Happy 1/2 Birthday, Gracie!

And just like that, my little monkey is 6 months old!  She loves chewing on her hands, grabbing her feet, and playing in curtains.  She loves to laugh and smile, and she thinks her dogs are the funniest things in the world.  She is constantly rolling over, so we have to keep a watchful eye on her.  She can sit unassisted for a good period of time but she prefers to stand.  I swear this girl is going to walk before she crawls.  Her favorite thing to do is bounce/jump.  She loves to grab everything and put it in her mouth {toys, mommy’s necklaces, spoons, paper, and more), except bananas or avocado.  Her favorite foods are peas, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash; she is not a fan of apples.  She lights up when she sees Mom and Dad.  She is approximately 17 pounds of pure happiness, and is the light of my hubby’s and my world.  Happy ½ birthday, my darling girl. Your daddy and I love you to infinity and beyond.

Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas!!

Love, The O'Neils

Christmas Eve Festivities!

"'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house 

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; 

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, 

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; 

The children were nestled all snug in their beds; 

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads."

Merry Christmas Eve!  It's hard to believe that Christmas is tomorrow, and it's Gracie's 1st Christmas!  Even though she will only be 6 months on the 30th, she has more presents under the tree than anyone else :)  We definitely spoil our little girl, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

This year is a little unconventional, as my hubby and I are hosting Christmas Eve dinner tonight!  This is the big celebration in my family, and for the past 40+ years, Mom and Dad have always hosted; Dad makes his famous spaghetti and meatballs that he learned from his Italian god father many years ago.  Recently, some very exciting things have happened that gave hubby and I the opportunity to take on the family tradition and host.  My Daddy got married!!!  I absolutely love his wife, my stepmom, and I am beyond happy they found each other.  More of that in a later post though :)  Since they recently got hitched, and are moving in together and settling in, my house is the party house this year for tonight's festivities.  Dad is still cooking though (phew!).

I am so excited for tonight.  As I said, Christmas Eve is our big shindig...lots of wine, laughter, Christmas music, more laughter, and this year, BABIES!!!!!!  We have four babies in the family who will be celebrating their first Christmas Eve and Christmas this year...my Gracie, my cousin's daughter who was born 10 days after Gracie, and my other cousin's twin boys who are 6 months older than Gracie.  We cannot wait to see their little faces light up :)  And I have a super cute Christmas Eve dress for Gracie to wear :)

With that said, I am going to leave a few pictures of our happy girl here for you to enjoy:

Gracie's 1st time meeting Santa

Sweeter than a Gingerbread Latte (onesie courtesy of @perfectlysparkledd)

Head Elf (onesie courtesy of @perfectlysparkledd)

Our happy girl :)

She was absolutely fascinated by the lights

Her stocking made by her cousin...it's HUGE!!!

Always smiling

She loves her doggies and they love her

My family <3

Gracie's Newborn Shoot

I'm very late in posting this, but better late than never right??  We had Gracie's newborn shoot when she was just 6 days old, and I couldn't be more in love with her and these photos.  Thank you to SisterLee Photography for capturing such precious moments.  Gracie is now nearly 3 months old, and has already changed so much {another post to come on that later}.  But in the meantime, enjoy some of our favorite photos from her newborn shoot :)

My favorite picture ever <3

40 Week Bumpdate! Happy Due Date!!

How far along:  40 weeks!!  Happy Due Date!!!!

Baby is the size of a(n):  jackfruit

Total weight gain/loss:  + 20.4 lbs

Maternity clothes:  Nothing new!

Sleep:  Very good actually!

Best moment this week:   Learning that I'm already 3cm dilated, 50% effaced, and a -2 station!  She's on her way!  Doctor thinks it will happen naturally by sometime early next week (yay for no need to induce!)

Baby Movement:  Lots of movement still, especially at night, but she is running out of room and getting much stronger.

Cravings:  The watermelon cravings continue!

Missing anything:  What it's like to not have heartburn :-P

Pregnancy symptoms:  Heartburn, constant bathroom breaks, Braxton Hicks, and difficulty bending over to tie my shoes when I go walking.

Showing yet:  BIG BELLY!

Labor signs:  Constant contractions, dilation, and effacement.  It's just a matter of time now!

Belly button in or out:  Outtie!

Wedding rings on or off:  On!

Looking forward to:  My birthday tomorrow, and hopefully meeting Grace this weekend or very early next week!!!

Previous Baby Bumpdates

If you want to see more, check our my other bumpdates below!

