13.1 miles never felt so good- 10 months

Picking out our tree was supposed to be magical this year with a child, right? Nada. December 4th- we picked out our tree at Incarnation Lutheran (Piper's daycare's church) and to say it was uneventful would be an understatement. We decided on the first one we saw. It was a great tree and we loved decorating it with all of our childhood ornaments as well as our wedding and new baby ornaments. I made Piper's PJs just in time to go pick it out! Womp womp.

We didn't get to spend Thanksgiving with Grant's dad so we traveled to Augusta on Dec 6th to see them and Aunt Gina and Uncle Tator Tot couldn't wait to get their hands on Piper. 

Brunch is always fun with Daddy. (Piper's 'pimp jacket' that her friend Collins gave her)

Piper is growing so much. At one week shy of her 10 month birthday she is literally popping out of her 9-12 month sized Christmas PJs. She didn't seem to mind. We spent a lot of time by the Christmas tree this year. I was concerned that Piper would want to pull up on the tree and pull on all of the ornaments and branches, but she didn't. She enjoyed looking at it, but that's about it. She touched a few ornaments but nothing more than that. We didn't have to secure our tree anymore this year than we ever have. What she loved was her Playschool Nativity set (Thank you, Birdie). She played with this most days and literally tried to put baby Jesus in her heart (try to eat him).  

 First time wearing Momma's jacket and I lost my hands. Not impressed, but so cute. (Dec 11th)

 December 13th Piper turned 10 months old and I ran my 3rd and hardest half marathon on Kiawah Island. It was one of those moments when I was overwhelmed with emotion with completing such a fete and could honestly be proud of myself. It was hard, like really hard. I didn't get to train for it like I had the others and I'm competitive. I didn't like that other beat me or ran past me, but I hadn't gotten farther than 6.2 miles in training because there hasn't been a day that I was voluntarily willing to give up more than 1 hour away from my baby girl. My legs ached so bad at mile 9 but I kept going. I knew this was about so much more than running a half marathon. It was proof that I could do it with a 10 month old. It was proof that if I put my mind to something, I will finish it. And it was proof that there is life after a child. My post present mostly perfect pictures but if there were constantly flashes going off around our life, my life, it wouldn't be so pretty. It's hard. I'm stressed out regularly. I love being a mother, but it makes it hard to be a good friend, sister, daughter, wife, employee, manager, leader, and servant of God. So Piper's 10th month birthday was perfect. It was so fabulous to spend it with her cousins, Aunt Sassy, Ben, Birdie, and Bogey (who kept all 3 while the rest of us did the half marathon- huge thanks to Bogey!!)

Always missing her left sock. Well both socks now. I can't decide if she hates wearing them or if she just really enjoys pulling them off. 

Piper and Avery equally love each other. I love watching how they interact and Avery says 'matching' whenever it is time to get dressed when Piper is around. Music to my ears. 

Brady is so good with Piper. He loves her so much and that couldn't make me happier. 

 Trying to get a good picture of these two means acting like a circus is going on behind the camera. These outtakes are too good!! Whoops!

When we got home I caught Piper walking around pushing my luggage. It was the perfect height for her and she is now on the move. 

Piper Grace- we love you so much. Time is flying by now and you keep us on our toes. You continue to sleep through the night every night and for that we are so thankful. You continue to get teeth and appear to have a couple more that are about to cut through. I think you are at 4 now (at 10 months). You have officially outgrown all of your 9 month clothes- you tub of love! You still love your bath and you have started to like your sippy cup more and more. You have also started to like having your lovey in your crib when you sleep as well as your Lily BlaBladoll.  

Your expressions have gotten more pronounced everyday. But you seem to have figured out the camera and don't pose as much as you used to. Shame. 

We love you to the moon and back.