. We are so blessed to have such wonderful families. Libby Anne's first Christmas was definitely a special day.
We had a wonderful First Christmas with Libby Anne. It was busy, but Libby Anne did great with all the excitement and running around.
On Christmas Eve we went to Rick's parents' house for dinner after Rick got off of work. Unfortunately, on the way, we witnessed a really bad accident right in front of us. The at fault driver had an eight month old baby in the car with her. It really hit home for me because I cannot imagine being in an accident with Libby Anne in the car. I would be beyond terrified. However, I would not have driving intoxicated without my baby's car seat appropriately attached to the vehicle like this lady did... but I digress.
The situation really made me take a break from the hustle and bustle of the holiday and count my blessings. I am so thankful for my family and that we are all healthy and happy.
After standing out in the freezing cold comforting and holding someone else's baby for about 45 minutes, we headed to spend time with Rick's family. We had lots of goodies to eat and spent some time together before heading home for the night.
Santa came to visit our house that night! We had stockings so full they were overflowing.
We woke up at 5:45am so that we could get all of our Christmas presents opened before church. Libby Anne slept through the night again and I had to wake her up for Christmas. Needless to say, we were all a little sleepy.
Libby Anne's first stocking:
Alli's stocking:
After we finished our stockings, we headed downstairs to our Christmas tree.
Here are just a few of our favorite presents.
I surprised Rick with a picture frame from the Disney parks with a picture of Libby Anne in a cute little Minnie ears hat.
Alli said one of her favorite presents was her pillow pet (she has been asking for one for a couple years now, and at 14 yrs old she still wanted one... so she got one this year)
She also really liked her owl hat
Libby Anne really enjoyed watching us open gifts and looking at the Christmas tree. She got lots of books, a couple hats, several toys that light up and make noises, and some clothes
I had my eye on this outfit for Libby Anne for a couple months, but couldn't bring myself to pay all the money for it. Rick was able to find it on sale and surprised me by giving it to Libby Anne for Christmas. It actually made me cry because it was so thoughtful of him.
A couple of my favorite gifts were a heart necklace with two stones in it (one is my birthstone and one is Libby Anne's birthstone) and a calendar that Rick made me with lots of pictures of Libby Anne!
Libby Anne got tired and decided to take her morning nap in the middle of present time...
We had a wonderful service at church and then headed to Rick's parents' house for Christmas with them.
Adorable North Face coat from Rick's parents
My parents and my younger brothers came to visit that evening for dinner and some time together.
We had an absolutely amazing Christmas this year. We are so blessed to have such wonderful families. Libby Anne's first Christmas was definitely a special day.
Three Months Old!
What she loves:
* smiling and giggling
* "tell stories," especially when she is laying on her changing table
* sleeping in her Rock N Play - she has slept through the night 4 nights in a row now!
* her activity mat- she does lots of kicking, reaching and cooing
* Jacks
* lots of cuddles with Mommy and Daddy
* bath time and story time every night
* Mommy singing to her
* Christmas lights
What she doesn't like so much:
* having her nose wiped (she has had a cold for a couple weeks now, it is so pitiful)
~ I asked Rick if he could think of anything else she doesn't like, and he responded "ummm no, she is a really happy baby. There isn't much she doesn't like. She only cries when she is tired"
Daily Life with Libby Anne: I am really loving every second I have with Libby Anne. We spend lots of time talking to and smiling at each other. She also likes to sing and dance around the house. We have been doing really well her bedtime routine every night (bath, pajamas, eat, story time, prayers, sing a lullaby, then bed) and she has started sleeping through the night!
Milestones this month: Libby Anne is growing up so quickly. Sleeping through the night has been a huge milestone for us. She is holding her head up very well and is trying to sit up on her own now too. She is smiling more and more and her little giggle is the cutest thing in the world.
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Saturday, December 24, 2011
Toffee Chipster Cookies
These are one of Rick and Alli's favorite cookies that I make. I have to admit, they are pretty yummy!
I have a helper again!
Ingredients
Sugar Cookie Dough
1 1/2 cups butter, softened
2 cups white sugar
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
** OR 2 rolls of pre-made sugar cookie dough **
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 bag (8 oz) toffee baking bits (Heath bar)
Directions
Sugar Cookie Dough
In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour.
** Or you can use 2 rolls of pre-made sugar cookie dough **
1. Preheat oven at 350 degrees F. Lightly grease cookie sheets.
2. Let dough sit out at room temperature for 15 minutes.
3. Stir white chocolate chips and toffee bits into the dough.
4. Place spoonfuls of dough on cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Cool completely
I have a helper again!
Ingredients
Sugar Cookie Dough
1 1/2 cups butter, softened
2 cups white sugar
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
** OR 2 rolls of pre-made sugar cookie dough **
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 bag (8 oz) toffee baking bits (Heath bar)
Directions
Sugar Cookie Dough
In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour.
** Or you can use 2 rolls of pre-made sugar cookie dough **
1. Preheat oven at 350 degrees F. Lightly grease cookie sheets.
2. Let dough sit out at room temperature for 15 minutes.
3. Stir white chocolate chips and toffee bits into the dough.
4. Place spoonfuls of dough on cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Cool completely
Mint Chocolate Cake Batter Cookies
I really should change the name to "Pick Your Poison Chocolate Cake Batter Cookies" because honestly, you can put whatever treat you would like in these little pieces of heaven. They would be delicious with peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, and if you are a nut kind of person, they would probably be good with nuts also.
I picked mint chocolate because that is my Dad's favorite. Dad, I think you are going to love these!
Ingredients:
yields: ~36 cookies
1 box chocolate cake mix
1 tsp baking powder
2 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup Andes mint chocolate baking chips (or whatever your poison may be)
Directions:
1- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
2-In a medium bowl, stir together the cake mix and baking powder. Add eggs and oil, then mix until well blended.
3-Stir in mint chocolate baking chips (or your poison of choice).
4-Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets.
5- Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Alli approves:
Libby Anne didn't last long:
I picked mint chocolate because that is my Dad's favorite. Dad, I think you are going to love these!
Ingredients:
yields: ~36 cookies
1 box chocolate cake mix
1 tsp baking powder
2 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup Andes mint chocolate baking chips (or whatever your poison may be)
Directions:
1- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
2-In a medium bowl, stir together the cake mix and baking powder. Add eggs and oil, then mix until well blended.
3-Stir in mint chocolate baking chips (or your poison of choice).
4-Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets.
5- Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Alli approves:
Libby Anne didn't last long:
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