Happy Birthday, Amelia!!!!

Today our baby girl turned 1!!! We are so happy and excited! Its been a great day!!

Amelia joined Kim and her girlfriends from the office for lunch. Then, Kim, Eric, & Amelia had a fun dinner at Fuddruckers! The "official" party is Saturday, but she had a cupcake and candle tonight!

We've been busy!!

Amelia has experienced so many things since our last post. Here are a few!!

Aunt Shanna and Jessica came for a visit in January......

Amelia has become a MASTER walker......

She has also mastered the sippy cup and feeding herself....

We visited the Children's Museum in February. (We'll be having her 1st birthday party next weekend.)

Here she is emptying the pantry.

Playing the piano.

Splashing in the water.

Playing with blocks and flowers.

Amelia climbed up the bananna slide.

Amelia climbed up onto this box all by herself.

It snowed in Atlanta!!

Amelia rides the Pink Pig!!

We took Amelia to Lenox this weekend to ride the Pink Pig!! Kim rode it when she was little, so the tradition continues!

Visit in Baxley

We went to Baxley this weekend to celebrate Christmas with Grannie Eloise and Uncle Vance. It is so bittersweet to visit.... happy to see Eller and sad that we have to leave so soon. While we were there, we met several Hunter family members. They all knew Kim's mom and remarked about how they missed her. I do too. And Betsy too. I get so sad when I think about Amelia growing up having never met them. And, selfishly, I am sad thinking of how I could really benefit from their advice and support as I try to be a good mom.

So, no thinking about it... on to good fun! Eller really liked the calendar we gave her - 12 months of pictures of Amelia. And Vance really liked the $50 gift card. Can't go wrong with cash!! We also gave Grannie her birtday present since we missed her 80th birthday (both her and Amelia were fighting viruses). We gave her a frame with... you guessed it... more pictures of Amelia!

Amelia was a trooper. She slept a good bit of the way down there. Because of traffic and stops with her, the 3+ hour trip became 4+ hours!! On the way back, she slept quite a bit too. When she was awake she was very pleasant.... happy with Mom in the back and her caterpillar in her lap!!

Merry Christmas!!

Today has been a wonderful day.... the whole month has been great! We have had so much fun celebrating Amelia's first Christmas. We are reminded during this season of how blessed we are. We have a happy, healthy, and beautiful little girl that makes us smile everyday. We both have jobs and a roof over our head and much, much more.

We have wonderful friends who invite us into their home for holiday dinners. Last night "Aunt" Christa and her mom came over for dinner and then we went over there for dinner today. Here is a picture of Amelia with Aunt Christa. Eric helped Christa make her 1st fried turkey - it was delicious. We were honored to celebrate with the Kirk clan.

Here is Eric placing the turkey in the HOT oil!

During dinner last night, we gave Amelia a spoonful of mashed potatoes.... well, you can see the results......

This morning, Amelia woke us up like clockwork around 6 am (ok, ok, ok.... Daddy got up with her and I slept in until 7). After a morning cup of coffee and chocolate milk, we opened presents. Amelia wasn't too into opening presents, but she was pretty happy with the gifts inside. We got her the Laugh & Learn Home (Amelia played with Addy Duitsman's home over Thanksgiving). We also got her a walker that is also a shape sorter. Although she is a good walker when she can hold on to something, she was more entertained with the toys on the walker, rather than being able to walk. She also got fun toys from Aunt Christa and her two friends Brady & Jack. Here are some pictures of her playing with her new toys.

Mom and Dad were not left out by Santa. As Eric puts it, we had another "embarrassment of riches." Mom got an I-POD and bluetooth. Dad got a new PS3 game and DVD series.... only to find out that the PS3 isn't working.... we knew it was a bad idea to let Amelia play over there!! So, Dad's Christmas is a bit delayed while he tries to figure out the electronics!

We were also able to talk with Grandpa George over in China. Although it was Dec. 26 in the morning over there, we were grateful to be able to wish him a Merry Christmas and to have him as a part of our Christmas celebration.

As you can see, we have had a full day filled with many blessings. We continue to pray and wish for you a life full of blessings!

You found us!!

You have received our Christmas card and were probably wondering about that weird website address.... well, you found our family blog. Here, you can find pictures and updates about our family and, mainly, Amelia. (We know you are here to see her.) We'll try to keep it updated in a timely manner, so check back often for updates!

Here are the most recent photos of Amelia. She turned 9 months old this past Friday. She has started sticking out her tongue again. You may have seen the pictures from when she was 2 months old... her 1st tongue-sticking-out phase. Well, we are back. She continues to crawl and walk around objects. I think walking on her own is just around the corner!!





Today is Dad's birthday... once he wakes up, we'll try to get some birthday pictures!


This past week, we were able to talk to Grandpa George over the web cam. It was very exciting for all of us. Its so great to have technology that allows Grandpa to see Amelia as she grows even though he is around the world in China!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!!

Holiday time!

This weekend we finally decorated our Christmas tree. Amelia helped put "her" ornaments onto the tree... the Minnie Mouse ornament from the Autry family and 2 I bought (I couldn't resist!). The tree has sat empty in the living room for a week and Amelia ignored it. But, once those lights and ornaments went up, so was totally into it.

Also, this weekend, Amelia went to her first Junior League Holiday Tea. She got all dressed up in a pretty dress, white tights, and black mary janes. Once we made our entrance and had our picture made, the shoes came off quickly! She was able to play with friends Payton and Hannah. (also pictured are moms Christa & Melissa!!)