A long while...I know.

In any case...I am turning over a new leaf this year, and I am trying to be better about taking time out of my crazy day to sit and write or post pictures of what our life looks like these days. If you want to continue to follow us...please email me at: holmeskaty[at]gmail[dot]com for a link to our new blog.

Until next time ~ Kate

Life as we know it...

Our sweet girl is fifteen months old and full of loads of energy! Daily she amazes us with how much she is learning and growing. As of right now, she can sign a handful of words and usually gets them right too ~ we are still working on the "all done" sign, she knows how to sign it, but using it correctly is another story. She is a pure joy to both Stephen and I and we truly cannot imagine life without her.

She loves this headband and always asks for it to be put on her when she digs it out of her toybox

Spinning around and around and being absolutely hilarious, as per usual!

My sweet girl...I love her SO very much!

Life feels like it is moving at warp speed most days, especially when I look at my daughter. She is not a little baby anymore, but rather a fun-loving little toddler and precious girl. I could not be more thankful than I am for her sweet life...and am honored that the Lord chose for Stephen and I to be her parents. And I know she will be a great big sister...in just a few short months!

I know this post is short, but I am pretty sure I just heard a certain little girl waking up from her nap...back to the real world.

~ kate

The art of being one...

Just over a week ago, our sweet girl turned one year old! I am still trying to figure out how she is already one, but I am sure I will be saying that each year as she turns another year older. Time seems to fly by at warp speed these days and I am just trying to hold on and enjoy the ride!

Anyway, I know it has been months since I have posted anything new on here, and I really cannot promise I will get better at doing so...but I wanted to at least share a few pictures of our big girl...

What a beautiful girl!

One of her favorite books is Guess How Much I Love You ~ she raises up her arms when we say "This much!"

Stephen and I really do not understand why we even bother buying toys for her, when she seems to enjoy playing with all of the tupperware from the kitchen...

"Not too sure about this stuff guys?!"

As of late, our days are full of chasing this little girl around...she has been walking since about 10 months and she is getting REALLY fast now too! She loves "reading" her books and pointing to the pictures. She loves to eat many things (and thankfully she will eat what I give her, no matter), it's just the quantity is not very much...but I know that will change as she grows and needs more. Sleeping at night is getting better, but she does wake up at about 5:00 am...very hungry, thankfully though after I feed her, she will go back to sleep until about 7:00 - 7:30 am. She can say "momma" and "dada" when she wants to and most everything else is either "ook" or her version of "see" which sounds more like "shee". When I took her into the doctor for her 12 month well-baby check-up she weighed in at almost 22 lbs...and I believe just over 28 inches tall. It's crazy to think of how far she has come in one year...and I am excited to see her as she grows and develops over this next year. One thing is for sure, our life is full and Stephen and I are enjoying Annelise so very much and cannot imagine our life without her.

Well I guess that is all the time I have for now...a mountain of laundry is calling my name.

Until next time ~ kate

A huge blessing...

A few weeks ago, I began thinking about when we would need to purchase the next step up in regards to a car seat for A. She is growing so fast and lately it has been getting more and more difficult to squeeze her into the infant car seat that we currently have. So I did a little research to see what the price tag for a convertible car seat would be and its anywhere from about $70 to over $200 (depending on the brand). I mentioned this to Stephen at one point and he said..."well, we'll see what can do..." and I kind of left it at that...
Fast forward to yesterday...
I had just laid A down for an afternoon nap and I get this phone call from the New Parent Support Program through Army Community Services (ACS) on post...Mary (our friend over there) wanted to inform me that we were eligible (based on Stephen's rank and the fact that we are enrolled in NPSP) to receive a convertible car seat for FREE ~ I was floored when she shared this news with me!
I know this may seem kind of small in regards to our needs, because like I said we have a car seat that will suffice for now, but this phone call uplifted my spirits and reminded me that God is definitely in the small stuff too. So, for today...I am thankful that He provided in an unforeseen way...and come September 16th, A will be sporting a new car seat, and will definitely be riding in style...as always :)

Until next time ~ Kate

Hot, hot heat

So, obviously I am horrible at updating on here even once a month! Oops...so I will say it again...life just happens. Currently, I actually have a few spare minutes to breathe before A decides she has had enough of nap time. so here goes my hand at a new post:

Anyway, in an effort to beat the heat here in hot, hot Texas...A and I took a little plane ride up north to Maine "Vacationland" to visit Stephen's family. If only the weather here was like the weather in ME...we could possibly keep from melting every time we step outside our home. But until that day comes...we did enjoy the nice cool weather while in ME and I am pretty sure A enjoyed having so many willing play-mates at any given time. And now we are home and glad to be back with Stephen/Daddy!!

Here are just a few snapshots I managed to get during our visit...

First things first...the best pie I have EVER had: fresh Maine blueberry cream pie!!

A little girl hanging with one of gentlest dogs around...Buddy:

Stephen's Gram...what a special visit to meet her Great-Gram...

My little peanut...

Pampy and A enjoying the morning view on the deck...

Well that is all I have time for...A is up from her nap and ready to play!

Catch you on the flip side ~ Kate