Another one?! Why, thank you!

Another award... two in one week! Thank you to Nic over at Four Better, Four Worse for thinking of me for the Preppy Mafia Award. I was given this award for all the (adorable) pictures I take of my "little chunkers." Nic has a little chunkers herself, who happens to be only a few days younger than Abby.

So here's what I get to do... answer a few questions and pass the award on to a blogger I love. Drum roll please..... I'm going to pass my Preppy Mafia Award on to .... Tiffany over at The Florida Hogan's. Tiffany gives great reviews about different baby products and I love looking at the pictures of her two girls. They are so sweet! Her daughter Payten quite possibly has the cutest.... bedroom... EVER. Check out her page!

1) Who is your style icon(s)?

I honestly don't have one. I just wear what is comfortable nowadays. When I was working, I would dress up more often, but now that my job requires me to crawl around on the floor chasing after a baby, there is no point to be uncomfortable!

2) What is your favorite Socialite lit book?

Not so sure about this one. I agree with Nic (the Mama that awarded me this) that when you are unsure of an answer, say False or choose letter C. I'll go with False.

3) Favorite party theme?

Don't really have a favorite party theme... am I really getting the Preppy Mafia Award? So far, I haven't answered a single question! I guess if I were having a theme based party, I would just decorate with bright and bold colors. I would use flowers in funky vases to add to the mix.

4) Go in a Halloween costume?

Halloween is always fun, no matter what age you are. I love dressing up and being someone different for a night. I'm lucky that we attend a party each year for adults only, and we do come up with some creative costumes!

5) Extravagance you cannot go without?

Getting my hair done. Yet as I type this I have been way overdue for a highlight and cut... I'm talking months. There is something revitalizing about how you feel after your hair is just cut, colored, and styled... and it's now on my to do list!

6) Living person you admire?

This one is just way too hard. I admire a lot of my family and friends, all for different reasons. They are a huge part of my life! :)

7) Greatest fear?

I get so upset when Abby smashes a toy to her face or falls on her head trying to crawl. Seriously, I just can't take it! I worry about that little girl all the time. :)

8) Trait in yourself that you deplore?

Sometimes if I'm frustrated, overwhelmed, or simply tired, I take things out on other people. I don't mean to, but that's how I deal with those emotions. It's not right and I need to work on that.

9) What talent would you most like to have?

I'd love to be able to sing. I have been singing since I was little and it just never gets better! I know I can't sing, but I sing along to everything. My hubby mutes the commercials sometimes just so I can't sing along with a jingle. Sad. I hope Abby loves to sing as much as her Mama... I just hope she sings better! :)

10) Greatest achievement?

Having a baby. Need I say more?

Thank you again Nic for thinking of me! I love that family and friends enjoy catching up on my blog and take the time out to read it each day.

Let's go back ...

... to the year 2004. The year I met the "hot baseball player." That's what my friends referred to him as anyways. (rightfully so) I'm not going to bore you with the whole how we met story, or the long distance relationship that followed after baseball season ended that summer. I just stumbled across some old pictures that gave me a good laugh today and thought I'd share them.

That summer of 2004, I met the man that would change my life. At that time, I had no clue that the so called "hot baseball player" would change my life in such a wonderful way. Jim is my best friend, the husband I always dreamed of and hoped I would have one day, and a loving Daddy to our little girl, who just loves him to pieces!

First picture of the two of us...

This pic is when Jim was going through his "Bad Boy" stage.

Notice the lip ring... just one among a few piercings.

November 9, 2007 ... Together Forever :)

"I'd like to thank...."

Since joining the D-List Blog Party, my blog has gained some new followers and I have found some blogs that I really enjoy reading. One in particular, Webbisodes, has grabbed my attention. It seems that me and the Mama of that blog (Shannon) have a lot in common. We both have one baby, a girl, with the middle name of Grace. They are only a month apart. Both babies are chunky monkeys and absolutely adorable. Shannon and her hubby are Florida natives. Get it yet? So naturally, I enjoy catching up on Shannon's blog each day.

Anyway.... Shannon awarded me (along with others) an award over the weekend. This is my second blogging award, yay! Thank you Shannon for thinking of me! :) The Versatile Blogger Award is passed along to bloggers that are known to be flexible, adaptable, and talented. Wow, me? I'd like to think that, but not so sure I possess these qualities all the time. I'd like to say I'm flexible and adaptable, especially because that is a huge part of our lifestyle. Being a part of baseball, the hubby and I face many situations where these qualities could make or break us. Talented... let's see... I'm a decent shopper, can make a tasty Italian soup in the crock pot (yes, I know that's not really cooking), and after becoming a Mama, I've learned how to multitask quite well.

