A New Decade!

Happy New Year!!! Where did 2009 go??? Oh yeah, I was taking care of an infant for half of it :) My sister-in-law asked me if I was going to call 2010, "Two thousand ten or twenty ten." I have no idea...guess whatever comes out. No matter how I refer to the year, I pray that God is as merciful and gracious to me and my family as he has been my previous 28 years!


Side note: Hutson's sister, Shirlianne, is behind Ginger, so that is her long blonde hair hanging past Ginger's ears. We have not suddenly grown shoulder-length hair!

Christmas 2009

This year Christmas was both wonderful and crazy! It was wonderful because it was Ginger's first Christmas. She started crawling a few days before Christmas, so she was full throttle when it came to going after her presents...so much fun to watch!!! It was crazy because we were in the middle of moving. (I do not recommend relocating during the holidays!) Despite everything being so hectic, this will definitely be a Christmas to remember!

Warning: Lots of pictures to follow! (I mean...hello...I haven't posted in 3 weeks! And you know I take pictures like a crazy soccer mom! :)


Crawling to see what Santa brought.


Ginger with her stroller/walker.


Santa was good to Ginger Belle!


Hutson putting together his first Christmas toy as a Daddy! He was so proud! :)


Papaw and Mamaw with the photo album of "Ginger" pics that we gave them.


Mamaw Ginger and Baby Ginger


Hutson put her hair up like this! Cute!


Ginger with some of her cousins...Ashley, Lauren, Nikki, and Alex


Finally...a family picture! I'm usually behind the camera.

Big News!

WE ARE MOVING BACK HOME!!!

I have to admit that I'm not doing toe touches and cartwheels like I thought I would be if this day ever came. I have been so homesick for our family and friends, but God has been faithful and filled the void with new church family and friends. This news is very bitter-sweet to me. If Hutson would have given me this news last year, I would've run from Greenville like it was on fire (seriously!) :) but after meeting so many wonderful people here it will be hard to leave them without shedding a tear!

I ask for prayers as we make this transition in our life. We will either be living in Eupora or Ackerman, and Hutson will be working at the Starkville Eyedeal Optical. I feel very confident that God will open doors for us as we search for His will in this process.

I couldn't help but include this picture! Love her blue eyes!!!

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Guess who Ginger met tonight! The big man himself, Old Saint Nick. She wasn't quite sure how to react to the bearded stranger, but at least she didn't scream and cry like I apparently did at her age. I think I saw her mumbling her wish list to him, so I hope he got it all down and doesn't disappoint!

Exhausted!

We have had a scary couple of days with Ginger. On Wednesday night, I noticed that she was not breathing normal. Her breaths were very shallow, and she was struggling to get them. We took her to the ER and found out that she had RSV, so the doctor admitted her. By Thursday night, she was no better and not receiving the level of care that we believed she should be getting. Her little heart was beating anywhere from 176 to 190, and her oxygen was still too low to have been under the oxygen tent for several hours. We were transported to Le Bonheur in Memphis, and once Ginger was in their care, she immediately began getting better. On top of RSV, she had become dehydrated (from the lack of IV fluids at previous hospital)! But we are now home and Ginger is back to her usual happy little self! (I'm sure I was supposed to include some commas in that sentence somewhere, but I'm really tired.) We praise God for her speedy recovery and are completely and totally impressed with Le Bonheur...wonderful hospital!!!


Although she was very sick, she was playful and happy the whole time.


Chillin'
(Her leg was not broken! The nurses put a cast on her to keep her from pulling out her IV.)


Sweet baby!

I'm Feeling Lucky!

One of my favorite bloggers, Laura, is giving something away on the day of her blogoversary. What is she giving away you ask? I don't know. Do I have a chance of winning? I don't know...probably not looking at my track record, but nonetheless, I'm still excited. By giving her a shout-out, my name goes in the drawing twice! I'm feeling lucky!!! Go on over to her blog and check out her "Little Life." It's a good read!

In Christ Alone

I get so caught up in my day to day routine that I don't always take the time to remember what Christ has done for me on the cross. In Christ Alone is a song that we sing at FBC in Greenville, and it's message is so powerful and reminds me of the power that I have in Him. I wanted so badly to link the video that goes with this song, so you could hear it sung, but I'm still new at this blogging thing and haven't figured it out (all helpful tips would be appreciated). If you have time, google "In Christ Alone Video Travis Cottrell" to hear it. Hope it points you to the cross!

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

Ginger and Sophie

I think they are going to be the best of friends!

Last weekend, Sophie pulled this move, and Ginger grabbed her tongue and pulled on it until Sophie cried for mercy!

6 Months!

Dear Ginger,

Today you are six months old. I cannot believe how fast time has flown! It seems like just yesterday we were coming home from the hospital, and I was wondering how I was going to take care of such a tiny baby. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me and your daddy. I thank God everyday for choosing me to be your mommy!!! I fall more in love with you every single day!!! You are my sunshine!!!

