Friends

What a busy week we have had!  Last Sunday, two of mommy's very special lawyer friends from Dallas came to visit me.  Auntie Feliciy and Nathan were so much fun, and Nathan is getting to be such a big boy - I had a fun time watching him get into everything.  Auntie Noel shared some super exciting news with us.  We can't wait to see what God has in store for her and Steve (2, 3, or 4 kiddos being adopted soon!!). 

My mommy has made some new special mommy friends at church so we got to have our first playdate on Thursday.  What a blast!!!  I enjoyed watching all of the other kiddos and made a ton of new friends (so did mommy - I'm not sure who enjoyed it more - me or her??). 

Grandpa came over on Wednesday night, and got to hang out with us on Thursday.  He couldn't stay away from me for long because he came back from the airport after just a couple hours.  Mom said something about the Lubbock airport being shut down, but I think he just missed me that much already.  He zoomed me around the counter in my first race car!

 

 

Mommy had to sell rodeo programs on Saturday morning and Daddy had to go to the shooting range for his concealed handgun license renewal mumbo jumbo so I had Pepper to myself all morning.  What a blast!  We had a great time playing and snuggling.  I love my special time with all of my grandpeeps.  Check out my new lovie that my Lovey made me - it hooks on to my paci!  How clever!

On Saturday night, one of Daddy's bestest buddies from growing up and his sweet wife came by (aka The Stillers) to bring dinner and visit me.  Mommy had also gathered up some maternity wear as Baby Stiller will be here in July!  Yay for more new friends! 

I got to visit the nursery on Sunday morning as my folks went to Sunday School for the first time in forever!!!  I'm so glad they are getting back into the swing of things at Church because I sure love all my peeps in the nursery.

Speaking of new friends, let me tell you about my newest bestie!  Meet Sophie.  I lurve her sooo much.  Daddy wants me to call her Geoffrey, but whatever ... he's a dork.  Sophie is so much more than a "glorified dog toy" - she's my friend!

We thank God every day for all of the friends that Mommy and Daddy have in their lives - friends to love and support and live life with - what a blessing they all are!!

Me and the Parentals are making our second trip to College Station this upcoming weekend to see Uncle D's Aggie basketball team BTHO Baylor!  Elizabeth is coming to visit too, and I'm so excited!!

Baby T

Cute Doesn't Begin to Describe Him!

Auntie Francie came and took some great photos of Travis on Saturday (1/23) to commemorate his 5 month birthday!  I can't believe he is almost half a year old!  Btw, we are doing some better on our sleep so keep the fingers crossed and the prayers coming.  We are, by no means, even close to sleeping through the night, but at least we seem to be more amenable to naps in the crib rather than on the mama.  :)

I have a feeling he will not need any help sitting up for his 6 month pictures!!

Xoxo,
Gara

Happy 5 Month Birthday!

 

Travis Brandon Hill,

WOW. What can I say? You have totally overwhelmed me.

When I found out that you were on the way, I was very happy for your mom and dad, as well as the whole family. From the schedule that your mom and dad had talked about, I thought that it was about time for you to make an appearance. I had been talking to God about you for a quite a while. I asked Him to take care of you and your mom, and to bring you into this world safely. He did everything that I had prayed for. He is so amazing.

I knew that you had come to loving parents who will always provide you with the things that you will need. They will provide you with material things, but more importantly they will provide you with the love, the understanding, the discipline, and the teaching of Jesus.

The thing that I didn’t know was how it would feel to be a grandparent. I could never have imagined what a feeling that it was. The day that you arrived I was so happy when Brandon told us that you and your mom were OK. I may have cried, but I don’t remember for sure.

The time that I have spent with you in your first 5 months have been incredible. I have seen you grow in so many ways. I am always excited to see how much you have changed from one visit to the next.

As you continue to grow I am very much looking forward to spending time with you. I will watch as you learn to crawl, and to talk, and to walk, and to make sound financial investments. I can’t tell you how special you are to me.

I love you, your mom, and your dad very much, and I will always be there any time you need me.

May God always bless you and keep you, and may God bless your mom, your dad, and your entire family.

Love,
Grandpa

I'm Twenty-One Weeks Old!

Strange that my mom started me on these three-week updates, but I guess I better keep up!  Today, I am twenty-one weeks old which translates to about 4 months, 3 weeks, and 4 days old.  Boy have I grown up a lot since my last check-in.  I've completely outgrown all of my gap 3-6 month outfits and am probably over 17 lbs.   

