Sugar and spice...

I just put my baby to bed. Three days ago she turned six. Six years ago today, I brought her home from the hospital. She was my Christmas miracle, the best gift a mother could hope for! The little silver-haired peanut fit right inside a Christmas stocking just perfectly! She brought so much magic to our home, so much sweetness with just the right amount of spice! She has perfected the art of balancing her sugar side and her spice side! Her and I share a very special bond. She's my best friend. This isn't just some phrase I use, she is literally, my best bud. I love to be with her. I crave her when she's gone, she's my addiction. It's a good thing I don't drink or smoke, I'd made a bad addict. ;)  

Just to reminisce on the good old days...here are a few of her newborn pictures.

Olivia had her six-year-old well check just today at her doctor's office.  She is perfectly healthy.  She's 50% in weight, 60% in height and passed her hearing test this time with flying colors!  The doctor asked her what her favorite food was and her reply was "brussel sprouts" (with a lisp).  The doctor said that was definitely a first for her to hear, even after practicing over 30 years!  That's my girl!

I snapped this cell phone picture of her in the office because this quote on the wall is exactly what I want for her. 

Always remember this quote, little one. I definitely believe that she will! Watch out world....Olivia is going places!    

On Olivia's birthday, we had a fantastic, sticky, girlie, fun party.  We turned our kitchen in to a mini bakery and filled it with some pretty cute and creative little bakers!  Remember in my last post when I mentioned that I made 33 cakes?  This is why.  10 girls were able to come out of the 13 we invited, plus her brothers, grandparents, great grandparents and her Aunt Coley and Russell.  

It was a grand ole' time! We had double-decker cakes for everyone. 

 Years gone by...

1st

 

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

Happiest of Birthdays to you, my little 'chip'.  Love you forever and always!

And for more good news... 

I had a new niece born today! That's 2 new nieces within 2 months and all the pictures and videos bring back such great memories of when my little princess entered this world. It just doesn't seem real that she's six.  I can't get over that.  

Please welcome little Piper Everly Gilley to our ever-growing family!  

She came quickly and she is completely healthy!  This makes niece number six!  

I am one proud Auntie!  

I also had the chance to go to my sister Coley's ultrasound appointment where we found out that she too, is having a GIRL! 

We'll have ANOTHER niece join us in May!  Yowsers, the girls are taking over!  

And since I promised in my last post I'd post some pictures of Dan's office, here it is.  I only had my cell phone for pictures.  One day I'll go with my real camera, but for now, you get the point!

As a little side note...

*I've been heart broken the past few days after hearing of the school shootings in Connecticut. I just can't shake the lingering sadness. That deserves it's very own seperate post, but it especially hit me hard that those precious little angels were Olivia's age. Kindergartners. I'm not sure how I'd have to strength to find peace or be able to cope if I were in those poor parent's shoes. My heart aches for them. The day this all happened, I walked to the school to pick my little ones up and when I saw all the little kindergartners running out of school after the bell rang, tears filled my eyes. Some hopped on busses, some ran up to their parents, but they all went home to their families where they belong. I think all the children around the country had extra loves from their parents that night. Life is so fragile, so unpredictable. I was thrilled to see liv's big smile and give her a big squeeze, as I usually am, but I cherished it a little more that day. She doesn't know what happened that morning and I hope she never has to know. What a horrific, senseless tragedy. It does make me want to hug my kids a little tighter, snuggle them a little longer, and I even appreciate their 'noise' around the house, because it would kill me to suddenly not have that 'noise' around. I will continue to keep those effected in my prayers and hope that they can somehow find a bit of peace and comfort this Christmas season.*