girl time, visits, and videos

Last week was filled with beautiful weather, all kinds of fun, and a few fits - but hey, that's a normal occurrence. {We are now to the point where she throws herself down on the ground. It's high drama.} Check out the Raggedy Ann and Andy outfit from Grandma. Love the tutu. Might have to cut the feet out so she can wear it out of the house. But those Mary Janes are so dang cute.

 Hannah's new favorite thing to do is "read" the photo book my mom made her of her first year. I frequently hear her in the other room saying "Da-da. Da-da. Da-da!" Yeah, Hannah, there are other people in the book too. All I hear all day is "Da-da". She knows who I am and how to say it, but it's funny, I don't hear her declare my name over and over...Guess since I'm with her all day everyday I'm boring. But it is cute to find her flipping through the pages, studying the pictures.

Granddaddy came with a big surprise on Wednesday - a princess cycle. It's too big right now of course, but she was thrilled nonetheless. She can barely reach the handlebars, and certainly not the pedals, so instead she hops on it and pushes herself backwards. She was in awe watching the "big boy" across the street on his.

Banana loves her story time before bed. On Wednesday night, Daddy tried a new book from Aunt Trudie. She liked.

Friday and Saturday I kept Hannah busy so Joe could get as much work done on his dissertation as possible. We had a momma-daughter morning on Saturday - went out to breakfast at Huddle House and drove around town singing songs and exploring. And then Grandma came in the afternoon to play. {You have seen this dress from Auntie Jen before. I'm crazy about it. Hungry Caterpillar is a fave in this house. In fact, the big beach ball is from the gigantic caterpillar we had in the front yard for her 1st birthday party.} On the hammock, they are singing "Row, row, row your boat."

This week Joe was gone Monday to Wednesday, so more girl time. We hardly left the house. 

The weather is still unseasonably warm down here in South Georgia so we took advantage of it and went for a walk. I am having to walk slower than I would like because a couple times last week we went walking and I had contractions - painful ones. We are not ready for baby boy to be here, and there is no way I'd survive under bed rest, so I'm trying to slow myself down. Hard for me to do... I'm the kind that likes to get stuff done, be productive, exercise and have something to show for the day. Don't get me wrong - I love to sit on the couch and read a book, but if that's all I have accomplished then after a while I start to go mad. I cannot imagine being in nesting mode and having to rest, especially with this one in the house. So...slower walks it is. Before we head out, I tell her it's time for a snack. See her trying to pry open "her" cabinet? Caught in the act.

 

I wish I had a baby picture of Joe to post next to this one. 

And we're off. By the way, the yarn scarf thing was her addition.

Finally, it's been a while since I've posted any videos, so I thought I'd attach a couple of recent ones. The first: bath time. Hannah's favorite thing is her little farm book. She knows it well. The second: sending Daddy off to work. Pay attention to how we blow kisses...Mmmah! Sound effects are everything.

my banana

I love everything about this picture. The face. The look in the eyes. The hands pressed against the glass. The marks on the door you can see from where she put her mouth up to it. How she is intensely focused on what is going on outside - us. I was about to head out and Joe and Hannah were going for a walk. But first he took a picture of me and my growing belly. As she does anytime we walk out the back door to take the garbage out, watch the dogs, or tend the garden, she is captivated.

all in

In light of what has recently happened, I thought it was a fitting time for this post. While I did not personally attend Auburn University, my husband and many members of his family did. And so I consider myself a member of the Family...and ALL IN.

If you do not know the story, someone has admitted to poisoning the century-old oak trees at Auburn's beloved Toomer's Corner. Whether you like Auburn or not, what was done is despicable. And the guy is proud of it. Sad. No respectable person would think it was cool, funny, or deserved. You can see a great YouTube video here featuring Auburn's creed. (As with most YouTube videos, you are better off ignoring the comments. Also despicable.) 

