35, 36, 37 down…13 to go!

So we made a trip out to the plains this past weekend to conquer the highest points in NE, KS and OK (respectively). We had a great time and Dakota did amazing on her travels. Dakota and I had to make the 4 hour flight (1 hour to ATL and 3 to DEN) by ourselves and I was a little worried about not having the extra help. God blessed me with very helpful flight attendants and two empty seats in the back row just perfect for us. It allowed us a little extra room and she sat in her own seat, buckled in, and played with her toys and napped. Although NE and KS were super flat…it was hard to believe that they were higher than even Mt. Katahdin in Maine!! OK, was a pleasant surprise and very beautiful and actually had mountains! I don’t have much time to write but enjoy the pictures!!

Grins and Giggles

What a ham! She is TOO silly. Enjoy!

8 Things.

I got tagged by Danielle to share eight things about Dakota, so here goes:

1. Smiley – That is the nickname she has been dubbed at daycare because she smiles all day and at anybody. She has the happiest personality and grins and giggles at anybody and anything. Every time she sees me she beams and it makes me smile so big back. Her smile takes up her whole face and everybody who sees it loves it.

2. Velociraptor – This goes along with the smiley thing but she LOVES to squeal in excitement about things. We say it sounds like a velociraptor and sometimes she will squeal for many minutes straight…even at church prayer group!

3. Her big blue eyes – they are so pretty and big!

4. Her Jumperoo – she received a jumperoo from her Granddaddy and Grandmama for Christmas and Jacob and I just laugh at her while she plays in it. She jumps so high that you’d think she could touch the moon. Of course she is smiling and squealing while playing in it.

5. Wiggles – She is such a wiggly thing and always has been…even while she was in my tummy. She would get those legs going and I knew for sure she was going to be like her daddy…I was right. She can’t sit still any more than he can but I love it. She rolls around on the floor and is trying to crawl and each morning she is in a different position and place in her crib.

6. How cute she is when she eats – I love it when she gets so excited before eating and opens her mouth like a little birdie. It’s just too cute. Now she is liking veggies (squash, carrots and sweet taters…peas were not that big of a hit)

7. I love how she reaches for everything…especially if I have it, then she wants it. Two seconds after she has it in her hands…into her mouth it goes!

8. I like her little “Toofer” that just popped through the gum. It’s still tiny but it’s there and you can see it and feel it.

9. Her little blonde hairs are too precious…especially after bath time and it is all fuzzy wuzzy.

10. I just love her personality in general. She is so sweet and loving and cuddly and cute and beautiful and she is my best little friend. I am so blessed by her.

Ok Carie, Jess, Carla, Melody and Amy...tag, you're it!

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