At six months you are:

• sitting all by yourself
• secretly maneuvering from one side of your play mat to the other while we are not looking
  
• eating cereal and pureed fruits and veggies (Pumpkins with Pears, Sweet Peas, and Applesauce are your favorites)
• taking 3 glorious naps a day :) and sleeping through the night (for the most part)
• waking up around 7:00 each morning
• going to bed around 8:30 each night
  
• in size 3 diapers (as of this past weekend)
• squirmy when I try to change your diaper
  
• wearing 6-9 month clothes
• grinning from ear to ear when your daddy comes home from work
• grabbing at anything and everything that is within your reach

I love you so much!!!!!!!

Sneak Preview...

of Ginger Belle and her Halloween outfit. Last night we went to the Fall Festival at FBC. Whew! What a crowd! For some reason, I thought it would be a wonderful idea to carry Ginger around in my arms during the festival. By the time I reached the doors of the church I realized that was a bad, bad idea. Thank goodness for Lori, who loaned me her umbrella stroller!!! We stayed for about an hour and enjoyed a corn dog and visiting with friends. All in all, a good night. I am super excited about our neighborhood's BIG Halloween party Saturday night. This will be our first time attending. You know that I will take loads of pictures that night :)

Lovely Little Ladybug

Nifty, Nifty, Look Who's Fifty...

My wonderful mother turned 50 on the 24th, and I helped Daddy throw her a little family party. We had a blast! Happy Birthday, Mama! I hope I look as good at 50 as you do!!!


The birthday girl and her favorite grand!

Mama's present from us in the early stages. Dandy Doodlez fired it and wrote her name across the feet. It was precious!

Ginger and Aunt Christy

Nikki, Kyle, and Ginger

Ashley, Lauren, and Ginger

Mamaw Ginger and Ginger (confused? she's her namesake :)

My papaw left Mama a nice message on middle balloon that kindly asked, "Who's over the hill now???"

True Love...

Ginger and her Papa!

Can I just say that I am jealous of my dad?! Ginger loves all of her family, but there is no one that she lights up more for than Papa Cool. When he walks in the room she begins throwing her arms around, smiling from ear to ear (with tongue sticking out), and trying to get out of the arms of whoever is holding her. I think these pictures prove what I am saying.

Couch Potato

I laid Ginger down so I could get some important things done around the house like, you know, checking my Facebook account and updating our blog. I left her with her favorite book and bunny and turned the t.v. on to entertain her (I know, Mother of the Year). I went back to check on her, and this is how I found her...eyes glued to the t.v. and holding on for dear life to the blanket that she is on. I walked around in front of her, talked to her, and even took pictures of her face but nothing took her attention away from WordWorld on PBS. Earlier this week my dad suggested that she might be a couch potato. Well, Daddy, I think you got it right!

Two important things to say about this picture:
1. Please excuse the X-Box paraphenalia on and around the t.v and the window ledge. It belongs to my 33 year-old husband. If anyone has any suggestions as to how to remove these items from my den without causing World War III please be so kind as to share.
2. The look on Cookie Monster's face bothers me. Am I alone here???

I Got an Award!!!

Before I started blogging, I snooped around on/stalked other people's blogs. Every now and then someone would give out some sort of blogging "award" to other bloggers, and those who received the award would choose others to give the award to, and so on and so on. All that to say that I would secretly wish that I had a blog and could receive an award, well today, my readers, I received a blogger award! Woo hoo!!!!!!!!!!!! I feel totally accepted by the blogging community :)

A sweet girl named Hope at The Andersons gave me the Super Scribbler Award. Thanks, Hope!

Here are the Rules:

1. Each Super Scribbler I name today must in turn pass the award onto 5 most deserving bloggy friends.

2. Each super scribbler must link to the author & the name of the blog from whom he/she has received the award.

3. Each super scribbler must display the award on his/her blog, and link to THIS POST, which explains the award.

4. Each super scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.

My nominees are:
1. Laura T.
2. Lindsey C.
3. Amanda I.
4. Claire H.
5. Holly B.

Ginger and Her Main Squeeze...

Ginger and I went to visit Morgan and Paxton today. I cannot get over how much they both have grown! Paxton is now 7 1/2 months, and Ginger is 5 months...time flies!!! When Morgan and I first started getting the babies together they would just lay side by side and stare at us, but now they are more interactive and so much fun to watch.


To me, this picture looks just like Shawn Maddox and Hutson Ford sitting there.


He kept putting his arm around her...so sweet!


Paxton trying to sneak in some sugar! (Ginger did not complain :)

Baby, It's Cold Outside...

