Santa's Village

Good Afternoon!!
Yesterday, Jamie took off so that we could do something fun and festive with Sophie Clare. We decided to head to Hunstville. We wanted to go to Bridge Street, it is a beautiful outdoor mall. They have several different places to eat, carousel and paddle boats. We left around 12 and it was raining so the outdoor mall was out of the question. We went to Parkway Place mall and you will never believe it......I FOUND ME SOME JEANS!!! I know I could not believe it either..........I got them a Charlotte Russe for $20!! I was so excited!! When we finished at the mall we went to Michael's , Target and Babies R Us. By this time I was in need of food so we went to TGI Fridays!! YUMMY!! When we finished eating the rain was starting to clear so it was off to Sana's Village. If you have children, you have to take them!! It was great!!

When you walk in there were the gingerbread man and a couple of other characters. Sophie Clare was good as long as they did not touch her. There was a bear and he tried to touch her hand.....she would would just almost shake!!

A beautiful sleigh to have your picture made.

Here we are at the Christmas Tree Farm. If you will notice it was snowing. That to me was the very best part. It's not real snow but it sure did feel like it!! It snowed(soap suds) every 20 mins.

They have several houses set up with different scenes which were really cute.

You could hear a story with Mrs. Clause, decorate cookies, visit Santa and make a craft.

This was one of the many hole in face snowmen.

Old time toys

An Old Time Rhythm Band.

Singing Christmas Carols

REAL REINDEER

Hole in the face Christmas Tree

The only time Sophie Clare let Jamie hold her.

We had so much fun!! This will be a yearly tradition!!

12 month Dr Visit

Yesterday I called the dr to get Sophie Clare's 12 month appointment rescheduled. They had an opening at 10:30, so we hurried to make on time. Sophie Clare was sleepy before we left, I was hoping she would nap on the way but NO she did not. We got back to the room and we stripped down to our diaper.

Joan (nurse) took her to weigh her. She has never cried like this before. Just look at that poor face. She was just snubbing. She weighed 19 lbs and 1 oz.

She was perfect!! She can come off of her formula in the next couple of weeks. We started yeserday trying not to have so many bottles. She did really good. She ate yogurt for breakfast, blackeyed peas, potatoes and cream sauce for lunch and dinner, she had baby food. The dr also told me that she is soon to go through a stage where she will not eat good. She may only eat 1 good meal a day. She is so much like me when it comes to eating. We are what you might call grazers. The doctor asked me the BIG question........HOW IS SHE SLEPPING?? I had to tell him that we are still sleeping together. I just can not bring myself to let her cry.......how in the world do moms do it???? I know I have to do something !!!

She can say mama and dada and that really is about it. She called my dad....da and my brother...da.

She loves to clap her hands, play peek-a-boo and loves when we chase her.

She is walking everywhere, the crawling is history. She is into everything and is somewhat a climber. She is just joy!! Jamie says, I am one of those moms that let there kids do anything and I guess I am within reason!! Right now, she is going through my camera bag, holding my flash. I had better get that from her if she starts walking with it!! lol

I hope you all have a great weekend!!

Just Random

I LOVE PICTURES!!

I have tons of pics that I just want to share with you.

Here are just a few..........ENJOY!!!!

I have several pictures of her in the sleigh. She is about to big for it but she loves getting in it. She will climb in and I push her around the house. One day she sat in it the whole time that I dried my hair, flat ironed my hair and put on my make-up. That was pretty good!!

This is so funny........Sophie Clare LOVES to get under the sink to see what treasures she can find. On this particular day, she found a paint roller. She loved it, she would hold the handle and walk all over the house, rolling it.

The top tooth has finally broke through.

Have I mentioned that I love this girl with my WHOLE heart!!! I can not imagine life without her!!

Have a great night!!

A Nursing Grad

The COMPUTER is BACK working!! Thanks to my great friend Danny!! He is a life-savor...computer genis!! I know that I am a little behind but I plan on catching up quickly!

