ONE Year

Today is the day. This exact time a year ago I was thinking surely B-Dubette is almost here. Surely. If you don't recall, I had a ridiculously long transition period during labor. Look back to the end of September 2010, and you can read the whole story. Here is the first post after her arrival. I have relived several moments from the second half of September 2010 lately, and it's hard not to get extremely emotional and extremely grateful. God's mercy is extraordinary. At 4:26 pm on September 18, 2010, Reese Robinson Walker was born. 8 pounds and 20 1/2 inches long. She was beautiful, and she had the sweetest lips.

In this past year, our hearts have grown leaps and bounds. I really had no idea you could love a little baby so much. Everyone says it, and everyone is being honest when they say it. While our little one is napping, I'm going to quickly recap what our "toddler" is doing at ONE year. I'm tempted to go over stats and stories from the entire year, but most of you have already read about them; if not, you have plenty to choose from in the blog archives. This is probably how I will spend the rest of naptime. Hehe.

RRW at twelve months:

*Reese weighs 20 lbs. 10 oz. (63rd percentile)

*Reesey Peece is 28 3/4 inches long (38th percentile)

*Her head is at the 85th percentile. Hehe.

*Sweet Pea is still napping twice a day for about 4 hours total.

*RRW still sleeps 12+ hours each night.

*Total number of teeth=ZERO.

*Reese babbles all the time and likes to mimick sounds she hears. She has little conversations with herself and others, and I just wish I knew what she was saying.

*One of Reese's favorite things to do is to get on her knees and hop. She LOVES it, and it totally distracts her from her need/desire to walk.

*I think she may know what a puppy dog says. She sees a stuffed puppy and sort of makes a barking sound.

*When you say, "Love on bunny. Love on _____." she holds it next to her face, hugs it, and smiles so big.

*She eats everything, and she drinks 3 cups of whole milk a day. Breastfeeding is over as of last Sunday.

*Reese is sweet, spirited, laid-back, loving, inquisitive, and every bit of what the Lord has made her to be. Beautiful, joyful, and prayerfully--a close friend of His at an early age.

Wes and I are so grateful to all of our friends and family and most of all to our loving God. I was reminded at church this morning as we were sitting in the back of the sanctuary singing a hymn to the Lord that we are surrounded by such an incredible body of Christ. The love, support, encouragement, wisdom, hospitality, and true friendship we have been given is incomparable. Thank you for the love you have shared with our precious daughter. Happy 1st Birthday, Reese!

Remember this one?! B-Dubette had finally arrived! Praise the Lord!

First family picture late that night.

Then it was to the NICU for the next 12 days where she was loved more than can be measured. This was before the PICC line because her IV is still in her arm. SWEET baby girl.

And look at her now. Beautiful baby girl. Well, my weekly emails now say toddler. What is with that?!

The birthday girl on her big day.

During one of her wagon rides with all her buddies.

Playing with one of her new toys this morning.

Right before this nap. Happy Birthday, Reese Robinson.

Mid-September blogging to-do's:

Party decor post....check

The birthday/12 month post...check

Party pics post...coming soon. The Razorback Pillow Pet and Manzebo will be featured as well as the guests and gifts. Stay tuned.

Party Day

Today was party day. A few months ago, I started planning an outdoor vintage picnic party for Reese's 1st birthday party at our neighborhood gazebo and field. My mom and I came up with some really fun details, made a LONG to-do list, and then split it. When she got up here Thursday night to begin helping get it all together, we decided we needed to figure out how to make this outdoor picnic an indoor picnic. It's been raining A LOT the past couple of days. Living room furniture was moved aside, great-grandmother quilts were put on the floor, and the picnic was had right here inside. I have to say I kinda liked it this way. What I had envisioned really came to fruition, and the party was a huge success.

Tonight's post will just be decor pics as one of my dearest high school friends came to take pictures during the party, so I didn't have to think about that. Fabulous idea...I had a great time just talking to everyone and focusing on the birthday girl! I can't wait to see all of MP's pictures!

There will be a party post soon that will be full of pictures of party goers and some other fun details. And of course there will be a birthday post tomorrow on the actual big day! This time a year ago I was coming home from a high school football game accepting the fact B-Dubette wouldn't be born on her due date. How about one day late though? Stay tuned.

Because even though it's a decor post, you have to see the guest of honor. She will be majorly highlighted in the coming posts.

Mason jars for glasses. Fully equipped with my favorite stripy straws.

Drinks for the big people.

Drinks for the little people.

A little dining room decor.

The lovely cake and cupcake table.

Cupcakes for kids, cake for adults, and little cake for the birthday girl.

Tower o' cupcakes.

YUMMY.

Wooden forks. And little white roses.

See all these banners? They were going to go around the gazebo, so we just put them all over the house instead.

The picnic room.

Each family had a box with sandwiches, chips, and napkins. Then they could pick up their cone of fruit and drinks.

Our boxed lunch.