 Through email I saw this, posted on AUFAMILY.com

And The Whos Kept On Singing

This whole thing with the Toomer's trees reminds me of the story of "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas". Perhaps "Al" aka Harvey Almorn Updyke, from Dadeville ought to read that book. The Grinch could no more steal Christmas by stealing the Whos' presents than "Al" can steal the Auburn Spirit by poisoning our Toomer's trees. Do you remember what happened when the Whos woke up and their presents were gone? I am sure they were upset at first but it just made them realize even more that the Christmas spirit isn't contained in boxes or bows-just as the Auburn Spirit isn't contained in those trees, so they still celebrated, and kept on singing. Spirit comes from and exists within, and no one, not even "Al" the Grinch, can take that away. In fact, hurtful and hateful acts only make the Auburn Spirit stronger because we realize how invaluable and intangible it really is.

"And the toilet paper, the trunk, the branches and leaves, 

I'll bring it all down with poisoned disease. 

Their mouths will hang open a minute or two, 

all the fans down in Auburn will all cry BOO-HOO! 

That's a noise," grinned "Al" from Dadeville, "That I simply must hear!" 

 So he paused. And the Grinch called "Al" put a hand to his ear. 

And he did hear a sound rising over the Plains. 

It started in low. Then it started to grow... 

But the sound wasn't sad! Why, this sound sounded merry! 

It couldn't be so! But it WAS merry! VERY! 

He stared down at Auburn! 

"Al" popped his eyes! Then he shook! What he saw was a shocking surprise! 

Every Tiger down in Auburn, the tall and the small, were still celebrating without any trees at all! 

He HADN'T stopped the Auburn Spirit from coming! 

IT CAME! 

Somehow or other, it came just the same! 

And the Grinch called "Al" stood puzzling and puzzling: 

"How could it be so? 

It came without paper or shakers or trees, it came without all these things indeed."

And he puzzled three hours, `till his puzzler was sore. 

Then "Al" the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! 

"Maybe Auburn's spirit" he thought, "means a bit more!" 

And what happened then...? 

Well...in Auburn they say that "Al" the Grinch's small heart hopefully grew three sizes that day, 

after of course, they locked him away!"

War Eagle (internal shakers stirring and toilet paper flowing)!

No Retaliation! 


In January, after the National Championship win, I went online to order Joe a t-shirt. While there, I thought I'd buy these new additions for our tree to commemorate Auburn's perfect season.

One for us, one for Hannah, and one for baby Joseph.

As a post script I'd like to add that for those of you who don't know, my mom and my older brother went to Alabama. While the person that did this is a rabid Bama fan (though not an alum), you cannot fairly put a label on all fans of the Crimson Tide. I'd like to think that SEC fans alike would consider this a vile act. Here's to having class.

my funny valentine

She was more excited about the bags then what was inside...

...but she does love the little monkey from Grandma. I love the picture of her showing Joe while he was stretching.

be mine

I thought I'd send valentines out to all Hannah's special people. Originally, I was going to make them myself. Then I got an email from Shutterfly with a discount code and thought how much easier that would be. These codes... I feel like I need to buy something just to take advantage of them. And I get them several times a day from several different retailers. It's clever marketing. It's temptation in a serious form and I have to really try to exercise some self-control. This time however, I signed on the website and started designing the valentine. I realized that even after the promo code I would still be spending more money than I intended in the first place. Plus postage. Really though, what talked me out of it - or I should say who talked me out of it - is my husband. The ever practical one. The spending-conscious spouse. It's good I have him around, or else these promo codes would get the best of me I think.

So I decided a valentine right here on the blog would be just as good. Right? Well, it's going to have to do this year. I was having an impossible time picking pictures anyway. I mean...look at this kid. I went in to get her from her nap. And she's normally so happy at that time, I took the camera with me. We always make sure to get Clementine and Prudence and bring them with us, so she has them ready.

Can you tell how much she loves Clementine?

And way more important than Valentine's Day, February 14th is also the day that Hannah was baptized. It was a special day that Joe and I will never forget. And, thankfully, since memories fade over time we bought our video camera just in time (literally, my brother brought it from Savannah the morning of) and had a church member take pictures. 