Last Thurday, we hit the road running and did not stop till Friday night. My sweet, best cousin.....more like a sister graduated from nursing school!! WE ARE SO PROUD!! She graduated from Troy-Montgomery. My mom, Sophie Clare and Betty were in 1 car......Janine, Frank, Johnna and Braden were in another. Sophie Clare did really good! I was really concerned, she usually does not ride very well in a long distance. Sophie Clare snacked a good bit on the way and also had a bottle. We got almost to the pinning and GUESS WHO THROWS UP??? YEP, Sophie Clare.........it was EVERYWHERE. YUCK!!! We changed her clothes and cleaned her up the best we could. She was fine after that, I think she just may have got a little car sick.
Me and Natalie

Braden and Sophie Clare were so good. He he not cute?? I could eat him up!!

Natalie getting pinned by Zac.

We are all so proud!! She is going to be the best nurse!!

My mom and Braden the morning of gaduation. We stayed in Prattville and had to drive to Troy. If you are wondering, it is not a short drive.

Betty and Sophie Clare

WHAAA-WHOO!!! SHE DID IT!!

She was such a good baby!! She just went with the flow.

Sunday night we had a little get together for Natalie, I will post that soon!!

Crashing Monday

MY COMPUTER IS CRASHING!!!

What is a girl to do?? I have tons and tons of pictures on my computer. Jamie had to head to Wal-Mart yesturday and get a memory stick to put them on and I am going to get another one today. I have so much to blog about!! I am doing this quick post at my mom's to let you know that I may not be here daily. I am going to get the computer fixxed ASAP!!

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend!!

OSA Christmas Party

Wednesday was our work Christmas party. They are always so much fun. Last year was the first year that I missed because we were coming home with our sweet baby girl!! This year we had it at the Guntersville State Park Lodge. They took about 2 years and totally redone the whole place. Let me just tell you, it looks great! It is so pretty. It is worth the drive even if you decide not to eat. The view is unbelievable.

Suzi and Vanessa

Me and Amy. When I work my 1 day a week, this is who I work with.

Me and Allison, she is the sweetest!!


Having to capture there on pic!

Patsy....our office manager, she is opening her gift and Dr. D just opened his.

Patsy received really nice jewelry and with then for some reason or another they bought her a santa in a bath tub singing Splish Splash

Bonus Time!! YAY!! This is Dr. Dorsett, he is the dr I work with when I work.

April and Jana

Th Girls

More of the Girls

Ornament swap

I am in such a hurry because Sophie Clare is tugging at my jeans!!

Have a great night!!

Christmas Fun

Sophie Clare's room is finally finished!! Although we still have to do the crown mold, but we have to do that in the hall and the bathroom. That can wait till after Christmas. It is just nice for Jamie to be back in the world with us. He did a fabulous job and his dad would be so proud. I lover her room and so does she. We stay in there all the time. We have such a big play area now. I do need a piece of furniture in there but I am good for now.

As you can see, just a few more details..........blinds and window treatments.

Last night we headed to Gadsden's Christmas parade. Me and my best cousin Natalie always go except for last year.....I was at the NICU with my sweet baby. My aunt, Natalie and Sophie Clare met my brother and sweet niece Emily. This was Em's 1st Christmas. Can you see the excitement on her face. She is so beautiful and has the best personality!! I could eat her up!!

Sophie Clare just woke up and is not to sure why we are standing outside in the cold.

I have always loved going to the Christmas parade but seeing it through a child's eye is totally awesome!!

Sophie Clare kept a close hold on Emily.

This lady has Ms Tammy, Dance and Twirl. I thought I love pink until I saw her.

Sophie Clare was such a sweet girl. She just watched and pointed. I loved every minute.

Miss Alabama

Just look at her face.........she was so excited!!

