Kiddo Christmas Tree

While we are waiting for the newest Mr. Hebert to arrive, we've been keeping busy with some fun moments. This felt Christmas tree was fairly easy to make, and has provided Gracie with something new to do! I took cues from my friend Rachel's blog (see #3), and from another blog too.

I bought 3/4 of a yard of green felt fabric from Hobby Lobby, and then bought several fun colors of felt sheets (4/$1) and cut them out. I used white chalk to trace the tree (it's a little skinnier than I wanted at the bottom, oh well), and for the round ornaments, I traced around cups. I surprised my girl when she woke up from her nap and she was very pleased! (Her only complaint: "there's too much stuff on here, Mama.") Hey, at least she's got options!

I'm also an avid reader of this sweet blog, and she has lots of meaningful Christmas books and activities to share, including the darling felt nativity set.

Baby Brother is Coming...

Today I took it upon myself to do some documenting for my second almost-born...some sweet moments captured with Gracie, and a preview of the little man's nursery.





I love these two. Hard to reason that I will have room for more love?! This is the look and big squeeze we get from Gracie when we say, "not too hard!"


Since this is the house we bought from my parents, this is my brother's old room. We kept the color because it was so neutral and it's kinda manly. The other colors were fun to accent with.


Sister's old crib! We've never taken it down...just moved it next door. (And her bookshelf, changing table and dresser...)


We kind of started the nursery with the idea of my parents' old blue leather recliner. I then found bedding to match. The shelf is from my Papa's house, and it's the perfect shade of green.


Can't wait to see who will be wearing these tiny clothes!! And the print (cough, illegal copy) on the dresser is out of a beloved story by Tomie dePaola called Bill and Pete to the Rescue. It has crocodiles and alligators in it, and ever since we visited New Orleans in June, I've kind of loved the alligator tie-in. And since we have Cajun roots, it's fitting and cute. I haven't been the best with Gracie's baby book, but found one for brother in his exact same nursery bedding pattern, so I had to get it.




My lifelong friend Amber works at Hallmark and in fact, her handwriting is what their current campaign is made of. I still can't get over that. I commissioned her to make a few prints with some favorite verses and sayings. LOVE LOVE LOVE how they turned out. She is amazing. I also love the little "alligator" I got from Land of Nod.


I found this old photo the other day and marveled at how I am following in my own mama's footsteps 27 years later. A girl first and then a boy. Carl and I are so tickled to be getting one of each. This was my first glimpse of my baby brother! (I look a little nervous?) I copied (illegally, yes...) a page out of a Curious George story that reminded me of Carl...a monkey doing wheelies!


Hospital bags are packed, sort of.


A bump photo for the books. And I love lamp. I love this little giraffe lamp from Mimi! Perfect accent.


Found these with my mom at a local store. Loved the colors and whimsical perspective!

And now we wait for his arrival!

Hollis + Horses

Our sweet cousin Hollis just turned one and had a very fun ranch day birthday party complete with cake and horses a few weekends ago. Gracie was pretty certain she was not going to ride a horse before we set foot at the party, but she was only uneasy for the first second she hopped on. Then we couldn't get her off!









Our friends, the Bengtsons, were there, keeping the birthday girl entertained! (Or vice versa!)



 Time for cake, with quite the audience.



Mimi knew Hollis would have a sweet tooth! Happy Birthday Hollis! Thanks for the fun day. We love you!

Emile Thomas Hebert

Our new nephew, Emile, arrived August 25, 2012 to proud parents Josh & Alexis. I think new momma's exact words were: "I've never been happier!" We got to visit all three last weekend – and he is mighty handsome. Definitely looks like a boy! Gracie was a little mother, which I suppose is evident of what's to come. Tried to get a few group cousin shots...pretty humorous. We had so much fun with cousin Evy too.

First Day of Preschool!

No tears! From either of us, for this first day of preschool!

Daddio's Day

Happy Birthday to my dear ol' Dad. He is the best. Really. I'm a Daddy's girl, but in the best sense. Over the years he's taught me how to (among many, many other things): ride a bike, love the Lord, wash and wax a car, fill up a tire, fill my gas tank, go fishing, ride horses, go camping, be kind to my elders, be a servant, take notice/awe of nature...that is just a short list. Gracie and I watched the video of our wedding today (her pick, and first time seeing it, after we looked through a few of the photos below, asking, "Mama, what party are we at?"). I still get teary when I see that moment when my Dad literally hands me over to Carl and there is a flood of all its meaning and symbolism – that he was giving me away! I'm still your little girl, Dad. We love you and cheers to many more!

12.12.12

This is the date we are due to have a new baby BOY join our family!




God has been so faithful to us. I've been reminded over and over of his true love for us – his children, especially in the verse Psalm 139:14a, "I praise you because I am wonderfully made." When Carl and I first started dating way back in 1999, I remember being thrilled that he was a believer, and I loved that he had Psalm 139 framed on his bedroom wall. Gracie recently brought home a coloring page from Kids' Day Out with this verse on it:





We have been through some heartache. Hopefully by the time this little boy arrives, God willing, we will have come full circle – a whole year since losing a baby. I dislike the word miscarriage. It makes me think of that scene in Disney's Cinderella where her carriage crashes and splatters into a broken pumpkin. The magic we felt was crushed. But our God is a God of redemption and fulfilling promises. We have hope for this new little life. I can say I am thankful for that experience because of how it enriched my life, humbled me, drew me closer to the Lord, to Carl, and dear friends and family who had walked that road, or walked the road with us.

Just recently I was at a baby shower with a friend who will be a mother at the end of this month. She is wise beyond her years and has an incredible support system. Her grandmother spoke about how she felt like her life began once she had her two boys. Afterwards, I agreed with her, and in a tiny discussion with her, the mother to-be, and the mother in-law, we talked about the joy and pruning that is to come. Their family owns a berry farm, and the mother in-law told us how she had just pruned the blackberry bushes, and you wouldn't believe the heap of rubbish she took off. My friend concurred, that she has no idea what pruning she will go through, but she is ready for it. Babies are truly miracles, and really good pruners!

3 + NOLA

 
Our girl turned three at the end of May. My oh my how she is growing up. "I can do it myself" is her most common phrase these days. She is rarely seen without a baby doll in her arms, loves playing with water, being outside (even if it's hot), is ornery and silly but can also be very well behaved! She is incessantly inquisitive – pretty much always talking, unless there is music, in which case, it is VERY loud and she is usually dancing, jumping and spinning.



Speaking of music, we made a big trip to New Orleans just after her birthday for Carl's PawPaw's 90th birthday + Hebert family reunion. We spent two days in New Orleans and of course, Grace danced to the jazz in the French Quarter, and on our swamp tour she held a live two year old alligator! Brave girl. More pics to come.

It's gonna be a bright...bright sunshiny day!

Thanks to Uncle Steve, who captured these shots of our girl and her sweet cousins at the Rockwood Easter Egg Hunt the Saturday before Easter. He is amazing at capturing just the right moments. Fun to spend time together, too!