all's bright at the albrights

Christmas: part 1 - our house

2012-01-26T11:34:00.000-06:00

We had Christmas a few days early at our house since we would be out of town on the actual day.

Christmas Eve, attempts at getting a pj pic - too much love and too blurry :)

i love this picture

After August went to bed, we baked cookies for Santa.

Then, after Merit went to bed, we spent entirely too long doing this:

Christmas morning

such a fun morning!

photo a day - days 9-23

2012-01-24T10:04:00.000-06:00

day 9: daily routine - four little mermaids in the tub

day 10: childhood - my family in Colorado circa 1983

day 11: where I sleep - my side of the bed

day 12: (I wish we were) close-up - We saw the Civil Wars at the Ryman, and they invited Taylor Swift on stage to sing their new song for the Hunger Games soundtrack.

day 13: in my bag - nothing anyone older than 3 would be interested in!

day 15: happiness - I took Merit to see Beauty and the Beast in 3D. We were both in heaven.

day 16: morning - my fave mug and fave pj's

day 18: something I bought - I found this little vintage piggy bank at a junk/antique store in its original packaging.

day 19: sweet - Merit napping on our bed

day 20: someone I love - more than he knows

day 21: reflection - the sunset in my rear view mirror

day 23: something old - My friend Penny and I spent a few hours exploring this old abandoned farmhouse a little over a week ago. On this past Sunday, Penny drove by and discovered that it had since been demolished. So very sad that it couldn't be saved, but I'm so glad we got a chance to "get to know it" before they tore it down.

santa claus!

2012-01-24T09:21:00.000-06:00

getting ready to go see Santa...everyone's happy!

in the car...Merit could barely contain herself. She kept saying, "Santa is going to be so excited to see me!"

waiting in line...Merit is still excited, August is starting to lose it.

Merit with her standard sweet "Santa smile" (see below), and August looking over at us with the saddest look she has ever given. It was really sad, but I LOVE this picture. When Merit sat down, she said, "Santa! You remember my name, don't you?!" He was a bit awkward. She then told him that she wanted a mermaid dress for Christmas, and he told her how important it is to be a big sister.

2010

2009

2008

day 8: my sky

2012-01-08T12:07:00.001-06:00

It is cold and cloudy here today. Now that Christmas is over, I would just assume winter be over as well!

day 7: favorite

2012-01-07T11:58:00.000-06:00

Today was my favorite mama's birthday!! Happy Birthday, Mama Nina! We love you oh, so much!

In this picture, Merit is wearing a dress that was my mama's when she was little. My Mama Bea made it for her, and it is gorgeous! I love that she still has it. It is one of my favorite family keepsakes!

day 6: makes me smile

2012-01-06T23:49:00.003-06:00

Couldn't choose just one today.

The weather was great today, so we actually got to play outside. Merit was on her "stage" on the steps of the shed, singing a song she was making up as she went. It involved "someone special" and "affections". I loved how she was crossing her fingers while she was singing, and my mom reminded me later that my dad does the exact same thing when he performs with his quartet. SMILE!

Since we've been back from Christmas vacation, August has been pretty obsessed with baby "KaiKai". She sleeps with him, carries him around, feeds and hugs him... more smiles.

My brother Matt sent me links to a couple of pages out of my parents' college yearbook. Here are my parents at age 22. They both have always been such good-looking people! Smile. Smile. Smile.

day 5: something I wore

2012-01-05T17:14:00.000-06:00

my big ole red shades that I got for 99 cents

pic of the day: 2012 edition

2012-01-04T16:49:00.001-06:00

Well, even though I took pictures most days last year, I didn't do so well getting them on the blog. I'm not making any promises this year either, but I'm joining in on this fun little challenge on Instagram that gives a subject for your picture every day.

My first four days:

day 1 - me, treasure-hunting at the farm in Coleman. This wasn't actually January 1st, but close enough. And this is about as "Me" as it gets - doing something I love to do in a place I love to be with people I love to be with.

day 2 - waffle breakfast with my girls

day 3 - I ADORE these vintage pyrex bowls that my mama gave me.

day 4 - Merit likes to check the mail with me to see if Dolly sent her a book. No book today.

happy christmas!

2011-12-24T10:12:00.001-06:00

christmas is here! and thanksgiving was great, but...

2011-12-16T11:51:00.000-06:00

...let's talk about Halloween, shall we?

This post should make up for the lack of action around here.
In fact, this picture alone may make up for it:

You're welcome.

Matt, Nikki, and Kai came to visit us the weekend of Halloween, and we had so much fun! On Saturday, we went to our town's Pumpkin Fest. It was the first time the kids wore their costumes. Merit was Dorothy, August was a munchkin (poor second child - her costume was Merit's gnome costume from a couple of years ago), and Kai was his absolute favorite, "Memo" aka Nemo.

I "made" Merit's Dorothy dress from this dress I found at a thrift store...

Add some red sparkly shoes and braids, and she was her favorite character from "Wizard of Pause".

straight from Munchkinland...

Our downtown has little main street festivals every few months, and they are always so fun. August got to go in the petting zoo for the first time and she LOVED it.

SIDE NOTE: People think August is a boy a lot. She doesn't keep clips and such in her hair, and I'm not a huge pink fan. Anyway, while she was in the petting zoo, wearing this costume that is a DRESS with PINK plaid and big DAISIES, someone asked me about her and kept saying "HE". Really? Who dresses their boy like this?! Okay, I feel better now.

They had almost all of the characters from Wizard of Oz walking around the festival. Merit got SUPER excited when she first spotted the Scarecrow. And then when she saw Dorothy? My goodness, pure happiness. She hugged them both like they were family, and proudly told them, "I'm Dorothy!" (Don't think the witch got a hug.) We've got to get this girl to Disney World.

