SPECIAL!

In honor of the arrival of Emmalee Caroline, Great Grabbie Designs is doing a special on custom birth announcements!

Check it out!

Birth Announcement

I realized the other day that I had never shown everyone what Emmalee Caroline's birth announcement looked like. I really loved the way they turned out with a light pink font on the black background.

(Front)

(Back)

When I was designing this, I had a list of verses for Brant and I to choose from. I was learning more toward 1 Samuel 1:27 (For this child I have prayed...), but then I saw this one. Its amazing how Brant and I both fell in love with this verse. The Lord didn't just bless us with a child, but He blessed us because He answered our prayers, He calmed our fears, He provided for us every step of the this journey to have Emmalee. His blessings have been immeasurable and He still blesses us everyday. Once we read this verse, it seems more than perfect to describe our feelings toward Him constant stream of blessings and mercy.

Beautiful

"If beauty is all in the eye of the beholder,
then I am beholding true beauty"

I may be a biased mother, but this 10 week old angel is so beautiful.

First Father's Day

This past weekend was a big one for the Williams Family.

Thursday Brant called and said that his mother was going to be having exploratory surgery to determine the cause of some severe abdominal pain. So right after Emmalee's 2 month checkup, we headed off for Texarkana, AR. It was Emmalee's first roadtrip and she was a dream baby in the car...of course she had just had 2 shots and it made her a bit drowsy. She slept the whole way.

We spent the weekend in Texarkana splitting our time between Brant's parents' house and the hospital. The doctors have yet to determine the root cause of the pain, but Judy is at least feeling a bit better. She was discharged from the hospital Friday night. Kristie, Brant's sister, and Aeson, her son, went with us to Texarkana. Aeson loves Emmalee. All he wanted to do was hold her and give her a bottle. One night, he got to rock her to sleep.

We had our way back home Sunday, just in time to head over to Granda and Grandad's house for a Father's Day dinner with all of the family. In honor of Brant's first Father's Day, Emmalee wore her "Daddy's Little Girl" outfit because she definitely is his baby girl.

Brant has been such an amazing father and husband. Since I have gone back to work full-time, he picks Emmalee up from my sister's house as soon as he gets off. He usually have about an hour at home with her before I get home. Everyday I come home to find a happy baby just relaxing with her daddy. I love that he gets to have special time with her, and he loves it too. He loves playing on the floor with her and having tummy time. I love watching him with her. I can't wait to watch their relationship grow as Emmalee grows a bit older. I have a feeling this daddy is going to have a hard time saying "no" to this precious face!

The Best 2 Months

Oh my sweet Emmalee Caroline,
Today you are two months old and an absolute delight. Daddy and I still fall more and more in love with you each and every day.

You have started smiling and it melts my heart. You love to "talk" to momma, daddy and all of your toys. You just love laying down and playing on your flower mat. You have started to focus and concentrate on things - especially the ceiling fan. You love going outside and exploring new sights and sounds. You love your pacifier, but if you can find your thumb, you're happy with that too.

Momma just went back to work and right now, you stay with Aunt Cookie until Momma gets home. You have so much fun with your cousins. Kate loves to hold you and read books to you.


I usually wake you up around 7:30 in the morning so you can eat before we have to leave the house. You take a good morning nap, eat, play a little while, then take an afternoon nap. You have a bath every other night and you love bath time. You get so relaxed. You go to bed between 9 and 9:30, then wake up around 4 or 5 to eat. Luckily for me, you go right back to bed.

At your 2 month doctor visit, you weighed 11 lbs and 3 oz - you are in the 60% for your weight. You are 23 3/4" long - in the 95%! You wear 0-3 month clothes and size 1 diapers.

You are such a beautiful and happy little girl. You daddy and I are so lucky and blessed to have you as our daughter.

(this picture cracks me up because it looks like she is waving)

Great Weekend

Happy Monday!!! Well, at least I hope it is a happy Monday for everyone. If you life in DFW then it is a very happy Monday since the Dallas Mavericks won the NBA championship last night!!! What an exciting game it was and a well-earned victory over the Miami Heat! It made this little girl smile! (I know the picture is a bit blurry, but it was the first smile I was able to capture. I just love it!!!)

