Busy little lady

Our last few weeks have been filed with watching Matney change with each passing moment. Here are a few pictures of our recent memories while spending time at home. I am a major fan of our "family nights" at home where the 3 of us lay in the floor and play or go outside. Soaking up every moment with my little bug and wonderful husband each evening is the highlight of most of my days and I couldn't treasure them more.

6 months

My little Matney, you are now six months old (actually 6 1/2 as I write this) and you are still growing on your Mommy and Daddy more and more each day. With every new move you make or every action in your little life, you open our hearts to more and more love.
You have so many tricks that I don't know if I can count them all. You are now a professional crawler and pull up on anything in sight. You eat just about anything we will let you, but Mommy tries to be pretty careful about what you eat and are introduced to. If you see a Mum M*m coming, you go crazy and start shaking your hands. You say "Mamamamah" and "bahbaabahba" and you are starting to say "daahhh". You shake your head "no" all the time, even though you have no idea what you are doing, but you often shake it "no" at just the right times. You are very curious and will get in to anything that is within reach if we are not watching closely. When we went to our first Parents as Teachers appointment, the educator kept listing off things you were supposed to be able to do by 6 months. When she got in to the 8 month list and you were already doing those things, I didn't have the heart to tell her you could do all of those, because I didn't want her to think we were crazy. When asked where your Momma or Daddy are, you will look around the room for the person you were asked about. You are starting to clap your hands when we are singing or talking. You do not take very long naps during the day unless you are at school and you have a few issues sleeping at night. You will sleep in your own bed until about 4 or 5 am and then wake up to eat, after eating you cry until you get to cuddle in bed with Daddy and Mommy. You love to snuggle with your Daddy (I think it is because his body temp is about 150 degrees and our room is always cold). You also make some of the funniest faces and noises.

Here is how big you were at your 6-month check up with Dr. Vo:

Weight: 15.4 lbs (50th percentile)
Height: 25 inches (25th percentile)

Mommy and Daddy can't believe our little angel baby is now 6+ months old, but we are loving all the new stages and changes in your life. You are such a good little girl and such a blessing to us. We can't wait to see what the next month brings.

Happy Birthday, Grandma

(Matney-6 months and Grandma Janie-91)

On October 3rd, one of the most beautiful, kind and loving individuals that I know, celebrated her 91st birthday. My Grandma Janie has always been such a wonderful, caring woman and it is such a blessing to celebrate each passing year with her. The love she has for her children, grandchildren, her siblings, and pretty much anyone is just a small portion of what makes her so special. I have never heard her get upset or say anything mean about anyone. The only time she gets fussy is when someone tries to mess with her food (do not ask her if she wants eggs or oatmeal, or she might just through the plate at you).

This year her birthday was celebrated at the nursing home where Grandma now resides. She takes her new life in stride, just as she has done with everything else throughout her life, and enjoys everything she possibly can. I can only hope that someday my granchildren will think so highly and fondly of me and will have more memories than they can count of days gone by. My Grandma made a lasting impression on me in so many ways, from her Christian life and strength to her ability to cook the most delicious food imaginable and many, many more. She made such an impression, that the day I knew I learned I was having a little girl, I couldn't think of any better name than a strong family name that would always and forever remind me of my Grandma Janie (Matney is named after Grandma Janie's mother).

Family Time

We have been spending a lot of time with the Biggers family in order to soak up lots of family time before they left on vacation. We typically see them almost every weekend or talk to each other daily, so this week has been long without them here. Nannie B was starting to get her feelings hurt since our get togethers were on all the weekends she had to work :) Brayden, Grayson, Kennon, and Matney all love the outdoors, thus much of our time is spent playing outside. Nannie recently hung the baby swing again so the little ones have been experiencing the joy of swinging outside in the fresh air. (I didn't get a picture of little Kennon, but he loved it too!) Brayden got a "T" and bases for his birthday from Nannie B and Papa G and many evenings have been spent attempting to teach him all about baseball--tagging the bases seems to be an issue we need to work on this fall and next spring.

Pickin' Pumpkins

Last Saturday the Carpenter-Biggers-Crawford family went to Gunter Farms to pick pumpkins and enjoy a family day before the majority of the CBC family left for Hawaii for a week. The weather was beautiful and we enjoyed our time playing games, sitting in a pool of corn, and chasing each other through the corn maze. As you can see above, the boys are very excited for fall and couldn't want to wear their Halloween shirts (there Momma too! It was a great afternoon in which memories were made and then followed by a yummy dinner at Nannie B and Papa G's.

Nannie B and Papa G are very proud of their newest grandbabies.

For once we got a family shot and no one was missing!

Matney wasn't so sure about sitting in the middle of the field filled with pumpkins.

They all loved the corn pool so much, that we discussed getting them one so we can keep track of all of them!

Family time

I have been on vacation for the last few days and I told myself before vacation started that I was going to get as much enjoyment out of it as possible. We have already had 3 days of fun and looking forward to the next 3 days, however I think we might have to have a recoup day so we can enjoy the last few days without being completely worn out.

Today, Brandon and I look Matney to Cracker Barrell and the zoo for the first time. She zeroed in on our grits at breakfast and I think she ate an entire bowl. They stayed down and she didn't break out, so I think I will buy grits for her enjoyment! She loved every minute of the zoo, though she missed a few animals as she was tuckered out from the heat and snuck in a cat nap. She got her first official stuffed animal, courtesy of Daddy. She loves her giraffe and can't stop attempting to eat him. We saw so many animals and look forward to the day we take her back and she can interact more.

Oh how I love thee...

Oh how I love the cooler weather and the approach of my favorite season...FALL! I am so happy it is finally on its way after this hot, hot summer. I now have two favorite seasons because of my Spring blessing this year, but Fall will always hold a special place in my heart. Here are a few of my favorite things about the season.

Fall decorations! I get the itch to get them out sooner each year. The colors and the smells make me so content. If a pumpkin spice or harvest flavored candle is burning; it is as if a fire is lite under me and I can accomplish so much in an evening while the candle flickers on.

Pumpkin Spice Latte's make me one happy girl, however, they hurt the pocket book. As a treat to myself I have decided to let myself have 1 a week and no more (I still have baby weight to lose and these are not that conducive to weight loss). I am hoping I can find pumpkin spice creamer at the store this weekend to serve as a nice, cheaper alternative for the other days I feel the need for a latte.

Warm and cozy corners lite to warm the room on a cold, damp day or in the evening when the sun goes down, makes me so happy. I love the low lighting and the warmth I can almost feel as I snuggle up on the couch for an evening of tv or reading. I was feeling the need for my lamp a little sooner this year so I have been turning it on in the late evenings when it gets dark. I had a crafting day a few weekends ago and gave this lamp a make over after a trip to Farmers Market.

Hobby Lobby is one of my best friends in the fall time and gets a lot of my money. As my fall decorations have started growing in number, I have had to limit my purchases but this year I splurged and made a wreath. I made it because I wanted to be crafty and was flabergasted at the prices of the pre-made ones in the store. Who buys a wreath for $150 when you can make one for $15--granted it probably doesn't look as good, but it makes me happy!

I can't wait for the mums to bloom and the pumpkin patch excursions to begin. This year I have someone knew to share the adventures with and to share my love of the season.