I have to zoom in on the bottom right picture so you can see the group of ladies in the background who stopped to oooooo and awwwww over the Dorothys.

We spent the rest of the weekend before the real Halloween resting and playing.

I'll have to do trick-or-treating in a post all its own. Coming soon!

redbud christmas card design!

2011-11-16T14:05:00.000-06:00

Just wanted to give a little shameless plug for Redbud real quick. I still have spots available for custom Christmas card design (details HERE), and I have a shop open for premade designs that you can see HERE.

If you order a premade design by November 30th, your name will be entered into a drawing to get your card for free and you might also win the new She and Him Christmas album, which is awesome. Thanks for your support, friends!

halloweener

2011-10-27T14:15:00.000-05:00

Merit: Is it Halloween time yet?

Me: It is getting closer!

Merit: It's just getting Halloweener and Halloweener!

She's pretty excited about her costume this year. Here's a little sneak peek...

the williamson county fair!

2011-10-20T11:07:00.001-05:00

We had such a fun time at the fair this year (way back at the beginning of August). It was August's first fair, and you can't go wrong with taking Merit to a fair. She's a girl after my own heart in many ways, and loving the fair is one of them.

Here she is at the fair last year (our last outing as a family of three!)....

and this year...

Both girls loved checking out and petting all of the animals. Merit showed her enjoyment a little more than August, but August was definitely intrigued!

Texas representing at a Tennessee fair!

Merit went through the little farm and "worked" for an ice cream sandwich. It was adorable - when she was all done with her chores and she got paid, she made herself right at home at the table and busted open the sandwich like it was something she did everyday.

And of course she loved the rides. It's hard not to spend a fortune letting her ride rides all day - they make her SO happy!

Here's a video of Merit riding the Nemo fish ride. At the end it shows August watching the ride go round and round. Super cute. Maybe next year, baby girl.

August got to ride her first carousel ride with Kevan and Merit. She wasn't sure about it at first (it was way past bedtime at this point), but she liked it once it got going.

Oh, my goodness, I love the fair.

2011-10-04T11:04:00.000-05:00

drawing daisies in the driveway

2011-10-03T23:02:00.000-05:00

We went to the park today, and I let August roam about the big kid park for the first time. She was obsessed with climbing the big slide, which was no surprise. She's a climber! She was so determined to make it to the top every time! Her static-y hair was awesome by the end of it, and her little heart was beating so fast.

Speaking of hair, my super sweet and awesomely rad husband dyed my hair a darker brown for me tonight. It reminded me of how my Grandaddy used to give my Mama Bea "permanents". Thank you, Kev!

before-during-after

2011-10-02T10:47:00.000-05:00

after our Sunday lunch with Ava, Audrey, Evie and their families

2011-10-01T22:45:00.000-05:00

August's hair can semi-hold a clip now! I know, things are just a little too exciting around here. ;)

2011-09-30T22:51:00.000-05:00

so thankful that big sister still takes a nap. at the same time that little sister takes her second nap. bless them both!

2011-09-29T11:26:00.000-05:00

Merit can write her name! I love her crazy E's.

hope for Sunday

2011-09-28T16:50:00.000-05:00

I have a ton to do right now. The girls are sleeping, and this is usually my Redbud time, but I can't get sweet Sunday Ibok out of my mind. And not that I want to. He embodies everything all of us should aspire to be. Most of you who read my blog are likely connected to ACU and know who Sunday is. If you didn't know who he was before this week, you probably do now. For the few of you who may not, this is Sunday.

(pics taken from his facebook)

On Monday, he suffered a massive brain aneurism and has been on life support since. He has been declared brain dead. The doctors give no hope. (Although we know otherwise, no matter what happens.)

I haven't seen Sunday in person in several years, but knowing the joyful, dancing, encouraging, life-giving Sunday that I did in college, it is hard to imagine that this is happening right now; that his body is now alive, but lifeless. Sunday and I weren't the best of friends at ACU, but he made me feel that way every time I saw him. I remember specifically that he would always tell me that he thought I was beautiful. It was never in a flirty or romantic way - but it always made me walk a little taller after seeing him. My senior year I was Big Sig, or pledge mom, for my social club. I had all 50+ of my pledges outside of the campus center giving some kind of instructions, and Sunday happened to pass by. He came over, interrupted me, and began to tell all of those girls what he thought of me, again, using the word "beautiful". Eight years later, here I sit with that vivid memory.

I've spent a lot of time the past couple of days reading over the hundreds, maybe thousands of facebook messages he has recieved. People from all over the world are coming and telling stories just like mine. "Sunday always made me feel so loved....he made me feel famous...Sunday is a beaming light in my life..." Message after message a testament to the way he followed and truly loved others like Christ. THIS blog post is written by a friend of his from New York and gives an excellent view of Sunday. Another close friend of his posted this on his facebook:

"We want everyone to find comfort in one of the last conversations Brady, Sunday, and I had... We were discussing the message from church, which covered the portion of the Lord's prayer, "His kingdom come", and Sunday began telling us of his dreams of bringing heaven to earth. He also told us that for the first time in his life he was truly happy and confident in his walk and had come to a place where God was enough. He said that if he never got married, or had children he would be content. The conversation ended with Sunday saying that he feels his life has been fulfilled and that if God was to call him home 'tomorrow' he would be joyful with how far he has come. We rest in confidence that this is Gods mercy in helping to prepare his heart and our hearts for today. He certainly is a good God and we hope that this story will bring you comfort and faith tonight. God is our rock and we stand in praise of his goodness even in tragedy."