Well Emmalee and I have a wonderful weekend, even though we missed our daddy!

With Brant in California for the NCAA Super Regional games, his parents came to keep Emmalee and I company Friday night. It was great to have them here. They helped out around the house, doted all over Emmalee, and kept me company. I was so sad to see them leave.

Here is Emmalee relaxing with GrandBob.

Emmalee's first round at playing Patty-Cake with Nana.

I just love this picture.

Talk about doting grandparents!

Saturday evening, our dear friends Chad and Jalah were hosting a bbq at their home. Emmalee and I were so excited about going and we had a fabulous time. I promised Jalah I would bring a dessert, so what goes better with Texas bbq than a homemade peach cobbler? For those who asked, I posted the recipe at the bottom.

Emmalee and Momma getting ready to go to a BBQ Saturday evening.

Chad and Jalah, the wonderful hosts.

I love these girl so much
(Emily, Me, Jalah)

Everyone loved seeing Emmalee. This our friend, Nathan. He kept wanting to hold Em.

Sunday, Emmalee and I went to a cook-out with my parent's Sunday School class. It was great to have lunch and just relax with them. We pretty much just laid around the house and played the rest of the afternoon. Since DBU was playing last night on ESPN, Emmalee decided she should support the team from home.

I just love this little grin!
Unfortunately DBU didn't win their games, so they are coming home. We had high hopes to go to Omaha, but they still had a GREAT baseball season! The only good thing - our daddy is coming home!!!!

I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Super Easy Super Delicious Peach Cobbler:
(For a 9 x 13 pan)

Ingredients:
- 2 cans sliced peaches, drained
- 1 yellow cake mix
- brown sugar
- cinnamon
- stick of butter

Put the drained peaches in the bottom of the baking dish. Sprinkle with cinnamon and brown sugar (sprinkle to your preference.) Then cover with the yellow cake mix. Again, sprinkle top with cinnamon and brown sugar. Thinly slice the stick of butter and place on top of cobbler. I try to cover as much of the cobbler as I can. Bake for 20-30 minutes until cobbler is brown on top and ooey on top!

What's in a Week

Alot has happened in just one week. It feels like my world has turned a little upside down, and I'm trying to figure out how to get it right-side up! After an amazing 7 weeks at home with Emmalee, I had to go back to work on Tuesday and leave this sweet baby for the first time.


Luckily, the law firm I work for allowed me to start back only working 9 to 1. Since I'm only part-time, Sister is keeping Emmalee until I get home. Her cousins love having her at their house. The other day Amanda sent me this by text. Kate thought Emmalee needed story time.

She also gets to snuggle up to Connor and take naps.


But since I'm only working in the mornings, Emmalee and I get to have fun and play all afternoon. This sweet little girl just makes it all worth it.
However, leaving her is one of the most horrible things I've ever done. I hate it, but some type of income is needed. So, Brant and I have agreed that I should start looking for a new job - one that allows me to have a more flexible schedule and work from home at least part time. I have seriously considered keeping a few children in my home. I have always loved children and this would allow me to be with Emmalee, but also to love on other children and allow for social development for Em. I can honestly say that this past week Brant and I have been in constant prayer about what direction the Lord has for us and my work situation. This is definitely one prayer that I hope is answered quickly. I'll keep you posted!

Some other exciting news this week is that DBU won the Fort Worth NCAA regional tournament and is now playing in the California Super-Regional! This is DBU's first regional win and certainly a much-welcomed event! Brant and all of the athletic staff are now on the road to California to go cheer on the team on their journey to Omaha and the College World Series!
Since Brant is gone, that means that I'm playing the role of single mom. Luckily, Brant's parents came in town to help out. They were going to come down this weekend to spend time with Em anyways. My sweet mother-in-law made dinner for us last night so that I could just relax. It was so wonderful. I already have quite a few pictures from this weekend, so I'll post again soon!

I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend! We certainly plan on it!!!!!

Birthday Girl

Happy Birthday to my favorite 7 year old - Kate Alexa!!!!

As with all of my sister's children, I remember the day Kate was born. She was so precious and beautiful. So many of my family and friends say that Emmalee reminds them so much of Kate and I hope, with all of my heart, that Kate and Emmalee are dear friends, not just cousins.