/ pregnancy announcement / journey to pregnancy / 12 weeks /13 weeks / 14 weeks / 

/ 15 weeks / 16 weeks / 17 weeks / 18 weeks / 19 weeks / 20 weeks /

/ 21 weeks / 22 weeks / 23 weeks / 24 weeks / 25 weeks / 26 weeks / 27 weeks /

/ 28 weeks / 29 weeks / 30 weeks / 31 weeks / 32 weeks / babymoon / 33 weeks /

/ 34 weeks / pink and sparkly baby shower / 35 weeks / 36 weeks /

/ nursery reveal / 37 weeks / maternity photos / 38 weeks / 39 weeks /

39 Week Bumpdate!

How far along:  39 weeks!!  ~1 to go!

Baby is the size of a(n):  pumpkin or watermelon

Total weight gain/loss:  + 19.4 lbs

Maternity clothes:  Nothing new!

Sleep:  Good actually!  But I usually wake up around 3am to pee.

Best moment this week:   Being on maternity leave!  Haha.  I've been quite productive...cleaning the house, purging and reorganizing the pantry/kitchen, finishing the last bit of Grace's laundry, installing a new shower caddy (hubby installed the new shower head), and running a ton of errands.

Baby Movement:  She's moving a lot still, but running out of room to do so!  Her movements are now tight and deliberate, and I can feel all her limbs.  She's ready.

Cravings:  Watermelon is still my go-to!

Missing anything:  What it's like to not have heartburn :-P

Pregnancy symptoms:  Heartburn, constant bathroom breaks, and Braxton Hicks.

Showing yet:  It looks like a swallowed a watermelon or torpedo!  #torpedobelly

Labor signs:  Braxton Hicks, hips widening and pelvic pressure.

Belly button in or out:  Outtie!

Wedding rings on or off:  On!

Looking forward to:  Meeting Grace, hopefully sooner rather than later!!!  We're ready for her!

Previous Baby Bumpdates

If you want to see more, check our my other bumpdates below!

/ pregnancy announcement / journey to pregnancy / 12 weeks /13 weeks / 14 weeks / 

/ 15 weeks / 16 weeks / 17 weeks / 18 weeks / 19 weeks / 20 weeks /

/ 21 weeks / 22 weeks / 23 weeks / 24 weeks / 25 weeks / 26 weeks / 27 weeks /

/ 28 weeks / 29 weeks / 30 weeks / 31 weeks / 32 weeks / babymoon / 33 weeks /

/ 34 weeks / pink and sparkly baby shower / 35 weeks / 36 weeks /

/ nursery reveal / 37 weeks / maternity photos / 38 weeks /

38 Week Bumpdate!

How far along:  38 weeks!!  ~2 to go!

Baby is the size of a(n):  watermelon {yum!}

Total weight gain/loss:  + 19.4 lbs

Maternity clothes:  Nothing new!

Sleep:  It's ok.  I'm getting restless switching from my right side to my left side all night.

Best moment this week:   My hubby setting up the bassinet in our bedroom, which is where Grace will sleep in the beginning :)  We are now officially ready!!!  We also set up our little lullaby swing (which is amazing and I wish they made something like that for adults!).  AND...IT WAS MY LAST WEEK OF WORK!!!  AS OF TODAY, I'M OFFICIALLY ON MATERNITY LEAVE!!  WOOHOO!

Baby Movement:  She's still quite the wiggle worm!

Cravings:  I still can't get enough watermelon!  Mmmm.

Missing anything:  Sleeping on my tummy and back.

Pregnancy symptoms:  Heartburn, constant bathroom breaks, and Braxton Hicks.

Showing yet:  Yep!  She's all belly, sticking our forward, and she's starting to make her descent toward my pelvic area!

Labor signs:  Braxton Hicks, although that's not really a "labor sign" per se since they are false contractions.  It's basically my uterus practicing contracting for the real deal.

Belly button in or out:  Outtie!

Wedding rings on or off:  On!

Looking forward to:  Meeting our daughter and telling her how much we love her for the very first time :)

Previous Baby Bumpdates

If you want to see more, check our my other bumpdates below!

/ pregnancy announcement / journey to pregnancy / 12 weeks /13 weeks / 14 weeks / 

/ 15 weeks / 16 weeks / 17 weeks / 18 weeks / 19 weeks / 20 weeks /

/ 21 weeks / 22 weeks / 23 weeks / 24 weeks / 25 weeks / 26 weeks / 27 weeks /

/ 28 weeks / 29 weeks / 30 weeks / 31 weeks / 32 weeks / babymoon / 33 weeks /

/ 34 weeks / pink and sparkly baby shower / 35 weeks / 36 weeks /

/ nursery reveal / 37 weeks / maternity photos /