My Forever Friend...

A long, long time ago (who really cares how long, it's not like either of us is basing our very elderly cats age on it or anything!), God blessed me with the most amazing friend anyone could ever be blessed with! Haley Noel Miles is like a sister to me and I hold her dear to my heart.

I can remember staying up late and talking about so many things. We'd laugh so hard at each other that we'd practically cry! Sometimes when I say something that I think is hysterical to Ricky but he doesn't laugh, I'll say, "Haley would've thought it was funny". :)

Anyway, we're grown up now (unfortunately) so we live our own lives but we still have a lot in common. We're both partially newlyweds and we both have children near the same age. Colt is 17 months and Addison is 14 months. Haley moved to NC about a year ago, so we don't get to see each other much, but when we do, we make the best of it! The last time she came in we had the opportunity to visit. It was so much fun with the kiddos because they actually played together and enjoyed themselves! I always love spending time with my friend and Ricky likes David too- he thinks he's funny! You'll have to let me in on your secret to funniness David!

The future Mr. and Mrs. Colt David Miles!

By the looks of it, she may be carrying him over the threshold! :)

I love you friend and I am so very thankful for our friendship, no matter how many years it's been!

Oh and thanks for dinner David! :)

I can never get enough of her...

...no matter how much I talk about her, how many pictures I see, how much time I spend with her...I still can't!  She is absolutely precious and a miracle that only God could've blessed me with.  I love her unconditionally and every single day that I am with her, my love for her grows!

I don't get to take "sweet" pictures of Addison anymore.  Like the ones when she wasn't able to walk or crawl and she would just lie in my arms!  So the only time that I can get a "sweet" picture is when she is sleeping. 

She truly looks like an angel!  LOVE IT!!

Addison & Santa

We stood in line for over an hour to see Santa, only to leave with a screaming baby girl! 

When we started walking towards him, she grabbed my arm and started screaming.  Needless to say, the screams only got louder when I sat her on his lap.  :)

Merry Christmas

I would like to begin by apologizing for the picture overload.  This post isn't only for Christmas, but the entire month of December (except for the last 3 days).  This month has been pretty crazy for our family.  I can't believe December is over and 2010 is fast approaching.  I'm going to be an old lady soon if time keeps flying by so fast!

Addison is definitely growing.  She's also developing her own personality.  I would say it's more like her Mom's than her Dad's.  Ricky doesn't talk much (maybe he doesn't have a chance).  He's quiet, lives in his own world, always has short answers, etc. It annoys me most days so I'm really happy that Addison is starting to talk to me!  Not only does she talk, but she screams when she gets excited, makes the FUNNIEST faces, AND when I laugh at her she does it again.  She's starting to play more with her toys (mostly baby dolls and strollers).  BUT she still refuses to watch TV.  Unless we're in the car and then she doesn't take her eye off of it.  I guess I'd prefer that she doesn't like to watch, but it would be a nice 10 minute break! LOL 

She's also repeating everything you say.  EVERYTHING.  She's very intelligent for her age.  To this point, she's said (that I can remember); Mommy, Daddy, Mamaw, Papaw, Deuce (her dog), Kitty, Doggie, Baby, Pretty, Ba-ba, Bull (thanks Dad), Pop, Juice, Ball, Luz you, Keith (Ricky's brother), Jesus, Poop, HoHoHo, Addison, No, Stop it, Mean, Hi, Hello, lala (song), Cody, Yes, and last but not least-Hush T R.  My Dad and Mom had her one day and she was in the back seat talking up a storm.  My Dad said "Hush T.R." and she repeated him.  T.R. was my Papaw's initials (Thomas Ray)  and apparently he talked all the time so that's why Dad told her to hush.  I'm certain there are like 100 more, but I can't think of them at the moment! :)

She can show you where your eyes and nose are and sometimes her hands and feet. She will sometimes say 2 when I say 1 or when i say 123 she'll just repeat me. 

December 2, 2009

December 15, 2009 (Mommy's Birthday)

I remember last year on my Birthday that Ricky took a picture of me with Addison.  She was definitely more willing to cooperate a year ago.

I know she looks really happy! :)

Brandy, Dave and Nova got Addison a Christmas gift this year.  Brandy wasn't able to watch Addison open it, so I told her that I'd post the pictures of her opening it online.  She did a super job at opening it and she was super excited when she saw it!  Thanks Brandy...we love you guys so much!

