Fall with a Daughter

Sorry for my crazy long blog hiatus friends!  I didn't really do it on purpose.  Sometimes life just gets in the way, huh?  

We've been out of town and busy, busy, busy so I have lots of updates for you!  First up...apple picking!

Matt and I go apple picking every year and I was so excited to share it this year with our daughter.  As an aside, want to know something weird?  It still feels unreal to me to say "daughter" and know she's mine.  I have a daughter.  When will that sentence not feel like a dream?  I mean, the girl is 9 months old!

We ended up venturing out on a weekend that was a little cold and wet...but we still had a great time and came away with a ton of apples.  Good thing they keep well!  I have them coming out of my ears!

Girl looks more and more like her daddy every single day.  

We let Natalie try some of an apple and she didn't seem too impressed.  Apparently since she has some in her oatmeal almost every day she could have cared less it was fresh from the tree.  Girl is our child for sure.

Winner, Winner!

Hey y'all!

Thanks so much to everyone who entered my digital scrapbooking giveaway from My Memories!

And the winner is...

 

Charity! 

Congrats Charity!  Shoot me an e-mail and I'll give you the instructions on how you download your software FOR FREE!

Hope y'all have a lovely rest of your weekend!!

How I Survived A Raccoon

Giveaway!  Here!  Check it out!  Ending Soon!

So this raccoon.

Y'all.

Okay.  Let's start from the beginning.  Matt and I were venturing out to Gatlinburg around maybe 8-8:30 p.m. one evening.  We had one of those cabins with the walk around porches, you know?  So we were making our way around the back to the stairs where all of the cars were parked.  I heard something coming from the dumpster that was at the bottom of the stairs.  Sure enough, I see two little eyes poking out staring back at me.  Like a freak, I take off running back into the cabin.  I may have even screamed "holy shit" several times, most definitely loud enough for my in laws to hear me.  Score one for daughter in law of the year.

I retold the craziness of my encounter with the raccoon, psyched myself up (with the knowledge that the only thing standing between me and my fudge was that little beady eyed bastard), and headed back outside. 

We made our way slowly to the stairs when suddenly the raccoon jumped out of the dumpster and started after us!  I ran to the other side of the cabin and found myself at a dead end.  Matt was close behind me trying to shoo the monster away with what I believe was a fleece hoodie.  Very intimidating.  Apparently this raccoon had no intentions of backing down as it continued to back us into a corner.  So I did what any sane person would do.  I jumped up onto the railing and jumped off the cabin. 

Technically, Matt jumped off first.  And I thought to myself, "Okay.  I guess we're really jumping!"  And then I jumped. 

I'm not sure how to describe how high we were.  But it was high enough that you had to think twice about jumping for fear of hurting yourself, but not high enough that you wouldn't do it.  I contemplated jumping on one of the cars but I figured a huge ass print on my FIL's Infiniti would not be the best present to give.  Especially after the "holy shit" incident.

We ran to the car, jumped inside, and had ourselves a good laugh about how crazy it was.  I mean, we were chased by a raccoon!  And we jumped off of our cabin!  Too funny.  Unfortunately I came away with two scraped knees to prove it.

When we got back, we found out our little friend had made it's way onto the porch and brushed up against Matt's cousin's leg!  And if you can believe it, he thought it was a cat!  Ah!  After everyone was finally inside, the raccoon stood outside the sliding glass door, peering into our cabin for most of the night.  Needless to say, it was a good thing I wasn't there to witness that. 

Now I know these little guys must be accustomed to having people around all the time, but come on.  Is that really normal?  Eek!  It gives me the heebie jeebies just thinking about it!

Rocky Top Tennessee

Seriously peeps, check out what I'm giving away this week!

