That Face!

I love this face!

Just a bunch of cute pics

Greetings! Time to update the blog. Since the last time I posted Annabelle has had another encounter with pinkeye. Boo. Poor thing seems to get any illness her classmates bring to class. Besides that we have been busy with everyday work and play. Here are some cute pics from the last couple weeks. Enjoy.

This week

This week's wrap up includes some pics that didn't actually happen this week. A friend was nice enough to take some photos of A at several previous outings with the playgroup (Thanks Tessa!). They are so good, I couldn't resist. In addition to those great shots there are a boatload of Instagram shots and some other random sillies.

Check 'em out!

Two little pumpkins by the front door

Too bad A looks stunned! At the Arboretum with the playgroup.

Morning playgroup- A was wide awake!

A and G. Sweet friends.

Rocking her new jammies.

Headed to the park. She definitely knows the way.

Petting zoo!

A and Mimi

Kisses for Daddy

John Stewart And Bill Maher

My husband has a great laugh. Really! He has one of those contagious laughs that you can't resist. If you get him really going it's almost impossible to not crack a smile and laugh along.

John Stewart and Bill Maher are two people that repeatedly make my husband chuckle. Every night Stephen tunes in to the Daily Show and on Fridays, The Bill Maher Show. It makes me so happy that these two comedians help my hubby relax and laugh during those very stressful weeks. It's a great break from his busy work life.

It's his "Moment of Zen" if you will! HEHE!

Lazy Days

Annabelle and I did not leave the house until after 3pm today. It was a lazy Sunday full of playing, cooking, cleaning and long naps. Sometimes those are the days that stick with you all your life.

Perfection, I say! That is all.

Night!

Neighbors

Like most areas around Lakewood our community has had a lot of positive transition. In the few years that we have lived here, we've seen our hood go from predominately older homeowners with no kids to mostly young couples with young children. It's been a really nice change especially since most of the kids are around Annabelle's age.

Lately, since the weather has been nice we have been having impromptu meetings in our cul-de-sac. All the kids go out and burn time/energy before dinner time. What a relief to all the parent during the "witching hour!"

I can only imagine what it will be like down the road but I hope that these kids stay close as they get older. What could be better than having good friends live right next door!

Calm Waters

White Rock Lake is beautiful in the morning. 7:45 AM and the waters are still and calm. The ducks are swimming around the boathouse, the SMU rowing team is out practicing and people are so happy out on the trail. I could not imagine a more peaceful place to run.

Also---side note, when you get to that last mile it never hurts to have beautiful distractions to get you through the pain!

Cheers.

New Tricks

My husband should thank Pinterest. My homemaking skills have greatly improved since I discovered the site. I now attempt to cook, I do lots of fun crafty stuff with Annabelle and have even thought about trying to make furniture for our living room. If you asked me to do any of those things a year ago I would have looked at you like you were crazy.

Thank goodness for inspiration and willingness to try new things.

Breaking Even

Every night there is a routine at the Nickles house. After A goes to bed I walk around and quickly put the house back in order. The toys go back to their rightful place, the dishes are cleaned and put away, the laundry is folded ect.

I could say that it was my way of getting a jump on the next day but that's not really the main reason I go through the routine. It's my way of breaking even. I don't have the perfect house on the block, it's not always clean. And, I could leave all the toys out on the floor. (God knows Annabelle is just going to pull each and every one of them back out first thing in the morning.)

No, it's not about getting ahead. It's about that two seconds where you feel relieved that you have a clean slate again. No more, no less.

Here's to breaking even.... good night!

The Grocery Store

Have you ever been in a grocery store at 7:30 AM on a Wednesday? I have. It's bliss! In fact any early morning on a weekday is bliss. Plenty of parking right up front, no people to dodge in the aisles and most importantly no check out lines. It's just you (baby) and the freedom to shop at your own pace. Fabulous!

I am posting this on the heels of a very busy trip to the grocery store. I know better than to shop on a Sunday at 4pm! Jeeze. Good thing it's all done (and we made it out safely.)

See you tomorrow.

College Football

....Or more importantly, a WINNING SEASON in SEC college football.

I come from a University that has a sketchy football background. The Gamecocks are best described as a wild card. We can be up 21-0 in the first half and then loose the game. Or we can come out of nowhere and beat the best team in the SEC!

Don't get me wrong I love my Gamecocks either way. But it's nice to have a winning football team in such a tough conference!

Cheers!

Forgiveness

Yes, I mess up sometimes. Shocking! Yesterday, was a good example- I forgot to post on my 31 days project. Oops!

Although embarrassing, my mishap is a good lead into my post today...Sometimes I just don't get it right. What can I say, I am a work in progress! It's times like this that I absolutely appreciate forgiveness.

So, sorry about the missing post yesterday. I promise to do better from now on. Forgive me?

