Baby's 1st Christmas=10 months!

Important disclaimer: This one's a long one folks. Read at your own will. :)

My sweet little darling turned 10 months on Christmas day! It's just amazing how fast time has flown by. I can't believe she's already 10 months old, and has experienced her very first Christmas! This was truly one of the best Christmases I've ever had. Of course, I certainly missed seeing my extended family during this time. However, I think this Christmas meant so much because I'm now the proud parent of a precious baby girl. I loved seeing her open her presents, while trying to EAT the wrapping paper, bows, and ribbons. It just brought me so much joy. As I was taking part this moment, the Lord brought the following verse to my mind, "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" (Matthew 7:11). I am very thankful my Father in heaven lavishes good gifts on those who love Him and are called according to His will. I certainly know that life is not full of roses and easy times. However, He's already given me salvation through Christ Jesus so anything more is just icing on top of the cake. You know what I mean? I'm thankful He decided, in His good timing, to bless Trey and me with a baby as sweet and precious as Susannah Grace. We certainly don't deserve anything we have been given, but we are delighted the Lord chose us to be her parents. I've listed some things she's doing right now that I want to remember, along with some photos, below!

Eating

3 meals a day + 3-4 bottles 19 -24 oz a day

She still prefers veggies over fruit...go figure :)

Sleeping

Two naps a day 1 hour-2 1/2 hours each

11-12 hours at night

Development/Personality

*Her personality has really come to life this last month! She constantly "talks" all day long!

*She says momma, dada, dyedye (byebye), and yahhh (yay).

*I love when I say "Yay!" and she starts clapping and saying "Yahhh" back.

*She thinks it's funny to shake her head back and forth in a nonono motion at me, especially while she is eating. She'll mimic me doing this also.

*Technically, she is not "crawling" yet. However, I've been telling her that if she wanted to get me something for Christmas she could start crawling (I know some of you are thinking I'm crazy for asking this because there's no going back once they start). So, low and behold, on Christmas Day she started commando crawling! She's been rolling everywhere, getting on all fours while rocking, and scooting backwards but this was the first time she had actually used her elbows and knees to push off moving FORWARD! YAY!

We started the season off right by taking a special trip to tell Santa what Susannah Grace wanted for Christmas!

Christmas Angel

"Please Mama, can I just have one of those pretty shiny ornaments?"

The Toole Family Christmas card photoshoot

The festivities kicked off Christmas Eve afternoon! The girls looked so cute at Tania's and Joe's house wearing the matching outfits I made them! :)

Susannah Grace was excited to open her gifts!

Sydney was excited about the vacuum we got her for Christmas.

This little girl LOVES to clean house!

She saw something that needed to be vacuumed right away!

The girls posed for a sweet picture with Meme and Pop!

Susannah Grace just couldn't contain her excitement for Christmas!

This is the face we saw most of the day!

Meme ordered a "Happy Birthday Jesus" cake that was almost too beautiful to eat.

***Side note: Don't worry no one actually ate baby Jesus.***

Susannah Grace's FAVORITE part of Christmas had to do with the

paper, ribbons, and bows she got to eat

play with!

Susannah Grace enjoyed playing with her Uncle Philip Wayne.

She is the perfect gift for me!

Christmas morning Susannah Grace woke up to find that Santa had left her a Laugh and Learn Farmhouse and Fisher Price Toy Kitchen!

She's enjoying "picking" her own tomatoes and eating them!

She was one happy girl!

Susannah Grace also got to experience something very special...A White Christmas! It just so happened to be Alabama's 1st snowy Christmas in addition to her 1st celebration of this wonderful holiday!

My little snow bunny!

This hat cracks me up!

Our House

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Little Cindy Lou Who

My little Who...

Side view of the mini ponytail- HA!

When I told Susannah Grace the story of

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

she looked a little concerned.

So, she decided to guard our tree just in case!

I think this little Who would definitely make the Grinch's heart grow warm! Don't you?

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!

Here's a sneak peak at the Christmas cards we'll be sending out this year! Ashely Warren did an excellent job taking the photos and designing our cards! We're very excited to send out our very first family Christmas card!

Far Away Friends!

During our Thanksgiving break two very special people came to visit us...

Katherine and Millie Johnson!

Katherine and I taught 3rd grade together for the past two years. We were pregnant with baby girls at the same time last year. I'm sure these girls heard a lot of talking and giggling going on from the two of us while they were still in their mommies' tummies. We sure are sad they had to move to NC, but we were oh so happy that they came for a visit!

The girls began their meet and greet with a play session!

Then, came some posing for pictures. They were so serious,

which is funny because both of them are usually pretty smiley.

Millie gave Susannah Grace a little, "Hey buddy" pat.

Even when they are super serious, they still sure are CUTE!

Thanksgiving= 9 Months!

Well, baby girl turned 9 months on Thanksgiving day. I just can't believe how time has just passed us by. It seems like just the other day she was this little tiny baby, barely the length of my forearm, with a blank little expression on her face. Now, she has grown into a little mini-me with lots of personality! I've listed some new things she's doing below. We don't go to the doctor for our routine check up until Dec. 9th. So, stats will come later.

Sleeping

11-12 hours a night and two naps during the day

Eating

4 bottles a day (3 with meals and one at bedtime)

We've just started introducing some table food and she loves it! Since it was Thanksgiving, she had little bites of chicken and dressing, sweet potatoes, and green bean casserole.

Development

No crawling yet...but, we are on the horizon

LOTS of rolling! EVERYWHERE!

Now, she rolls over on her side and stomach to sleep.

She has 4 TEETH! Two on the bottom and two on top!

She says, "Momma and Dadda" lots!

She has started waving! I will post a video soon!

She pulls up onto furniture from my lap and walks with assistance.

Personality

Her personality just continues to blossom. She is such a happy little child. However, there are times when she produces a bit of a temper when someone takes a toy away from her, or she doesn't want her diaper or clothes changed on the changing table :). We are managing this spunky side of her personality now so that it doesn't get out of control later! Nevertheless, we love this sweet precious gift from God. We have A LOT to be THANKFUL for! Thank you Jesus!

Thanksgiving Festivity Photos:

First stop: Over the river and through the woods to Meme's and Pop's house we go!

Susannah Grace got to hang out with her cousin, Sydney!

#1 Dad took the girls on a wagon ride!

The girls just hung out and looked at the beautiful fall scenery.

Sweet girl :)

Then, while Meme and Pop were in NC, Nanna and Pawpaw stopped by our house for Thanksgiving lunch. It was my first time to be in charge of Thanksgiving.

I think it turned out pretty well!

Susannah Grace hung out with Daddy and Pawpaw

while Nanna and Mommy got the food squared away!

Here's sweet angel just hanging out with Pawpaw.

Here they are sharing some quality time :)

She also did a little showing off.

She practiced her standing and walking skills!

I sure do LOVE my little turkey!

It's Great to be an AUBURN TIGER!

Waaaarrrrrrrrrr Eagle, Hey!

My daddy may not agree, but I'm an Auburn Tiger!

***Check out the two new posts below!***