ICE!

We finally went to ICE at the Gaylord. They did a Charlie Brown Christmas this year. I really liked it despite the 9 degree weather in there. Nick, Ramona, and I had a good, cold time. The jacket was so big on Ramona she looked like a penguin when she walked. It was hilarious.

Santa Baby

We took Ramona to see Santa at the Parks Mall yesterday. Right before it was our turn Ramona spit up all over herself. I franticly tried to clean her up while the old elf lady rolled her eyes at me. We let some people in front of us while I tried to get it all off her.

She didn't cry, but she wasn't going to smile either.

Mommy Time

It was morning with Ramona. She was telling me all about her adventures with daddy the morning before. So animated.

Thanksgiving

We had my family over for Thanksgiving this year. It was another hectic rush to get last minute things done on the house along with the usual cleaning and food prep, but we pulled it off. Nick made some of the best turkey I've ever had. For the first time ever, we ALL got to sit around the same table while we ate. Of course Nick had to taste the turkey while he carved it...

I cannot get over this picture of Ramona. She looks like a doll. A perfect, beautiful baby doll.

We piled the kids in the bath for their first ever bath together. It's a Snowden tradition that I can't believe hadn't happened yet

Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving

Ramona wanted Macie to know she is saving her a seat for Thanksgiving tomorrow.

Big Girl

Ramona finally has enough hair for a ponytail. A very small ponytail but a victory nonetheless.

Halloween

Ramona was Tinkerbell. I tried to talk Nick into doing another trio costume. The idea of him being Peter Pan was not appealing to him. Ramona's wings were a little big, but they lit up which was super cute. We just had to pin them on her dress. I forgot her headband at the house.

We decided to do Halloween in Aledo this year. (Even though the Rangers were playing in the World Series right up the street from our house.) We wanted the cousins to all be together for at least part of it. We went to my parents for a crazy photoshoot. Then off to Alicia's church for Trunk or Treat and finally my parents' church. What cute kids we have in our family.

Drama

We got Ramona's ears pierced today. I think we got a glimpse of the drama queen we will have in the next few years. She screamed when they were drawing the dots on her ears, so I figured this was not a good sign. Don't worry we definitely had people complaining about us and the terrible thing we were doing to our baby. Yes, it was THAT bad.

All is calm in the Wills house now. We have to look forward to fighting her twice a day for 6-8 weeks to clean her ears.

Too cute

After a crying fit this morning, I finally got Ramona to stay still long enough to get a decent picture. She looks just too cute not to share.

1st Birthday

I can't believe Ramona is 1. I know that's clique to say, but seriously how did it happen so quickly. We celebrated at our house after weeks of late night work to get the house presentable. It paid off because Ramona was comfortable and so happy for her big day.

I love Macie's face in this picture. She looks like she's trying to squeeze Ramona hard. It's a sweet picture though.

The stooges
Vanilla cake and some sprinkles cupcakes

One of the house projects - the chalkboard wall in the kitchen - love it. Everyone wrote birthday wishes for Ramona. I think there will be lots of fun times ahead with chalk.

Dallas World Aquarium

Nick and I were debating on whether we wanted to go to the zoo or the Dallas World Aquarium, but the severely hot weather outside made the decision for us. We headed to Dallas with Ramona for our little family outing.

Neither of us had been so we didn't know what to expect. It was pretty packed because I guess everyone else was looking for something indoors to do. Ramona was so observant. She was fascinated by the sharks when we went into the tunnel.

10 Months

Go Rangers

Nick's brother Allen and his wife Sara invited to a Ranger game, so we went for the 2nd time this season with Ramona girl! We had great seats on the 2nd row down the 3rd baseline. I was really nervous about foul balls, but daddy Nick was on top of it.

Look how close I am!

Peek-a-boo Daddy

9 Months

Sweet Ramona girl is 9 months. Count it 9. What a blessing Ramona has been to us. We enjoy every second with her. I mean look at her - she is a comedian just like her daddy! She had such a fun time when we were trying to get her to take this picture. She thought it would be the perfect time to act like a ham. Silly girl.

She continues to amaze us with how much she is growing. She is 27 and 3/4 inches tall and 18 lbs. 13 oz. Her hair continues to fill in. She's got some curl to no one's surprise and a Ramo-hawk.