I've heard that he may be taken off of life support soon, maybe even tomorrow. There are people all over the planet who can't imagine life without Sunday, so they have been praying for a miracle, and I have joined them. But I know that even if his body isn't healed in the way we hope for, he'll continue to have a major impact on this world. In fact, I'm not completely convinced that he hasn't been an angel all along.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16

then and now

2011-09-06T10:53:00.000-05:00

I hate being behind on this blog. There are things that happened months ago that I need to get on here, for memory's sake, and to ease my own sentimental mind. (I still think about how I never blogged about the wonderful baby shower my friends gave me over a year ago.) And if you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, you know that I still take pictures everyday, but I have failed to get them on here! Anyway, I guess I am apologizing, if only to myself, my mama, and my mama-in-law. ;)

So, in the spirit of catching up, here are a couple of pics from then that I regret never posting from when our dear friends, the Deyos, came to visit us in July. Hopefully, I'll eventually get all of the pictures from that fun weekend on here. Maybe.

Merit and Lily at the creek

(these girls used to look like this)

And now, in the spirit of staying current, here is Merit's new pet - her very first - that she got yesterday. It is a betta fish that she named ~~Jerry~~ ~~Ariel~~ Nemo. Merit loves him, maybe a little too much, as she insists that he needs a blanket and constant snacks. Welcome to the fam, Nemo!

not yet one, but already celebrated!

2011-08-12T08:40:00.000-05:00

August doesn't turn one until tomorrow, but we are headed to Colorado this weekend, so we had a little party for her last weekend. The party started at 4, and around 2 that afternoon, birthday girl decided to try crawling out of her crib, which resulted in her falling out and getting a bloody nose. I have never felt worse in my life. She ended up being okay and with a couple of bruises on her cheek. Crib now lowered to the lowest possible spot! It was so horrible, but will definitely be something we'll never forget about that day!

the invites

This pic pretty much sums up my vision for this party - vintage yellow rose party (because of her name and duh, TEXAS) with daisies, peach, orange and cream accents

the decorations

the favors - I made yellow rose cookies.

the party!

Since we are seeing my family this weekend in Colorado, my parents weren't able to come to Tennessee for the party, so we put them on iChat as we sang and she ate her cupcake.

a sweet bunch of girls - Ava, Bennet, Audrey, Liberty, Lorelei, Merit, and August!

Bennet, Lorelei, and August are all really close in age - her future bff's!

Thank you so much to everyone who came and made August's day so special. It truly meant so much to us to have you there.

Happy Birthday, August Rose! Tomorrow we will celebrate you all over again!

merit the flower girl

2011-08-12T08:22:00.001-05:00

A couple of weekends ago, we flew to west Texas to see Kevan's cousin, Beckah, get married!

It was extra special because Merit got to be a flower girl for the first time. Here she is at the rehearsal

with all of the pretty Hayes girls - her Great Aunt "Dedi", her great-grandmother, and her Grammie!

Wedding Day - getting ready

We were there early for pictures, so she played with the other little kids in the wedding, and they all got a turn on the ipads.

She had been asking for weeks if she was going to "get a boy" at the wedding. She was lucky - she got twins! ;)

Beckah was so beautiful!

And, of course, so was Merit.

She did get a little stage fright right before showtime. I went to the back and talked her into it, and she ended up doing great.

Congrats to Beckah and Hagen! Thank you for including Merit on your special day. So glad we were able to be there!

first-date-aversary

2011-08-05T23:57:00.000-05:00

Eleven years ago tonight, Kevan Albright picked me up in his maroon '81 Jeep Wagoneer and took me out on our very first date. We were kids - a young 17 and 18. We had been "chatting" earlier in the day on IM, and he asked if I wanted to go see a movie with him at the Paramount, our local downtown theater.

Of course I did.

I carefully chose my clothes, picking a light blue skirt. I had actually never worn a skirt on a date before, but this felt different, and I wanted to look my best. When he came to the door I risked awkwardness and had my mama take our picture. I just had a feeling that I would one day be glad to have that photo.

I was right.

excuse the blurriness - this is a cell phone pic of the original pic...

We went to see a movie from the 1930's called Anthony Adverse about... I actually have no idea what this movie was about. We were by far the youngest in the theater. We sat in the balcony. I think I remember eating popcorn. I for sure remember loving all 141 minutes sitting next to Kevan.

the actual program from that night

we now have this movie poster hanging in our room

After the movie, we went to Abilene Coffee Co. for some coffee and pie. I'm sure we talked about the summer we had just had. Maybe a little about how I was about to head to ACU, and his football two-a-days were just around the corner. Although I had a strong feeling - even that night - that this was going to be it for me, what if we had known then that this date was really the beginning of the rest of our lives? Would I have believed that eleven years down the road, I would be spending my entire August 5th getting ready for our second daughter's first birthday party? Would Kevan have believed that around the same time our date was probably ending that night, on August 5, 2011, he would still be selflessly working at his second job of the day to help ends meet for his family of four - a family that would include the girl sitting across the table from him?

I think I might have believed it. But I couldn't have ever known how blessed the following eleven years were going to be.

Thank you so much for asking me out, Kev. On IM. I love you!

eleven months

2011-07-27T15:44:00.001-05:00

Dear August Rose,

You are now eleven and a half months old! We will be celebrating your first birthday oh, so very soon.

At eleven months, you are still, of course, as sweet as can be.

I haven't updated about you in a couple of months, so there is much to report!

A couple of weeks after you turned 10 months old, you starting taking steps here and there. A week or so after that, you decided that walking was all you wanted to do. You were such a cute little crawler that I do miss seeing you do that, but you might be an even cuter walker!