So thank you Shannon for visiting my blog and for sending me this award! I would also like to pass this award on to a few bloggers I have recently discovered. Blogs like these keep me reading everyday! :)

Nic @ Four Better Four Worse

Torie @ Life With Rylie

Julie @ Farber Family Adventures

An almost perfect day ...

Doughnuts made for a yummy way to kick off this beautiful Saturday! Such a simple indulgence can always put a smile on my face. Unfortunately, this Mama always has a sweet tooth and indulges in sweets a bit too much!

Then it was off to Emily's softball game. The weather was perfect and it was great to spend some time out in the sun. Em did a great job, pitching the whole game and getting a homerun! Abby had fun playing in the grass, watching everyone around us, and she even helped Justin keep score. Abby just loves her cousins!

A rare picture of Mommy & Abby. I'm usually the one behind the camera,

but not this time!

After an afternoon nap, Abby is ready to go again. She LOVES the walker Gramma bought for her. She ZOOMS across the front porch, chasing Max from one end to another. Not sure why we are encouraging walking, but she has so much fun and she keeps us laughing!

To end the night, we had dinner with the whole family. It's always so special to sit down and share a meal together. Aunt Heather spoiled Abby with some ice cream for dessert, while Max was probably thinking, "that used to be me until she came along." Poor dog ... we still love you, I promise.

If only all days could be like this ... beautiful weather, great fun, and sharing time with family. I only wish Jim could have been here to share this day with us. So until next time, it was just an almost perfect day.

The 9 Month Rundown

Sweet Abigail Grace turned 9 months old today. It's been a whirlwind around here the past few days. I've been packing up the apartment in Baltimore and getting ready to head home to Sarasota for a few months. ::Thanks Mom and Dad graciously for all their help::

I'm looking forward to spending some quality FAMILY time together while Jim rehabs his elbow. Although an injury at the beginning of the season isn't what you want to hear, I think it's God's way of giving us some more time together ... as a family. I am anxious to see what is in His plan for the future, and I pray that we will be able to return to Baltimore in just a few months.

Grandad takes a break from packing and

moving furniture to ... babysit?!?

Because I feel like being a slacker tonight, here is "The 9 Month Rundown." Here it goes...

Baby Abigail Grace, at 9 months old you are ...

* 20 pounds! (75th percentile)

* 27 inches long (40th percentile)

* Smiling and laughing at just about anything

* Rolling over from place to place

* Scooting backwards

* Up on hands and knees, trying to crawl/walking with assistance

* Reaching out to touch Max

* Saying "Da-Da" over and over again

* Imitating sounds/clapping and saying "yayyyy"/waving/shaking head from side to side

* Sleeping on back, but mostly on tummy or side now

* Wearing size 3 diapers

* Drinking 4 bottles a day (5-8 ounces)

* Eating solids 2 to 3 times a day and loving everything! (does it look like you miss a meal?)

* Picking up finger foods

* Taking 2 naps a day and sleeping 11-12 hours at night (approx. 7pm-7am)

* Sporting a toothless grin

*Crying every car ride that lasts longer than 10 minutes :(

Baby Abby, Mommy is also teaching you how to "dance" and "give kisses." You give me so many reasons to smile and laugh. I love being home with you and seeing how you change from day to day. I am so looking forward to these upcoming months. I love you!

You're invited... Blog Party 2010!

My bestie invited me to the Blog Party 2010, and yes there really is such a thing! Here's some background. A few weeks ago, she stumbled upon the D-List and passed this website on to me. It's a website designed for mommy bloggers, to communicate and share the ups and downs of parenthood. Every week the website features five new blogs, which gives you a chance to find other bloggers to follow along on their journey of being a Mama.

If you'd like to join in the fun, go ahead and see what it's all about!

Whether you are a daily reader or perhaps a new reader from the Blog Party, I thank you for visiting my blog and hope you enjoy reading what our family is up to. For those of you that know me, you can skip through the introduction.... but those of you that are new to my blog, here is a quick rundown of my life!

Name is Liz. Love taking pictures, eating pizza and sippin' sweet tea. Chocolate is my favorite. Married to a great man who would do anything for me or his little girl. Live in sunny Sarasota, Florida with our dog Max. Used to teach third grade, but became a stay at home mom when Abby was born. Hubby plays professional baseball, so we travel to be with him during the season. Sometimes life gets real crazy. I have faith in God, that he will give me the strength I need to get through life when it does get crazy. Our family is spread all over the country, which is why I started this blog. I love my family. If it wasn't for all their continued support, I don't know where I'd be. Most of all, I love the family my hubby and I have created and I look forward to the fun, challenges, and LOVE that our family will share over the years.

So... welcome to Tickled PINK! Thanks for stopping by :)

Rubber Ducky + Water + Bubbles = FUN!

