What a difference a year makes....

My baby girl is growing up right before my eyes ~ 

There is nothing I can do but enjoy eVeRy minute!

Happy Halloween!  

FALL

I have always loved this time of year with the changing seasons, football games, pumpkin carving, Pumpkin Spice lattes, cozy fireplace, Black Friday shopping, snuggly sweatshirts and sweatpants, fleecy socks, etc... I could go on and on!   This year I am especially excited to begin family traditions as a family of 3.  Don't get me wrong, last year was very special as it was Maya's first Christmas.  However, this year she {hopefully} won't sleep through every event :)   Since I am so excited, I have been making a mental list of all of the fun things I hope to do this year!  Now I am going to share it with you in hopes that you can get some ideas from me and I can get some ideas from you too! 

• Go to the pumpkin patch and apple orchard { Check }
• Carve pumpkins { Check }
• Get a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks { Check }
• Hand out candy to trick-or-treaters {Because Maya is still so young and Rob works, we are going to forego trick-or treating this year.  Instead, we will stay home in our costumes and hand out candy to all the big kids!  If you are in the area, we hope to see you on Monday!  Yes, Jenny, I mean you!}
• Pick out a tree at the Christmas Tree Farm
• Decorate a REAL Christmas tree
• Make lots of soups {broccoli soup, chili, chicken dumpling soup, and potato soup}
• Make a pumpkin pie 
• Have a football party
• Go sledding and play in the snow 
• Make brandy slush {yum!!}
• Get a peppermint mocha from Starbucks {Can't wait!!}
• Watch Christmas movies {National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, The Christmas Story, The Holiday, Santa Clause}
• Go shopping on Black Friday :) {Who's with me??}
• See the Rotary Lights
• Pictures with Santa!  
• Go to the Holiday Fair 
• Go to a holiday concert {Any ideas??}
• Listen to LOTS of Christmas Music {All I Want for Christmas is YOUUU!}
• Hang Christmas lights outside
• Do some holiday baking {dipped pretzels, peanut butter balls, oreo truffles...num, num, num}
• Cookie exchange? 
• Take a road trip to Colorado!!  {Yay!}
• Open stockings on Christmas Eve
• Open presents on Christmas Day 
• Celebrate a very special wedding with Mr. Jason Liddell and Ms. Andrea Walker! 
• Celebrate New Years with great friends!  

What do you hope to do this holiday season??  Please share your ideas!  

My new hobby!

 

 I am so excited to share that I recently signed up to be an Avon representative. I've always loved Avon products for their great quality and affordable prices! And did you know they now sell a line of baby products called Tiny Tillia?? And items for men too? I am amazed by the selection of fun items they now carry. My goal for becoming an Avon representative is to have fun, buy some great Christmas presents for my friends and family, and meet some new people along the way. I have already met a really kind and helpful woman, named Alice, who got me all set up with Avon! 

 Please check out my online store at www.youravon.com/aliddell. You can also call or email me and I will be happy to send you a real catalog! {I always prefer to page through an actual catalog myself!} Be sure to check out the "mark." product! There are some great beauty products and accessories just for the ladies!

 Happy Shopping!

OnE yEaR!

We had Maya's one year pictures and our family pictures taken last week.

Thank you, Mary! {First Expressions in Holmen}  Here's a sneak peek:  

Maya loves her Daddy <3 

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday Dear Maya, Happy Birthday to YOU! Maya Grace, we love you sooo much! We cannot believe how fast this year has passed by and how big you are getting!! 

At one year old, you:
Love to clap, wave bye-bye, smile, and talk  {You Say "dada," but not "mama" yet :( } Shake your head "no" and laugh
Dance to music
Reach your arms out to be picked up
Climb on top of things
Love to talk to other kids and babies
Walk all over {but you still crawl faster!}
Give open mouthed kisses
Pat mama on the back when we snuggle
Sleep 10-11 hours at night!
Take two naps a day
Wear 12-18 month clothes
Love to splash in the bathtub
Still nurse in the morning and at night
Have a mouth full of teeth ~ 4 teeth on top, 4 on the bottom and 2 molars
Eat most everything that we eat ~ especially fruits! 
Snuggle with Annie

Maya's Birthday Party!



Fun at the pumpkin patch!



Summer Fun!

We have been sooo enjoying this summer, I've hardly found time to update our blog!  Instead, we've spent time going for family walks, playing in water, visiting family and friends, spending time at Camp Argall, and just enjoying the lazy days of summer!   This last week has been a busy one!!

Last Tuesday, Rob, Maya, and I headed to Red Wing, MN to meet my mom and step-dad to spend a night at Treasure Island Casino. We had a fun time shopping in the gift shop, swimming, touring the casino, eating at the buffet, and spending a little time gambling.  My mom and Mike watched Maya while Rob and I hit the slot machines!  It was a fun little "staycation."   Grandma Mary kept Annie overnight up at the camper. 

On Thursday, Grandma Mary (my mother-in-law) and Sassy (one of her sweet Labs) stopped by to visit us on their way back to Chicago.  We had a nice night relaxing and catching up on our favorite TV shows.

Over the weekend, Rob and I left Maya overnight for the first time so we could enjoy some adult time! We left her with close friends of ours and headed up North to the lake to do some boating, sun-bathing, bean-bagging, and relaxing!  To top off the night, a big storm rolled in and we were able to watch a beautiful "light" show over the lake and hear the rain pouring down.  Rob and I had a nice time, but I definitely couldn't wait to get home to Maya. 

This Monday I began teaching summer school.  Although it is only 4 hours a day, it has been a big adjustment getting up and ready to go bright and early in the morning.  Maya and I had settled into a nice routine of waking up, playing, watching the Today show, and snuggling each morning.  Fortunately, Rob is home and able to take care of Maya while I head out to school.  I have two and  half more weeks of summer school before another short break, then reality sets in.  I'm not ready to even think about that yet!! Just enjoying being a stay at home mom while I can!!  

Maya continues to entertain us on a daily basis.  Here is what my 17 pound, smiley-faced, toothy-mouthed babe is up to at 9 months:

Loves to play with her cousin, Bennett

Loves to stand.... ALL the time!

Loves to read the paper with mama!  (Ok, really she just checks out the sales!)

Loves to feed herself watermelon and other fresh fruit!

Loves to read books!

Loves to eat whatever mom and dad eat! Messy, messy!

Loves to make silly noises and talks all the time!

Loves to SMILE!

We love you sweet girl! 

{8 Months}

At 8 months, Maya...

Weighs 16 pounds
Wears size 3 diapers
Wears 6-9 month clothes
Makes all kinds of noises including screeching and giggling{no "Mama" yet....}
Blows bubbles
Crawls! She's always on the go!   
Pulls herself up in her crib
Claps her hands
Reaches her arms out to mom and dad
Naps great in her crib {finally} 
Tolerates rice cereal and applesauce, but turns her nose up to just about everything else!! {We're working on this ;)  }

 

I am just LOVING playing "stay at home mom" while on my summer vacation!