I wish I could bottle her up . . .

I have been trying to soak up every moment I spend with Mia. She is so much fun right now and such a joy to be around. I know I will enjoy every stage of her life for different reasons but I know there will be points Iwill look back and miss her being this cute little girl. I don't want to forget all of the things she is doing right now.

I love that she has learned to give hugs and kisses and is often in the mood to dish out those kisses one after the next. I love how she wrinkles her nose and when you say the word "funny" she goes "a-ha". Sometimes she likes to walk, sometimes very briskly, and other times she wants to hold your finger and have you walk with her. I love that she loves Betsy and Lucy. Animals are so important to Roy and I and I am glad we are teaching her to appreciate them. Hearing her say dada over and over again is the best, I know it is even better for Roy :) It makes me smile that she understands to look out the front window when someone is coming or going. I love peaking into her room at night and seeing her arms wrapped around her bear.

I know I can't bottle her up , and I know I can't make time stand still. But I will focus on enjoying her and making as many memories as I can so I never forget all she did at 15 months.

Before I was a Mom . . .

A friend sent this to me and I really liked it . . .

Before I was a Mom . . .

I slept in as late as I wanted and never worried about how late I got into bed.

I brushed my hair and my teeth every day.

Before I was a Mom . . .

I cleaned my house each day.

I never tripped over toys or forgot the words to a lullaby.

I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.

I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom . . .

I had never been puked on,

pooped on,

spit on,

chewed on,

peed on.

I had complete control of my mind and thoughts.

I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom . . .

I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests, or give shots.

I never looked into teary eyes and cried.

I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.

I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom . . .

I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down.

I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.

I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.

I never knew that I could love someone so much.

I never knew how much I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom . . .
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.

I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.

I didn't know that bond between Mother and her child.

I didn't know that something so small could me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom . . .

I had never gotten up in the middle of the night just to make sure all was okay.

I had never know the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache,

the wonderment of the satisfaction of being a Mom.

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.

Christmas Memories

We had a really great Christmas this year. We spent Christmas Eve with my family and Christmas Day with Roy's. Although I know Mia didn't totally get it she got it better than she did last year. She loves ripping wrapping paper and pulling things out of boxes and bags. She enjoyed some Christmas ham but wasn't sure on the texture of some of the other foods. Ah, a baby's life! Can't wait till next year!

I took so many pictures I thought it would be fun to try to make a movie with them. I am sure there is so much more I can do with this but it is a start. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a few minutes of our Christmas memories . . .

Where have I been . . .

I promise I have not forgotten about my beloved blog. I often wish there were just a few extra hours in the day so that I could squeeze in the stuff I never seem to get to. I have been trying to make a concerted effort to spend less time on the computer. There are so many things that suck me in (facebook, friends blogs, stamping blogs, etc, etc) and I end up wasting (may be a harsh word) so much time. I am honestly not doing great at avoiding the computer. It seems to be an activity I can do while half awake and I am honestly half awake often at this time of the night.

I don't want to neglect the blog. I enjoy it. So I promise to get back on track. I have about a million Christmas photos I could share. I think I will play around with trying to make a photo montage set to music. Stay tuned for that, let's hope I can find the time :)

Santa Brunch

Canton does a Santa Brunch at their community center early in the month of December. Our friends Phil and Danielle take their kids and asked us if we wanted to come along. We thought it would be fun and had my parents join us as well. Mia had fun watching all of the kids but didn't really enjoying seeing Santa ;) Oh well, there is always next year!

Mia and Kaylan . . .
So sad on Santa's lap :(

We are torturing her . . .

Family pic . . .

Pic with Grandma and Grandpa . . .

Our Christmas Tree

Our Christmas Tree is one of my absolute favorite things we own. I am not materialistic but if I had to say I had a prized possesion this would be it. Our tree itself is really nothing fancy. We got it half off the day after Christmas (the year before we got married). It is the ornaments and such that we put on our tree that I love the most. I have a impeccable memory for remembering where all of them came from. Many have come as gifts, some Roy and I got on vacations, and some were just day after Christmas purchases. I love our tree and truly enjoy admiring it for the short period of time it is is up.
Took this pic with no flash, thought it turned out kind of cool . . .

Thanksgiving

Some pics from our Thanksgiving celebration . . .

She wasn't too sure about Thanksgiving dinner . . .