How did we fit it all in?!

The past month has been rather busy for the Hamiltons and I do not see it slowing down any time in the near future (due to the Holidays and traveling). But that is fine with us because we have been blessed with so many good friends and family which means there is always an activity to partake in! Over the last few weeks we have celebrated Halloween, enjoyed the company of Nicks parents who stayed with us as well as my dad who came the weekend before them. We have celebrated birthdays, attended my first Cowboys game at the new stadium, celebrated an fantastic engagement, had our first monthly "Family Dinner" with some good friends, been visited by 3 of my uncles, watched every game of the World Series :(, I went to New Orleans to celebrate Claires upcoming nuptials and we got a new family car.

Even though life has been fast paced lately we still try to slow down and enjoy our time toegther because if you dont you will miss all the milestones that Adrian hits on what seems like a daily basis. Now that we have a 10 month old life has gotten a bit more interesting. She stands whenever it is possible and can push anything across the house - I just know she will be walking by her first birthday! Adrian loves to play games with us such as her fake-cough-because -it -makes-mommy-and-daddy-laugh and her I-swear-I-ate-that-but-really-I-gave-it-to-the-dog game. She has become such a personality! She loves bath time and cries when we take her out, story time is cuddle time and I cherish it every night, her favorite place to be is out and about in her stroller because she loves to people watch and touch all the clothes on the racks as she flies by. She has already become so independent especially at school- she is the only one that sleeps when she wants to (which of course is when the others are awake) and eats at a different time then the rest of her class just because she can (says her teachers)! Every day we see her turning more and more into a toddler which is very exciting but makes you a bit sad because babyhood is seeming more and more in the past. But that is just the nature of life.

The holidays are coming up and I can barely contain my excitement to celebrate with now having Adrian in our lives. I cannot wait to see how she reacts to all the decorations, family gatherings and presents! If she is anything like her mom she will love it all! Here are a few pictures of the past month or so. How did we fit it all in?!

 Look! I can stand now!

 I'm cute!

 Playing at Maamas house!

 My first visit to a petting zoo.

 She didnt know what to think about the pumpkins

 School  yearbook picture day! Blue makes her eyes pop!

 Family day at the Arbortetum

 The happiest strawberry you have ever seen!

 She wanted to touch and hold every pumpkin.

 10 months old!

 OU and Rangers in the same day! We were representing! *both lost that day ..tear

 Uncle Randy giving kisses

 XO Sisters in New Orleans (just missing Claire)

Happy upcoming nuptials to Cdub

Us at the cowboy game

Our new family ride

Crazy how time flies...

On my way into work today it hit me like a ton of bricks - Wow, Adrian will be nine months tomorrow! She is the same age as the same time it took for her to get here. I know that sounds so simplistic in nature but in reality it is amazing! It is amazing because I barely remember being pregnant - for nine long months I carried her with me everywhere that I went. I felt every kick, every hiccup and every turn that she made. I was amazed by how God could create such a miracle and how lucky I was to be on the receiving end. But today when I look at her I cannot imagine the time before her. She has had such an amazing impact on both of our lives that it makes everything before seem, well, it is hard to even remember.

These past nine months have been blissful but trying at the same time. We have had our ups and downs learning to be parents and Adrian learning to be a baby. We have all cried during sleepless nights and cried during joyous milestones that we have experienced together. At times when I am overly tired or frustrated I have to take a step back and tell myself that I should just enjoy the moment because this moment I will never have back. Rocking my baby back to sleep at 3 am last night was one of them - now when I look back I only feel how soft, warm and cuddly she felt in my arms while she fell back to sleep rather than being upset that I was up at 3 am! This is just one lesson that I have learned over the past 9 months.

If these last nine months have taught me anything they have taught me that the next nine months are going to go by too fast! To think that nine months ago my Adrian could not roll over, hold a bottle, say momma and dada, crawl, stand up, laugh, play with the dogs, feed herself puffs and dance to music is incredible! I am excited for the next nine months and every day there after but I am praying, as I imagine all parents do, that time will stand still - even just for a day. I will need to remind myself to always look for the positive, to stop and smell the babies, and to thank God everyday for all that I have been given. Here is to the next 9 months!

Almost here!

 Newborn pictures

 A month old

6 month pictures- such a big girl!

 

Taking a bath - last night 9 months

Ridng her automobile - 9 months

Looking like a big girl- makes mamma want to cry

Feels like just yesterday Adrian was napping in her lilttle chair right next to me (2-3 months)

Beautiful girl, becoming more aware. 2 months

 

She was so tiny!

8 day Vacation = Lacking Motivation

I am back at work after an 8 day long trip to Indiana and I am having difficulties motivating myself to do any kind of work! It has been a very long time (minus my maternity leave) since I have taken such a extensive vacation and I forgot how difficult it is to get back into the swing of things! My desire to participate, motivate and coordinate have all gone out the window along with my waistline (from all the good eating and drinking I did while on vacation)! But I did manage to upload many pictures from my phone that I took during the course of the week. I still owe pictures from my phone but I always forget to bring it with me!

We really enjoyed our time with all of our family in Indiana- here is just a recap of all that took place!
Saturday- I cannot remember the last time I had so many place I had to be - definitely pre baby. We flew into Indiana and then had his cousins wedding ceremony, wedding reception and then Nates Karaoke Birthday that night (which was a blast)- thank you to Nate who told me "to go getcha some" and to my sister in law Krista who sang Guns N Roses with me.

