Look Ma, No Hands!!

Ok, so it's still a work in progress but Dakota is beginning to sit up on her own. We can get between 5 and 10 seconds before she starts to wobble and fall like a bowling pin. We had a VERY Merry Christmas and I'll post on that later but wanted to share her new "trick" with you all.

Ready for Christmas!!

Dakota is all ready for Christmas! She picked out a tree, decorated it, did some shopping and even got a taste of the present opening last night. Things have been going wonderful over the past month. As much as I did not want to go back to work, it really has been going well and Dakota and I are both adjusting nicely. We are home by 2:45 everyday which still leaves enough time to run the occasional errand, play, cook dinner and relax before daddy comes home. She really likes her teachers at “school” and they talk about what a sweet and happy baby she is.

Today we leave for Greenville for a week so Jacob, Dakota and I celebrated “our” Christmas last night. I cooked little chickens, green beans, ambrosia salad, potatoes and a pecan pie. We opened all of our gifts from one another and had such a great time. Dakota got some clothes and toys. I got hiking poles, a new headlamp, Timex watch, curtains and a curtain rod for our bedroom, candy, gloves, Life is Good shirt, DVDs and my favorite gift…enlarged framed pictures of Dakota. They turned out great. Jacob got some dress shoes, slippers, ramps for under the car when changing the oil, cologne, underwear and a license plate for his car. I know that isn’t everything but just some of the highlights.

Deep thought from Trish…yesterday when I was picking Dakota up at school she just kept beaming at me and smiling and giggling…it melted my heart because I love her so much. I love watching her grow and her excitement with everything in life. It made me think of baby Jesus and Mary and how he giggled and beamed at her just like Dakota does to me. I bet it really melted her heart, knowing that He would one day save the world…but I bet it broke her heart too. I’m sure in those moments she wished she could just hold on to those little giggles forever. With all of the gifts and presents and prep this year for “Dakota’s First”…I’m ashamed to say that maybe I haven’t thought enough about what Christmas is really about. Anyway, just wanted to share that. See you all soon!

I needed a place to put Dakota while I put the laundry in the wash. She liked being in the basket.
Daddy and Dakota resting after a long day of shopping.
Christmas Tree shopping with Daddy!
Decorating the Tree with Daddy.
Dakota has become buddies with big brother.
Dakota and Daddy peeking through the mound of presents.
Dakota and Daddy reading her new book, Tails.
My Favorite Gift!
Sporting new hiking poles.
Mmm...


As you can tell...Dakota and her daddy are such good buddies!

We are SO thankful!

Jacob and I have lots to be thankful for this year. Our blessings are endless. Just wanted to post some pictures that my cousin Jessie took of Dakota and her new little one Harlie. Harlie was born on Halloween. My aunt Jeanie bought them matching outfits and bibs with their names on them. We had a great day of family and food yesterday. Dakota is getting so big and is SO much fun. I love to laugh at her and her smile lights up my heart.

Dakota and Harlie (before Dakota started pulling Harlie's hair out) And yes, she has started sucking her thumb occasionally. She is teething and chewing on it makes her feel better.
She looks like her daddy in this picture.

Squeak Squeak

Happy Halloween from my little critter. Be sure to scroll past this post as I have posted several other updates.

My little nekid pumpkin in her hat from her Grandmama.I told you she was my little Critter.
I'd say Carie harvested her best crop ever...her little sweet pea.

Playing with her Buddy

Carie and I enjoy getting our little cuties together. I think they enjoy it...even if this picture doesn't imply that.

She seems to think he has cooties
Going for a ride together.
See...he's not so bad Dakota. Thanks for sharing your toys with us Sutton.

My Blue Eyed Girl

Everything about Dakota is super cute but her eyes seem to be the part of her that gets the most compliments. She's gonna break some hearts with these baby blues...

can you guess what she is doing in this picture?

Dakota Does Boston

Dakota had a good time in Boston. We're having so much fun with her. Can you tell her daddy is proud??

first ride on a subway
still happy even though her crazy parents can't sit still
first NBA game (not in Boston...just thought I'd throw it in)
first ride on a plane
in a park
Life is Good pumpkin carving. There were thousands.
Right before the Red Sox won the pennant
My cousin Jeremy and his gal Kelly

Another Adventure!

Dakota has enjoyed her second backpacking adventure. She is quite the trooper as we have decided to call her. I'm sure she is wondering how she got stuck with such crazy parents. At least right now she doesn't know any better. When she gets older she will probably say, "You mean everybody's parents don't do what mine do??" Last Saturday we flew to Philly and then drove to the highest point in Delaware (it was a doozie). We then drove to visit our friends Tonya and Jason who used to live in Memphis with us. Dakota did awesome on the flight. What an answer to prayers. She didn't seem to have any ear trouble. Sunday morning we woke up and drove to the highest point in New Jersey with Jason. He then continued with us on our adventures to the Adirondacks to get the highest point in New York. It was a 15.5 mile hike through autumn and winter weather. We had Dakota all bundled up in like 5 layers of clothes. She did great. Jacob sure was proud to have her with us and to do so great. After our New York adventures Jacob, Dakota and I headed to Boston where he had a conference for work. We have just been hanging out while he has meetings and seminars. We are still there now. Enjoy our photos and continue to pray for our safety as we return home on Sunday.

Best Buddies.
Best Buddies.

#32 Delaware
#33 New Jersey
#34 New York (only 16 more to go) Just hanging out.
Mt. Marcy

2 Months Old!

Dakota turned 2 months old on Friday. We can't believe how fast the time is going and how big she is getting. She had her two month appointment on Friday and had to get her first shots (which I cried over because I hated seeing my little gal hurt). She now weighs 11lbs 10.5 oz (75% percentile) and is 23.5" long (90%). Looks like daddy may have a basketball player on his hands after all. Enjoy her 2 month pictures...