Sophie Clare is walking more than she is crawling now. I just wanted to share this little video.

It is raining and cold outside, a good night to catch up on my shows.

Monday Oh Monday

It's Monday and the sun is not shining. I have been a busy bee this morning.....washing, mopping, cleaning, you know all that housewife stuff. YUCK!! I will tell you that all I would to do is curl up in the chair with my sweet baby girl and watch a good Christmas movie. I have a ton DVR'd. Hallmark movies are my fave!!

I ran across the cute cards on esty. Flapperdoddles!!

First off I love Sophie Clare to pieces!! She truly makes my world go round!! I love her sweet smile, her busy nature, her sweet kisses, her laugh.........oh I could go on and on!!

HAIR........MY HAIR.......I am so tired of it!! I feel like it has look excactly the SAME forEVER!! I so would LOVE to have a NEW cut but WHAT!! I search on the net and I see nothing. I want somthing that is sassy yet classy.......easy to fix........I know I am trying to live in a perfect hair world. HEHE I would love for someone to shout out some suggestions!!

I am SO SO excited about the OSA Christmas party this week!! I have not seen some of these girls in a while and we all have the best time together!! I can not wait!!

I think I have become either to picky or stores just do not have anything. I love Forever 21 and I can always find something in there and NOTHING.........everything was either WAY to short........sure you can put on tights and it looks longer but with a baby bending over that does not work not matter what!! Everthing looks like you are going to the club or way to old. I will tell you I have never had an issue with dressing myself till now and CHURCH...I have nothing....I know I know, Jesus does not care and I know that it is not important but I feel like I wear the same thing over and over!!

I would love to know where you shop!!

Christmas Parade to night I so hope that it does not rain!!

Have a great and wonderful Monday!!

I love all of my blog readers!!

Be sure to check back tomorrow for the revailing of Sophie Clare's new addition!! Sarah over at Our Cozy Robbins Nest made me think that I had not even updated you guys on it and I am so sorry about that!!

All I Want For Christmas

Friday, Jamie took off early so that we could try and get some Christmas shopping done. Plus my mom and dad were doing a craft show in Trussville. We stopped by there 1st and I got a really cute outfit for Sophie Clare. I can not wait for her to wear it!! Then we headed to Target....OH HOW I LOVE THAT STORE!! Now it was time to go to the Galleria. It is just so festive! Sophie Clare was so good and loved all the lights! We got home around 8 or 8:30. Sophie Clare took a nap on the way home and she was ready to play!!

This is what she did over and over and over. Get in the basket full of toys, sit down, get out and do it all over again!

Apparently this is her new thing, because Saturday morning I found her sitting in her books.

Then she thought she would try to ride the choo choo train.

I love this face. I promise, I kiss this face 1o,ooo times a day!! If you look really close, you can see the shadow of those 2 top teeth. All she wants for Christmas is her 2 front teeth....la la la la.

I think she is going to look so different with those teeth in.

I guess that wraps it up!! I hope everyone has a great week!! I have a very busy week ahead!! I will be blogging as much as possible!

Did Santa Come

Hello All!

Let me just say for the past 2 days we have not been out of the house except for church last night and we rode with Jamie to Albertville. Can you say bums?? It has just been cold and I love Christmas movies. I have several dvr'd and when Sophie Clare naps, that what I do. It is wonderful to snuggle with a sweet baby girl on a cold Winter's day.

This afternoon, I went into the kitchen to start dinner. I left Sophie Clare in the living roon watching Faith Baby Christmas. I kept hearing something tear.......like paper. I peeked around the corner and to my surprise Sophie Clare was opening one of her gifts. I have never kept gifts under my tree, but I had bought Sophie Clare and Gracie Ruth a Lee Middleton baby. The store had gift wrapped them so I just set them under the tree. Never would I have thought that Sophie Clare would have tried to get into them. Here are some of the cute pics I got of her. Needless to say she seem pretty happy about the baby!!

