Little whimpering giggle monster!

This is how most days are... laughing with a slight whimper.. poor baby tears in her eyes from fussing but still can't help but giggle :)



I can't believe how much Gracelyn has been growing lately... which makes sense because she has been sleeping a lot during her naps. Unfortunately I think we are entering "teething territory" which makes everything out of whack. She normally gulfs down 3 oz of fruit and 3 oz of veggies at each feeding... but for some reason has kinds been poo pooing it :( She eats puffs and graham crakers, and toast with her hands by herself and LOVES to give herself apple juice in the sippy without any help. However lately she would rather chew on her sippy and force it out of her mouth while chomping down HARD... of course spraying sticky juice everywhere :) She also grabbed the spoon right out of David's hands the other day and forced it FAR into her throat... then decided to just chew on it. Her binkie is actually a teether now... and all I hear is squeaky squeaky... ALL THE TIME :) She is loving be able to move wherever and when she wants something nothing stops that little mobile body of hers! (we bought child proofing items tonight at Babies R us ;)
Well... since she will be 7 months on wed... I will stop writing updates and finish then... can't believe my baby girl is so big... she is starting to act more and more like a little girl and less like a baby... what an amazing change!

Here are some pictures of my little giggle monster and her Daddy!

Accessorizing Angels

Please help me dress an angel!!
The amazing company that I buy my materials from is hosting their very first Annual Bow Drive. They are donating bows and flower clips to all the children at the Cancer Center.
I have been blessed beyond belief with an invitation to participate. The company loves my products and has invited me to enter my bows in the contest. I have been working on the perfect bow and flower clip for this contest. I will be able to enter one item into each category. Now of course winning a contest would be so fun but the real treasure is the prize. If my bows/clips are chosen then I get to go to the Children's Hospital Cancer Center in Houston and pick out a very special little girl to give them to. Now for those of you who don't know, I have the biggest heart for pediatric oncology patients. I would love so much to work with them. However, along with my love for them comes a major attachment issue. I would get far too close to these precious children and my life would just be torn apart with every chid that loses their battle. (I have so much respect for those of you that not only have this same passion but actually get to apply it by working in the hospital.)
**So how can you help?!
Once my entries are submitted they will be posted online. Your job, if you chose to do so is to vote every day for my each of my products. You can vote one time per day per email address.
By taking the time each day to vote for these bows/clips you are not only bringing me closer to one of my dreams but you are making a difference in a very special little girl's life. Imagine being that special girl that gets chosen to wear the winning piece! The girls range from newborn babies to 18 year olds, and I can't believe I might have the opportunity to be in the presence of these precious girls!
Thank you for reading this and please leave a comment to let me know if I can count on you to vote once the contest starts!
I am so honored to have this chance to include you in such a wonderful cause!
**I will post a blog once the contest begins so you all know when to start voting**

Blessings,
Amanda

Gracelyn's first swim!!!

On Saturday we went over to David's parents house to swim and BBQ burgers!!! It was so nice to swim since it has been SO STINKIN' HOT lately. Gracelyn did NOT like how cold it was... it doesn't help that we make her baths so warm... most would say it is too hot but she LOVES it!!!

Getting ready to go to Grandma and Grandpa's house!

Daddy is blowing up my raft.


Not liking the cold water....


Still TOO COLD!


Get me out of here!


Mommy trying to distract her.







We decided to take her out of the raft... and she began to trust us more!




Daddy was teaching her how to kick kick kick!




Daddy tossing her in the air!


She loved it!


Look at that smile :)


She came a long way from not liking the raft or the cold water to letting Daddy throw her into the air and catch her!!
Overall I think it was a pretty good first experience!

