Stationery card

Peppermint Stripes Christmas Card

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Other Invitation Option

Starry Party Birthday Invitation

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I ended up going with the invitation of Leah looking down at the beach, but I just thought this picture was too cute!

Leah's 1st Birthday Invitation

Starry Party Birthday Invitation

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Leah in June

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Springing Back

This morning before Stephen left for work, I made him walk outside with me to our front yard (our driveway and garage are in the back so unless you make an effort to go out the front door, you may never see it!).  I explained to him that if you come out here in the morning with a cup of coffee and a good book, you feel like you're on vacation.  I'm not sure he agreed, but to prove my point, here are some photos.

The pool is down the street so I can even see and hear the fountains from the porch.  Ah, I'm pretty sure this is how life is supposed to be. 

Honestly, though, the pictures I posted are from last year.  I used to sit out here while I was expecting Leah, feel her tiny movement and wonder what life held for us in the future.  Now, one year later, I am sitting in the same spot, enjoying the spring, the breeze, the birds, and my flowers while my sweet baby takes a nap upstairs.  I think about all that has happened over the course of a year, and can't imagine what we did without sweet Leah.  I enjoy her naps because I can get some things done sans interruption, but at the same time I miss her when she's asleep!  My little buddy has been "helping" me in the yard and I can already tell she's a barefoot, sun loving, outside girl like her mama.  We are going to make a good team!

1 + 2 = 5

I have thought of several potential titles for this blog...

"I had a baby.  The end."

"No, my baby's name isn't Reese, I should have updated my blog 6 months ago."

The list could go on... but 1 + 2 = 5 is special to me because Stephen and I have assigned everyone in our house a number based on age... he is 1, I'm 2, Riley is 3, Lila is 4, and baby Leah is 5.  Lots of times we just refer to the person (or animal) by number, such as, "What has 4 gotten into?" Translation:  "What has Lila gotten into?"  You get the point...

Anyway, sweet baby Leah is here and blogging went bye-bye around the time she was born.  I had her by c-section on August 6 at 7:59 am.  She was 5 lbs., 8 oz. and 18.5 inches.  Everything went great and we got to bring sweet thing home on August 8.  It was a wonderful homecoming... for both of us!  All of our parents as well as Stephen's brother, sister in law, and our neices were there to welcome us and we settled right on in!

I have been keeping track of everything she does by writing it down in her baby book, so I don't feel too bad that I haven't blogged about every detail.  At least it's written down somewhere!  Summary-wise, she turned 6 months old on February 6, she has been sleeping through the night since Thanksgiving (Praise the LORD.),  she started eating three solid meals a day and loves everything from sweet potatoes to banana-mango oatmeal, and she has visited 6 states in her short life!  She had colic (aka 2.5 months of torture) but we like to forget about that!  Leah's really a sweet little thing as long as it's not nap time, then you better clear the way for her to get some zzzz's.  Seriously people. 

I'm working a measly two days a week, which I love because I get to stay home with Leah the other days.  It's really getting fun!  I can't wait for some nice weather so we can get outside and FINALLY work in the yard, swim and all the other things I missed last summer.  Now I have my little buddy to help and go with me!

Recent Leah pic - sitting like a big girl!

In other news....

Stephen doesn't read my blog, so I can write about him here.  I started reading The Love Dare.  Normally I'm not good at completing a book - this one is kind of a 40 step program for your marriage.  We'll see if I actually finish it, but I'm really hoping to do so!  I'm only on day two... I know, I know.  So far, I'm practicing saying only positive things to him, being kind, and speaking the truth in Love.  I'll try to keep posting about this... marriage is *disintigrating* before our very eyes in this generation... it breaks my heart so I'm trying to do something about that. 

Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.  James 1:19