Lucy Francis is 8 Months Old

Lucy is growing up too fast. She is a busy little girl. She loves rolling, grabbing, laughing, pinching & playing. She now sits in her high chair when she eats solid foods and she loves to throw her toys on the ground. I think she's testing me. She loves her puff treats and she can pick them up with her two little fingers and put them in her mouth. She is still obsessed with drinking out of a sippy or cup and loves to dip her head back as far as it will go,I think for maximum fluid retrieval. She loves to wave, she doesn't really know what it means yet but she loves to do it. She is so sweet and funny, I love hearing her laugh. She still hasn't fully crawled yet, but somehow she gets where she wants to go. She gets up on all fours and bounces but she hasn't gone forward yet. Sometimes when she does something naughty I try to scold her and say 'NO' in a firm voice but she just thinks it is the funniest thing in the world. We've been sick for the last week & Lucy just cut her first and second tooth so we are all a little exhausted. We were so excited to see that little bump on her gums but now we are wishing that this teething period would just end! Other than that, she is a healthy, happy and wonderful baby!

Christmas

We had a really awesome Christmas this year, it is so much better with kids! Scott, Lucy & I celebrated our Christmas early since we were heading to Colorado Christmas day. Lucy was a very good gift receiver. She would help open them and then she would get really excited and move her arms & legs really fast. She was so cute. On Christmas morning we woke up at 6am and drove to Colorado to be with Scott's family. It was really great to see everyone and to just hang out. It will be fun when Lucy is a little older and she can run around with her cousins.

Bowling with the Collins family, playing ANY games with the Collins can be tricky since there are so many boys. They are so competitive!








Santa (aka Grandpa Collins) was there to meet us on Christmas morning when we arrived in Colorado




Our ward Christmas party, Lucy's first run in with Santa. She acted indifferent, she did like holding the candycane he gave her even though Scott wouldn't let her try it.

Some much to be GRATEFUL for

This has been a crazy year for Scott & I. We had our baby girl, Scott got a new job and has been working nights & I finished my last two semesters of school. Lucy had a rough start to her life with jaundice, low birth weight & nursing issues. I had two semesters to finish when I had Lucy and it was harder to finish than I ever could have imagined. Scott is such a morning person and working nights has been a struggle for him, to say the least. It has been challenging but somehow we've made it through. I'm so grateful to be married to my best friend and partner in life. It is funny how life gets hard and you think the trials will never end and then they do! It is amazing. A couple weeks ago we had a celebration. I finished school & Scott started on days, our lives have gotten a little easier & I thank my Heavenly Father everyday for the blessings he has given Scott & I. When I look at my baby girl, my wonderful husband, my home, my family, my friends I am so grateful that I want to cry. Heavenly Father has given me everything that I could ever want & I am forever indebted to him.




On our celebration night, I surprised Scott with a dinner out & he surprised me back with this gift. Nothing is better than the turquoise box..

Lucy was so good during dinner, she just sat in her car seat and played. I love this girl more than life itself.

Lucy is 7 Months Old!

Lucy has changed so much this month. She is rolling & scooting all over the place. She gets into a push-up position and doesn't know where to go so she scoots backwards. She has become less of an independent player & loves to play with Mommy and Daddy. She is obsessed with drinking from her sippy cup or any cup for that matter. Prior to 1 week ago I was having the hardest time getting her to eat any type of baby food. Then, Marye suggested pears & she loved it!! I moved onto pears with pineapple, oatmeal and I'm going to try squash next. It has been so fun to see all the changes in her and we can't wait to see what comes next!


THANKS to KATIE for taking these wonderful pictures!!

Holiday Cheer

I LOVE the Holidays! I have been a little stressed this season with finals, Lucy, buying gifts etc. I haven't been able to enjoy the Holidays as much as usual. But, my Christmas spirit has been boosted by all the wonderful family and friends in my life. Here are just a few of them:

Where do they come up with this stuff?

We were able to attend Caleb's (our nephew) pre-school Christmas concert. It was so fun. I loved watching him sing & get so excited, I can't wait until Lucy can sing. One song they sang was funny or silly or insulting to fat people?
Not sure..you decide. Sang to the tune of jingle bells...

I heard a reindeer hoof, then Santa dressed in red,
Came crashing thro' the roof and landed on my bed.
I thought it was a dream, but quickly did I wake,
As soon as I heard Santa scream, "I want a piece of cake!"

[Chorus]
Oh, Santa Claus, Santa Claus, you are much too fat;
I was sleeping peacefully but not my bed is flat. Oh!
Santa Claus, Santa Claus, how much do you weigh?
I'm glad I'm not a reindeer that has to pull your sleigh!