Christmas was busy as usual this year.  We started the day at my Grandparents house.  We arrived at 5:30 and were there until about 7:15.  Addison and her Great Grandma Betty. 

Addison and her Great Uncle Jacky.

The 2nd stop was at Ricky's Grandparents house.  We got there about 7:30 and left at 8:30.  We didn't stay long because we had to go there on Christmas Day too.

Addison and her Mama & Papa Pauley

3rd stop was Mom and Dad's at 8:45.  We had to leave there about 10:30.

Mommy, Daddy & Addison! :)

Mamaw & Papaw Marker

4th stop was Ricky's parents at about 10:45.  We left there a little after midnight.

Opening my gifts.

This is Ricky's brother Keith and his fianc'e Chelsea.  They got engaged on Christmas Eve.  :)

We got home on Christmas Eve at about 12:30am.  Addison stayed awake for it all too.  She got up at about 10:00 that morning and only took 2 10 minute naps.  When I put her in her crib at 12:30 that night, she was jumping up and down (don't ask).  But when I checked on her about 10 minutes later, she was sound asleep.

Ricky and I being silly at 3:00am! :)

So this is Scuffs.  Most of you know who she is.  She's only been alive as long as I have!  Ok, not that long.  But she has been around for about 10 years. 

I will never forget the first time I saw her...I was like a kid again!  It made my day when Dad brough her inside.  Don't worry, he didn't get her for me.  He went outside in the freezing cold to feed the dog and he heard her meowing.  He only brought her inside to get her warm-I was forbidden to keep her (did anyone miss the part that she's 10 years old?) 

She's been through everything with me.

Frances got Addison and I matching socks for Christmas and I had to take a picture of our cute feet together. :)

Merry Belated Christmas to each of you.  I hope you all had a wonderful day.  I hope even more that you remember the true meaning of Christmas.  The gift of such a sweet baby boy is far more precious than any gift we could wrap and place under a tree.  Christmas is a celebration of Jesus's life.  If it wasn't for that little baby in manager, we wouldn't have Salvation today. 

I know I always post this story, but here it is again...

Luke 2:7-17

7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

Merry Christmas to each of you!

Christmas Time's a Comin'

It's that time of year again.  I knew it was coming, I just don't think I realized how fast. 

Christmas is by far my most favorite time of year.  I'm not sure if it's the lights (love it), the shopping, or the noticeable difference in people's attitude that's put me in the Holiday spirit early this year.  We put our tree up the day after Thanksgiving and Ricky put up half of our lights on Sunday.  And i say HALF because we ran out and we're (Ricky) not quit finished. I have all of my gifts wrapped and under the tree although there's still more shopping to do! :) 

Anyway, the reason I'm tellling the story is because MOM decided to get in the Holiday spirit early this year too.  She decorated her room and bathroom in this red, brown and white snowman theme...it's probably the MOST beautiful thing I've ever seen.  It really should be in like Southern Living or something.  She even put a tree in her room.  Seriously, there's a reason for all of this...

 We were all at Mom and Dad's on Thanksgiving when we noticed it was SUPER quiet.  Usually when it's quiet, one of the kids (or all of them) is into something.  They were in fact MIA so we knew something was going on...Ricky (bless his heart) was the one to go check.  All of a sudden Cody runs through the house saying, "Mama, Mama, Mama".  Mom says, "What is it Cody?" Cody says, "Baby Addison pulled your tree over."

And that she did!  I knew it was inevitably going to happen, I just didn't think it would be so soon...

Bubby, Brooke and Little Man came over 2 weeks ago to visit.  We ended up eating pizza and watching movies all night! :) It was a blast.

She doesn't even look like the same kid in this picture.  :)

Ok, so Ricky plays the piano (not me) and he's actually really good at it.  Ever since Addison could pull up, she'd go to his piano and play with her tiny little hands.  When she started, she would have to do it tippy-toed.  Now, she's flat footed.  Before I know it, she'll have to bend over to reach it (or just sit on the bench I guess). 

This is the only time she's ever sat still in her life...Yes, she's eating a Dum-Dum.  BUT she only gets one if she cooperates and sits still.  She normally cooperates.