After a long day, there is nothing better than relaxing in a tub full of warm water and lots of bubbles. Add a glass of wine and it's perfect. Well ... add a rubber ducky for Abby and we're all set and ready to play! Abby and Mommy always love bath time, so tonight I decided to take some pictures of the fun.

Abby is full of smiles, giggles, and crazy hairdos!

Sweet, cuddly, and silly time after a bath.

When Abby was about a month old, I started giving her a bath every night. I wanted to make it a routine, so she would know what was coming next... sleep! There's something that is so calming about a clean smelling baby in pajamas, cuddly with Mommy, and ready for bed. I'm completely convinced that now Abby knows bath time is the start of our nighttime routine. We play, sing songs (well I sing... not so good might I add), and laugh together. Abby lets me know when she's had enough ... she'll wipe her eyes (sleepy) or when I say "All done?" she will put her arms out to me when I reach for her. Then there are some nights, like tonight... where I pull her out of the tub, even though she's not fully ready and she is NOT happy! But in the end, I get to cuddle with a happy baby, ready for bed.

Tonight she actually fell asleep in my arms. This doesn't happen often these days, so I soaked it up for a few minutes before placing her in the crib. I love that we get to share these moments together. Bath time is kinda our thing and it never gets old. :) If only I could fit in a bubble bath for myself every night .... now that would be a perfect way to end each day!

This one's for Da-Da

Good morning Daddy! Abby and I love and miss you ... can't wait to see you!

Pity Party for One....

... or three if you count not only me, but the frozen pizza and chocolate too. Yesterday I was just in one of those moods, where I felt the need to throw myself a little pity party. Did it help me? Not at all. I still felt the same way afterwards and I consumed way too many calories.

The month of May has been full of ups and downs... and a lot of uncertainty. I am totally a planner ... I like to know what I'm doing ahead of time and I'm not a fan of unexpected changes. Enter baseball. You never know what tomorrow will bring, you know nothing is ever guaranteed, and you are aware that everything can change in a second. This goes completely against my need for a plan! In the beginning years of baseball, this was all new to me, exciting, and I anticipated the unexpected. Now, with a baby, my perspective has changed just a bit. Yet, with everything we've been through season after season, baseball has impacted our life for the better.

During baseball season, being apart from each other is the hardest part. Road trips sometimes seem like eternity, especially with a baby added into the mix. Although it's difficult sometimes, I think this helps the hubs and I appreciate each other more. I appreciate Jim for having a job that allows me to stay home with Abby. I appreciate his hard work, dedication, and love for the game. In return, I hope that Jim appreciates me for the mother I've become. Even though it's stressful and tiring at times ::checks the bags under eyes, yup, still there:: I always give Abby my best effort. I try to remind myself that the road trips aren't just hard for the Mama left behind, but also for the Daddy who misses his girls.

This being our first baseball season with child, I decided to take part in the bible study with the other baseball wives. I'm not sure why I haven't in the past, but this year, I felt like I needed it. We come together every two weeks to discuss the book we are reading, "Calm My Anxious Heart" by Linda Dillow. Not only am I reading the book at the most perfect timing imaginable, but it's great to listen to these women, that are all in the same situation as me. We are going to learn about contentment together, focus on the positives around us, and push those negative thoughts out of our heads. Right?! Well we are going to practice this.... and try our best! :) I'm so lucky to be part of this baseball family... these baseball wives have become friends, friends that are strong in their faith and are willing to help when an unexpected situation arises.

Even though I sometimes feel and look like this frazzled Mom, I am so blessed to have this life. I have a loving husband, a baby girl I completely adore, and the uncertain life of baseball is an added bonus. I wouldn't change it for the world! :)

Please keep Jim in your thoughts as his elbow heals. We are praying for a speedy recovery, without surgery!

Who me? Mommy?

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mamas out there! What a special day ... a day to recognize all the love and devotion a mother gives to her children. Today was technically my first Mother's Day, although Jim and I also celebrated last year when I was pregnant with Abby.

I was thankful that I got to see my hubby last night and this morning, before he headed to Sarasota. Abby and I spent the day with family, enjoying our first Mother's Day together. It was also extra special to spend this day with MY Mama... we haven't spent a Mother's Day together in four or five years!

Not only today, but EVERYDAY, I thank God for this special little girl. Our family is so blessed to have a healthy, beautiful baby that we can call our own. Abby is a special part of our lives and I have been truly blessed to know the feeling of being a mother. There is NOTHING in the world like it! I love the way those little eyes light up when she sees me walk into the room. I love the way she flashes me a smile or gives me a belly laugh when I do something funny. I love the way she plays with my hair and feels my face when I feed her a bottle at night. Most of all, I love looking at this little sweet face and thinking... "Me?? I'm lucky enough to be your Mommy? Really?!" Even through the restless nights (few and far between these days), crankiness when naps are too short, or the new tantrum meltdowns, there is nothing I don't love about having a baby. I love you Abby Grace! :)

"A daughter is a gift of love." - Author Unknown

Abby really wants to walk ... Mama is NOT ready for this just yet!