I am doing so good holding up my head these days and am able to intently follow you with my gaze all around the room.  I love playing on the floor and sometimes roll over so many times in a row that I puke!!  I can almost do a complete roll in just one or two motions.

I've recently discovered my feet and enjoying grabbing them.  This makes it easy on my mom when she's cleaning my bum, but pretty difficult when she is trying to get the diaper re-attached or my pants snapped.  Ha.  I've also discovered my tongue and frequently stick it out at you!

I've been sleeping on my tummy at night in the far-upper right corner of my crib.  It is kinda funny how I inchworm my way up there til my head is hitting the corner.  My mom thinks it is so I can see out the crack!

I love my morning time with my daddy.



But, I still think my mommy is pretty funny too.

My mommy wore me in her moby wrap to the AT&T store and to Kohl's last week.  Let me tell you - I was the hit of the party.  I kept randomly smiling at the AT&T lady, and she would just crack up and lose her train of thought.  It was hilarious.  Daddy even wore me around the neighborhood in his manly Chicco carrier.  I loved it!  I think daddy has some new appreciation for mommy after toting me around for a while - he was saying something about a backache.

I love my exersaucer, my weekly visits with Grandpa, and Gripe Water.  Mommy thought the Gripe Water might help me sleep through the night so we started taking it at bath time a week or so ago.  It didn't help with the sleeping, but I sure do like it.  I make a ton of faces like I am really contemplating each little bit.  My folks think it is funny.

There is no telling what I'll be up to at twenty-four weeks.  Until then, peace out.
T-money

This is the day that the Lord has made!

Today was our first family outing to Church.  Brandon or I hadn't been to church since before Travis arrived, and we were ready.  Plus, Travis got his own piece of mail last week inviting him to his own class at Church.  I was ready to stay in the nursery with him, but when we got there the adult to baby ratio was twelve loving adult hands to two squishy baby hands so I felt pretty good about his care.  I had already convinced myself that God's people in the nursery don't have germs so off we went with our little beeper.  He did great and got to take a walk around the campus, and Brandon and I enjoyed a great worship service.  We so want for Travis to have a strong Church family that loves and supports him just like his real family.  I have so many great memories from youth camp, ski trips, lock-ins, GAs, etc., and I want him to have those same experiences.  I am so thankful that we have found a Church home in this area and can't wait to get more involved as a family of three.

Psalm 139:13-17

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.  When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body.  All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.  How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!

Jeremiah 1:5

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."  How vast is the sum of them!

Dear Heavenly Father,

How awesome to think that you had a plan for Travis before Brandon and I had even met and that you chose him especially for us.  We continually seek your wisdom and guidance as we parent Travis, and we pray that we raise him to know and love you.  We thank you for all of the blessings that you have given to our family and for Travis, the most amazing miracle of all. 

In your Son's most precious name, Amen.

Xoxo,
Gara

My Favorite Things ... Part Two

Since writing this post, Emily delivered baby Wyatt, several friends discovered the gender of their unborn kiddos (although some have chosen not to find out, i.e., Baby Herbie remains a mystery), and The Stillers (Danny is a lifetime friend of Brandon's and was an usher in our wedding) announced their pregnancy here.  And of course, lots of stuff has changed for the T-man as well as he is continuing to grow and develop perfectly.  So to update my favorite things...

1.  Travel Swing - Travis likes this swing just as much as the much larger and more expensive other one that he has.  This one takes up so much less space and we've taken it on both road trips as it folds up pretty well.  It will sometimes put him to sleep, but mostly he just likes to chill in it and play with a toy or look around.

2.  Whoozit - this continues to be Travis's favorite toy.  This was the first toy we introduced to him because of all the black and white, and he used to just stare at him.  Now, he puts all the parts in his mouth, grabs on to the handle, has lengthy conversations with him, and bats him around.  Definitely a great purchase for $10.  Manhattan Toy also makes two of his favorite toys from Christmas - the winkel and the baby-ville activity cube.  They are quickly becoming our "go-to" brand for toys.

3.  Pacifier Wipes - these are super handy when you are out and about for wiping off pacis, toys, etc.  I have some "all-natural" disinfectant that I can also spray on stuff that he's going to chew on, but it kinda smells funny.  He doesn't seem to mind these at all.

4.  Wubbanub - Travis takes a paci when he is going to sleep so these have been great since it gives him something to love on and is easier for him to hold on to.  Plus, it is easier for us to keep track of and hold on to as well.  I ordered a six pack on the internet and shared a few with Travis's besties (Elizabeth, Wyatt, and Owen).  I would recommend having at least two or three on hand.