I just want to add one more thing...just a little something that helped me get through my day today.  I was listening to K-LOVE on my way to work this morning when I heard the most beautiful song.  It was a nice reminder that even when we have the most HORRIBLE day and nothing seems to go right, there's so much we have to look forward to... and we should always remember that He'll never give us more than we can bear.  I found the lyrics to the song and I posted the chorus below.

Cause it’s only the world I’m living in
It’s only today I’ve been given
There ain’t no way I’m giving in
Oh Cause it’s only the world
I know the best is still yet to come
Cause even when my days in the world are done
There’s gonna be so much more than only the world for me


Have a blessed day! :)

Birthday Pictures

I could never love you more...

I just keep sitting here thinking, where do I begin?

I guess I'll start from the beginning...

Twenty-one months ago something happened in my life that would forever change me. I didn't know it at the time, but it would be the greatest, most spectacular thing in the world.

I always wondered what it would be like to carry a child. To feel her kick, hick-up, move. To be THAT close to another human-being is immeasurable, unfathomable and astounding. While I felt her growing inside me, I remember thinking, there's no way I could ever love her more. I would read to her, talk to her, touch her. I loved her before I knew her-just as God loved me before he knew me. And no matter what she does to me in her lifetime, I will continue to love her completely-just as my Savior will love me.

She is a miracle in my eyes. She makes me smile when I have a horrible day, she makes me laugh when I want to cry. She is love unspeakable, untouchable, unconditional. She is my Daughter.

I will never forget the moment I saw her. I imagined for 9 months what she would be like, who she would look like, how she would cry. I imagined what her personality would be. If she would be a Mommy's Girl?

I never could've imagined how truly perfect she would be.

Addison was a Cesarean delivery. I think we had to be at the hospital around 10:00am. When I went through the doors for my surgery, it was just Ricky and I. They took me in a room and prepared me for delivery. I didn't go back until about 1:30 for the actual delivery. Ricky had to stay outside until I received my shot and then he was able to come in. They placed me on the table with sheets up so we couldn't see anything. The Doctor and nurses were so nice. They had the radio on and they kept saying that whatever song was playing when she was born was what I had to name her. :) From the time they laid me on the table until I heard her first cry was about 18 minutes. I just started crying when I heard her.

Addison Rae Pauley was born on November 7, 2008 at 2:18pm. She was 7 lbs, 10 ozs and 19 inches long.

Ricky got to cut the cord and they cleaned her up and then they wheeled her off to the nursery. I'm not really sure what happened after that. I had to stay behind and get stitched up, but Ricky went back with her. After they cleaned me up they took me to recovery. That was the first time I got to hold her. Mom and Dad came back to visit and make sure I was ok. That's the first time they got to see her and the first time I tried to feed her. Dad kept tickling my feet and asking me if I could feel it (of course I couldn't). :)

We had so many visitors over the next few days. It was nice to see so many familiar faces and to know how much people cared about us, but I just remember being so extremely exhausted. They released me 2 days later and when we walked out of the hospital, it wasn't just me and Ricky anymore-it was a family, our family.

I can never thank God enough for the wonderful daughter he has given me. She's hysterical, smart and absolutely beautiful! She's my baby and she will be for a very long time. :) Probably as long as I will be my Mommy's Baby Girl, right Mom?

This past Saturday was Addison's 1st Birthday. Of course we had her 1st Birthday Party and all the people who love her were there. It was so wonderful to get to see so much of her family there. It was kind of like a family reunion. So many of her friends were there too! I cannot thank each of you enough for coming and how much it means to Addison and I. Each of you are a blessing in our lives and we love you very much. Thanks for such a wonderful night!
















Ok, so there's a story behind these pearls. These pearls were my cousin Paula's when she was a little girl. They're from 1970 and she gave them to Addison to wear. These pearls are probably the sweetest gift anyone could've given her-thanks Pau! I love you lots!




This is a picture of my Papaw and Addison (the oldest and the youngest at the party).













Happy Birthday to my Baby Girl (who isn't such a baby anymore). I love you so much and you'll probably never understand that until you have children of your own.

Looking back now, I completely understand what people mean when they say, "time flies". This first year has been the fastest year of my life-I can't believe she's one!

Every day that I spend with her, I think the same thought I had when I was pregnant, I could never love you more.