Hartley at 10.5 months

We can't get over how much Hartley is changing. Each week. Each day. I'm pretty sure she just went through a wonder week (cognitive development = fussy/clingy).

She is loving Christmas decorations! She plays with the bows and decorative boxes a lot. We'll catch her playing with real gifts sometimes and get on to her- she quickly crawls away, knowing she got caught. It's pretty cute!

She started pointing last week and now she does it all the time! She likes pointing to whatever is over her head mostly. She also points at people in pictures now, instead of smacking them!

Yesterday she was having her afternoon snack- yogurt (which she loves). There's a baby on the container- and we talk about the "baby" in the mirror and point out other babies. So, she obviously knows what a baby looks like. Well, she pointed to the baby on the yogurt container and made a bahbah sound. She did the same thing today!

We also talk about bellybuttons and regular buttons. She makes a good effort with bellybutton (behbeh buhbuh). Today we were at Hobby Lobby and I was holding some buttons. She pointed at them and made a similar bahbah sound.

You probably think I'm making all this up and exaggerating. Sometimes I feel like it's impossible for her to do these things- but I really do think she's beginning to understand and form words. Her waving and byebye is very good, too!

All this makes me wonder why she doesn't show any interest in signing. We work mainly on "more." She's pretty good at letting us know she's "all done" by not eating anymore or throwing her arms up in the air to motion she's ready to get out of the high chair. Who knows. Maybe she wants to skip signing and go straight to telling me how it is! What are we gonna do when she really starts talking!? And doesn't stop!??!

She continues to crawl faster and faster, climbing higher. She's daring and will crawl into a dark room. She loves being thrown on to the bed or couch. She especially enjoys Daddy throwing her around.

Hartley is a silly girl with a lot of personality. She loves music! She is always dancing and clapping. She even "sings." I'll try to get video one day. But it's hard because as soon as she sees the camera, this is what happens...

We love our Hartley Caroline so much!

Ambitious Seamstress

One of my 30 before 30's is to learn how to sew. It seems like everybody else is doing it, so I thought it would be really easy...

And I always have these elaborate ideas in my head...

So, go ahead. Laugh at my foolishness.

It was supposed to be a Christmas tree. I was even going to put a bow at the top. But the ribbon tiers kept growing and growing and I couldn't seem to make them stop! And, yeah.. it didn't work out.

I went with a simpler design for my next project. Basically, I wanted to design something festive for Hartley.

I think the "H" turned out much better. She has a matching bow for this outfit!

We're asking Hartley to hold off on walking, so she's attempting to do headstands insteads.

link love

I've really gotten into the trend of "daily deals" lately. Obsessive actually. Are you familiar with daily deals? Groupons? Anybody?

Basically, a website buys in bulk and everybody gets a discount.

Um, yes, please.

Here are some of my favorite sites...

Babysteals (there's also Kidsteals and Scrapbooksteals)

Taylor Joelle Earflap Hat for only $7

Mamabargains

Babyhalfoff

City Scene Damask duvet

Hautelook

NuLOOM Chelsea Slate Rug

and most recently

Statesboro Daily Deals

The only problem with these daily deals is that you have to act quickly. People often rush into buying things they don't necessarily need. I've been fairly modest with my purchases, though. Hartley needed a winter hat- that one just happened to be available and.. umm.. cute! We also were looking for a new rug. Jackpot.

Christmas Crafting

I've become obsessed with making hairbows! My supply box is slowly expanding, but thankfully I've got a wonderful sister-in-law that lets me "borrow" ribbon.

The above bows are for my niece, Emma. There's the Christmas bow. The wear-almost-everyday-pink bow. And.. boo.. Auburn bow.

I went boutique-style with Hartley's Christmas bow. Now I just need to get her Christmas attire. I'm thinking about sewing some appliques onto onesies for her, but I still need to work on my sewing skillz.

I'm holding off on New Years, Birthday, Valentines, Easter, and Fourth of July bows. I need to pace myself.

Kent and Isaiah came to visit briefly Sunday night before our bro-in-law's surprise party (which was so much fun!). Isaiah is a year older than Hartley and ridiculously funny. He was quiet for the longest time, but now he is jibber-jabbering nonstop. And "beboppin" all the time.

Isaiah (and Caleb) have both grown a lot since family vacation in July. They are so funny with Hartley now- being careful not to knock her over, loving on her, helping her play. Not just sticking their hands in her mouth and poking her eyes.

This outfit is my favorite right now (and one of the few that fits). I'm surprised these are the only pictures of it!

So- since the last update.. Hartley has cut another tooth. It should be visible in the next few days. She has started pointing with her index finger. In fact, I asked where the cow was (she has a thing for cows) and she pointed to it! She keeps trying to stand up (without holding on to anything) and refuses my help.

Stubborn.

Happy Holidays..

Happy Holidays! While the merry bells keep ringing...

Happy Holidaaaaaaays. To you!

Hartley sends many "babas. dadas. mymamas. and pdddts" to you and yours.

We're very blessed to receive some amazing handmedown Christmas decor. I mean like, everything. My Momma moved around the time we did, so we "inherited" a good bit of decor that didn't fit into their new home.

Like this tree. And all the trimmings. :)

These are the only Christmas decorations I've bought. (glittery sticks from K-mart, after Christmas discount!)

Marshall's family has a neat tradition (which I'm now aware most normal, loving families do) where they receive an ornament every year. The ornament usually portrays an important milestone or interest that year. So far we've received picture frame ornaments, but last year we got our "parents to be 2009" ornament. I haven't found the perfect ornament for Hartley this year.

And then there's this beauty. This Willow Tree nativity was a gift from Mama Jean last year. My favorite. I still need to collect the creche and some other accessories. They look very homeless right now.

This time a year ago, I happened to be 8 months pregnant and at hormone central. It didn't help I would go to the mall a lot and walk around. There's a Hallmark store and they have a beautiful selection of Willow Tree. So if you can imagine- me, hormones, big belly, and sculptured moms and babies. I would stand there admiring and become very emotional. Every.time. If only Butterfly Kisses had started playing. :)

I decided to go ahead and tempt Hartley with bright and shiny things. She's allowed to play with the shiny, decorative boxes- but that's all.

I take after my Momma with this, I guess. Aside from removing breakables in reach and covering electrical outlets, our house has remained decor-friendly. It's taking a lot of consistency and patience, but I don't feel like I should change the way our house looks/decorations because of a precocious baby. Hartley clearly understand no touch, it's a matter of her obeying. She has done very well, though, with the tree and space heater. The trashcan we're still working on. :)

Anyway, we're busy gathering gifts, making batches of baby food, and working on another tooth! Oh, and recovering from colds and allergies.

10 month videos

I heard Marshall laughing at Hartley this evening during her bath. I also kept hearing Hartley coughing/choking. This is why...

Apparently she started blowing bubbles this week, and I'm just now knowing about this!

Hartley also decided to start "dancing" this week. I have no idea how this happened, but she will dance on command!

In case you didn't know, Marshall was quite a dancer when he was younger. He was so amazing he placed second! in a dance contest.

There were only two other contestants..

cutie pa-booty!

No, Hartley.. you can't take a bath in the dishwasher..