My Little Cowgirl Princess

A couple of weeks ago Eden and I were invited to go to a rodeo in De Queen with our neighbors across the street. Their daughter Morgan was barrel racing and competing for princess in the rodeo. Well, if a person is going to a rodeo what do you usually think they would wear... That's right cowgirl boots. I'm sure Eden was just as excited as I was about wearing her beautiful pink cowgirl boots. She looked so CUTE!

We got ourselves ready and we were off to see a rodeo. When we arrived, their were horses everywhere. Eden couldn't take her eyes off all the action. We also saw goats, cows, and chickens, so I couldn't help myself and I burst out in song, Old MacDonald had a farm E-I-E-I-O and on his farm he had a goat E-I-E-I-O, well you get the picture. She loved the song I'm sure as well as others around me. Once we sat down the rodeo soon started. I've never seen Eden so excited before she was on my lap jumping up and down keeping beat with the music that blared over the speakers while the parade of horses trotted by. Not to long after the parade of horses went by it was time to crown a rodeo princess. We all waited with intensity to see who would win. When Morgan's name was called out we all stood up to scream and clap for her. What a proud moment. Soon after she was crowned she came over to visit for a little bit. She was so sweet and she let Eden where her cowgirl hat with the crown on it. Needless to say she looked adorable.

I also got a great picture of Dee, Brad and Morgan our next door neighbors.

We all had so much fun but by the end of the night we were all tuckered out. Eden's first rodeo was a success. I think we might just have to find ourselves visiting one again real soon.

Great, Grand, Wonderful!

A couple of weeks ago we were visited by some very special people: Grandma and Grandpa Venable, Grandma and Grandpa Everhart, and Mark and Renee. We were so excited to have visitors. Eden especially loved all the attention. Our weekend consisted of some shopping, eating, and relaxing. This was such a wonderful time being able to visit with family that we love and don’t get to see very often.
Here are a few pictures of Eden, the Grandparents, and Mark & Renee

Here’s our Saturday morning pancake tradition. Andrew is wonderful at making pancakes. He made chocolate chip pancakes as well as bacon. He’s so wonderful.

What a great weekend this was. I truly enjoy getting to spend time with family. I'm glad everyone made it back home safely.

Eden's 4 month check-up

Today was Eden’s 4 month check up which consists of 4 booster shots: DTaP, IPV, PCV, & Hib. I always dread this part of the check up because you know your baby is going to scream, cry, and turn red. It breaks my heart every time. Well, the appointment started out well. We didn’t have to wait very long in the waiting room, which was a plus. When the nurse called Eden’s name we went straight to the weigh station. Eden weighs 14 pounds and 9oz and she is 26 inches long. She is in the 50th percentile on her weight and the 90th percentile on her height. Needless to say she’s a growing girl. While we waited on the doctor we played where’s Eden in the mirror. She loves this game. Pretty soon Dr. Wright walked in and began examining her. She did so well. She even shot a few smiles up at Dr. Wright. He ended the exam by saying everything looks good and then we visited a little while about the shots she was fixing to receive. The next part came too quickly. THE DREADED SHOTS! I held Eden’s hands while the nurse gave her three shots two in the right leg and one in the left. After the nurse left Eden calmed down and I held her for a little bit and then we left. Our day didn’t end their. We went straight to McAlister’s one of my favorite places to eat. I just love their sweet tea. We sat at McAlister’s for a while and watched it rain. Eden was so good. We talked and played. I just love to listen to her babble. It’s like she’s trying to tell me something. Of course I act like I understand her and she laughs or smiles and makes a high pitched screaming sound. After the rain slowed down we went back home and finished out our normal routine. Eden did well the rest of the night. I was afraid she was going to run a fever but she didn’t. We both got a good nights rest and woke up ready for a new day.

This brings me to today. Since it’s a rainy day and Eden’s sleeping I’m on the computer blogging about the latest. I have uploaded some new videos of Eden. Some of these videos were of her at 3 months and the cereal video is of her at 4 and a half months. I love videoing Eden and the latest things she accomplishes or is interested in. I just don’t like hearing myself on the other end of the video, but as a mom you have to say and do silly things in order to be qualified as a mom. I hope you enjoy these videos.


