Christmas Pictures

This year we went to Portrait Innovations to get Christmas pictures and new pictures of Samantha.  We were quite proud of some of the great pics we got!

A Visit with Kris

Recently I was blessed with a call from my one of my dearest friends, Kris, asking if she could make a road trip and come visit.  Of course I was so excited and we cleared the schedule to make time!  We had a wonderful week of girl time - including lunches, shopping, taking her to my Zumba classes, a lot of late nights sitting up talking, an adults-only movie night and just catching up.  I wish we could see each other more often, but cherish these moments together.

My Southern Belle

If you have ever met my mother you know that she embodies the south and is PROUD OF IT!   One thing she always taught me growing up is that a proper woman does not leave the house without a dab of makeup and a curl.  Granted times have changed and much to my mother's chagrin, girls now flatten their hair more than curl it and motherhood has made my makeup days less - but she'd be proud to know that her dear granddaughter is a lover of curlers (I know my Grandma and Great-grandma are giggling from heaven).  Luckily, don't under-estimate Miss Samantha she is much like her mama as a child, rough and tough while wearing a tutu.  ;)

"Monsters Mama, Monsters"

This Halloween showcased what a change their was between Samantha at 10 months and her at 22 months old. Last Halloween she was no aware of monsters and would have been happy in any outfit I stuck her into. This year she definitely had something to say about both! :)

She (at some point) became very aware of what monsters were. She was now scared of every monster in the stores and even became convinced that shadows were monsters. She get timid and cling to Keith and I saying "monsters, monsters" in a whimper. Daddy did come to the rescue and convince her that monsters could not come in the house and that there were a lot of good monsters, like the sweet ghost decorations in the house. Samantha would even comment "no monsters in the house mama." As adorable as this was, we were worried about what Halloween night would bring.

On top of that, I had visions of her being a beautiful princess, but after our sister and law gave us a chicken costume, which Samantha found hysterical, the princess was out the window. She'd wear the chicken costume around the house weeks before Halloween, looking at herself in the mirror and getting into giggling fits. It was adorable!

Also, in the days leading up to Halloween Keith's parents came in and we embarked on the holiday traditons - making yummy apple-filled goodies, carving pumpkins, and going to the Halloween celebration at Indy's gorgeous Children's Museum.

Sporting some cow PJs in the spirit of Halloween dress-up.  :)

Heading into the Children's Museum with Papaw and Yaya

Yep - that is her reaction to the "monster" ;)

Dressed up like a dinosaur and playing with one of the many amazing exhibits.

The toddler room at the Museum is SO cool - Samantha loves the fishing pond, tractor, playhouse, and all the opportunities to dress up and goof around.

Enjoying the Carousel ride with Yaya

On the way home - worn out after a busy day.  Getting in a nap before trick or treating that night.

Her Halloween basket from Mommy and daddy since I didn't want her to go crazy on candy.

Finally it was time to get bundled up and dressed up.  Here is our Chicken Little:

Okay, so we did have to let her dive into the candy a little bit.  :)

What a magical Halloween this was! 

Big Girl Room

So I came to the difficult reality lately that my precious baby girl is now a toddler and getting to be quite a big girl - yes a tear rolls down my cheek as I say this.  The past 22 months have gone by in the blink of an eye, but during that time I have been blessed to share every moment with the most beautiful, funny, sweet little girl.  As much as I loved the hours of cuddling, the nursing and the quiet sweet moments of her infancy, it has been replaced by sweet chatter, uproarious laughter, hugs, kisses, knuckles, running, dancing, walks (AKA: treasure hunts), hide n' go seek and the "come on Mama" when I am moving too slow -- all indicators that my little baby is becoming a big (little) girl. 

To celebrate the wonders of these toddler years I wanted to redo her babyish bedroom.  While we live in a relatively small house and don't have a dedicated playroom, I decided to be creative to make her room as special as I could.  With the help of my parents (THANKS NANA AND PAPA) and Keith, her baby bedroom got a big girl transformation that melts my heart.  We are loving playing in this big girl room.  :)

 

We got this beautiful mural online - I fell in love with it instantly.  It is so bright and beautiful and also came with many other flowers and critters that trail along the floor boards of her room.  So precious.  We also got this beautiful Pottery Barn table/chairs as an early birthday gift for Samantha from her Nana and Papa.  She now has a play to play, draw and color - and even an extra chair to hang out with her friends.  :)

 Enjoying her new Target bookcases and fun baskets.  Now, her animal villages are on display and she can play with them at her height.  We have baskets dedicated to dress up clothes (one of the many joys of having a little girl - love it!), animals (her beloved Schleich's esp.), and other misc. toys.  Plus, we can now house many of her beloved books.

 

Next step will be the change to toddler bed, but I am in no rush -- lots of changes already for Mama and I am okay with letting some "baby" things sticking around for awhile.  :)

Nana and Papa visit

Nana and Papa came down for a quick visit, driving all the way from NC.  We jam packed 5 days with a lot of fun, Christmas shopping (since we are spending Christmas with the Newbroughs this year) and reveling in the joys of fall.  Samantha was so excited and clung to them like glue while they were here!  Samantha woke up every morning asking where Nana and Papa were and was so excited to show them all the new words that she has learned, songs, read books with them, and show them her toys.  :)

Samantha got her first book bag and felt like such a big girl.  She still totes it around with her Schleich animals (another addiction thanks to Nana ;) ).  Now when we travel, Samantha can have her own bag of goodies to carry around.  :)

 

Here is my beautiful Samantha dressed up for church.  I love this smile/grimace she made - hysterical.  That is what you get when you ask a 22 month old to smile.  ;)

 

We went to Russell Farms together to enjoy the kid rides, pumpkin patch, corn maze, hay ride and animals.  Samantha was in hog's heaven.

 

  Nana, Papa and Samantha making a sweet picture. :)

 

Picking the perfect pumpkin.

 

Picture Perfect!

 

Making friends with a Billy Goat.  

 

Silly Moments with Nana and Papa...

 

Miniature Papa - same jokes, different age.  Samantha entertained us all during dinner with her giggles and spoon tricks.

 

Sweet giggles at one of Nana Princess stories.  Samantha loves being told a story and will ask for "more, more." 

 

Showing us she is a big girl in her big girl chair. 

 

Samantha is a talker and so animated, this is catching her mid sentence about her animals and just prior to her throwing this one away - not her favorite, I guess. 

Cuddled up warm to take our favorite daily walks.

Lots of Sweet Moments...

We all enjoyed this precious time with my parents.  Samantha is so smitten with her family and loaded them down with kisses, hugs and of course relished in their undivided attention.

Keith and Dad got in some male-bonding, Mom and I shared some much needed girl chats and our dog Sadie even enjoyed some much needed attention.  :)  Visits like this mean more than I can express, but I just wish they were longer.