Now that you can walk, one of your favorite things to do is go outside and walk up and down the driveway. You'll stop ever so often to play with (or eat) the sidewalk chalk, and then you'll go exploring again.

(This is one of my favorite pictures of you - you heard a noise in the neighbor's backyard and were so concerned. I love how your little pinky is in the air.)

Another favorite thing to do now that you can walk is carry various items all over the house since your hands are free to do so. You usually have a baby doll or a shoe...or a remote...or clothes from the laundry. You make a big mess doing this, but it is just so cute that I don't mind a ton.

Speaking of baby dolls, you now rock them, pat them, and give them kisses. Sweet thing.

The same week you started taking steps, you also started getting four teeth on top and you ran a low fever for three or four days. It was incredibly sad to see you feel so badly. You are STILL working on those four teeth.

You are now saying: Daddy, Mama, Hi, Bye-Bye (ba-ba), Baby (beh-bee), Uh Oh (eh-eooooh), and Cheese (teeeeee) whenever you see my camera or phone :)

Here you are saying "teeeeeee!"

You LOVE your daddy- like will stare down the driveway chanting his name, hoping for him to come home, but I think you might be a mama's girl, and I don't mind that one bit. Some of my favorite times of our day is standing with you next to your crib before naps or bedtime. We sway from side to side while you bury your face under my chin. You'll hang one hand to one side while the other pats my arm or touches my face. I sing "You are my August Rose, my only August Rose..." before I lay you down to go to sleep. I love being your mama.

Here we are around this time last year...

...and here we are this summer.

Baby girl, I am so proud of you. You have such a kind and gentle spirit about you already.

I am loving every second watching you learn and explore and carry things and say new words and play with Merit and play by yourself and love on your babies and turn into the little person whom we all adore.

I have loved your baby days, August Rose, and am relieved that a first birthday doesn't automatically turn you into a little girl just yet. Can't wait to celebrate you this next month. You are SO very loved!

much love,
your mama

August Rose, on the move

2011-07-06T18:29:00.000-05:00

I think August woke up this morning and decided that today was the day she would quit crawling and fully commit to this walking thing. I really haven't seen her crawl much all morning, and I am trying my best not to be too sad about that. Here is a little video of her (and Merit) walking down our driveway today after lunch...

thrifted

2011-06-27T11:58:00.000-05:00

favorite finds last week:

3 kids records from the '80s that we'll most likely use as art in the girls' room and one little white owl

2011-06-26T11:51:00.002-05:00

On our walk tonight, Merit asked if she could bring her "bible". She brought along my book (that I wasn't the biggest fan of, by the way), "The Happiest Toddler on the Block" and read to August for a lot of our walk. We had a really great Sunday.

2011-06-25T11:47:00.001-05:00

Tonight we joined the Harrisons downtown to eat some yummy pizza and watch our favorite Beatles cover band, SixtyFour. They had a fun little photobooth...

2011-06-24T14:13:00.004-05:00

August started taking real steps this week. She took her first two in a row on Tuesday and has worked up to her current record of seven. :) Not sure I'm ready for this, but the cute little stinker pot didn't want to wait around for me to be ready.

Way to go, August Rose!

best friends forever

2011-06-23T14:06:00.001-05:00

My dear friend Penny made these shirts for me last summer as a baby gift. I wasn't able to get the best picture of the shirts because the girls were too busy, well, being best friends. :)

2011-06-20T14:01:00.001-05:00

2011-06-19T13:57:00.000-05:00

my babies' daddy and my daddy after church on Father's Day

also today - Merit's first recital! (full post coming soon...)

2011-06-18T13:56:00.001-05:00

catching fireflies with PaPa before bed

2011-06-17T13:53:00.000-05:00

We went to see Tangled at our little downtown's newly renovated theater. August slept through most of her first movie. :)

2011-06-16T13:51:00.000-05:00

swimming in the backyard with Nina and PaPa

2011-06-15T22:23:00.001-05:00

Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers as Merit underwent her testing. She did SO well with everything, and thought it was great that we got to see inside her belly. Seeing her in this little hospital gown was one of the cutest and saddest things I've ever seen!

We haven't heard any results yet. Thanks again for caring about our girl!

prayers for my girl

2011-06-14T19:03:00.005-05:00

Over the past couple of months, sweet Merit has had two urinary tract infections back to back. It hasn't been fun.

Because of this, we have to go to the hospital tomorrow afternoon for some testing to be sure that she doesn't have any reflux in her bladder. It will involve a catheter, an ultrasound, and a very nervous mama. Although I am thankful for her doctor who cares about her, and for the technology to check these types of things out, I am not all that excited about it.

I really think Merit will do just fine (most likely better than I will) as she is a pretty tough little girl, and she absolutely loves doctor visits. This will be a visit unlike any that she has had thus far though, so prayers for her little heart are welcome. And of course, prayers that everything looks okay and that there is an easy fix so that her "pee pee won't hurt" anymore. :)

I am aware and in awe of the many parents who have gone through medical issues much, much worse than this with their precious babies. I am thankful every second for my two healthy girls. Thanks in advance for your thoughts and prayers for all of us tomorrow! Much love...

thrifted

2011-06-14T10:34:00.000-05:00

My finds yesterday at the thrift store...

two embroidered yarn pictures and one super sweet vintage baby boy romper

Yes, I realize I don't have any baby boys, but this is cute enough to hold onto just in case. (No, I'm not pregnant.) (I told you I might be a hoarder.)

