Carter Christmas 2011

Where has the time gone! I noticed the last time I made a post was the 1st of December...blogging and being a mom is kind of hard =), but I will do my best! Our sweet Nyla is getting bigger. She is 5 months old and 14 lbs and LOVES her rice cereal. You would think we were feeding her steak the way she kicks those little legs and feet...it is so cute! Everyday is such a blessing with her...she is very smart and a little bossy (smile). She is a very happy baby! I love to see her smile! Since I haven't made a post in a while I must catch you all up with her week by week pics...

18 weeks (playing in her swing)

19 weeks (tummy time!)

20 weeks (helping mommy wrap presents)

D, Nyla, and I were able to share our first Christmas together. We had such a wonderful day! Nyla was able to have her grandparents here at the house...so her first Christmas was very special. I will say that Nyla racked up in gifts...she really didn't understand what was going on (she was only interested in the ball on the tree), but she is really blessed!



Our tree






The night before Christmas...

Nyla in front of the tree

Nyla and Mommy in our Pjs




Christmas morning...

Nyla before Mommy and Daddy woke her up

Daddy and Nyla reading cards from Mommy

Mommy and Nyla

Daddy D and his Keurig

Our sweetie!

Nyla and one of her many gifts

Nyla getting help from Mommy opening gifts

Mommy helping Nyla with more gifts

21 weeks (isn't she pretty!)

We look forward to sharing many more holidays together. It is my hope that D and I will instill in Nyla the true meaning of Christmas. It is not about all the food, gifts, and wearing yourself out physically and financially trying to get material things...those things are an added bonus (smile) ...but it is about focusing on our Lord and Savior who was born and later paid the ultimate price for you and me.

JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

Thankful

What a busy past few weeks it has been! We were fortunate enough to experience our first Thanksgiving as a family. We celebrated with D's side of the family. We had a wonderful time! Nyla was able to meet her cousin Serenity who is 2 weeks older than her. They stared each other down for a little bit (it was cute) and Nyla pretty much slept the rest of the time. I believe she was worn out from the previous day (my mom and I went all over town shopping for a dress for Nyla).

Of course during this time we reflect on what we are thankful for, but I have to say that I try and do that everyday. Just to wake up each morning, have a job to go to, food to eat, a roof over my head, a loving and supportive husband, a happy healthy baby, family and friends, my health, and to serve a God who loves me unconditionally is enough to be thankful for. Nyla's first thanksgiving

Time is just really flying by! Nyla is really developing and growing into her own. She had her second set of shots and the Dr. said that we were free to start her on rice cereal. For some odd reason D was really nervous about this giving her cereal (you would have thought she was going to the prom or something...don't know why he was so nervous). The Dr. said it was best to give her cereal in a bowl with spoon because it is good for helping them learn to use their tongue which would help in speech development. I think I was more apprehensive because it was a sign that she is growing up and I want her to slow down a little bit =) It has actually gone pretty well. At first she cried because we were not feeding her fast enough, but she is now getting the hang of it. She opens that mouth wide when she sees the spoon headed her way!

Not a happy camper

Slowly but surely

The highlight of this past week was Nyla's baby dedication service at church. It was a wonderful time and the service was beautiful. Nyla slept through the dedication (smile), but D and I were wide awake to accept our responsibility to God as parents to Nyla. I pray that we will do the best that we can for Nyla and continue to lean on Him for guidance.

D, Nyla, and I after church

Nyla at 17 weeks

Carter Family Pics 2011

We finally had family pics made! I have imagined this day for a long time. Nyla was VERY sleepy, but she held on long enough for us to get some shots together (with her eyes open)...thought I would share! (Portraits done by Rodney Armstrong--http://rodneymendel.smugmug.com/)