Wrapping Presents

These are just a few picks of the fun Ford and I have been having these past few weeks. I have lots more and will post them as I have time. These are the pics I took while he was helping wrap presents.

This is Ford's new look - the face not the bow. Since I was making bows for all our presents I decided to make one and put it on Ford. I mean he is our little present. I guess making bows was wearing him out.

This is him in my wrapping paper box.

This one down here is Ford's first homemade ornament! When I went to pick him up after our last Tuesday morning bible study, they gave me this with him. Okay I know he didn't really make it, but it warmed my heart so much just the same. What sweet childcare workers to take the time to do something so special for us. I almost cried when I got it, but I didn't. I guess it is just a first time mom thing, but it sure is one of the sweetest presents I recieved this year.

Up at 3 am

So I know most of you will think I'm crazy, but sometimes you just do what you have to so you stay sane. Ford has been waking up a lot this week. I think it is because he got his first tooth this week - yes at almost 9 months. Anyway this one night after an hour and a half and he still wouldn't go back to sleep and I was awake to make sure he didn't fall out of his crib, I decided to get up and play with him. So here he is. I turned on the lights, Christmas music, and made myself hot chocolate. As you will see even with sleepy eyes he was sooo excited. I decided to have a Christmas lesson, so we talked about baby Jesus. But before I could fix my hot chocolate he started to yawn, then stick out his pouty lip to say "I don't wanna play anymore mommy." I picked him up and gave him his passy and he was out like a light. Five minutes of play took less time to put him to sleep than an hour and a half of rolling in his bed. Soo crazy or not we all got to go back to sleep - yeah!!!

Blessed with sweet faces

As we sat at church Sunday to refocus ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas, I began to think of all the things I have been blessed with. I would like to say I am going to have a countdown from now until Christmas to blog each day about different blessings, but come on - that's not reality. I will admit the festivities of Christmas have begun to overwhelm me. I want to do so many things and make Ford's first Christmas perfect, but in the midst of planning I begin to loose out on one of my precious blessings - time with Ford. One of the most precious things is just to watch Ford. Today he helped me decorate the tree. I tried to explain what I was doing and each time I put on a new ornament I let him touch. He was so excited and amazed. Last night when I put on the lights, I did the same thing. He was sitting in his exersaucer watching me so sweetly, so I took a strand of lights over to him. I wish I could have captured his face - sweet, pure, amazement. He would look at me and smile then look at the lights. He then starting running with them around his exersaucer in pure delight. I guess he wanted to decorate his exersaucer like the tree. Then today when he got up from nap I had decorated the mantel. When we came out of his room, he looked at the mantel then looked at me with the sweetest most joyous smile. Oh, how I love those sweet faces. What a blessing it is to watch him take all the world in. I'm asking God to help me make mental pictures of these blessings to take with me always.

Thanksgiving Fun

Here are a few pics from our week of Thanksgiving visits.The many faces of Ford on the go - crawling, pulling up, investigating everything!!!Ford with some of his cousins.I had to include this one. What is Ford thinking? That is definitely a look he got from his dad. Worn Out! That is what we all were after 15+ hours of traveling over a 8 day period to 6 different homes for 4 Thanksgiving feasts with lots of wonderful family and great food!

To say the least Thanksgiving was fun, but exhausting. Brad and I love our families dearly, but there is never enough time to really spend quality time with them all. I am so thankful that God has blessed us with such a big loving family, but I am also overwhelmed with how I can stay connected to all of them. We also love our friends and family here, too. I'm praying God will give us direction on the best way to spend time with our families and friends.

What Ford is Thankful for...

Toys...

Food... TV...His Paci... Books...

Being able to pull up onto his knees...His Daddy....His Momma...And yes, being able to crawl...

(look out Momma here I come)We are very thankful that God has blessed us with Ford for the past 8 months, too. Yes, the first few months of parenting were a big adjustment for me, but now everyday I thank God for such a precious gift. Ford and I are having so much fun just hanging out each day. I love watching him explore everything little thing. Watching the world through his eyes makes me appreciate all that God has given me even more. This Thanksgiving I am so thankful for having the opportunity to be a mother. I am thankful for a wonderful husband. I thankful for a simple life that is fulfilling and joyful today. Only God knows what tomorrow will be like, so today I am working to enjoy the simple sweet joyful pleasures of today because today is where I am right now. Seize Today!

Getting Crafty...

I go through these spurts of wanting to be crafty and creative. This past week it has been sewing or trying my hand at putting some appliques on a few shirts. Here are my creations. They are by no means perfect so don't look close, but it has been fun to make stuff for Ford and myself.

I also went to Handworks this morning with Mary Evelyn and so some very cute things there I might try my hand at as well. Below are a few websites I picked up today at the show thought you might enjoy them, too.

Tootie's

Breezy Bugs

Ruby Red Lips

Mustard Seeds

Dick and Jane

Just Ford and Mommy.

I walked in one afternoon after Ford's nap to see this sweet little face peeping at me. He is so close to standing up, so to say the least it meant it was time to move his bed down.

I voted!

Ford and I went to vote on Tuesday morning. It only took about 40 minutes, but it wore Ford out. I was so excited about showing him the voting process, but I guess it was all a little overwhelming. I wanted him to be a part of this historical election. I can remember going to the polls many times with my parents as a child. That helped to instill in me the importance of voting, so I want to pass that along to Ford - no matter how young he is.

As to the outcome... I cling to the verse in Isaiah 25:1

"O Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name; For you have worked wonders, [with your] plans formed long ago with perfect faithfulness."

My hope for the future is in God not our government. Regardless of how I voted our next president, Barak Obama, will have my respect and prayers.

Little Lion

Ford and Ava

Ava came over Thursday morning while Chrissie had to go make a presentation for Operation Christmas Child. As you can see she and Ford were both still in their pjs. They played and then we had school. We read a bible story, sang songs, and had a puppet shoe. They both just looked at me like I was crazy. Then they had breakfast together. They were both so patient as they took turns to get a bite. We had a lot of fun and can't wait for Ava to come again.

Ford is 7 months old

Ford is learning to pick up finger foods. He is getting better everyday.

Pick it up.

In my mouth

Mmmmm good.

Since Ford is sitting up, bath time has gotten more fun.

Just plain cute...

Pumpkin Patch Fun

Just things happening...

2 weeks ago I had my 10 year high school reunion. It was a lot of fun. Here is the one picture I took with my friends stacey and brooke. I wish I had taken more.
Ford's second baseball cap. This was also a gift from his Poppa D. This one is for when Ford is watching sports with his daddy and pappy. (mommy prefers the red and blue one).
This is what Ford does every afternoon before he takes a nap - watches one baby einstein. He loves them and it gives me a little time to get some things done.

Ford 1st taste of food...

Well, baby food that is. Ford's first food was squash. The doctor said he would probably just eat a half of a jar for now and gradually work his way up to two jars by nine months. Well, half a jar was not enough. He ate a whole jar plus cereal. Now he is up to a jar and a half most meals. Take a look at the pictures below to see if you think he liked it or not.

Mmmm. I love that squash.