2011-06-13T12:02:00.001-05:00

Today Merit brought this dress to me and asked if she could wear it. It had long sleeves, so I told her it was probably too hot. She asked if we could cut the sleeves out, and since they were "faux sleeves", if you will, I said we could do that. She then asked if she could wear the sleeves as leggings. Such a creative fashionista. She let me take some pics of her cute outfit and did this pose all on her own. Love this girl.

In other news, Happy 10 months to this precious baby cakes. Love her, too.

2011-06-11T23:59:00.001-05:00

Merit had dress rehearsal today. Here's a sneak peek at what is to come Sunday at her first recital. She talks nonstop about how she and the other "baby angels" will be dancing on the stage. She can't wait and neither can I!

pics of the day

2011-06-11T11:02:00.000-05:00

For the two of you who may be interested, I just updated some of our pics of the day. You can scroll back through the blog, or go HERE to see the new ones. :)

2011-06-10T13:50:00.000-05:00

2011-06-08T13:49:00.001-05:00

baby bed head

2011-06-07T23:57:00.001-05:00

Both girls are loving the backyard pool, but August thinks it is just about the greatest thing she's ever experienced.

growing up is hard to do

2011-06-07T11:17:00.002-05:00

Last night we had about an hour drive home, and it was just me and the girls in the car. About ten minutes into the drive, August started crying and was worked into a full screaming cry not long after. I realized I had left the paci at home, but when August is that mad, she usually just spits it out anyway. Merit and I were handing over everything we could think of to calm her down...toys, books, Kevan's sunglasses, my wallet...all to no avail. After August had been crying for almost 30 minutes, Merit said, "Mama, you should sing her a lullaby."

Frustrated and trying to concentrate on the construction that had backed up traffic, I said, "Merit, that's not going to work. I'm sorry, I just can't do that right now."

More minutes passed with poor August in hysterics.

"Okay. Sing with me, Merit."

We started to sing "Tender Shepherd", a song my mama had sung to me and one I now sing to my babies. We sang it over and over maybe fifteen times.

"Tender Shepherd. Tender Shepherd. Watches over His sheep at night..."

August slowly went from a screaming cry to a whimper. I heard Merit from the back seat.

"Mama! It's working!"

I told her what a great idea she had, and then I started singing other lullabies, in the same order that I used to sing through them when I would rock Merit as a baby: "Jesus Loves Me", "You Are My Sunshine", "Merit is a Pretty Little Girl", "Tender Shepherd", and "Bicycle Built for Two." As I sang, I still heard some crying, although I thought August had gone to sleep miles ago. I stopped to discover that it was Merit who was crying.

"Merit, what's the matter? Why are you crying?"

"Those songs make me cry, Mama."

"Why do they make you cry?"

"I don't know, but will you keep singing?"

So, through my own tears I kept singing until we pulled into our driveway.

It was as though she knew there was an emotional attachment to those songs, but her three-year-old self couldn't quite comprehend why they were affecting her like that. What a sweet heart that girl has. Her baby days are gone, and I think we both know that although it is a very good thing to grow up (and indeed, to add new little loves to our family), we do miss those days.

Just me and her in the rocking chair.

February 2009

2011-06-06T13:46:00.000-05:00

August's first swim! In this one day of swimming, Merit went from clinging to me or the steps to swimming around by herself (with her floaties). Fun!

2011-06-04T10:37:00.000-05:00

Kevan cleans our church on occasion, and today we went up there with him while he worked. The girls and I played (and dressed up!) in Merit's classroom and August LOVED crawling up and down the hallway.

2011-06-03T10:55:00.001-05:00

Merit dancing with Jake at storytime this morning

2011-06-02T22:57:00.000-05:00

Merit and Audrey encompassing all that is great about friendship and summertime

2011-06-02T21:27:00.001-05:00

I found this vintage pillowcase at a thrift store the other day for 99 cents. Today I used THIS tutorial to turn it into a cute little dress for Merit.

I'll have to share some of my other thrift store finds soon. I'm becoming a little obsessed. Don't be shocked when I show up on the next season of Hoarders.

2011-06-01T10:54:00.000-05:00

Merit Fey looking cute.

dear august rose,

2011-05-31T21:52:00.004-05:00

You are now nine and a half months old! I failed to get your 8 month letter written, so there is some major catching up to do. (I also forgot to take your 8 month chair pic, but I took these right before your 8 month birthday, so they'll have to do...)

Your eighth month was eventful, for sure! You got your first tooth about a week after you turned 7 months old, and your second followed a week or two later - both on the bottom and cute as can be. You started crawling the week before you turned 8 months old. You love being able to get around! You'll crawl from the kitchen, down the hallway, into the living room and into your room, then back again. Not long after you started crawling, you started pulling up. And THEN you started clapping. I felt like you were doing something new every single day there for a while!

Your ninth month has been full of fun, too.

At nine and a half months, you weigh 20.5 pounds (77%) and are 28 inches long (68%). You've started cruising along the furniture, and you've also started letting go and standing by yourself for a few seconds at a time. Your little legs look so cute when you're standing.

You're pretty much eating only table food now. You're doing really well at feeding yourself, and I cannot get enough of of the way you concentrate and use your two little fingers to pick up bits of food. It's real cute. You have liked pretty much everything you've tried, but I think your favorites are peas and bananas. You're starting to use the sign for "more".

You are getting to where you play with and alongside Merit a lot throughout the day. You love her so much and always want to be where she is. She loves you just as much, but isn't sure what she thinks yet about you playing with her toys. I think she is in for a surprise once you're able to have a strong opinion about things yourself! You've been sleeping in the room with her for almost two weeks now, and so far, so good. Merit loves having "sleepovers" with you.