Country Livin'

Lucky for me, when Jim is on the road or out of town, I am able to come back to my roots and enjoy a little bit of country livin'! It's a true blessing to be near family during baseball season. The closeness allows us to be together for almost as much time as when we are apart during the offseason.

There is something special about being back in the country. Maybe it's the smell of fresh cut grass, the sound of the buzzing bumblebees, or the way the wind blows just right through the trees. Or my favorite... the way you can tell what time it is because the church bells play a song at 9, noon, 3, and 6. Whatever it is, the country is such a special place to call "home."

Abby loves spending time at Gramma and Grandad's house, especially time outside. There is just so much to see! She plays on the front porch and just waits for something to catch her eye. It doesn't take long before she's watching the birds fly off the birdhouse, the bumblebees whizzing by, or the trees swaying in the breeze. Abby and Gramma enjoyed a lot of time outside yesterday soaking up the beautiful weather! They watched and fed the chickens, smelled flowers, and Abby even got to swing with Gramma. While they played, I sat back and played with my camera. The black and whites are pictures of the old chicken coop that my parents once shared with the neighbors.

Yesterday was a special day, a time to remember my childhood and appreciate the wonderful place I will always call home.

Love, LOVE, L-O-V-E!!!

If you have a little girl, then you know all about the necessity of hair bows. Abby was introduced to hair bows right from the start, since she was born with a full head of hair. (See picture in post below) Aunt Melinda, a southern gal and Queen of the Hair Bows, gives us bows to match outfits, bows for each holiday, and even bows that are monogrammed. Then there is Mandy. A friend of mine who was inspired by her girly girl daughter to start her own business. She makes super cute bows, bowbands, diaper wipe cases, and more. Check her out! Thanks to these two ladies, my love for bows has gotten a bit out of control. :)

Back in November, Aunt Melinda showed me this adorable bow holder on Etsy. I'm secretly and Etsy junkie, I'm on this site looking for baby things EVERY DAY. It really could get a stay at home Mom in serious trouble ... or maybe my husbands wallet in serious trouble.

Anyway, I procrastinated and didn't buy this bow holder until the beginning of April and I just got it in the mail yesterday. I Love, LOVE, L-O-V-E this thing! It's so girly girl, the colors are just right for Abby's room, and it should hold *most* of her bows. (We have A TON!) You can check out Monica's things over at Addalilcharm. Great Esty shop! :)

The bows clip onto the ribbons on the tutu.

Seriously, can this be any sweeter?!

Lets talk hair.

How about a random posting this beautiful Sunday morning about my daughter's hair? Sure. Why not?! First of all, if you remember back to when she was first born, Abby was covered with BLACK hair. At first, I was totally taken back by this and wanted her to wear a hat at all times. I know, how could I think that?! After a short time, I fell in love with the crazy amount of black hair she had and now of course, I miss it!

Now, Abby has the hair that any woman would die for. It has natural highlights, with the right shades. I mean, us women pay for hair like this!! She has several brown shades and a few blonde hairs thrown in. I know it won't stay like this, that it's still changing everyday, but I love it.

Abby's newborn hair... in case you forgot :)

So, which shade do you think will stay?? 1. Blonde, it's actually almost white. 2. Dark Blonde/Golden Brown. 3. Medium Brown or in this case, we'll call it Chestnut. 4. Dark Brown, or shall we say Mahogany? What do you think? Against my wishes ( I LOVED her dark black hair), I'm going with choice number ..... 1.

Hello Sunshine ... stay awhile!

Today was the most beautiful day we've had since arriving in Baltimore. The sun was shining bright with pretty, blue skies. It was warm, but there was a breeze coming off the water. Since it was a great day to be outside, we took full advantage of enjoying the sunshine.

Of course, Mama had to have a mini photo shoot before going outside. This adorable black and white bubble outfit was given to Abby from her Aunt Heather and cousin Emily!

Our apartment building has a spacious courtyard with a beautiful garden. It was a perfect place to put a blanket down and play in the warm sun. When our pool opens, I'm sure we will be spending more time there too!

Always having a fun time with Daddy!

Abby attempting to crawl... she wants to so bad!!

The sunshine definitely helped us get through this day. It's been a tough one for us. As many of you know, Jim was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. He will be there to work on his pitching and when he is ready, he will return to Baltimore. Thanks to everyone for your kind words and prayers. God has a plan and for some reason (unsure of that reason as of now) this will lead to bigger and better things for our family! A dear friend said today, "Every setback is a setup for an even GREATER comeback."