I was so excited that it was cold enough Sunday that Ginger could hang around in this cute outfit after church. She was a little confused by the footies :)


On our way to meet Bella in Greenwood for lunch and a little shopping. Thanks to Aunt Shirl for the precious ghost bib and Papa and Bella for the cute Halloween outfit. The onsie she has on says, "So Cute It's Scary!" and I have to agree :)


Uncle Bunky and Aunt Haley came to visit us this weekend, and we had a blast!


I love this picture of Ginger and Brad. To me, their eyes look a lot alike in this pic.

Twice the Fun!

Ginger and I were excited to spend most of Thursday with Clayton and Jackson Darby, our good friend's 4-year-old twin boys. We had a blast, and the boys were so well-behaved! The most precious thing about Clayton and Jackson is the fact that they LOVE Ginger!!! Their exact words every time they see her are, "Oh! Sweet baby Dinger Belle!!!" :) In fact, throughout the day one of the boys would go over to Ginger and rub her arm, head, or leg, and then the other would run over and say, "I want to pet Dinger Belle, too!" Could anything be any sweeter? :)


Sweet boys!


They begged me all day to take pictures of them with baby Dinger Belle


This is how I found Ginger right before I went to pick up the boys from preschool. She was laying there quietly and patiently while waiting on someone to rescue her. I think it's safe to say that she does not get her patience from me! :)

Neiman-Marcus Brownies

I wish I had taken a picture of this delicious dessert, but we ate them all before I could pull my camera out :)

1 pk of your preferred cake mix (I like using Butter Pecan, but Chocolate is really good too)
3 Large Eggs, divided
1 cup butter, melted and divided
1 pk of powdered sugar (1 lb box)
1 8 oz package of cream cheese
Chopped pecans
Chocolate chips (optional)

* Beat cake mix, 1 egg, and 1/2 cup melted butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until blended. Press batter into a lightly greased 9X12 pan. (This mixture will be very sticky and hard to spread into pan.)

* Beat remaining 2 eggs, remaining 1/2 cup melted butter, powdered sugar, and cream cheese until creamy. Pour mixture over cake mix crust. Sprinkle with pecans (and chocolate chips if you want).

* Bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes.

*Let cool and cut into squares.

Yields 2 dozen

TO DIE FOR!!!!

Great Giveaway

Go on over to this website and enter a chance to win a $100 gift certificate to HomeGoods! Sure hope I win!!! :)

Happy Boo!

Ginger is ready for pumpkin season! We (and by "we" I mean "me" because I doubt Hutson has been or will be searching the internet for that perfect trick-or-treat costume) are still debating on what she's going to be for Halloween...any suggestions?



This picture tickles me! Ginger now has a silly habit of sticking out her tongue when she's smiling and cackling. It's the cutest thing I've ever seen!

(Pictures of our Gatlinburg and Biltmore Estate trip will be posted soon! )

Like Uncle, Like Niece

Brad (Uncle Bunky) used to suck his thumb and cover it up with his other hand...just like Ginger is doing in this picture. Too funny!

Unbelievable! She kind of favors him from this angle!

Foot Prints

This picture is one of my favorites! I took her to Dandy Doodlez to have a foot print made, and she was such a good girl during the process. As you can tell from the look on her face, she loved the paint on her foot. When I get her plate back (they keep it a week to put it in the kiln and do other "pottery" things to it) I will post the final product. It will definitely be something I will always cherish!!!

One Small Roll for Babykind!

I was beginning to think Ginger was not going to ever roll over, but she proved me wrong today. She has gotten close these last few days but couldn't seem to get her little fanny rolled around. All of her hard work (grunting) paid off :)

This is how I left Ginger while I cleaned up the kitchen.

This is how I found her.

She was very content to be on her tummy.

She rolled again later in the day.

Round 2 of Shots

Ginger went for round 2 of her immunization shots today, and she did soooo good! She cried when the nurse gave her the shots but then stopped as soon as she was picked up. Plus, I think the bottle I had ready soothed her...no idea where she gets that from :) Here are her newest stats:

Weight: 14 lbs, 8 oz
Length: 23 in
Head circumference: 16 in

I believe she was in the 50th-75th percentile on everything. Mrs. Beth said that she is a very healthy baby and was impressed that Ginger didn't cry when she checked her hip bones. Mama's big girl!! :) She also said that she was, and I quote, "More advanced for her age." But I'm not bragging...just being factual :)

Here are pictures from our fun day:

Ginger with Mrs. Beth. This was after the hip-bone check-up. She's cool!

Right before shots...poor girl didn't know what was about to take place.
No pictures of the shots because I was getting her a bottle. Note: I did not take her for her visit naked! They undressed her to check her from head to toe.

Ginger and Daddy at his office after our doctor visit.
(Can you say, "Proud Papa"?)

Ginger and Bella. We met at Veronica's Bakery in Greenwood...de-lish!!! She is staying the night with Papa and Bella, and I'm heading that way tomorrow for Mamaw's birthday party. I love seeing my family!!!