Oh the Places You'll Go....

Dear Paisley, 

    Last week you went on your first airplane! You were great, of course. All of the people on the plane commented on how pretty you are and how well you behaved. We went to Virginia for your second cousin's , Jessica, wedding. Mommy made the wedding and groom's cake and Grammie Suzanne and Grammie Nola took care of you. At the wedding we got to see a bunch of distant relatives, and they all wanted to hold you- I barely even saw you the whole day! Aunt Janet, Grammie Nola's sister, made you a very special bear and brought it to the wedding. It is made from your great great grandmother's quilts. It's just beautiful.

Chillin' in the airport.

                          

At the Wedding

   While we were in Virginia, we went to a water park at Massanutten. You were neither here nor there about the water, but very happy all day. They had little swings you could bounce around in and the water in the baby area was shallow enough that you could even sit down. Grammie Suzanne went on a water slide! You'll have to ask her about it some time.  We stayed in Virginia for about a week so daddy was very anxious to see us, well probably mainly you. We used the ipad to talk to him via video chat so we could see him while we were gone. He is an amazing daddy and husband- we are blessed!

  You're very curious these days, wanting to check everything out. You can barely eat your bottle because you want to see what's going on. On Wednesday daddy and I gave you some oatmeal cereal. You did really well and seemed to enjoy it. We will try some new things in a few days.

   You say mama all the time now, especially when you wake up from your naps. In general, you talk a lot, carrying on conversations as if you were an adult. I love it. I love everything about you! I miss you when I'm away from you for any length of time. You are my precious Paisley and I love you so so much!

Love,

  Mommy

Beach Days

My Sweetheart, 

    On Monday we went with Jen, Andy, and Jen's parents to a condo down in Gulf Shores. It was your first beach trip. You didn't cry or fuss at all- inside the condo or at the beach or pool. You were so cute and so fun! Truly a precious, sweet girl. Oh! And Jen found out a couple weeks ago that she and Andy are having triplets! Can you believe it? Lots of little playmates for you! Exciting!!

Love you, 

  Mommy
    

Baby Dedication and Mother's Day

Dear Paisley,

       This past week we had baby dedication, and it was also Mother's Day. On Saturday we went to a little ceremony where Daddy and Mommy dedicated you to the Lord and promised to love you enough to raise you according to how the Bible instructs us. Then on Sunday we went before the church and asked the congregation to join us in committing to raised you how the Lord tells us. It certainly was a sweet time. Daddy and I love you more than ever. I never knew a child could bring so much joy, but you make us so very happy and we are so thankful that the Lord blessed us with you. 

We also started what we hope will become a Mother's Day tradition- Disney on Ice. You are almost 5 months old, and even though you haven't actually seen any Disney movies, you did seem to enjoy the lights and music.  You fell asleep before the end, but it was still a fun time and a great memory.

Love you so much,

Mommy

And so it begins...

     I don't expect to be a size zero ever, let alone 5 months after I've had a baby, but my "no sugar allowed" diet (let's call it a life change) starts today. I've done this once before for a 3 month span. I lost 17 pounds, but most importantly, I had no back trouble. I have chronic back issues that have worsened through pregnancy and this year. I need to lose 30 pounds and I need my back to work. I won't be posting a "before" picture at least until there is an "after", but I am 5' 10" and weigh 179 as of today- not good! I weighed in at 201 when I went to the hospital to have Paisley. Keep in mind that I ate everything I could 20 minutes before they weighed me because they don't let you eat before you have a baby. Ok, so the number is not fun to admit, but I think we can all agree that putting something on paper is helpful for success. My goal is to weigh between 145 and 150. I was that weight from age 12 until I went on birth control a month before my wedding. I don't care if a doctor thinks birth control can cause weight gain or not- it can. So here we go. I'll keep you posted.

We could call this my before and maybe I'll reveal the swim suit pic when I'm down 30:

December 19, 2011