This picture of her trying on her bonnet the day before kills me.

When Karen and John (Hannah's Godparents) came over for the Super Bowl, they brought her a present for the anniversary of her baptism.

A silver bracelet with her name engraved on it.

I think it's safe to say she likes it.


Enjoy time with the ones you love and Happy Valentine's from us.

who am i

Sunday morning Hannah got up at pretty much what has become routine: 7:15-7:30. For the last several weeks we've gone to the contemporary service at 8:30 since she's been getting up an hour or two earlier than she used to. But this week I decided to not rush and go to the 11 o'clock service. So glad I did. While Hannah played on the floor in the living room, I sat at the kitchen table, enjoyed my coffee, wrote in my journal, read my Bible and did my morning devotion. As I was listening to the contemporary christian music channel on the tv, this song by Casting Crowns came on. One of my favorites. You can watch a video with lyrics here.

Not because of who I am,

But because of what you've done.

Not because of what I've done,

But because of who you are.

I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.

We had a full weekend. But in reflecting over it, there were many things that made me smile. Like...

My brother Ben getting engaged.

Hearing the baby's heartbeat at my doctor's appointment on Friday.
Test-driving a Traverse for the whole weekend thanks to Dan Vaden Chevrolet.

Lunch with Dad/Granddaddy at Jalapenos.

Joe bringing me an afternoon mocha from Starbucks.

Prenatal massage with Elaine, the best ever.

Mani & pedi with Mom.

Hannah layered in Grandma's scarves.

Hannah entertaining aunts, uncles and cousins at breakfast.

Looking at neat furniture.

A new top (thanks to Will's girlfriend for snagging it for me...and to Mom).

A pretty pink dress and coat.

Hannah's loud "Amen!" after the choir sang their call to worship.
Hannah's "Hi Daddy" when she saw him at church.
Watching my husband with pride as he does what the Lord has called him to do. 
How Hannah says "bye bye" to those that come up and talk to her.

Watching the hyper monkey play in the backyard and trying to get her to be still for a minute.

...and her daddy trying to get a picture on his phone.

Joe putting the new BOB duallie together!

Mama and Daddy Swingle coming over for the Superbowl.

The yummiest chocolate-mascarpone-toffee-almond bars ever (courtesy of my husband). Recipe here.

After a month of no pacifiers, seeing these in the drawer and throwing them away.

Tickle sessions and belly laughs.
Hannah's new language only she can understand.
Devotion time in the mornings as mentioned above.
Hannah sleeping for three hours Sunday afternoon, followed by 11+ hours that night.
Dimple smiles and sparkling eyes.
Countless hugs and loves.

...and Hannah saying her name for the first time. "I'm Hannah!"

Who am I? I am His. And He has blessed me immeasurably.

the last of january.

joseph update

How bout an update on baby boy? We went to the doctor on Friday for my glucose screening (passed!) and a check-up. 28 weeks now. So far, so good with me.

The last time we went - at 24 weeks - we had a third sonogram. Because he was all over the place and had his hands in front of his face most of the time, they couldn't quite see everything. That was ok with us. We liked the idea of getting to see him again. Everything looked good and he was big. BIG. Above the 97% percentile in each category. He weighed 1lb. 13oz then, about 1/2lb heavier than average.

My doctor said that my uterine measurements are larger than they were with Hannah. We'll have another ultrasound at 32 weeks and see what he's up to then. I'm hoping this pace of growth slows down a bit. Judging from his daddy (9lbs 4oz), his daddy's mama (11+ lbs.) and his daddy's daddy (10+ lbs.), I have reason to be nervous. Yes...you did not read that wrong.

He moves ALL the time, but I love that. He's moving as I'm trying to fall asleep at night and he's moving as I'm waking up in the morning. Overall, I'd say he's doing just fine.

Now at 28 1/2 weeks this is what I look like:

My belly measurement is 40 3/4". I'd say the black shirt is slimming. :)