February Fun

We did a few fun things in February that I need to add. They happened in the same weekend along with having to miss seeing 2 other friends b/c no one could possibly do everything in 4 hours!

1) Our friends the Mooneys came into town. Rebecca is due with their second and we can't wait to meet him!


2) My sweet friend, Jennifer, hooked us up with tickets to the Rodney Atkins/Brad Paisley show. It was lots of fun and here is a picture to prove to Jenn that I did go to meet Rodney back-stage. I'm not ever sure about the "meet and greet" thing, but it was fun to meet the guy she has spent so much time working for over the past few years. He was really nice and wanted to get a picture with Vicki and I....


OK, OK, I cannot lie... the boys were in the picture too!


Thanks Jenn for the tickets and thanks to Brendon and Micah for a fun double date.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I didn't get much out this year as far as traditional valentine's cards, but I did want to let Lia wish you all a very happy day....




And, here is another one I got of her while we were playing - oh my, she is so much fun right now!

I'm so sorry!

I have been so caught up in the stuff going on here the past few weeks that the blog has fallen behind. I promise to pick it back up.

We have been facing the parenting challenge called potty training. I really was not ready and had to do a LOT of research and prep to even know where to start, but now we have waded into the land of potty and pull-up and there is no turning back.

Lia is doing great and loves her chart and treat for being such a big girl through out the day. We decided to teach a doll how to go potty and suprisingly she did ok with the doll. (FYI for those that didn't know... she has always been scared of ANY plastic baby doll)

I need to take a picture of her on her little potty (thank you, Amy!), but I have been to preocuppied by making sure she doesn't stick her hand in it!

So, please pray for us as the weekend continues. I hope to go from pull-ups to panties soon....Lord, help us!

Several fellow bloggers used this site for celebrity look - alike, but I thought I would end the debate on who Lia looks most like....



guess the debate still rages on!

Lia's 1st Purse

Auntie V (et all) sent a little post- Christmas package to Lia this week. She is in love!



The purse has a lovely "bower" on the front and some lipstick, mirror, keys, debit card, and change purse. She loves it and wants to take it out whereever we go.

Also, there has been a lot of talking on the phone.


I'm not suprise, are you??

The B Book

I've been having a full-circle moment every night for the past few weeks when Lia says... "B-Book, Mommy". When she says this I have two copies to reach for... one with a little sticker on it that reads "This book belongs to Brendon Petty" and the other with my WHOLE name written in the front flap. It seems like she gets her love of the B Book from both parents.


And so each night for a few weeks I have started... Big, Brown...

I can almost hear my Mother's voice reading it to me. I wonder how many times I begged my Dad to read it just one more time. And I am so thankful. Thankful for a love of reading, for the chance to sit and read this book to a snuggled up, clean-smelling ball of jammies and crazy hair of my own.
I hope someday she asks me and I will recite the whole thing by heart like my mother does. My Mother says that I almost wore the pages out of that book and it looks like if there is any life left in them that Lia will finish the job.

But I'm glad to read it a thousand more times for the smile at the end (and sometimes a little giggle if I get the delivery just right) when it says, "and that's what broke .... baby bird's balloon!"

What books do you love reading to your babies? or what did you wear the pages out of as a kid?

Snow #2

Well, we had the snow storm of the year this past weekend. I just love the media in this town and the way they handle inclement weather. It was Severe Storm watch for 3 days and we even heard them say, "The best thing for you to do is to not get out on the roads and stay tuned in to us all day."
We did stay in most of the weekend, but did not stay tuned in. Lia loved the snow


and helped Brendon make a "no-man".


Did I mention that all I had to make his face out of was fruit ?!?!?!

* that's grape eyes, a cantaloupe nose and a watermelon mouth!

Now that the snow has been melting, we have been having a no-man watch. Lia will go to the front door and peek out of the window to make sure he's there. I don't know what kind of heart break will happen when he turns into a puddle.

Here is the snowman on day 2...

Snow #1

Well, here are the pictures of the snow we had earlier this week....

Does your head feel heavy...

This just does NOT look comfy! We have moved to only 1/2 days at weekday now and by the time I pick her up and we make the 10 minute drive home, she looks like this in the back seat...


She doesn't wake up as I take her upstairs, remove shoes and coat. And the nap is the best part - she slept 3 1/2 hours today! I love it!

Simple Conversion

So, you know by now that I don't care for New Year's resolutions, but I have to admit that I have been going to the gym a little more. I'm trying to get rid of my major vice too.... any guesses out there to what it is?

Well, here is a hint... it has a lot of sugar in it. 38 grams per serving. I have known that for a long time though, and it didn't make the impression on me that this did....9 teaspoons. The 38 grams that I have been intaking equals about 9 tsps of sugar. Now, I would never dream of downing that from the sugar bowl everyday, but that's exactly what I have been doing!

And as for the sugary syrup that I love.... yep, it's ... Dr. Pepper.

What is your biggest food vice? Have you ever tried to let go? Any tricks?

Shout out to Nana and Papa B!

Lia got to wear her fun jumper today at church and loved when I showed her that the buttons made a "art".