Giving the baby a kiss!!

I hope you all have a blessed day!!

Yummy Cake plus a Cute Baby

Happy Wednesday!!

Finally Sophie Clare is feeling tons better. She actually slept beside me most of the night instead of on top of me. That is a huge improvement. When she got up, we headed to he room to remove all of her toys out of her new room. WHY, you ask?? Sophie Clare was going to get to dig in her cake. After her morning nap she was happy as could be, so it was time to dig in!! I know I have been giving you a picture overload but it is just so hard to pick a few.
She was more excited about the balloons at first.

Mommy, can I really put my hands it??

Forget the cake, I am going back to play with the balloons.

Then she got a real taste of it and she LOVED it!!

You want a bite??

She had the best time digging in her cake.

Another Look Back

It's My Party

Saturday morning we woke up and Sophie Clare seem to be feeling much better until later that afternoon. She started running a fever again and she had a white bump on her gum. Jamie was gone to pick up the cake and I just was not sure how I was going to manage getting myself ready with a baby that did not want me to put her down. I know she felt bad, you could just see it in her little face. Finally, we made it to the church to finish up loose ends. Before everyone got there, Sophie Clare gave us a few smiles but later all she wanted to do was lay her head down.

When Jamie got to the bakery to pick up the cake, you will never believe what the top said.........Happy 1st Birthday Sophie...........WHAT?? I told Jamie they needed to add Clare and there was not enough room so they were sweet enough to take it off!! :)

They had this one the same way but had enough room to add Clare......Clare not Claire....so I ate the I!! HEHE Considering that Sophie Clare did not feel up to eating her cake, we are going to to a eat it this week when she is feeling better!!

I am so awful, I almost forgot that we needed to sing to Sophie Clare. We stuck her candle in Jamie's cake. Bless her heart, she so did not care.

She recieved tons of wonderful gifts! Thank you so much for thinking of my sweet baby girl.

I let Emily do the opening.

Even though she did not feel good, she really seems curious about all of her gifts.

When we got home, Chris and the family stopped by for a min. After they left Sophie Clare had a little fever and just wanted to lay around. She slept for about 3 hours and when she woke up she felt great. We headed to her room and open all the gift. We played with each and everyone.

She was so excited!!

Finally at 11:30, Sophie Clare went to sleep.

Happy Birthday Sophie Clare

November 29. 2008

We got to the hospital on the 28th around 11:30 pm and like I mentioned I was already dilated to an 8. Finally everyone got a move on. They hooked me up and Sophie Clare was doing great, she was just ready to make her debut. I was a little concerned that I was not going get my epidural, they were going to have to try and get it in between contractions. I was so scared that I would not be able to be still, but they GOT IT!! YAY!! I began to feel better imeditaly. Now, it was just time to wait. We called my brother and sis-n-law over and over.......we did not get them till morning. They had turned there ringer off. My Aunt Janine and Natalie headed on down. They got there in plenty of time. I think that this was the quitest I have ever been. I just could not believe that my baby girl was coming. They let my water break on it's on, they said if they had to do it, I would have a harder time. Well, it broke, it was time for Sophie Clare to come into the world. .........................................................She weighed 4lbs 13oz and 17in long. She was so little and had a sweet pointy head. She was heathly as could be except for she did a little grunting noise that was sweet but she was not supposed to do it. If she continued, they would have to take her to the NICU and watch her. If you remember me saying, we left with nothing. Jamie had to go home and get what we needed. Bless his heart, I know he was give out.

My mom got to hold her a lot that day, I was just so weak. When Jamie got back Sophie Clare was already at the NICU. I was so sad. I just wanted my sweet baby by my side. I had said before I had her, I WOULD NEVER PUT HER DOWN. Needless to say I have not.

Here she is in the NICU, it is so sad that she came out of a snuggle belly to have to lay all by herself. She stopped her grunting that night!! That was a good thing. They had to give her antibotics for caution and that meant she would have to stay for at least 3 days.