A few weeks ago Natalie and I took our first solo plane ride into Nashville to visit my aunt and uncle.  We had an absolute blast there.  We spent Monday-Wednesday with them in their gorgeous home and soaked up all of our one on one time with them that we could.  I cannot tell you how incredibly these two are.  Do you have those people in your life that you know God hand picked just for you?  Well these two are it for me.  I didn't come from a truly Godly home, but the best decision my parents ever made in terms of my faith was choosing these two as my godparents.  And I'm thrilled Natalie will have them as her examples as well.

before we left for the airport

view from our room onto the golf course

We took nightly walks with their dog Kali, ordered pizza, ate chocolate dipped strawberries, Skyped with my sweet, mama-to-be cousin in South Korea, and just relaxed.  Do you know what a weird feeling it is during nap time not to have something to clean or cook or someone to call?  It was amazing.

this is how Natalie sleeps...head right in the corner...every.single.night.

Thursday, Matt flew into Nashville and we made the drive into Gatlinburg.  His side of the family rented a cabin and we all stayed together.  It was...interesting.  I mean, don't get me wrong, it was lovely to see everyone and I am so glad Natalie got to spend time with her extended family.  But seriously, we did nothing.  All these people want to do is sit in a cabin all day and talk.  Call me crazy but if I'm going to drive my booty all the way to Gatlinburg, I'm going to at least go into the city and get myself some freaking fudge.  So after we put Natalie to bed on Saturday evening, Matt and I headed out by ourselves.  I got fudge, wine, and ended up having just the best night with my hubby.  And let me just add that after I have wine, I am much more open to just sitting around and talking.  Win, win people.  Win, win.

 every good road trip needs a stop at Shoney's right?

 

 someone is rapidly growing out of her clothes...

Our last day we did head out to the outlet mall and enjoyed a full day of shopping.  Somehow only Natalie and Matt ended up with anything.  Not sure how that happened.  Why do moms always get the shaft?  Hm.  We made the drive back to Nashville on Sunday (holy traffic Gatlinburg!) and flew back to Cleveland on Monday.  Although we had some serious travel issues (i.e. flight being delayed then cancelled...and 16 hours of traveling) we made it home in one piece.  My sweetie did develop her first cold when we were away and is still suffering from a runny nose.  And to top it off, we have tooth number 4 coming in.  When it rains it pours, huh?

Matt's sundae.  Perhaps we should've gone with the regular?

And coming up...how I was almost killed by a raccoon.  And no I am not lying. 

8 Months Old!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway.  Your odds...they're really good :)

My sweet girl, you are 8 months old!  I just cannot believe how quickly you are growing up.  Every day I turn around and you are another month older, doing something new, and growing like a weed.  You amaze me, sweet pea, with all of the things you have learned and I am so thankful to be here for each step of your journey.  

 

You are wearing mostly 9-12 month clothes and size 3 diapers.  You're still nursing 4 times a day with two solid meals a day.  And as usual, you're sleeping like a champ.  You're down by 7 and up again between 6:30-8...only to eat and go back down.  You also nap twice during the day, both of which last 30-45 minutes.

We've started you on a sippy cup with some water for practice.  You have completely mastered getting the water out but don't really understand the concept of leaning your head back to get to it.  Mommy holds it up for you and you drop your hands and make me feed you.  Lazy girl...

 

Since you were getting so big, we switched out your infant carrier for your big girl car seat.  You really seem to like it!  You're also sitting in highchairs and the shopping cart like a big girl.  We cannot go anywhere without someone commenting about how beautiful and happy you are.  A smile rarely leaves your face.  Your Daddy and I are so thankful you are such a happy girl! 

The only time you fuss is when you're tired.  And fuss isn't really the best word.  More like scream.  You're completely fine and then suddenly it's like a switch turned on and you MUST GO TO BED RIGHT THIS SECOND OR I'M GOING TO KEEP SCREAMING LIKE A MANIAC.  Your favorite place to do this is in restaurants.  We love that.

You are scooting around like crazy these days!  If anything is on the floor, it's fair game for you.  You've mastered a type of army crawl and can get to anything you want.  You can get on your knees but then fall to the floor and pull yourself forward with just your arms.  It's quite the sight.

