Promises

He made me a promise before he left for boot camp seven years ago.

I can still remember all the words he said, all the words he wrote as he slipped a promise ring onto my finger. 

Ever since then I have worn this ring any time he leaves for anything military related. Whether it's a year long deployment or two days at the range. I slip this ring on my finger until he is back home. 

It is my physical reminder. 

He loves me. 

And he will always come back to me.  

And as much as I love to wear this ring...

I love taking it off even more. 

6 Months

 

BabySister,

You have clearly decided you want to be a big girl in the last few weeks. You are breaking my heart! 

Weight: 17.10 lbs  (75%)

Height: 26 1/4 in  (60%)

Clothing size: 6-9 mo

Diaper size: Three

Feeding: I still feed you on demand. This can be anywhere from 2-6 hours. The more you are teething, the more you want to comfort nurse. 

Milestones: You got your first tooth! Teeth actually! Just like your big sister, your first tooth came in on the bottom at 5 1/2 months. Not even a full week later the second one popped through right beside it. You are such a trooper and never fussed. You just increased your comfort nursing. 

Loves: You love Mickey Mouse! You love to be outside. You enjoy getting your sunshine! You enjoy when mama lets you lick and chew on something from the dinner table even though you haven't had any baby food yet. You LOVE your big sister! You will sit and watch her for a long time. She makes you laugh a lot. 

Dislikes: I can't really think of anything you disliked this month. 

Adventures: First Tincaps game! Mama was so excited to take you! You enjoyed watching all the action. You weren't sure at first about the loud noises though. Also you saw your first fireworks there! You were pretty mesmerized. 

Mommy could not get through the month without: The Moby wrap and your big sister to help entertain you from time to time. 

Parks for Days..

Just a photo dump today.

Another day at the park.

Zoo Day

Our first trip to the zoo this year. We bought a season pass so we will be making lots of trips there this summer!

BabySister starting out the day. Today was her first trip ever! :) 

She loved the alligator! She watches Swamp People on tv with her MoMo. 

Taking a little snack break. 

I had to add this picture because it reminded me of when hubby graduated from basic training in 2006 and we went to the zoo. The giant tortoises were getting freaky. Funniest thing I've ever seen!

Lily's favorite part of the whole day was when she got to go and pet the goats. She was loving that she got to touch them and brush them. They had just eaten so we couldn't give them any food. I'm sure she will be excited to feed them on our next trip. 

She was pretty upset when it was time to move to a new exhibit. The girl was playing with the goats for a good half hour at least! 

Hyena

Lion.

She didn't want to take a picture with BabySister and I so we sat on her. :)

I adore this picture! As soon as I saw her standing this way to see the hyena today, I knew I had to take a picture. What a huge difference two years makes! My girl is so big! 

Here.

We've been through so much together. 

We've had our ups and downs. 

We've had some really low downs. 

We've been bent and broken. 

We've held on in the middle of hurricanes..

But I wouldn't trade one single day of this life I have with you. 

My life is full with you in it.

I am so blessed to be called yours. 

Every fight, every tear, every heartache leading up to now has been worth it. 

We've discovered who we are together. 

We've have been broken separately so we could be put back together as one. 

I was doing a simple every day house chore while listening to music and I heard this song. It caught me on a night that I was daydreaming of your homecoming. My mind still can't fully comprehend that we are just a few very short weeks from each other's arms. When I stopped and listened to the words of this chorus and the second verse, it's like I was speaking these words to you from my own heart. 

"Here"

-Rascal Flatts

There's a place I've been looking for

That took me in and out of buildings

Behind windows, walls and doors

And I thought I found it

Couple times, even settled down

And I'd hang around just long enough

To find my way back out

I know now the place that I was trying to

Reach

Was you, right here in front of me

[CHORUS]

And I wouldn't change a thing

I'd walk right back through the rain

Back to every broken heart

On the day that it was breakin'

And I'd relive all the years

And be thankful for the tears

I've cried with every stumbled step

That led to you and got me here, right here

It's amazing what I let my heart go through

To get me where it got me

In this moment here with you

And it passed me by

God knows how many times

I was so caught up in holding

What I never thought I'd find

I know now, there's a million roads

I had to take

To get me in your arms that way

[Repeat Chorus]

In a love I never thought I'd get to get to

-here

And if that's the road

God made me take to be with you

[Repeat Chorus]

And I'd relive all the years

And be thankful for all the tears

I've cried with every stumbled step

That led to you and got me here, right here

Oh, baby-Ooo

Oh, got me here

----------------

I am yours. 

Always have been. 

Always will be.