Although today is Kate's birthday, it was also her last day of school so I knew it might be a crazy day. So yesterday Emmalee and I took Kate some Chick-Fil-A during her lunch at school. It was so cute to see her "showing-off" Emmalee to all of her friends. Kate is so infatuated with Emmalee and I love it!

Of course we also saw Aunt Cookie and Connor while we were there!!!

Unfortunately I have to go back to work Monday. Before Emmalee was born, we had agreed that 8 weeks would be a good time for me to be home. However, I didn't exactly plan on being home for a full week on bedrest. So although Emmalee is only 7 weeks old, I'm heading back. Luckily for me, my first 2 weeks are only going to be part-time. I will only 9-1 and Aunt Cookie will be watching Emmalee while I'm working. I have no doubt that my sister will love and care for my daughter just as I would.

So, since today is my last full mommy-daughter day, Emmalee and I have just been spending some special time together. We have sung together, played together, napped together and just enjoyed each other. Here are a few snap-shots of my favorite 7 week old!

Newborn Photos

I can't believe that it has taken me forever to post Emmalee Caroline's newborn photo pictures. Of course, the best photographer ever, Amanda Rooney, took them for us. She came to the house when EmC was only 4 days old and set up shop in the living room.

Here are a few of my favorites!

All about ME

I saw this yesterday's on Tricia's blog and thought it would be fun to play along. You should too!

I am...Ashley, aka "Ashley Gayle", "Grabbie", "Wages" (my maiden name), 'Momma", and "Babe".

I want...to grow more in love with my Heavenly Father

I have...a beautiful 6 week old daughter, Emmalee Caroline, a fabulous husband and an amazing family.

I wish...that we could afford for me to be a stay at home mom.

I hate...the thought of going back to work in less than 2 weeks.

I fear...tornadoes, snakes and spiders.

I hear...the TV and sweet sleeping baby on my shoulder.

I search...online for part-time jobs or jobs that will let me be at home more with Emmalee.

I wonder...what my sweet daughter will grow up to be.

I regret...being in college before I discovered what it meant to have a true relationship with my Savior.

I love...my family, my Savior, chocolate, shopping, scrapbooking, reading and playing the piano.

I ache...to watch every moment of my child's life. I fear that she will grow up way too soon.

I always...wear my seatbelt.

I usually...read before I go to bed.

I am not...looking forward to a hot Texas summer.

I dance...with Emmalee. She loves it!

I sing...to Emmalee almost every day. Brant and I made up a song just for her and I used to sing it to her while I was still pregnant.

I never...want to forget this time I've had at home with Emmalee...some of the sweetest days of my life.

I sometimes...think about what life would be like if I won the lottery (which I don't even play!)

I cry...when my heart is hurt or overjoyed....I cried ALOT when I was pregnant.

I am not always...patient.

I lose...my sunglasses all the time! I never remember where I put them!

I am confused...about the future. Is my job secure; will we ever afford for me to stay home; am I a good mother...

I need...to lose the last 15 pounds I have left over from pregnancy!

I should...go to bed!

The Life of a Homeowner

I love our home! Its a great size for us, its warm and cozy, in a great location and is simply perfect for our family. But any homeowner knows that things can always go wrong.

Awhile ago, the light burnt out on our garage door opener so Brant tried to fix it the other day. Well something went wrong and wires got moved around. When we tried to turn the light on, it blew a fuse and fried the opener motor. So we ended up having to get a whole new opener. Luckily, my husband and his dear friend, Derek, were able to install it.
Then today, I was washing dishes and a puddle of water began to pool at my feet. So I called for Brant. He discovered a nice hole in our garbage disposal. So it has to be replaced as well. Right now, I have a big blue bowl catching the water draining out everytime the water the water is run in the kitchen sink. This week it just seems like one home expense after another.


However, life is still sweet (no matter how many catastrophes you have) when you have a sweet baby girl this precious!

Today my nephew Connor had a field trip that Sister chaperoned. While she was gone, cousin Ethan came to play. He loves Emmalee. He kept kissing her on the head and laying down beside her to play. Emmalee is one loved little girl!