Wordless Wednesday

The Best is Yet to Come

This time last year, we were praying for the possibility to become pregnant. I am astounded at how much our lives have changed in one year. We became loving, doting parents to an adorable little girl who has completely stolen our hearts. 2008 was the best year of my life. I absolutely loved being pregnant, it is such an amazing transformation that your body makes. I think every woman looks even more beautiful when she is pregnant and earns a new respect for what her body is capable of. The excitement of feeling Charlotte move inside me, of waiting to see what she would look like, and the preparation for her arrival into our lives made the first 3/4 of the year an incredible journey. Her birth made the last three months full of more love and pure joy than one can even imagine before you experience it.
2009 promises to be full of excitement and change as well, by this time next year we will have a little girl who has learned to sit up, crawl, probably walk, and possibly even talk. She will be eating solid foods, and understanding the world around her in a whole new way. I know that Bryce and I will cherish every moment of the next year, the best is yet to come!!
My New Years Eve wish is that we spend every minute of the next year embracing life, loving and growing Charlotte, and remaining grateful for all we have been given.

Merry Christmas!

The holidays are so much more fun with a child in your arms! Charlotte is absolutely exhausted (I think Bryce and I are too), but she has been so sweet over the last two days. Bryce and I spent Christmas day with his family last year, so it was their turn for Christmas Eve this year. Charlotte got her first piggy bank (from Uncle Charlie), and her first baby doll, along with lots of clothes and bows. She will be able to wear the bows one day, but she has a beautiful bow holder to put them on for now while her hair grows! My parents, Jenna, and Stephen were kind enough to come to our house for Christmas this year. Charlotte is still in a pretty delicate place in her life and really handles stimulating situations best in her own home. She was able to eat and nap in her own room, and I think that was helpful to all of us! Mom and Dad got Charlotte a pretty cool Baby Einstein Discovery center, I can't wait for Charlotte to grow tall enough to use it. I know she will love it! Bryce and I were the practical parents that bought Charlotte a bookcase and a jewelry box for her first Christmas. Santa brought her some new books and foam puzzles to play with in the coming months.
Amidst all the chaos that holidays can bring I really have tried to take a moment here and there to sit back and think about the reason we celebrate Christmas. I know that I will need to explain the story of Christmas to Charlotte soon, and I know that we will need to teach her that there is more than just presents to focus on. Back in middle school a little church bus came to pick up me and my sister for Vacation Bible School, little did I know that bus was taking me to learn about salvation. I was saved that week, and I have held steadfast to my faith ever since then. My hope for Christmas in the future is that I can teach Charlotte how wonderful it is to know and love Jesus and that spending time with loved ones is the best gift of all. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Christmas Eve outfit complete with Santa Skirt

Daddy got a new grill! (notice the outfit change, we had an overflowing diaper!)

Grandma Fulcher

Happy Baby!

I LOVE her pajamas, she looked like such a big girl!

First Christmas Morning!

Jewelry box from Bryce and I, Baxter is checking himself out!


Bookcase from Bryce and I, the bottom shelf is a toy box.


Something for the puppy dogs!

Charlotte decided to wear my new ear muffs

Charlotte in her new discovery center

Charlotte's bookcase filled with all her new stuff

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

My Dad's birthday is today, his first with a grandchild. We got a late start after getting Charlotte dressed in the cutest winter outfit and then quickly getting out of it when she pooped so much it went all the way up her back. At least we were still at home! Charlotte lived up to her age, she thought the restaurant we went to was pretty cool for about the first hour and then it was tears until we got about half way home. I think everyone had a pretty good time though, and the food was delicious! Happy Birthday to my Daddy!! I love you!

I have survived

I survived a week of work. I literally had a laundry basket full of papers that needed to be graded when I returned, and only three days to prepare for final exams, but I have survived. My students must have really missed me because they remained fairly well behaved the whole week, which is no small feat for high schoolers before an extended break. I was also flattered by the number of teachers who stopped by to say they were so glad I'm back because they know that everything will get taken care of again. Charlotte has been so tired at the end of the day that she usually just comes home and sleeps. I guess I should be happy that she is sleeping, but I really miss interacting with her. She loves to "talk" right now, and her little smile is the cutest thing I've ever seen. I think I might be going through withdrawal! My friend Katie, the biologist, and I were talking about the hormones that babies release in their mothers, and since I am not around Charlotte as much any more maybe it is possible that my body was literally going through withdrawal. I was utterly exhausted after work yesterday with a pounding headache but I was so darn excited to get to spend the next two weeks at home with Charlotte again. Having a little one around makes the holidays so much more fun and I cannot wait for Christmas!

2008 Favorite List

I usually get these in email, but this way is so much better!


1) Favorite evening TV show: The Hills
2) Favorite store: Target
3)Favorite Movie: Australia
4)Person (other than family) you are most grateful for this year: My Anesthesiologist
5) Favorite song: Jason Aldean ~"Laughed until we cried"
6)Favorite baby product (for those with kids of course): Uppa Baby Vista
7) Best Party/ Get Together: The hospital room where Charlotte was born
8)Favorite new technology discovery: Blogging
9)Favorite new thing learned about your spouse (or significant other): That he is a wonderful Daddy who actually CAN multitask.
10)Favorite Day: September 15, 2008 Charlotte's birthday

Best Part of 2008: All of the love and support our friends and family gave us while we prepared to bring a baby into our lives, and experiencing the joy of a child in our home.

Wordless Wednesday