One of your cutest new tricks is waving and saying "HHHHIIIIII!" You almost always have your mouth wide open when you wave (always with your left hand), and sometimes you manage to get the "hi" out. You're also saying "dada" A LOT, "mama" a little, and you got really good at "papa" while we were in Abilene. Another cute trick is playing peek-a-boo. You laugh and laugh when someone plays with you. You'll mimic us and try to cover your eyes, then throw your hands out to either side. You haven't quite gotten the cover your eyes part down yet, but you look so precious trying.

In late April, we celebrated your first Easter. You had a great time watching Merit hunt eggs in our yard at home. Can't wait to see you join her next year.

We spent Easter Sunday in Jackson with Grammie, Popsy, and your Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa. You wore the sweetest little pink romper with an embroidered Easter lily that I had found at a thrift store about a year before you were born. When we found out you were a girl, I remembered that pink romper in the closet and was excited that it still fit around Eastertime.

At the beginning of this month, we spent a week in Abilene with Nina and PaPa. You were so interested in the cows when we visited the farm. I know you are one day going to love that place as much as I do.

Oh, sweet baby August Rose. I can't help but have the giddiest smile every time I pick you up. Usually because you're giving me one right back. You are beautiful in every way, and I'm so glad that you're mine. It is still hard to believe, but I'm glad nonetheless.

I know you'll be one in no time at all, so I am trying my best to soak up these baby days with you. I find myself trying to memorize your chubby feet, the sound of you oohing over something you find interesting, or the look of your smile with only two little teeth. I love all of you with all of me, baby girl. And don't you ever, ever forget it.

much love,

your mama

2011-05-31T10:28:00.002-05:00

Letting my parents "babysit" while I make lunch!

2011-05-27T10:35:00.003-05:00

beautiful baby in the backseat

2011-05-26T22:27:00.001-05:00

Happy 28th Birthday to Daddy Kev!

today: a birthday and anniversary

2011-05-26T14:05:00.000-05:00

So thankful that you were born on this day twenty-eight years ago in Amarillo, Texas. About a four hour drive directly south of you in Midland, Texas, there lived a little one-year-old girl who was unaware of how much that day - and who that day brought - was going to change her life someday. Not only just the birth of the boy she would one day marry, but in twenty-one short years, May 26th would also become the day that you would ask her to be your wife.

We had just finished up our senior and sophomore years at ACU. The night of your birthday, we were needing to kill some time before dinner, so you took me to Redbud park to walk around. You told me you had gotten me a present for your birthday, and I pulled a cute green shirt out of a sack. As I was thinking about how sweet that was of you, it got a LOT sweeter when I saw a shiny ring tied to the tag of the shirt! I still can't believe you pulled that off, Kev.

And just like your blessed life began on May 26th, 1983, our little family began on the same day in 2004. Thank you so much for inviting me to be by your side for life. I just know that 28 is going to treat you well.

Afterall, it just keeps getting better...

and better...

...does it not?

I love you so very much, Kevan. You are completely adored by every single girl in this household. HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

um, yeah

2011-05-24T09:32:00.001-05:00

Wow, it seems I am a tad bit behind here on the ole blog, which is fitting for just about all things in my life at this moment: sleep...laundry...Redbud projects...etc, etc. BUT! I've had great excuses to get me to this point. We spent a week in Abilene and just this last weekend, Matt, Nikki, and Kai came to visit us here. I may or may not get caught up someday, but for now I'll sit and think about how kind the month of May has been to me so far (aside from the cicada invasion - not cool).

2011-05-23T10:25:00.001-05:00

love. this. kid.

2011-05-22T10:24:00.001-05:00

Matt, Nikki, and Kai are here for a visit!

2011-05-18T10:22:00.000-05:00

August, just playin' and practicing her hurkey.

2011-05-16T10:20:00.001-05:00

Clinton Pickens, a good friend of mine from high school, was in town so we had him over for dinner. Merit, of course, loved him as much as Kevan and I do.

2011-05-14T10:19:00.001-05:00

Merit shared some goldfish with August on the long drive back to Tennessee.

2011-05-13T10:16:00.001-05:00

Happy 9 months, August Rose!

2011-05-10T10:15:00.000-05:00

tub full of cute cousins

2011-05-08T10:07:00.001-05:00

Merit's first swim of the summer with Macy and Zoey!

2011-05-07T10:02:00.001-05:00

About to fly to Texas by myself with the girls...they gave Kevan a hall pass that allowed him to help me through security and sit with us at the gate. Amazing!

2011-05-05T10:06:00.001-05:00

Making mother's day gifts for Grammie and Nina!

2011-05-02T09:55:00.001-05:00

2011-04-30T22:00:00.001-05:00

Merit got her face painted for the first time at the Main St. Fesitval. She was a little giddy about it.

2011-04-29T21:58:00.001-05:00

We told Merit that after her nap, we'd be taking her to a surprise....the Main Street Festival carnival!

a few family pics

2011-04-26T23:01:00.005-05:00

this pic of Merit makes me want to cry for oh, so many reasons...

2011-04-24T10:59:00.000-05:00

We had a fun time celebrating Easter in Jackson!

2011-04-23T10:51:00.002-05:00

We hunted Easter eggs in our backyard today. When I asked Merit how she thought they got here, she said, "Well, I guess they just rolled in." However they got here, she was SO excited to hunt them all!

(more Easter pics to come...)

2011-04-16T10:49:00.001-05:00

We took a walk down our street today. I had August in my stroller, and Merit decided her guitar needed some fresh air.

2011-04-15T10:43:00.002-05:00

It is getting harder and harder to keep up with this girl. She'd rather crawl than sit, and recently, would rather pull up and stand than crawl. Slow it on down, August Rose.

merit's 3rd birthday party!