My Montage 8/18/08

Only 4 months ago

Today during Eden's nap I decided to look at all the pictures and video footage that was taken while I was in the hospital with Eden. I know this is said all the time but i'll say it again. Time goes by so quickly. Eden is four months old and is growing so quickly. Comparing her pictures of when she was born to now is unbelievable.

Eden is such a joy. She smiles all the time and is so playful. I truly enjoy my time with her during the day. Here are a few things she is doing right now.
- She is babbling a whole lot. She really babbles though when she is trying to go to sleep. (I don’t know if she’s trying to talk herself in to going to sleep or sing herself to sleep.)
- She loves playing “I’m going to tickle you” she laughs out loud every time
- Things she likes to do during the day
o Look in the mirror and try to give herself kisses
o Stare at the chimes that uncle Carey got her in her room
o Stare at the fan
o Watch Baby Einstein
o Go for walks around the block. This usually ends in her asleep.
o Play in her toy saucer with her laughing butterfly.
o Swing
o And of course eat. She just recently started eating cereal. We had tried it previously with her and she didn’t like it, so we decided to try it again a couple weeks later and she loves it.
Some of her firsts for this past week were
Eat Cereal
Put Her foot in her mouth
Sit in her bible class seat without any assistance. Those are the seats that are in the table.

On a side note I wanted to share this video with you of Eden getting her first bath in the hospital since we are talking about firsts. This was a video I came across today and I thought it was appropriate for this blog.

Eden is such a joy. She smiles all the time and is so playful. I truly enjoy my time with her during the day. Here are a few things she is doing right now.
- She is babbling a whole lot. She really babbles though when she is trying to go to sleep. (I don’t know if she’s trying to talk herself in to going to sleep or sing herself to sleep.)
- She loves playing “I’m going to tickle you” she laughs out loud every time
- Things she likes to do during the day
o Look in the mirror and try to give herself kisses
o Stare at the chimes that uncle Carey got her in her room
o Stare at the fan
o Watch Baby Einstein
o Go for walks around the block. This usually ends in her asleep.
o Play in her toy saucer with her laughing butterfly.
o Swing
o And of course eat. She just recently started eating cereal. We had tried it previously with her and she didn’t like it, so we decided to try it again a couple weeks later and she loves it.
Some of her firsts for this past week were
Eat Cereal
Put Her foot in her mouth

Holds her juice bottle with her hands
Sit in her bible class seat without any assistance. Those are the seats that are in the table.

On a side note I wanted to share this video with you of Eden getting her first bath in the hospital since we are talking about firsts. This was a video I came across today and I thought it was appropriate for this blog.

Eden is such a joy. She smiles all the time and is so playful. I truly enjoy my time with her during the day. Here are a few things she is doing right now.
- She is babbling a whole lot. She really babbles though when she is trying to go to sleep. (I don’t know if she’s trying to talk herself in to going to sleep or sing herself to sleep.)
- She loves playing “I’m going to tickle you” she laughs out loud every time
- Things she likes to do during the day
o Look in the mirror and try to give herself kisses
o Stare at the chimes that uncle Carey got her in her room
o Stare at the fan
o Watch Baby Einstein
o Go for walks around the block. This usually ends in her asleep.
o Play in her toy saucer with her laughing butterfly.
o Swing
o And of course eat. She just recently started eating cereal. We had tried it previously with her and she didn’t like it, so we decided to try it again a couple weeks later and she loves it.

Some of her firsts for this past week were

Holds juice with hands

Eat Cereal
Put Her foot in her mouth

Sit in her bible class seat without any assistance. Those are the seats that are in the table.

On a side note I wanted to share this video with you of Eden getting her first bath in the hospital since we are talking about firsts. This was a video I came across today and I thought it was appropriate for this blog.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Down Home Goodness

I am so excited to say this… WE HAVE A HOME OF OUR OWN! Andrew, Eden, and I have been in Texas for almost 4 months. We were gracelessly given a temporary house to rent and live in while we looked for something more permanent. It was truly a long process and a stressful one at that, but now we are in our new home which is in a great neighborhood. We have precious neighbors and loving every minute of being a family. A second plus is the internet. OH how I missed the internet! I had so many plans for when we first moved to Texas. I was going to blog as often as I could and keep people up to date with new pictures of Eden, but my plan was not successful due to the fact we had no internet. So now that we do have this wonderful stream of technology I can now follow through with my plan. So let me start off by giving you an idea of where we are living.