You're very much into blowing raspberries and love when we do it to you.  You're new favorite toy (besides Sophie of course) is your Taggie ball.  Girl, you cannot get enough of tags.  I don't get it but you seem to find them everywhere.  You've also started clapping this month!  You've been banging toys together for a while so I knew it was only a matter of time before you dropped them and just used your hands. 

We've been working on a few signs this month (milk, eat, all done) but I'm not sure you get what I'm doing.  You have signed milk a few time when you are actually nursing...but it looks more like you're just opening and closing your fist for fun.  Who knows?  Maybe I'm not giving you enough credit. 

Your top tooth came in giving you three now!  You look like such a little lady with all those teeth.  Gone are the days of your gummy smiles.  

 

We tried out Little Gym this month and you seemed to really have a good time.  Mommy is planning on taking you back sometime next year when you can be more interactive.  We pretty much do all of the activities at home already.

You graduated and moved up to a new nursery at church.  You're with all these walking, crawling kids and not with the babies anymore.  Mama had a hard time with the transition.  I have no idea how I am going to handle actually sending you to school.  Where's my baby?!?

Your Aunt Jessi and Uncle Dave came to visit you over Labor Day and you had so much fun!  They were so sweet to you and it was nice to have some new company over.  We took a trip back to Indy for a quick weekend visit and you did so well.  I'm glad you sleep well in your pack 'n play.  That sure does make traveling so much easier.  And when we were there you got your first ride in a park swing!  Oh that smile!  You and Mommy also flew down to Nashville all by ourselves to visit Aunt Tami and Uncle Dale.  To say you were perfect on the plane would even be an understatement.  It could not have been easier.  Unfortunately, our plane trip led to your first cold which you are still getting over.  Everyone should buy stock in Boogies Wipes the way we're going through them over here.  

We're creeping closer and closer to your first birthday, little one, and I am filled with so many emotions.  I'm so happy you are growing into a beautiful, happy, sweetie pie of a girl.  But I long for my little, squishy newborn sometimes.  But I chose to be joyful through all of your days and thank God for every second we get to spend together.  

I could not love you more baby girl.  God gave me the sweetest, most precious gift when He blessed me with you.  You fill my heart with such love I sometimes feel like it with burst.  

Love you baby,

Mommy

Digital Scrapbooking GIVEAWAY!

The lovely people at My Memories recently contacted me to review their digital scrapbooking software.  With it, you are able to create scrapbook layouts, photo books, cards, videos...all sorts of neat things.  I had just started working on a photo book for Natalie's first year so this software came at the perfect time.

I was able to download it right to my computer in just minutes.  Although I was a little intimidated by all of the choices I had at first, I do think the software is very user friendly.  I used one of their templates and whipped up this little keepsake of my sweetie in no time.  I was able to add photos, text, and other embellishments to the pages.  Instead of doing just a scrapbook, I decided to go ahead and make it into a video and add Natalie's favorite tune at the moment.  This song is on repeat at our house as it's the only way I can get her to eat her vegetables...funny...seeing as it's a song about fruit.  So, what do you think?

Likey??  Well y'all are in luck!  I'm giving away a copy of this software FOR FREE!  It's $40 on their website so this is a serious steal people.  Want to get your hands on this?  Here's what you need to do:

1.  Visit their website and tell me what your favorite digital paper pack or layout is.
2.  That's it.

I really hate those giveaways that make you go to Facebook, Twitter, and every other social media site on the planet to enter.  So I won't make you do that.  If you would like to visit their blog, Facebook page, or follow them on Twitter...go for it!  But you don't have to in order to win.  You love me, right?

So comment away my friends!  I'll choose a winner randomly on Sunday, October 2nd.  Good luck!

Disclaimer:  I received a free download of the software in exchange for my honest review of the material.

Happy 4 Years...

Happy Anniversary sweetie.  I can't imagine being on this journey with anyone else.  

Yours Forever,

Jenny