New Year, New Me???

It will be great in 2008!
Don't wait, change in '08!
New Year, New You!

Is anyone else tired of the new year slogans? I have really struggled with the whole thing this year. Christmas being pushed as a gimme-gimme and then the second the clock strikes midnight on January 1 - it's diet, exercises, organization, and resolutions.

The world is one of such extremes that it seems we can't seem to stay in a place of Thanksgiving before the Christmas decorations come out, and can't say "I Love you" on Valentine's Day before the four-leaf clovers jump out. For me, this Christmas was one I wanted to savor even after the day past. I wanted to stay at the manger and celebrate Jesus one more day. Amidst the family visits and gift-exchanges, I felt incredibly thankful to Jesus because he

made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness. Philippians 2:7

I have bought new calendars and have remembered to write 2008 on all my checks, but my heart is stuck. I haven't made a New Year's resolution, but I have felt more of a change in my spirit than in past new years. I hope I can stay there even as I move forward and look ahead to this year.

Face- Lift

I'm feeling a little restless this week and wanted to find out if anyone could help me update my look. I'm sure I need to start with a complete overhaul, but I specifically mean the look of my blog. I've run the gammit of the templates on Blogger and just wonder if there is another way.

Anyone able to help?

New Camera... First Video...

Please forgive the first video post. We got a new camera (little point and shoot) and I'm working on how to use it and edit the video. I'm sure when we finally get me upgraded to a good program it will be better. For now, here is Lia singing her favorite song... Jesus Loves Me.

On the Road Again


Lia's ready to go on Tour now...

Cousins and Texas, Part II

We met up with my family at the Saltlick (our favorite Texas bbq institution) and made sure we would have something to make a resolution about. It was fun to have a HUGE party and eat with family from both sides - that doesn't happen very often.

We spent the rest of our time in Austin with my sister, her family and my mom and step-dad. Lia had a lot of fun playing with her cousins and picking up some new tricks.



She played with Play-Doh for the first time.....



got to play kitchen with Hope and Laura Grace....


and have a Dan's milkshake with Lawson....



We had a GREAT time and headed back to ATL to see some SNOW! Ok, it was just flurries, but still... pretty cool.

Binky and Texas, Part I

Lia took her first plane ride over Christmas and did great. We were at an end gate so she got to see the planes take off and land before we got on the "airpane".


She did really well once we got up and even watched a movie with the headphones and her blanket...


She did ok going up and down, but here are a few things I learned...
1) Have low expectations for behavior and how it's going to go. This way - however it turns out - you are guarenteed to be confirmed or pleased.
2) snacks, snacks, snacks
3) teach 'em to use the headphones and watch a movie... that was PRICELESS!
4) pack a little benadryl... sleep is a mommy's best friend.
5) did I mention snacks ?

Once we got to Houston, we visited with Brendon's family - Nana, Papa B, Auntie Mack and Uncle Geoff ("Unte Deaf"). But, Lia was also very excited about Brinkly ("Binky") their puppy. For the first three days Brinkly chased Lia around and then on day 4 she changed it up on him and started doing the chasing.


I will post a picture of the whole group when I get it, but for now, here is a picture of Lia with her Texas outfit from Auntie Mack... love the boots!

Postless Christmas

Sorry about the postless Christmas...somehow my life always goes on hiatus during the holiday, but we're back now. We had a great time having Christmas in Atlanta

I'm sure you are dying to hear how our Christmas was so here are some pictures...

We had a great little time on the 23rd having our little Christmas morning. Lia was so fun with the presents we had laid out. She got a Little People Farm....baaaa!!!

a relaxing arm chair....

and an elephant towel which she didn't like until she saw herself in the mirror!



a fun little guitar (she looks like a natural!)....


and after all the toys had been opened, she HAD to gather everything around her and sit in her new chair.


Later, the bows were a big hit and Lia wanted to try them ALL in her hair. ALL seemed to be the theme of the morning...

a kiss for Lia...

then we had a GREAT Christmas service at church on Sunday and flew out Sunday night (see next post).

Elmo goes with everything

Today was the last day of weekday for Lia before Christmas. She has awesome teachers and loves everyday at "cool". Today was a little extra fun though because it was Pajama Day (Lia calls them "jaaamies"). I got her dressed and couldn't help but add the final accessory.

Brendon, "So, you have the matching bow to go with the PJs and you throw it all off with the Elmo slippers?"

Rachel, "Well, yeah....Elmo goes with everything"

Lia, "Elmo. Toes."


Laura Grace would be so proud.

We had the first of the holiday gift exchanges this year with Miss Shae. She came by and Lia opened up the Fridge Farm and puzzle Shae got her.

Here she is digging into the gift. I wish this had sound effects b/c that was the funniest part... ohhhh, ahhhh...oooohhh.



She loves the toy and has been playing with it all the time.



We gave Miss Shae some earrings and a braclet (Lia picked them out)....here is Lia showing Miss Shae where to wear the "ear-wings".



And of course... dancing to the fridge farm music in the afternoon....