Then she became jaundice........I hate that!!! I thought her levels would NEVER GO DOWN!! Everyday, we would go in just praying that she would be out from under that light.

When I took this picture, I thought it was the sweetest ever and she was sweet but she just has a sad look on her face! She wanted to be home with her mommy and daddy!!

I lived for feeding times, it was our bonding time!



Oh the billy blanket....finnally, we were getting close to the level they wanted her at!!

Our first night with her, I was so excited!! I could not wait to put her in the bed!! She was still hooked up on the heart moniter but at least she was with us. We did not get much sleep that night, she woke up about every 2 hours.

I did not stay in Birmingham while she was in the NICU, but we drove down every day. My mom, Jamie and Angie all went with me. I remember one day, Jamie and I went to get some lunch and head home.......I cried all through lunch, I did not want to leave my baby girl so we ended up staying and going to the next visit.

There is NO turning back now, we are headed home after about a 10 day stay at the NICU!

1 month

2 months

3 months

4 months

5 months

6 months

7months

8 months


9 months

10 months

11 months

12 months

I would love to type a ton more but my sweet baby girl is sick on her birthday. I am going to take this week to look back on the 1st year of Sophie Clare's little life. We are so blessed to have a beautiful and healthy baby girl.

I hope you have had a great weekend!!

November 28,2008

November 28, 2008

Here is just a little bit of what happened the 28th of November, last year. It was Black Friday and I always go shopping but not last year. I was 35 weeks preggo and I did not feel good at all. Jamie had a canoeing trip planned , he was sweet enough to help me get my Christmas stuff out, so that I could decorate and not be bored. I got my tree up and I noticed that my thighs were hurting, I would have to sit down for a min and I would get right back up. Seems like I did that over and over. Later my mom, aunt and Natalie wanted me to ride to Boaz with them. Oh how I did not feel like it but I went anyway. I would sit down in stores and in the car I would just rub on my thighs. They would hurt so bad. I hated to complain but it really hurt. I never called Jamie about my legs hurting, what could he have done floating down a creek. He finally got home and I told him about me hurting. He asked me if I thought it was gas.........EYE ROLL!! Maybe, I did not know. Finally we called the dr and the nurse told me to take some Tylenol, drink a big glass of water, soak in the bath and then lay. She wanted me to call her back in a hour if the pain did not stop. I did everything she told me and it just kept hurting. I looked like a crazy person rubbing my legs, I would ever hit them with my fist. LOL...I know that sounds crazy. I called her back and she said I needed to come to Birmingham and they needed to check me. I hated so bad to drive and hour away.........1 reason, Jamie was beat. 2nd what if it was gas and they sent me home??? I asked if I could go to a local hospital and they said no. So, we called my mom and dad, they came and got us. I did not get a thing but my pillow and my purse. We headed out and the pain just seem to be getting closer and closer. I could not breath out of my nose so my mouth was so dry. I needed something to drink, I asked them to stop and get me some water. We stopped at the Wal-Mart in Springville, my mom jumped out and got the water, left the change........You would not believe how small the bottle of water was but I made it last all the way to St. Vincents.........Where babies come from?? We got there, went up the elevator and guess what.....ALL OF THE LIGHTS WERE OFF AND THERE WAS NO ONE TO BE SEEN EXCEPT FOR A CLEANING LADY. My mother said we need help, the cleaning lady wanted to get me a wheel chair........heck I could walk faster than they could get a wheel chair. Finally we found where we needed to go, I had to sign my name and I am just not sure they were taking us to serious. The nurse told me to get undressed and put on my gown. As the nurse checked me, she said you are 7-8....WHAT?? I had been in labor the whole time.

I know that I have ramble through this. My sweet baby has been a little under the weather, so I am typing as fast as I can.

Please stay tuned!!