Sunday - was the Hamilton family family photos. These turned out amazing and I cannot wait to share with everyone once we have the cd.

Monday - We celebrated Joy and Alans 40th Anniversary with a nice dinner in Fort Wayne - hibachi style!

Tuesday -   Hung out with family and relaxed

Wednesday - we visited school and Joy was able to show off Adrian to all the teachers as well as Nick got to see all his teachers and I got to hear about how amazing my husband was back in the day! :) We then ended the night at some of our good friends house.

Thursday- Nick and I were able to have some time to ourselves so we went to see our first movie together in 2011 and out to a nice dinner and ended the evening with some friends! What a treat!

Friday - was the day of Emily and Landons wedding rehearsal and dinner.

Saturday - the wedding began at 12:30 and went until Sunday morning :) It was beautiful and I feel so lucky that we were part of their special day! Thank you to all of our family who helped babysit the little one!

Sunday- Drove to Indy and boarded the plane home.

So as you can see our week was very full but we would not have changed it a bit. We are looking forward to our next trip very soon! More pics to come

Game Changer!

I know I know it has been way too long since I have updated the family blog! I am ashamed - I can't even look at myself in the mirror :) but here goes it goes...  The Hamiltons have been busy bees lately! Time is flying by and my baby girl is growing up right in front of my eyes. A month and a half ago Adrian began army crawling all around the living room then two weeks ago she took her first real crawls! She has become unstoppable - crawling all over the place! Nick refers to this as a Game Changer because your whole routine really changes since now she doesnt just sit where you put her - you turn around and she is gone and getting into something! Our dogs do not know what to think about this new stage in our lives, in fact, Adrians favorite object to crawl to is Tobys bowls which really does not sit well with him!

So not only is our child mobile now but she is pulling up on any and everything. This is the part that scares me because what goes up must come down! But I guess that is just the learning process for little ones. I guarantee that it will be just a matter of time she will begin to taker first steps. Even though as a parent you cannot wait for this day it also makes me a bit sad to know that my baby is quickly becoming a toddler.

Adrian truly takes my breath away every day that I wake up and see her smiling face. She is such a happy spirited baby whose smile can melt your heart. She loves to eat her bananas and is really enjoying her banana and apple puffs! She splish splashes around in the bathtub now and has a one track mind when it comes to the dogs - especially Pete. Ms. Sophie is still her favorite toy but a small bottle of lotion  that she likes to chew on in my bathroom is coming in a close second. She has loved swimming in the pool and in the lake this summer - she is such a trooper on the boat and has even mastered the art of naps on the boat.  Adrian swears by her daddys tickles and loves to nuzzle with mommy very early in the morning. Every night I get home from work Nick has Adrian propped up looking over the back of the couch to say hi to me as I walk through the door. It is a precious moment that I will always remember.

Not a day goes by that I dont think to myself  "wow, how did I get so lucky" but it isnt luck we are truly blessed. We have so much to look forward to in the next few months - weddings, family visits, me turning the big 30, holidays, cooler weather and a 1 year birthday celebration!  I will try to do a better job on keeping track of all these special moments. Until then...xxoo

All these pictures are from my phone because of my laziness to upload our camera pictures - but I swear I will soon!

Adrian at 8 months!

First transportation from Mama and Papa. She really liked it but could really only go backwards.

Please ignore me- we had just woken up and were watching Nick Jr from bed. She is such a cuddle bug first thing in the morning.

Journey to the Hoosier State and back

Well log another successful and fun trip back to Indiana for the Hamilton's - family of three. We left on Thursday mid day headed to Indianapolis, from there it was another 2 hour drive North to Decatur. Our trip was spent visiting with family, friends and a few animals  (1 snapping turtle, a possible bob cat , 1 stray cat, 2 ducks with only 1 leg each and 1 bass- there are stories behind each one, just ask!) . Most of the time we were out by the pool soaking in the great mid west rays, swimming in the pool or the pond and kicking back with your beverage of choice- mine was Bud Light Lime! At night we made bon fires, hung out with friends, made smores and enjoyed the cool breezes that Texas does not have right now!

Adrian of course was the center of attention and I believe she enjoyed every minute of it! So much so that every night she was out by 8 pm and slept for 9 to 9.5 hours. She is a very lucky girl to have so many people that love her and that will be witnesses to her life.

On Monday the 4th we made our way back to Indianapolis where our flight was over an hour delayed but Adrian still did an amazing job and hung in there like a champ- I also like to think that Nick and I also were champs and perhaps even deserve a medal because flying with a child is not the easiest of tasks!  We are already looking forward to next trip in September!

She was not popular at all. All her cousins wanted to play!

Just arrived!

She loved seeing all her cousins!

Taking a ride with grandpa and Madison on the golf cart. Grandpas youngest grand babies.

Grandma Hammond came to visist and see Adrian!

Noah could always get her to sleep. She loved napping here after a long afternoon of playing.

Adrians favorite seat in the house- dads shoulders!

Aunt Krista always makes her laugh!

Adrians dinner time was fun to watch!

Loved being in the pool of course; even when it was 10 degrees lower than our pool at home. She loves the water.

Daddy daughter pool time!

4th of July dress!

Swimming and fishing in the pond.

Jack caught a bass!

He has to show it off- he kept saying"with no bait!"

About to head back home- we were all sad.

First time sitting in a restaurant high chair at the airport. She did a great job!

Video of Adrian sitting up and then talking to Pete. Very cute!