Look Who's ONE!

I would have to say that with all the years gone by, 2009 was by far the fastest.  It was also filled with firsts: teeth, steps, bites of food, brusies, bumps, scratches and so much more.    We opted for a small party for her to celebrate turning one with family and Ice Cream Cake.  She had such a great time, we were up until after midnight from the sugar and excitement rush. 

Oreo Cookie Ice Cream Cake

Grandmother, Aunt Bridgett & Great Grandmother

All Smiles with Cousin Tara

She's one, but still my baby

A Blessed Christmas

We had another wonderful Christmas this year, though it was much different than ones in years past.  This year was about watching Anastasia go through many of the emotions Christmas brings: excitement, joy, wonder, and even a little stress.  She quickly learned how to open the gifts by ripping the paper and had a great time doing it.  Some of her favorites are her stroller (with a baby), her ball set and a pet puzzle that makes the animal's sound when you put the pieces in.  She also likes the shape sorter and a 'Busy Book' that has fun snaps, zippers and other fun and challenging activities.  I just love to watch her enjoy her toys, as normal or unconventional it may be.

Still a Daddy's Girl

I've always been a Daddy's Girl. Watching Anastasia play with her Daddy reminds me of the times I used to get tossed into the air and flung onto the couch.  One of my favorite ways to wrestle was to latch onto his foot to make him drag us across the living room floor.  We always wanted more, no matter how much fun we had.  I even swallowed my tongue laughing so hard while on my back when I was about 5.  There are just so many good memories, so many good times.

I had a dream last night,

I had to pick a father out,

I had to choose a mother too.

At first I didn't know what to do,

there were so many,

short and tall,

thin and stout.

But just before I sprang awake,

I knew which parents I would take,

and this surprised and made me glad,

they were the ones I always had.

author unknown
 
As much as this little girl of mine loves her Mommy, she may just end up a Daddy's Girl too.  I see the way she looks at him, it's the sweetest little look she has.

Football Season

We're Charger fans. Win or lose, we are fans- it's just so much more fun when we win.

Even the baby likes watching the Chargers win.

GO CHARGERS!!

Christmas Cards are in

So I finally did it, I finished the first Gist Family Christmas Cards. Yeah for me! I've even stuffed and addressed nearly all of them. I thought I would have plenty, but as I continue down my list I see that there are so many more families I would have liked to included. I'll have to wish them a Merry Christmas another way. After all, it is the birth of Jesus we are celebrating, not cards and pictures.

My Christmas Card to you...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, from our family to yours

Milestones

My dear baby is walking, she may still crawl when she wants to, but she is perfectly capable of walking- with and without shoes. She may take a spill here and there, but she always gets back up.

I'm such a proud Mom.

Grandmother's House

I love going to Grandmother's house. I think part of me remembers how much fun it was as a child to go to my Grandma & Grandpa's house, and I want the same fond memories for Anastasia. There are lots of similarities too- lots of family around, good food, dessert, and lots of love from Grandmother.

Church Christmas Dinner & Talent Showcase

This year at our Annual Church Christmas Dinner we had a Talent Showcase for all the families. Anastasia and I read "A Star for Jesus" and sang 'Jingle Bells' for everyone. Another little girl in our Church, Trinity, joined in with us reciting 'Yeah' after each page turned.





After our turn was over, we went back to our seat and listened to the other families sing, dance and play instruments. It was extra special this time since Blue's Father and Grandmother joined us for the evening; but as always, the food and company were terrific.






After all was said and done, the entire group joined together to help get everything cleaned up and put away; and we even got to take home a plate of turkey.

The Perfect Picture

I know they are not all going to be good...




...but I so badly wanted perfect Christmas pictures. They are pretty, I do like them; just not on my perfect Christmas cards. We were short on time and she took a late unexpected nap so we had to wake her to do them. This is not her smile, I want what I send out to be a better repersentation of her. What do you think?







This is the smile I want! She looks happy here...

Preparations for Christmas

Not having a Christmas Tree up yet is driving me crazy. There is so much to move, get out of storage and set up. . . I just want it done.




Then again, maybe it's all more fun than I thought.

Christmas Spirit

I love the feelings the holiday season brings. It's the only time of year I'll drink hot chocolate & apple cider, yet find warmth in things like family and memories from the past. I get excited about putting the Christmas tree up in the window and watching it glow from the front yard and I look for mistletoe to hang to surprise my husband. We even decorate the pets when willing.

A Year in Recap

It's hard to believe Anastasia will soon be one, the last year has just flown by. It doesn't seem that long ago that I was sitting here pregnant wondering what God had in store for me with my first child. I spent a lot of time my last 2 months of pregnancy just sitting around the house enjoying my rest and anticipating my new arrival. I must have sorted through her baby cloths a dozen times trying to picture her wearing them while in my arms. I knew my world was about to transform.

Anastasia Lea was born on December 26, 2008 at 2:26am. She was 8 pounds and 20 inches. I will never forget the first moments we shared with her, when we became a family.





The first 3 months were joyful as we learned how to live with a new baby in our house. Trying to keep her warm, but not too warm, in the last winter months was both fun and a challenge. She didn't like cloths, (and still isn't too fond of them) but she had to be dressed, especially when we traveled. As the months carried on and the weather became warmer, we took a trip to Yosemite and Oklahoma with my Dad to celebrate Great Grandpa Palmer's 100th birthday and family Reunion. It turned out to be a trip that strengthened not only my family, but also my husband and father's relationship. Anastasia also had the chance to meet my Mother's Father and see where her Daddy lived in Colorado as a child. The memories of that trip are forever embedded in me, and a true testament to the importance of family and the need to spend time with them.

As Anastasia hit 6 months, the house got louder and the glass coffee table left the living room. She would become frustrated when she couldn't move herself so crawling became not only a challenge for her, but more of an escape from her confined blanket. The last thing she wanted to do was sit in one place while playing with the same toy; she wanted to venture outside, down the hall, into the kitchen, and where ever else we didn't allow her to roam alone. She was no longer satisfied with her play area in the living room- she wanted the world. So, we ventured to the beach and she fell in love, just like her Daddy.



Now, getting close to turning one, she is full of love and happiness. She finds excitement in the simple things in life and loves to explore the world around her. We recently updated her baby book with her 'baby prints.' It was long overdue, but she had a great time trying to figure out what I was doing to her and the colors on her hands and feet were just an added bonus.





More fun is on the horizon, stay tuned for the future...

First & Counting

I thought it was about time I give this whole blog thing a try... we'll see how it goes. I'm not even sure of the things I will write about just yet, but I have decided to, so here we go...

Chocolate Pudding and Sunshine are two things we would get everytime we would go to my Grandma and Grandpa's house as a child. Simple. Wonderful & Bright.