2011-04-14T12:00:00.000-05:00

Merit was a bit indecisive about what kind of party she wanted this year. I figured she was old enough now to have a say, so I wanted to do something she would really enjoy. We started out thinking about Care Bears (a Mer-Bear party!), then she moved onto ballet, then macaroni and cheese (true story), then she would mention pink and purple... so I just decided to stick with pink and purple. I'm honestly not much of a fan of those two colors by themselves, so I threw in some mint green for myself. :)

the invites

The day of Merit's party started with ballet. Nina and Papa were in town, so they got to come watch her do her thing.

After ballet, we went into party mode. We ran some last minute errands, and Mama helped me ice the cake and cupcakes. We made a pink and purple layered cake with pink and mint green cupcakes.

While we finished getting everything ready, Kevan grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, and PaPa took a nap with the birthday girl.

It was fun when she woke up to everything decorated and ready.

Since there wasn't really a theme other than her favorite colors, I decided to base the foods around her favorites, as well. I asked her all about her faves, and was sure to include all of them.

(Thanks to Grammie for the yummy homemade mac-n-cheese!)

The favors included some Merit faves, too - sidewalk chalk, fruit roll-ups, and Toy Story and My Little Pony stickers.

Merit was so excited as she waited for friends and family to arrive.

When they finally did, she led them all to her new "yellow park" to play a while before we ate.

After we ate up all of Merit's faves, she blew out her candles.

opening presents...

We didn't have much success with a kids on the couch pic...
Ava, Liam, Audrey, Merit, and Liberty

the mamas

PaPa, Nina, Grammie, and Popsy

our little fam (and proof that sweet August was indeed in attendance. poor second/maybe-someday-middle child - toward the end of the party my parents realized she hadn't had her supper yet, so they fed her for me. )

It was another fun Merit party. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MERIT FEY!!
Thank you to all of our friends and family who came!

merit's 3rd birthday, part one

2011-04-14T05:58:00.000-05:00

{a really long post about Merit's actual birthday before another really long post about Merit's birthday party}

The day of Merit's actual birthday was super busy and fun. Kevan and I had decorated the house and kitchen with pink and purple balloons and streamers, so when she woke up and came into our room to wake us up, she had already seen the decorations. She and Kevan got up to go get some (pink) donuts, and I could hear her in the kitchen saying, "Daddy, it's my birthday! I'm three! Can you believe I'm three?!" When they got back, we ate breakfast together and she got to open her pink and purple presents. Her pj's and hoodie even matched. This girl loves a good pink and purple color combo.

Pictured below - 1. Unknowingly sitting on her big birthday present - a new swingset from us and the Albrights. 2. I had been telling her for a while that she could have gum when she turned three, so she got to chew her first piece of gum. 3. More practice making a three.

I told her I would take her to the zoo, and she was SO excited. Here she is in the car on the way at 10:57am, exactly the time she was born three years ago!

We got all the way to the zoo to see this:

I made the mistake of getting her and August out and in the stroller before I decided that I just couldn't do it. I've never seen the zoo that busy, and I didn't think I could handle the double stroller in a crowd by myself! I felt TERRIBLE, but I made the excited birthday girl a sad birthday girl and got us back in the car. She cried and cried for the 30 minute drive back to our side of town (and I did a little, too! Oh, man, I felt bad). I got the idea to take her to Build-a-Bear since she had never been, and I knew she'd love it. She wasn't convinced as we drove to get Kevan and go to the mall, but once we got there and she figured out what it was, she LOVED it! Birthday saved!

She chose a pink and purple bear (shocker) with a rainbow fairy dress and ballet slippers. We paid for our ~~mistake of going to the zoo during Spring Break week~~ bear, and rode the carousel before it was time for Kev to go back to work.

Then, the girls and I had a picnic lunch at the park!

Followed by a three hour nap for Merit. She was worn. Out.

After she woke up, we told her that we would take her anywhere she wanted to go for supper. She had been talking about Chuck E. Cheese's for days, but something wonderful came over her and she chose Chuy's. We didn't argue!

They were out of birthday sopapillas, so they brought us the yummiest cake at no charge. (Side note: Merit gets free stuff everywhere we go. Free cookies at Subway...free chocolate milk at Starbucks...the other night at Dotson's, the waitress gave her a DOLLAR and then came back by with a sucker...)

We then went home to blow out her candles on her birthday cupcakes, and we all went to bed full and happy. Overall, a really great day of celebrating our first baby girl!

2011-04-13T20:49:00.000-05:00

Happy 8 months to this sweet girl today.

She's had a busy week. Check out these skills!

2011-04-11T20:41:00.001-05:00

Ballet day - quite possibly my favorite day of the week.

2011-04-09T20:38:00.002-05:00

Today Merit picked these flowers for me.

And said these clouds looked like a dinosaur.

Have I mentioned that I love spring?

2011-04-07T21:45:00.000-05:00

Kev took these pics of his girls enjoying the sunshine.

a sunday at the park

2011-04-03T22:05:00.001-05:00

2011-04-01T23:22:00.004-05:00

I recently got a new camera and have been practicing this week. I took these today while little Augs was doing some practicing of her own. She'll be crawling very, very soon!

my (first) 29th bday

2011-03-31T15:45:00.001-05:00

I have some birthday updating to do since a certain little girl in our house just turned THREE. But I have the need to go in chronological order, so... I had a great birthday this year! My actual birthday seemed to center around food, and I was okay with that. I got to eat a couple of great meals with my little family...

lunch at Jason's Deli

dinner at my fave local diner, Dotson's

(I hereby declare - again - that Merit looks like her daddy.)

and Maggie Moo's for dessert! (or, as Merit would say, "Cow Moo's for zert")

Kev gave me the greatest necklace ever.