5.  Breathable Bumpers - Starting on January 11th, Travis decided that he wanted to be a tummy sleeper.  I am so glad that we had already changed our regular bumpers to these.  These allow for plenty of airflow, but don't allow limbs to get stuck in the cracks.  We snapped the picture of our monitor below (thus the crappy quality).  It was just too cute.  He is now sleeping flat on his tummy with his head mostly turned toward the bumper.  Because of the breathable bumpers, I don't have to worry about him suffocating.

6.  iPhone - Random, I know.  Seriously, Brandon and I got iPhones last Sunday, and I couldn't be happier with them.  I could actually care less if I could talk on them as it is all of the other stuff that I'm enjoying.  T has gotten to where he doesn't like lots of noise while he is nursing - if I try to talk, he peers up and gives me the stink eye.  Typing on the iPhone is soooo quiet so I can check email, update facebook, play words with friends, etc. while he his getting in one of his meals.  There are also some great apps that are kiddo-based that I know he will enjoy later on.  For now, he is pretty mesmerized by the rattle on this app, and I'm excited about the white noise part when we travel.  One less thing to tote!

I hope somebody finds these helpful!  E-mail me if you have any questions or leave a comment if you think of another "must have."

Xoxo,

Gara

January 10, 2010

We took some pics of T to use for our baby dedication announcement on Sunday, but since baby dedication got pushed to Mother's Day we will have to take new pics so I thought I'd share a few of these.

His onesie was a gift from the Keys at Brandon's work and says "His Little Lamb" on the front and "The LORD is my shepherd ... Psalm 23" on the back.  It is so precious and so true.

And just for fun....

Xoxo,
Gara

We're Alive!!

Well, Travis and I have survived our first tandem cold.  It is sure tough to be sick and take care of a sick little one.  Thankfully, we had some great support and both enjoyed just vegging out for a few days.  Aunt Momo made a couple drugstore runs for us, Daddy took a shift from 7am to 8am so I could sleep, Grandpa came to give assistance on Wednesday night and Thursday morning, and Pepper came to hang out on Friday with chicken stew, cornbread, and cherry crisp in tow.  It really does take a village, and we are so thankful for all of the love and help!  During the week, Travis and Daddy took a few showers together to help with T's congestion.  He wasn't really sure what to think about it, but it was too cute.  I didn't take many pics last week, but here is a cute one from Pepper's visit.

I have finally gotten my photography blog back up and running.  Check it out at http://garahill.blogspot.com/  I'm hoping to do some portrait work this spring with some graduating seniors so let me know if you know of anyone that is looking for some fun portraits at a reasonable price.

Xoxo,

Gara

First Weekend of 2010

We spent the first weekend of 2010 hanging out and doing a whole lot of nothing. That happens to be our favorite thing to do – just hang out at the house with our family. Travis and I (and Uncle Mickey) never even left the house (except for a quick trip to the nail salon for a pedicure with Auntie Amy for me on Saturday). Grandpa came over on Wednesday, and Uncle Mickey arrived from Texas City on Thursday evening. Pepper and Auntie Amy came to help us celebrate 2010 on Friday. We had pork loin, black eyed peas, fried okra, fried squash, onion rings, fresh tomatoes, and dairy and soy free cornbread. It was soooo delicious. Pepper even made dairy and soy free lemon bars. She has been so great at making me all sorts of special treats that I can have. I’ve almost made myself sick on the lemon bars - sooooo yummy!

Travis spent the weekend playing with some of his Christmas toys. He got this fun contraption from Pepper.

It is pretty mesmerizing. I think he’ll like it even more when he can sit by himself. Travis also spent the weekend rolling around. He was so proud of his latest accomplishment and spent quite a bit of time in the floor trying out all of his new moves.

His daddy put together his Exersaucer this afternoon, but Travis isn’t quite sure what to think yet. He’ll have plenty of time to figure it out as it has a ton of things for him to look at and play with on it. On Saturday morning, Travis woke up with the sneezes. I was just sure that he was going to be sick, but it seems to have already passed. We are armed with a saline rinse and we hooked up the humidifier just in case, but he never acted like he felt bad or ran a fever. Hopefully, this was just a little flare up of some seasonal allergies.

Travis got a couple more Christmas presents. He really liked this one and hopes to grow into it by next season.

We watched a ton of football. It is a good thing Travis likes to watch football with all the men in this bunch. Here he is chilling with Grandpa and his Uncle Mickey.

Nana and PaPaw even stopped by on New Year’s Day to make sure they got a smooch on the first day of 2010.

The boy loves his baths.

Xoxo,
Gara