Sweet September

When we found out last December that I was pregnant, we decided that I would not go back to teaching. Kevin kept asking me what I wanted to do to keep myself busy when I became a stay at home mom. My reply would always be "I can't see past September."
The ironic thing to me is now that September has come and gone, I can't see back before September. I know that life was happening before it got here, but I can't remember what it was like before this September was here.
So I will always look back at this September sweetly, because it turned my world upside down in the most wonderful way...With sleepless nights, baggy eyes, spit ups in my hair, pink everything, little mouse noises at 2 am, and that wonderful smell that I wish was bottled and sold as perfume.
Goodnite, sweet September.

For Babette So She Can See Miss Liberty

These are some 2 week old pics of Libby that I thought were funny and I'm posting them strictly for Grandmothers, Aunts, and any others who find my daughter irresistible.

She always sits like this. Her arms are always up in some way or another

Kev is at work this week so I have to take pics on my own. This one is not that good, but this onsie says "This is my little black dress"... too cute. Thanks Jessi!

These next two are from today. I gave her a bath and her hair got upset. It stood right up and stayed that way for the rest of the day. I guess it's time to start using products.
I love this face!

Pumpkin Cookies

I found this recipe last fall and thought it was a fabulous way to welcome in the autumn season. This fall my dear friend Laura made them for me since I was preoccupied with other things instead of welcoming fall. As it is quite often in my house, Laura, Slim, and I all got to try one or two and then a naughty puppy named Gus got the rest...you would think that I would learn my lesson and put things in pad locked Tupperware. Fortunately, my darling sister made a fresh batch for me and the mister and brought them to us on Saturday! Wahoo.

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup of butter, softened
1 cup of canned pumpkin
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla

Glaze
2 cups sifted powdered sugar
2 tbsp of milk
1 tbsp melted butter
1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350
Grease baking sheets

Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg,and salt in a medium bowl. Beat sugar and butter in a large bowl until well blended. Beat in pumpkin, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Drop rounded tbsp onto baking sheet. Bake 15-18 min, until edges are firm. Cool on baking sheets 2 mins., remove and transfer to wire racks.

To make glaze mix all the ingredients together. Drizzle glaze over cookies.

Enjoy!

A Back Seat To Blogging

Lots of visitors and learning how to be parents has sent all use of the computer to the rear of the priority list. I have had no time to post and barely any time to check out what you all have been writing about, let alone leave any comments. Give me some time and I'll be back to posting irrelevant posts about life in small town USA or slightly biased and a bit over indulgent posts about my little lovely. Until then grace and peace be with you all.
Oh, and here are a few pics from the last two weeks of baby, grandfolks, friends, and family.

Libby's first headband. I bought this in purple and pink, but Gus ate the pink one before she got to wear it! Judging by the look on her face I think she is very upset about it.

Libby's first dress that she wore to her first trip to the pediatrician.

Soaking up some sun

Babette and Grandad with "Rosie" as GD calls her

Libby with her cousins

Libby and Aunt Amy

Her pink bow...she's not sure about bows. I must admit I think I'm forcing them on her, but she looks so cute in them

Me and my lady

Gus and his lady

Daddy and his lady

Libby and Laura having a cuddle

Libby trying to cuddle with Uncle Slim, but he is trying to resist her

*By the way, thanks to everyone for all the sweet comments you have left us, they make me feel warm and fuzzy and sometimes make me cry.

Rituals...Part 2

Several weeks ago I typed this entry telling you about my favorite part about living in Ashland, which is our Saturday morning ritual. Though moody and very pregnant we didn't miss last week, and even though Libby is only 5 days old, we didn't miss this week either. We had our stop at the coffee shop, and then we went to the market. We bought a bird house gourd, apples, and Kevin bought Libby a fresh bouquet of flowers. Most of our market friends were excited to see that our baby made it into the world before they close up shop for the winter. They still doesn't know our names, but now...
they know hers.

Liberty Rose Jones

If I start to use words to describe what we have been through the last few days they will be too many and do no justice to the beauty we have been blessed with. I am so thankful to our Heavenly Father for Libby and we are totally and undeniably in love with our sweetling.
I can't stop kissing her. She smells delicious...even better than my banana muffins! :)
Here are some photos in serious excess, which as a new mom I will not apologize for.
Enjoy!

It Would Appear....

That the world will keep turning,
and the internet will keep working,
and life will keep going,
even if the baby ticker makes it all the way to 0.
As an added bonus, it looks likes it is going to start counting up for me.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6