A couple of days later, Kev threw me a little party at our house with some dear friends.

And I got more thoughtful and wonderful presents.

(Thank you, thank you Penny, Melissa, and Jen!!)

It was a fun start to the last year in my twenties. Thirty's not gonna be so bad, right? Right?!

2011-03-28T21:59:00.002-05:00

We had a fun little (pink and purple) 3rd birthday party tonight!

2011-03-27T21:56:00.000-05:00

My dad helped Kevan put together Merit's birthday present from us and the Albrights. We managed to keep it a secret until it was up in the yard. She loves her new "yellow park"!

2011-03-25T21:54:00.002-05:00

We went to eat lunch today with Nina and PaPa, and August sat in the restaurant high chair for the first time. So big!

2011-03-23T21:49:00.001-05:00

Merit got a shot at her well check-up today. And shots always = ice cream!

2011-03-22T22:19:00.000-05:00

We had such a fun time celebrating Merit today. It was a full day of donuts, Build-a-Bear, a carousel ride, a picnic at the park, a 3 hour nap, cupcakes, and her choice of supper at Chuy's.

HAPPY, HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY, MERIT!!!!

2011-03-21T21:31:00.000-05:00

I spent today soaking up every second I could with two-year-old Merit, for tomorrow, she becomes three-year-old Merit. I watched her proudly at her ballet class, we ate lunch outside with Kevan, and we went to the park to play and throw flowers in the creek. I know she'll be the same Merit tomorrow when she wakes up, but I couldn't help but think that today was the last day with my "baby" Merit. Three just sounds so BIG.

Please don't grow up too fast, Merit Fey.

2011-03-20T22:01:00.000-05:00

My two little cuties by our cute little pink bush.

and for fun, the little pink bush pic from last spring...

2011-03-19T21:45:00.002-05:00

I'm loving the view out of our front door right now. Spring is welcome at my house anytime.

2011-03-18T21:41:00.001-05:00

Grammie and Popsy came this weekend to help us make our yard look pretty.

7 months!

2011-03-18T11:19:00.001-05:00

Dear August Rose,

Happy 7 months, baby girl! The months are just flying by, aren't they?

This past month you got a little bigger. A little sweeter.

At six and a half months, you weighed 18 pounds (87%) and were 27 inches long (83%). We're so thankful for another healthy baby girl.

I feel like you are getting so big, but it helps this time around to have an older baby girl to remind me just how little you still are.

I'm pretty certain that your daddy is your favorite person in the world. He makes you soooo happy. You make a "da" and a "de" sound a lot, and I don't think it's coincidence that you often say these when you see him. Here you are visiting him at work one day.

We also hear "a-da!", "ga!", "n-da!", and one of my faves, "au-gie!" allll day long. You are loving that voice of yours.

Some of your firsts this past month included...

your first Valentine's day

All kinds of baby food - you have a sweet tooth like the rest of us, so your faves are sweet potatoes and any fruit.

Riding in the grocery cart like a big girl makes you so very happy. You'd think you were at a carnival or something.

I finally got brave enough to leave you in the church nursery. Your sister was 9 months old when I first took her, so that's progress! Of course, you did great.

And you met your Uncle Matt, Aunt Nik-Nik, and cousin Kai for the first time (during what I think was your 4th trip to Texas).

When I was taking your chair pics, you surprised me by pushing up on the arm of the chair all by yourself!

We just love you so much, Augs.

You are learning so much it makes me wonder what all I'll be reporting about you next month. I'm thinking that crawling might not be too far away. And maybe you can work some "mama" sounds into your vocabulary?

The more I get to know you, the more I love each and every bit of you.

Thank you, Lord, for this precious baby.

Happy 7 Months, August!

much love,

your mama

2011-03-16T20:55:00.001-05:00

It was beautiful today. We took a walk to the market, and Merit chose a Capri Sun. Spring is just the greatest.

2011-03-15T20:50:00.001-05:00

I gave August some puffs today for the first time after her breakfast. I loved watching her determined look as she worked to pick one up and get it to her little mouth.

merit's first ballet class!

2011-03-15T11:08:00.001-05:00

OH my goodness. Merit and I both loved every second of her first ballet and tap class yesterday. I can't even put into words the cuteness that went on, so I'll let the pictures and video do most of the talking.

In the car I asked her to show me how excited she was and I got this:

She loved holding her bag with her ballet "swippers" and tap shoes inside.

Her bff Audrey is taking the class with her. Together, the cuteness was just over the top.

Class started with some stretching.

In this video, Ms. Jessie announces that it's almost time to dance. Merit heard "dance" and then had little interest in staying in the circle. Something we'll work on for next class, I guess. :)

They danced with tiaras on for a little while.

Then they took turns showcasing their skills.

Ms. Jessie wrapped up ballet and declared it tap time!

Penny and I just kept looking at each other in disbelief at the cuteness taking place in front of us. I'm really not exaggerating when I say that it may have been one of the favorite hours of my life. I was SO proud of Merit and was so happy because she was so happy. She may have been off in her own little world a time or two, but overall, she did a great job listening to Ms. Jessie and she gave it her all!

I have a feeling Ms. Jessie is well on her way to becoming one of Merit's favorite people.

Merit's face is blurry in this pic, but I had to document how proud I was of my girl!

2011-03-14T21:19:00.000-05:00

Merit and Audrey started ballet and tap today. It was a full hour of pure cuteness.

2011-03-13T21:31:00.000-05:00

Happy 7 Months to August Rose!

(this girl loves a good grocery cart ride.)