Monthly pictures. It's a must at a one year old bash.

Favors. Hip, hip, hooray! It's Reese's 1st birthday! (Ed's smily face cookies)

Some very sweet decor my mom made just for the party.

More pictures of course. And another banner of course.

The birthday girl's chair.

More to come later! I'm TIRED, so I'm going to bed!

Big Blue Train

I still don't really get it, but we are Rogers Mounties fans (because of where I taught and where my cell group girls go to school), and they love to chant "Big Blue Train." Reese went to her first football game tonight, and she was so good. I had some flashbacks to the night before I went into labor almost a year ago...we walked to a Mounties game from Bret and Jayme's the night of my due date, watched Molly cheer on the field, talked with lots of kids, and then walked back. I was tired, went to bed a little late, and woke up at 6:03 the next morning to my water breaking. Needless to say, tonight was a lot more enjoyable, and the weather was close to perfect. Lots of my girls are on varsity cheer, and several of my boys are playing key positions. We made it to half time, and that's more than I had anticipated especially seeing that Reese's bedtime is the same time as kick off. Ha! With Wes in Fayetteville volunteering at rEcess, I had to take her with me. Lucky for both of us, my friend and former co-worker Keisha met us for some yummy Chick-fil-a before the game and got us in to the game for free with her pass. We had a lot of fun reminiscing high school football years and just catching up as we used to be attached at the hip at school.

Wes and I haven't spent a lot of time together at all lately, and we are both really looking forward to a day full of college football on TV and beautiful weather tomorrow. We decided to skip the Arkansas game in Little Rock to spend a weekend here doing nothing, and I couldn't be happier. So, cheers to the weekend!

But before you go...check out a few pictures from the past few days.

Target run before the big game. For those of you unfamiliar with the Mountaineer, yes, that guy--the mascot--is smoking. We go from Wampus Cat to Mountaineer. Crazy mascots around here. It feels kind of weird living in Bentonville Tiger world...that just seems so dull.

Reese and Mama at the game. I bet she was clapping for the cheerleaders.

Labor Day

We woke up yesterday morning to 53 degree weather. It was Reese's one year photo shoot, and it was almost too cool for her to wear her birthday dress. I can't wait to see the pictures. I just wish I would have accessorized myself differently. I had gotten in late Sunday night, went right to sleep, woke up early to shower and dry my hair, and then Chelsea showed up at 8am. My early morning earring and necklace choices were decent but not great. Could have been much cuter for the few family pics we got. I've thought about it more than a handful of times since yesterday morning. I'm silly like that. However, I'm so super glad we did the shoot at 8 in the morning. Great lighting, plus it made us be very efficient because we had a shorter window of time. By the last setting which I think just so happened to be my personal fave, she was done. It was past her morning nap time, but we pressed on, and I'm sure these photos will be full of emotions. Hehe! It was all so much fun! Even the tears and cupcake madness that came at the end.

After the crazy morning, Reese took a good nap, and then we went to the mall just to be outside in the gorgeous weather. The Penturfs had us over for dinner last night, and as always, it was an incredibly enjoyable laid-back evening. Here are a few pictures to prove this...

My little girl making herself at home at Sarah and Caroline's house.

Daddy/Daughter Couple #1.

Daddy/Daughter Couple #2.

Daddy/Daughter Couple #3.

Reesey and Mommy playing and catching up after a weekend apart from each other.

Loving my little almost one year old.

Right after Reese took her head off Wes' face (and right before she went to bed). She was so tired that she actually put her head down on Daddy. This is starting to happen a bit more, and we LOVE it.

Retreat

It was awesome. I woke up early Saturday morning, got to spend a few minutes with Reese, and then packed up my car and headed to meet hundreds of high schoolers ready for Fall Retreat. My mom had come up Friday afternoon, and she and Wes apparently had a fabulous time with Reese while I was canoeing, water sliding, dancing, and enjoying a ton of intentional, yet laid back fellowship with my girls. We prayed together one-on-one, we praised God together, and we grew closer together. I'll spare the details as I am wanting to grab a nap while Reese is down, but enjoy these few photos of hundreds that were taken this weekend.

Getting to spend the afternoon on Friday with Ty. I snapped a few pictures of these gorgeous blue eyes and his Uncle Wes' old t-shirt.

And then cousin Reese and Emmett joined in on the play time.

My co-leader (and quickly becoming one of my dearest friends) Sydney.

Some of our girls enjoying the cool weather. Ahhh...

The other side of the table.

Trying out some photography skills with Brett, one of my former {favorite} students. I was a little scared to let the ball get much closer even though one of my girls was right next to me catching it.

I used to "babysit" Abby at this same camp when it was K-Klassic. Man, we have lots of memories from this place.

Some of that fun, laid-back fellowship.

Moo.

