Five Hundred

This officially marks my FIVE HUNDREDTH post on this little old blog of mine. For the past 500 posts this blog has served as my sounding board, diary, baby book, connection to "real life" friends and family, as well as friends I've never met, a place to vent, and my very own little space on the world wide web.

Since I've started this blog I have graduated college, gotten married, welcomed a beautiful baby girl into this world, moved across the country {when I was eight months preggo} and then across town {with an eight month old}, I have survived an earthquake, and two hurricanes, we have found a church home, and made new friends. I cannot explain how much having this blog means to me. I love that I will be able to look back on these years that seem to be flying by. 

I had no idea what starting this blog would mean to me when I sat down at my computer 500 posts ago. I didn't know that I would be keeping record of my daughters most precious moments in life, and I had no idea I would "meet" women who I consider some of my best friends. CRAZY, right?! I have never met some of these sweet ladies yet we talk all the time, text, send birthday presents, and I just sent them our family Christmas card.

Blogging has proven itself to be much more than a "hobby". In the early days after Emma Claire was born and we spent many days camped out at home it was my lifeline to the outside world. I don't know what I would have done without all of my bloggy buddies and fellow mommas who were in the same life stage as me. 

I am also so thankful to all of my readers. I was convinced when I started blogging that the only people reading my everyday thoughts would be my mother and {then} fiance. It humbles me to know that I have a little group of people who are interested in our little family. If you've never stopped in to say hello then please do! I would love to get to know you! 

I told Emma Claire I had written 500 blog posts and she was pretty excited for me. And also, I can't do a blog post without including the star of the show ;-)

White Christmas

Since moving to the East coast my chances of a white Christmas have increased dramatically. I'm excited to see if we get one this year! In preparation I declared our kitchen table decor theme "white Christmas". So far I am loving the silvers, whites, and creams adorning the table. So simple, yet so pretty. I plan on changing it up a bit throughout the month. I really want to make some feather Christmas trees to add to the spread. 

 Don't forget to link up to join our Bloggy Christmas Present Swap!

 

A Sweet Moment

Today I ran to Michael's {ALONE!} because the hubs was home and could watch Emma Claire. I only needed a few things and it was just easier to leave her at home rather than bundle her up and load her in the car. Well I made it a quick trip and when I came home I found this...

They were sitting on the couch together watching cartoons {old school looney toons... ;-) hehe} when EC fell asleep. The hubs was pretty excited. She hasn't done this in months. 

She ended up laying down and he got to hold her like a true baby. She looks SO BIG to me here! And is his face not the cutest? He was pretty tickled that he was getting to hold her. He has been saying lately that he just wants her to fall asleep while he's holding her. Well he got his wish.

Teething is hard work, y'all! She has been worn out by it lately. Yesterday she napped for FOUR HOURS! If I didn't have a video monitor I would have been in her room checking on her constantly. After her long nap I noticed that her first top eye tooth broke through. So she now has two eye teeth {one on top and one on bottom}, is working on the rest of her eye teeth AND molars. I would want to take a four hour nap too!

Christmas Gift Blog Swap!

Thanksgiving has passed which means that it is officially Christmas time! I am just LOVING the Christmas music, decorations, cookies, and the festive atmosphere all for the special birth of our Savior!

As if that isn't enough reason to be excited... you can get excited about this...some of my awesome friends and I are going to host a fun Christmas Gift Blog Swap this year!!

Who we are:

{Yours Truly}
Allie from Living the Adventures
Cait from The Blessed Life
Natalie from Extraordinary Love
Beth Ann from My Life More Abundant

Here's the info: 

-$10 spending limit- anything Christmas-y :) 

- Link up with your blog URL! (You will be contacted by one of us with your partner in this swap)

- This link up will be open until MONDAY DECEMBER 3rd

-Send gift no later than MONDAY DECEMBER 10th

 - Anyone in the U.S. is welcome to join (if you are not in the US and would like to participate please email me- if there are others out of the country that email me I will pair you up)

- After you receive your package we will host another link up from December 11th-17th where you can post all of the goodies you received!!

- Most of all, HAVE FUN and ...

MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Feel free to grab this code below (and the above picture too) and post about this on your blog!!
Don't forget to link-up!!!!

The more the MERRIER! 

A Little Bit of Life...

Yesterday we had a break in the cold, gloomy weather, and finally had a nice day. After eating lunch Emma Claire and I spent the afternoon playing outside. 

We sat in the backyard and watched the friendly neighborhood geese float around in our pond. Emma Claire LOVED watching them.

We played at the park. This picture is one of my all time favorites. Her face shows pure joy. And her hair, cracks me up. So fluffy. I just love it.

I tried to get some cute pictures with Emma Claire while we were playing. She did not feel like pictures were all that important. This makes me worry about taking pictures with her during her teenage years...HA!

I don't know about y'all but at our house it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

I made a big mesh wreath last night and I LOVE it! So festive. And really...Jesus IS the reason for this entire holiday season.

Family Tree Farm Fun

A few days ago we decided to visit a local tree farm. It was nice to spend some quality family time together. Even though we didn't get a "real" tree this year, it was fun to look {and smell them}, and there were plenty of other fun activities to do. The only downsize was the temperature. I believe it was in the 40's with a wind chill below freezing! Burr!

Of course I had to get a picture of my baby bear with the bears! Sic'em!

It was just a little bit windy!

Sweet baby profile. 

Measuring up!

LOVE her face here!

Such a little adventurer. 

Talking with the rabbits. 

Chickens!

Mommy wanted more pictures...Emma Claire did not. End of story. 

Moo. Baby cow. 

I LOVE this picture. Such a daddy's girl.

Such a magical picture. 

Time to leave. We plan on going back when it is a little warmer! 

 I have to say she had an ADORABLE smocked Christmas tree dress underneath all of her layers! It was too cold for pictures though! She will wear it again I'm sure.