School's out for SUMMER!

Today was my first official day of summer break.  I got a few things done and spent most of my day playing with "V" and loving on her.  I actually got to go work out at 6 AM and then "V" woke up about 7:30 AM (which is late for her).  After I changed her diaper and picked her up, she threw her little chubby arms around my neck and gave me the biggest hug.  HEAVEN!  I just love that now she has learned to give hugs...so precious.  The rest of our day was spent playing, taking naps, and waiting for daddy to get home.  "V" tried black eyed peas for the first time tonight.  She liked them alright.  Been trying to think of table food to get her eating instead of me making her food still.  I do make fruit still.  Just love the fresh fruit.   I am thinking that she is allergic to strawberries.  She had some the other day and has had a small rash on her face and then her eczema flared up on her knees and elbows.  Poor thing.
We finished out our night by letting "V play in her little pool.  I got this small pool for her just to play in in the evenings.  She loved it.  Otis even got his pool (cow trough) filled up!

Gearing up for VBS

One day last week, I started singing this song.  Since she know how to roll her arms, I thought it would be a fun song to learn.  She LOVES when we sing it and especially loves the "devil" part.  Excuse the laughing and attack of the camera.  She seems to think it is hers!

11 months old

It sure is hard to type 11 months.  That is so close to a year.  Only one month away! 

Things that "V" can do:  Eating table food pretty well, standing pretty well on her own and has taken a couple of steps...but knows she can get around much faster by crawling, has developed quite the attitude and exudes it way more often than we care for, VERY headstrong, has started to crack herself up and laugh out loud at things that she "reads" or does, has learned to give hugs, can point out your nose, eyes and mouth, knows exactly when daddy is home and will nearly break her neck to find him, making more syllables daily, puts her hand over her mouth to make the "Indian war cry" sound, and trying hard to mimic what we do.

I tried to take pictures, but this has become much more difficult.  Thought going outside would help...ummm...no!

Giving me attitude about taking her picture

Giving bear hugs and kisses

The Popeye smile

Our new thing...actually volunteering the things she is not suppose to have.

Digging in her clothes

Oh, what a beautiful morning...Oh, what a beautiful day!

Today is just the perfect day!  The weather is wonderful and has been all weekend long.  In honor of the weather, we spent most of the day outside.  Between me, Artie, and "V" being sick, we haven't been able to do much lately.

 Artie has been working hard on his garden Here are some pics of all of his "projects" in the backyard.

This is the chicken coop he built last summer.

We have 10 chickens.  They are Cuckoo Marans.

This is where they lay the eggs.  That way you don't have to go inside the coop at all to daily get the eggs.

Cucumbers

Carrots and peas

Zucchini

Tomatoes and zucchini 

Okra

Peach tree for fresh peaches.

We have had the grape vines for 6 years now.  They produce grapes every year.

Baby girl and her swing time.

After some swing time...this is what our hair ended up looking like.

Very first Mother's day

Well, I had my very 1st Mother's Day on May 8th.  All I can say was that it was super special.  Not for any other reason than I have the best gift I could ever ask for.  Last year, I got to spend the day feeling her roll around in my belly.  This year, I got to see her roll all over the floor and about 100 other things that she knows how to do.  I spent the entire church service thinking about how 2 years ago I cried my eyes out at church because I had failed with fertility so many times and was at the end of my emotional rope.  We had one of our elders come and pray overs us in the midst of breakdown.  5 months later I was pregnant with "V".  She is a true joy and I could not love her more. 

Me and "V" before we head to church.

My momma and her only grandaughter.

My sweet pea.

10 Months Old

Baby girl is finally 10 months...she has been out longer than she was in!  We are so happy to have her super funny shining face to greet us daily!  Before, all I was getting was a swift kick in the stomach. 
At 10 months she can:

• say daddy and dada to everything...but really does know who dada is
• can go and get something specific if you ask her..."Go get your ball."
• Is not so much on kisses these days.  When I  ask her for a kiss, that is how it starts out and then I get bit on the cheek.
• speaking of biting...we are doing a bit of that these days
• she uses her pointer and middle finger for pretty much all pointing and for giving out blessings...we think she may be Catholic (since she really does look like she is giving out blessings), but we will wait to confirm that one
• still loves to go to anyone
• standing up on her own and taking a few steps as long as she is holding on to something.  Will not venture out on her own at all. 
• We have 6 full teeth these days.  4 on top and 2 on bottom.  The grinding is driving me NUTS!
• Eating really well.  Not much has changed as far as food.  Still making all her food, but just trying to add some new things in when I can. 
• Sleeping well also.  Only times she has woken up is when she is cutting teeth.
• Wearing mostly 12-18 clothes.  Starting to move more in the 18 month clothes.
• SNEAKY!  She will look to see where you are and then do exactly what you just told her not to.  We will just call that a "Free Spirit".

Major issue with the sticker...no leaving it on at all!

She was really not too happy that I was asking her to look at me...def. more interested in the book.

Working on that pat a cake!

There's a smile!!

She is either going shopping or to the Kentucky Derby.

This is one of those...I just got caught!

Praying over one of her toys that she might learn how to use it correctly.