Early Bed Time

I am incredibly grateful for those rare nights when Annabelle has an early curtain call. Tonight was one of those nights and it could not have come at a better time. After a busy day of parks, errands, story time ect. I am exhausted! So, this post is very simple and short because quite frankly I am headed to bed.... even if it's only 8pm!

See you tomorrow!

A Since of Wonder

Annabelle is my constant reminder of limitless possibilities. She has no boundaries and within most environments, trusts anyone. She wakes up and anxiously puts her right side of the brain to work making even the most mundane household objects exciting and fun.

How could I ever take this since of wonder for granted? It's amazing! Somewhere along the way I stopped asking how things worked. I didn't really even think about how simple and fun it can be to learn. Isn't that awful?

Anyway, today was a brilliant day. The weather was fantastic and we spent just about every minute outside exploring. In the spirit of 'appreciation' I let Annabelle take the lead today. I spent the day looking at the world through her eyes with less no's and more yes's. Her since of wonder and curiosity is contagious and absolutely entertaining.

I wish all of you an opportunity to experience the world through a toddler's eyes.

Cheers to 31 Days!

31 Days

I love doing logos. You likey?

I read about this 31 Day idea on a couple blogs. It's all about getting back to the basics of blogging. I love the idea... not because I am planning on linking up or advertising my blog but more because I love to write and be creative. It was a refreshing way to get refocused and inspired.

Like most blogs, 'A Little Nickles' was created to share a little bit of our family life with those that aren't around all the time. If you read the blog, you know that we aren't perfect by any means. Most of the time we are making it up as we go... Ha! But, we have fun and we have a great life.

I guess that is why I decided to do my 31 days of appreciation. Sometimes life gets busy and complicated and I forget to appreciate the little things in life. It's my own little piece of mind. I promise that I won't write long posts and I will still update on Annabelle. After all, she is our number one! I hope you enjoy!

Picture Time

Annabelle and her friends had a photo shoot this week compliments of little Miss Harper. The newest member of the 1 year old club had a photo booth at her birthday party. Naturally, all the playgroup Momma's insisted on group photos. Check 'em out below. Hilarious!

A Very Busy Week

Just a quick note since I haven't updated the blog in a few days. We have had such a fun week celebrating the 4th, our anniversary and Annabelle's first birthday. It went by so fast and I am going to do several posts to follow up on all the events.

First I want to thank all of our friends and family for helping us celebrate all week long. Mimi and Gramps came to visit early on in the week and they were kind enough to babysit so Stephen and I could go celebrate our anniversary. Aunt Steph, Uncle Bryan and Kinsey and Grayson came from Houston to celebrate A's birthday. AND all of our playgroup made it to A's party. It was a blast and I can't believe its over!

So, I hope you enjoy reading about our adventures last week. I may get a little sappy here and there.... after all my baby turned one! AHHH!

Cheers!

Trains!

Annabelle really likes watching trains... Or rather, hearing them. I have an app on my phone that makes sounds of animals and vehicles. Annabelle always makes her way to the picture of the train and smiles when the choo choo sound comes up. So cute! Anyway, I read about the Children's Medical Center having a nice model train exhibit. We were not disappointed! There were eight tracks and very elaborate displays. I think we will definitely visit again as she gets older.

Ear Tubes Surgery

Annabelle is no stranger to ear infections. She gets them about every 6 weeks and it usually takes about two weeks (2-3 different meds) and includes a vicious cold before she can get over them. Ridiculous! After we got home from Arizona we found out that Annabelle had yet another infection in her left ear. That was it. Stephen and I had enough and immediately called to schedule an ear tubes surgery. We knew that the surgery was inevitable but since the tubes normally only last 6-12 months our pediatrician had recommended to try and put it off so that we could get closer to allergy season in the Fall. Unfortunately, we didn't make it to the Fall but hopefully this will help Annabelle stay ear infection free for a little while. Poor thing!!

Anyway, the surgery was at Cooks Children's Pediatric Surgery Center in Plano. That's where our ENT has his office and it came highly recommended. Annabelle did great. The surgery was about 10 minutes in all and she came out of the anesthesia pretty quickly and without any significant issues. She was up and crawling around when we got home- no big down time. And.... I think she would have been completely back to a normal schedule had it not been for her little stomach bug. She contracted a little something prior to the surgery and struggled to keep anything down. Again... poor baby! She has had a very tough week. Slowly but surely we will all be back to normal soon!

Sick baby

Hanging with Dad before the surgery 

Wedding Festivities!

Uncle Phil tied the knot!! I still can't believe that he is old enough to get married. In my mind he will always be my little brother--- round about the age of 8! I guess I will have to get over it though because is he definitely married now and it was a superior weekend full of celebration. Here are a couple pics of the wedding (and pre wedding) festivities!

PS- there are more pics to be posted...check back later

Bridal luncheon at Arcadia Farms

The Bride

Mom getting the room ready for the Bridal luncheon

Cousins at the Rehearsal Dinner

Exhausted (11pm) after the rehearsal dinner

Bride and Groom

sibling love!

Sisters!

sweet couple!