A Good for Your Soul Weekend

Every once in awhile you have one of those great weekends you didn't even know you needed.

When you laugh so hard you cry for hours while playing a new game.

P.S Uncle Ryan is in this photo but his camo disguises him so please excuse the floating head.

Seriously. You need to play this with good friends.

We had great wine that you save for just these occasions.

And enjoyed meals made with love as a group.

We decanted a white just because the cork got stuck.

I was reminded that my hot husband is also the ultimate Mr. Handyman.

Uncle Brian cleared a walking path and was our weekend keeper. He was so helpful and I really appreciated it.

I even loved her temper tantrums, which have fully started.

I love these two ladies and also Aunt Brandi who doesn't like her picture shown. There was Mommy chill time on the great blue couch.

New friends explored.

And hitched rides from each other.

Daddy's had chill time too.

Is there anything more beautiful than a peaceful, sleeping baby?

We practiced our walking skills.

We played with our friend Conner, who has the rosiest cheeks and sweetest smile.

And chilled as a little family at the lake house.

We were reminded why we love these people in our lives.

It's Graysen's nap time...

Doesn't she look tired? The G Monster (Shawn's new nickname) isn't a big fan of sleeping during the day, especially if there is anyone around. She likes to socialize.

I wonder where she got that from?

I think she might have rhythm....

and we all know she didn't get it from her Daddy

Weebles Wobble but they DO fall down

Happy 9 Month Birthday! She celebrated by taking her first steps today.

Valentine's Day

Since this was Graysen's first Valentine's Day, Mommy had to get her two outfits to wear, and we started Valentine's Day week with this one she wore to Grandpa's house.
I really wanted to use the new heart shaped cake pop maker Leslie gave me for Christmas, so I got everything ready on Saturday, for Shawn and I to have a decorating contest on Sunday.

I got the pink chocolate ready while Shawn took annoying pictures and

got Graysen to make kissy faces.

She really wanted to join in the fun.

Granny even joined in on the festivities. She lasted longer than the two of us decorating which was good because my hard prep work was going to go to waste.

The hearts were cute, but not very practical, and broke apart in the chocolate so I did alot of this...

Graysen was so tired after decorating she just fell asleep sitting up.

On Valentine's day Shawn and I took my mom, granny, and Shawn's mom to dinner so Graysen got to eat with lots of her favorite people. Daddy gave G her presents before we left.

"Is this a new puppy?"

He bought her a dancing monkey to go with the other 100 we have around this house from 14 years together. He is so happy to have a new audience to appreciate his monkey obsession.

She knew there was a pair of shoes in that bag...she is my daughter after all.

"Oh Daddy, how did you know that even though Mommy said she would never own Toms she really wanted Mommy and me pink ones? She is going to be so excited when she opens hers later."

Could it be? Is she really sleeping through the night?

Is it possible, that after 8 1/2 long months, our baby girl is ACTUALLY sleeping through the night? We have had almost two weeks of 7:00 p.m to anytime in the morning after 5:30. I think we have entered a new phase. I learned things along the way.

When you stop nursing she will sleep through the night ----MYTH

If you have a consistent night time routine she will sleep through the night ----MYTH

When she starts on cereal she will sleep through the night ----MYTH

When she eats regular food she will sleep through the night ----MYTH

I googled and asked anyone I could what would work. I tweeked her eating schedule. We tried crying it out. We would be excited thinking something worked after one night, only to discover the next night Miss G was doing her own thing again.

What worked? I will try and give credit to consistency, but I am pretty sure she just decided she was done with the torture.

Sunday Brunch with Daddy