Bella Nonna comes to visit

SOOO excited for Grandma Lori to come!!!
The other day my mom came to visit. Yes she doesn't live THAT far but hey! Any trip in this HOT weather is a daring one :) The thermometer says it got up to 108 on monday ... that would explain Gracelyn's bright red cheeks and little body soaked with sweat! I can't wait to go up to Utah soon... it may not be snowing there, but at least it won't be in the TRIPLE DIGITS!!! or so we hope ;)
Anyway, Grandma Lori came to visit and brought a new toy with her. A blow up baby pool! We filled it up with lots of little squishy blocks and she has a ball rolling around in them! I am sure it will be used soon as a pool in the backyard but for right now I love the playpen... uh I mean new activity center for her. She does this new thing where she gets up on all fours and rocks a few times until TAKEOFF she throws herself forward...almost like a belly flop :( I am so glad she now has a padded area to do that in since we have wood floors and she has already gotten bumped here and there. Our plan is to eventually make it a ball pit... we are just searching right now for a big bag of balls for a decent price. So they enjoyed their day with each other. Gracelyn loved sitting in Grandma's lap and playing with the blocks. She was teaching her to count and talking about the colors... my mom always wanted to be a teacher... and with all her experience with being a nanny and working in sunday school at church, she is a great one :)



PLAYING IN THE POOL!!!

Jolie Fille Bowtique

I have been so incredibly blessed with the Grand Opening of my boutique! God has placed so many wonderful people in my life and by word of mouth (and of course my little model Gracie) I have received over 30 orders :) This entire business was prayed over before anything began and just look at what the Lord has done to it! I LOVE making these baby accessories and still can't believe how many people have been blessing me with their custom requests!!

Thank you to everyone who has been praying about this!

joliefillebowtique.webs.com

Blessings,
Amanda

A most wonderful Mother's Day weekend!!!

I have been so blessed! I am married to the most thoughtful and genuine man who just so happens to be my best friend! We had a wonderful first year of marriage and were blessed (5 months into our marriage) to find out we were going to have a baby girl! Since the day Gracelyn was born my life has been everything I thought it would be and more. All I ever dreamed about when I was younger was getting married and being a mommy! David and I love being parents and I can't imagine my life without my baby girl! The Lord molded me into the woman he knew David would need for a wife, and molded me into the mommy that Gracelyn would need. Gracelyn has changed my life in so many ways and I am so thankful for my little cute patootie!!!!

David surprised me with a beautiful personalized necklace. He knows I am a sap for sentimental things. The necklace has a bar that says"David" on it and a disk that says "Gracie" then there is one diamond (symbolizing forever) and a pearl (symbolizing wisdom) He was so thoughtful and I LOVE my new necklace!!!

Mother's day started off on Saturday after pictures. We headed over to my parents house for Paradise Bakery and Sprinkels Cupcakes :) My mom gave me (Gracie) some cute things. The Mother's Day Berenstein Bears Book, a little soft dolly that says "Mama's Blessing" and a three CD in one of all the sunday school songs out there. David and I both grew up listening to these so we had a lot of fun singing along to them all day on sunday (yes we actually did the handmotions to "The Lord's Army and Father Abraham ;) After presents,we all played Taboo. (I don't remember laughing so hard in a VERY long time) After WE WON :) the boys headed over to the park to fish and mom and I stayed at home and watched a movie. About three hours and two fish later we all met back at the house for mexican food YUM!!! My sister and her fiance' Dan bought the cutest little jammies and outfit for Gracelyn (pictures to come soon)



Sunday David woke me up with a yummy breakfast AND he kept the kitchen clean ;) We then headed off to church and then over to his parents house for lunch. After lunch we watched Debby open presents. Then dessert was served! Joy, David's sister made the most delish brownies ever!!! Once we were all full, some of us played a game. It was an older game and so much fun!!! Gracelyn once as always LOVES to be around her baby cousin Landon!




Overall, it was such a nice relaxing and enjoyable Mother's Day Weekend!!

Gracelyn's Routine :)

These are steps Gracelyn takes in her "waking up from a nap" routine
.:.Gracelyn starring in her FIRST silent film ;)

Family Photoshoot!

Here is a glimpse of the AMAZING pictures Stephanie B took!!! GO check out here website (on my blog list under photography blogs)

Thank you Steph!! We love these!

Green Grass and purple flowers!

I was so inspired by the beautiful purple flowers growing in our backyard. David told me they were weeds and he was going to mow the lawn.. so I quickly jumped on it and used the tall grass as a great background!!