So she loves milk.  A week ago, I was really thinking I would have to skip out on Fall Retreat.  I should have had more faith.  Reese turned a corner on Saturday, and she turned it without looking in the rearview mirror.  I mean, this girl loves her some cow's milk.  The only issue is that she totally knows that it's about to replace breastfeeding, so she treats it that way.  She takes her merry ol' time and doesn't even really drink a whole lot if she's not really needing it.  But she wants that sippy cup, and she wants it for a good WHILE.  I've cut out the middle of the day feeding, so she gets milk instead.  I'm hoping that when she gets milk for the other two feedings this weekend that she drinks it quickly instead of just "grazing" on it for so long or else things could get interesting for Daddy and Mopsy.  I'm thinking she will quickly learn to get what she needs when it's offered to her.  Or at least that's my hope and prayer.  

If you think about it, say a few prayers for all of us this weekend while I'm gone.  For the retreat and the students there, for Reese, and for the Razorbacks.  Thanks. 

Reese's new favorite game.  It's called "pull out every toy we can find."

Relaxing with a good book after Bid Day.

Wearing her "Coming Soon...New and Improved" sticker.  For more info, go to Gamma Nu's Renovation website here.  Pretty awesome.

Drinking her afternoon milk before naptime with Daddy who was off work today.  So nice.

Sweet girl.

These Days

I think I have several posts titled "These Days" as sometimes I just want to write about exactly that. What's going on these days around here.

*One year in, I'm still trying to figure out a structure to my day as a stay-at-home mom. Of course for over half of that time, my routine shifted almost weekly as Reese's development was at a rapid pace. However, we have been living a two nap a day routine for a while now, and I pretty much know how each day looks. Therefore, I must start really looking at each day as my "job," or else daily chores, housecleaning, etc. will not get completed. I will gladly take advice on this. I've pinned a few organization and cleaning schedules on Pinterest, but I'm not sure if that's the route for me. I think it's mental in my case...I need to just look at my days differently. This whole stay-at-home thing isn't going away, and I don't have a housecleaner. I don't have a cook. I don't have a personal trainer or a live-in crafter. I am all of these plus mother and wife and friend and daughter and sister and cell group leader.

*All that to say, I'm not overwhelmed. Being able to begin each day reading promises that Jesus gives me about how He is always with me, how He wants to direct my days, how He will NEVER leave my side, how He loves me more than I can imagine, and how He wants all of me is incredibly life changing. He is my life, and my goal is to honor and glorify Him in all I do. So, I will mother Reese in a way pleasing to Him, I will love and serve Wes in a way that glorifies God, and I will live each day seeking His guidance and His peace. Sometimes this means to put down the dish rag or vacuum and just sit and pray. And sometimes it means to pick up a mop or a toilet bowl brush and go to town. Life is simple when you remember to whisper God's name in the midst of the worldly chaos. Love God. Love others. Simple.

*And in the last couple of days (since typing up a draft of this post), I've actually seen fruit from these thoughts. I'm a little more efficient, and I'm more motivated. Thank you, Lord.

*I have officially begun the weaning process, and I'm more emotional than I had expected. I won't go into the details, but we are down to just two nursings a day, and I feel like I have a toddler. No baby anymore. Ok, that's all I can say.

*People told me that there would be changes after I had a baby, but the only one that I really notice is my face. Breakouts waaaay more than before, so I am finally going to see a dermatologist I can't wait to meet with the doctor and get going on a path to a clearer, smoother face. Ahhh. I hope she has something in mind to get on this path. (Yeah, I wrote this a couple of days ago...hormonal acne. Lovely. Now I just have to go pick up the $250 prescriptions. What?!)

*I had flag football practice last night, and I watched four of my former 8th grade boys learn a cheer and a dance. This weekend is our fall retreat with all of the high school cell groups, and guess where we are going?! The old K-Klassic!!! I can't decided if I'm more excited about spending a weekend with my girls or reminiscing about the three summers I spent there as a babysitter, counselor, and office girl. I haven't even thought about leaving Reese because the emotions would come on pretty strong...I trust my girls will keep me distracted. Okay, moving on.

*Reese is now an incredible napper, and I'm not quite sure when this happened. Almost two hours in the morning depending on the day, and 2+ hours in the afternoon. And she sleeps 12+ hours at night. I'm very thankful. P.S. She just took a 3 hour nap, and she is still horizontal in her crib yawning and rubbing her face with her lovey.

*I spent the weekend at the Kappa house pretty much with helping to count votes on Pref Night and being there for the festivities on Bid Day. I loved every second of it.

*Loose, neon tank tops and Nike Tempo running shorts are totally in with the high school and college crowd, so I think I need to run to Academy before Saturday morning for another pair of shorts. I'm just glad I have Chaco sandals. Whew!

Okay, if you have stuck with me, thanks for reading my ramblings. I think I'm going to go wake up my baby who has now been asleep for 3 1/2 hours. Otherwise who knows what bed time will be tonight!

And as a treat, here is a really cute 4th of July baby picture. I don't have any new pics, so I dug out from the July file.