Let me introduce you to Hooks, Texas; population 2,973. Hooks is a city in Bowie County which is located in the Texarkana metro area. Here is a picture of main street Hooks.

This was the most exciting day! Closing DAY!!!

Now let me introduce you to our new home. The Venable residence if you will.

This is Eden's room. Pretty & Pink

Living room

Open Kitchen

Our Bathroom

I will post pictures of our bedroom and office room later when we get it fixed up a little. So that's our house. I thank God everyday for giving us the opportunity to purchase our first house. I also want to thank my parents as well as my in-laws for helping in everyway possible to make our home buying and moving experience go smoothly.

I also want to blog about how big Eden is getting. She is 4 months old and growing more beautiful everyday. She is smiling all the time, giggling, putting her feet in her mouth, trying to scoot. She gets her feet underneth her and bows up in a V with her behind sticking up in the air. It's really funny. I must say our daughter keeps us laughing. Here are some recent pictures.

3 months

Whoooo Pig!

Daddy's Little Princess!

Baby Update

Sleeping right now is not an option, that’s how excited I am. I can’t really complain because I have had some pretty restful nights, but this weeks resting streak is coming to a close. I went to the Doctor yesterday for my weekly exam hoping for some new news but I heard the same news for the 4th week in a row. “WOW your baby is really low… Do you feel like your sitting on a bowling ball?” “Well Hun you’re still at a one” Those were the words I didn’t want to hear. Although I am glad she is nice and healthy. There is nothing like hearing a different heartbeat other then your own coming from inside you. Well, so I ask the Doctor about possibly inducing labor this weekend and explained my story about Andrew being away and having time to get back for the birth. She was very understanding and went to check the weekend schedule to see if there were any openings for inducement. With my fingers crossed I waited… She entered the room again and with hope in her voice she said, “Well all the slots for our clinic are filled, but the other clinic has two openings that if not filled by Thursday they will give those slots to us. So the only thing we can do is call you Thursday and let you know if you can come in that night to be induced.” So now I’m waiting in anticipation to see if I’m going to have our little girl this weekend. Of course this situation is way out of my hands, so if it’s not meant to be then I will understand. God has both hands in this decision pot and I know that our little girl will come when he wants her to. In the mean time I will continue to walk a lot, eat Mexican food, and maybe do a few lunges here there.
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Can I just say that I am so proud of my husband. He is the hardest worker, so dedicated and smart, and really looks good in his uniform. He’s almost done with his training. He has a huge test Thursday morning and I know it’s hard for him to concentrate right now as he too waits to hear from me about the doctor’s decision to induce labor Thursday night. So please pray for him.

I can’t believe how fast time flies by, but it does. I have a week and three days left until I have this precious baby girl. Andrew and I are on the edge of our seats just waiting for her to arrive. In the mean time these last couple of weeks has been filled with other excitements as far as finding out where Andrew will be stationed, to trying to find a house in a place we are so unfamiliar with. Last weekend my in-laws and I took a spur of the moment trip to Texarkana to meet up with Andrew. Oh, it was so nice to see him one more time before the baby comes. Now granted I was 37 weeks along and probably shouldn’t have gone, but I was not going to pass up a chance to see my sweet hubby. While we were in Texarkana the New Boston area to be more precise, we met with Andrew’s sergeant and wife who were so nice and helpful. They put us in contact with other individuals as well who would be willing to help us find a place to live. God is so good, I can’t say it enough. The people we met from the New Boston area where we will be living were so kind. I could not be more pleased. New Boston is a town of about 5,000, quite a bit smaller then what Andrew and I are used to living in, but I’m so excited to live there. We have so much to look forward to and so many more friends to make… but don’t worry I would never forget the “make new friends but keep the old” song; it’s ingrained in my head from girl scouts. We of course love all of our friends and family. Every one of you have been so encouraging and uplifting throughout this new transition in our life. We can not wait to share with you all the new experiences we will have while living in Texas. Please keep us in your prayers.

On a side note here are a couple more pictures of my last few weeks pregnant.

Diaper shopping (gotta use those coupons)