The Flu

Right after I cut my hand, you fell sick with the flu... it was terrible. I was standing in the kitchen, and you threw up all over me. It made me feel so helpless, seeing you so sick and uncomfortable. You had a really high fever for three days, that made mommy and daddy so nervous. I sat up all night with you several nights, so you could sleep.

Then all of a sudden, we all got sick. There was a moment where I was holding you in our bathroom, daddy was on the toilet with diarrhea and you started to throw up everywhere. And I had to throw up. Your daddy and I made eye contact, and realized that was one of the hardest, most miserable moments we had experienced as parents. Luckily, the flu seemed to move through our family pretty quickly, but it was a beast nonetheless.

Sadly, we had to miss your best buddy, Jaxon's 1st birthday, because we were sick in bed. We spent New Years Eve all cuddled in our king size bed, watching the ball drop from afar. And New Years Day, we cuddled on the couch with a nice fire, and movies on in the background.

You were the highlight of our holiday season beautiful girl. We are so blessed to have you in our lives. God loves you best.

Love,

Mommy

Christmas

Your first Christmas was so much fun! We went to a beautiful Christmas Eve service at Hill Country Bible Church, then went to the Curby's house for a yummy dinner and sat by the fire. We had a great time. You snuggled with your Enna by the firepit.

Then on Christmas morning, you crawled down the hall to see the wondrous sight of our beautiful Christmas tree, all your presents, a roaring fire with Christmas music singing in the air.

After our little family unit enjoyed the first moments of Christmas together, you got Ellie the Elephant, a new wub a nub, all kinds of fun toys, your very own stocking! YaYa, Papa, Gigi, Uncle Chase, Aunt Heather, and Crash came over. We all opened presents together, there were A LOT of gifts... you were spoiled, in the best way possible!

We ate a delicious brunch altogether, and then we took a long nap and went over to Papa and Gigi's house for a divine Christmas dinner.

There we watched Frozen for the first time, such a fun movie, which your daddy and I are excited to share with you.

Then on our way home, daddy and I decided to last minute pack up and drive to Colorado early the next morning. So we hurried home, packed up, while you slept soundly. We cleaned up the house a little bit, and right before we went to bed I decided to wash the few dishes that were left in the sink. One of those dishes was a very large knife, I used to make breakfast. I was holding it with my left hand and scrubbing it with my right hand. Somehow the knife slipped and I cut my hand, very badly.

I calmly told your dad, what happened and I was pretty upset I ruined our spontaneous trip to Colorado. Daddy got you in your car seat and drove me to the ER to have my hand looked at.

I had to get eight stitches, the doctor ranked it a six on a scale of one to 10. Daddy brought you to me at one point to take away any scared emotions I might have been feeling. You were so well behaved. We finally got home around 3:00 a.m.

The next day your daddy called all around town to get me into see a hand specialist, because the ER doctor said I'd probably need surgery. But no one was open after Christmas, we had to wait to the following week. Then on December 27th, I went to see a hand specialist, and he said I would definitely need surgery. We scheduled surgery for January 2nd. I was so nervous, because I didn't anything bad to happen, and leave you.

YaYa watched you while I was in surgery, the surgery was quick and before I knew it, I was awake. I kept thanking the nurses over and over again for me waking up. I kept telling them that I had a baby girl I had to get back to and it was imperative that I wake up from surgery. :)

I recovered at home nicely and enjoyed some much needed down time with my family. You were my motivation to heal. It was really hard doing everything one handed, I couldn't be as hands on with you as before, which drove me crazy. But your daddy stepped in, and did awesome. It was hard for a week or so, but we got our groove soon after that. Everyone was really helpful, from making meals and coming over to help. Our neighbors, the Bolton;s helped, YaYa, Gigi, Papa, the Curby's and Nisey all helped us out. We are so lucky, to be surrounded by such an amazing village of people.

You are amazing sweet girl! We love you!

Thanksgiving

Your first Thanksgiving was a fun one! Your Opa (YaYa's daddy), Aunt Jennifer (YaYa's sister), Uncle Carl (YaYa's brother) came to visit. Daddy and I had the whole week off of work, so we were able to spend quality time with you.

When Opa and Aunt Jennifer first flew in from Michigan, we went out to eat at Chuy's and ate yummy Tex-Mex food. That night we made pies to get ready for Thanksgiving the next day.

We spent the whole day at YaYa's house, we let you play on the floor...AND you began to crawl! So much fun to watch you grow and learn.

We had a delicious Thanksgiving feast!

The next day your Uncle Chase, Aunt Heather, and cousin, Crash came over for a big, yummy Italian meal. We ate your YaYa's famous lasagna!

We also went wine tasting in the Hill Country, which was really fun and beautiful.

We love you darling Halen Rae Carol!

Six Months...your half birthday!

Our Halen girl....

We cannot believe you are already SIX months!!!! Wow! We have had such a blast with you this past half of the year. You've brought harmony to out lives, meaning, purpose and love we never thought was attainable. Our family has truly bloomed with your presence in it. Thank you so much for being our daughter.

It is November and the holidays are right around the corner! We had an awesome Halloween, and now it's time to gear up for Thanksgiving. Mommy has decorated the house and is planning the menu with YaYa. Your great-aunt Jennifer and great-uncle Joe are coming in town from Michigan, along with your great-grandpa, Opa. We are very excited to enjoy this time with them. YaYa is very excited and has all kinds of plans in the works.

As soon as you turned six months, we introduced food. Your first food was avocado,

then a few days later I introduced oatmeal. You don't seem to be a huge fan, but we're taking baby steps. Ever since you started solid foods, your sleep has improved ten-fold! You sleep so well. Our friend Traci, found a video monitor for us, so we've been using that. And Nikki bought you a pink bumper that we want to put into your crib, so your lil legs don't get caught in between the slats. I'm hoping to transition you up to your crib next week.

You are an absolute rockstar in your swim lessons! Daddy and I have to decide if we are going to move you up or keep you in the Bathtime babies class until the next semester starts in January. You are definitely ready to be dunked in the water, and ready for new challenges. Daddy was able to go to class with us yesterday, since football ended. He even got into the pool with us.

Mommy and daddy have already bought your Christmas gifts and we are so excited about them. I think daddy may be even more excited about Christmas than mommy, and that is saying a lot. We are going to get a big Christmas tree and garland to decorate the house. Daddy and Uncle Matt will put up Christmas lights. We are going all out this year.

You and mommy in the shower together! I love my girl!

Here you are hangin' out in your Michigan jammies. And man do you love your caterpillar wub-a-nub! You love that lil guy. You reach for him all the time and pop him right in your mouth. Cutie tootie. 

We love you baby girl!