She officially crawled June 22nd. I say officially but I guess I really mean proficiently. She has been technically crawling for a while, but she's so mobile now. She also stood up for a few seconds by herself on the 4th!

She loves to say "dada". That's really all she wants to say. She can say mama, baba, yaya, nana. However she usually just sticks with dada. She loves it when Nick comes home from work. Her face just lights up when he walks in the door. She is still very much a mama's girl though.

We've had some scatted success with her sleeping in her bed. Sometimes she goes down easy and stays down until 5, 6, 7 AM. Sometimes she fights and fights then wakes up at midnight. We are getting there. I'm not stressed about it because it won't be long until she doesn't want to cuddle with us, so we might as well savor every second instead of complain and get frustrated about it.

She is very inconsistent with solid foods. She just really likes bottles and nursing, so as soon as she is still average and getting the nutrition she needs then we will just keep trying solids and hoping for the best, but not forcing the issue.

Ramona had her first out of state trip to Tennessee! She slept most of the night while we drove both to and back. She got to meet aunts, uncles, and cousins galore. It was a lot of fun.

She is a happy baby and so busy. She doesn't miss a thing. Ramona will just stare at people and take in her surrounds. Then she usually screams in delight. She laughs a lot when she is comfortable or hyper. Either way she is a ton of fun.

Happy 4th

We spent the 4th of July at my parents for swimming and firework fun. Nick and Cleve shot fireworks while we all watched. My cousin Angie and 3 of her 4 kids were in town from TN to spend the holiday with us.

The Wills

Yes that bow is stuck directly in Ramona's hair.

Daddy playing with sparklers

Mimi with the girls watching fireworks

Mr. and Mrs. Hicks

My best friend from college Ashley got married in College Station this weekend. We drove down and stayed in a shady hotel Friday night for the rehearsal dinner. Then watched a beautiful couple make the most wonderful decision ever Saturday. Congratulations to my sweet friend Ashley and her new husband Kevin.

Ramona passed out at the reception

Also Ramona passed out with daddy at the hotel. I was busy editing my research paper (ugh) until the wee hours of the morning.

Beauty Rest

I was doing my hair for the day. I looked over and this is how I found Ramona at 8:30 AM in her exersaucer. The princess was out. I transferred her to our bed and napped with her since I didn't get to sleep in. Precious time every day love it!

Tennessee BBQ

The BBQ was on Saturday (as always). It was hot. I mean really hot. I was pouring sweat and Ramona was uncomfortable as well. I ate like 3 potatoes, so I can't say that it wasn't worth it.

Mimi (my mom), Aunt Brenda, Ramona, and I before the feast. We were at my Uncle James' porch with huge fans blowing on us.

Ramona entertaining Uncle Chester, Aunt Brenda, and 4th cousin (?) Houston

Passed out with Papa after the long day

Antique Shopping in TN

We had a short family trip to Tennessee to visit my mom's side of the family for the annual Martin's Chapel BBQ. We left at night so Ramona would sleep the whole night which worked out quite well. It was so wonderful spending time with my sweet family.

Of course, we went to some antique shops in Goodletsville with my wonderful Aunt Brenda (my favorite relative). We didn't see anything we couldn't live without. Oddly enough we did pick up a mirror and some sewing stuff at Goodwill at the end of the day! We also found a chair that matched our Craigslist chair!

Here we are in front of one antique place. We are apparently related to the owner in some way, but she said yea extremely annoying, stretching the vowels out in an unusual southern way (not charming just annoying but funny).

Wills Girls Antiquing It Up

Happy 1st Father's Day

Happy 1st Father's Day to the world's best daddy! Ramona and I love you very much Nick! You are our provider and the #1 man in our lives.

1 New 1 Saved...

At our garage sale, my mom brought over some things. She happened to bring over some vintage sewing patterns which I found some hilarious ones along with a few I thought I could use. I made Ramona a dress one night and completely messed it up (or so I thought). I set at date with my friend Shelley to go to her house to try again. (Her daughter Cheyne has her sewing studio a Shelley's house.)

I cut out the pattern with the Amy Butler fabric we bought on during our outlet shopping spree.

Took it to Shelley's. Using a REAL sewing machine, I create this and fixed the other one. (Of course it helps that Shelley did the button holes and walked me through the whole thing. Plus Ramona is a beautiful model.)