Hydie Turns 1!

I can't believe my little Hydie Bug is already a year old! It seems like yesterday I was flying back to Mississippi to prepare for her arrival. She is such a blessing and I thank God every day that He blessed John and I with such a perfect little girl! Hydie is officially 21 lbs. and 30 inches long. She is standing alone quite a bit more now and I am thinking any day she will be taking those first steps. She has become such a beautiful LITTLE GIRL. John is finally giving me permission to say she is a little girl now instead of a baby. She definitely has her daddy wrapped around her little finger.
We had a very successful first birthday party! Hydie loved her cake and ice cream! She was too cute eating the polka dots off one by one. We can't thank everyone enough for all the gifts and helping with the party! She received so many fun toys, books, and well needed clothes! John and I bought Hydie a bounce house to play in during the long winters here. So all the kiddos had tons of fun jumping and playing in the ball pit. Well, John will be leaving again soon. We are very sad to have to say goodbye again (and this time it will be a pretty long goodbye) but we will make it through. To break up the time, Hydie and I will be coming to Mississippi for a few months visiting.

Christmas with Daddy

With John's work schedule this year, he won't be with Hydie and I for Thanksgiving or Christmas so we decided to do Christmas today. Since it is SO early in the season and we are having Hydie's birthday party here next weekend, I chose not to go all out and put up my normal Christmas decorations and such so we bought the little tree at the exchange yesterday that worked just fine. John and I had already done our gifts earlier this week so this morning was really all about Hydie. John got a new gun to shoot rabbits...he was like a little kid in a candy store the day we bought it...and I got a new cell phone (blackberry curve) so I can email with John while he's on the boat. I have been wanting a new phone for a long time and was thrilled to get a blackberry! Now for Hydie, Santa brought her a wagon and a Kelty Kids backpack carrier for she and John to go fishing this next summer. John and I got her a vsmile baby game system and games, blocks, a ball (her FAVORITE toy), and some books. She had so much fun opening the gifts and playing with everything. After opening gifts, we had the traditional breakfast casserole and waffles for breakfast. This was Hydie's first experience with breakfast casserole and she seem to really enjoy it! We will be doing "thanksgiving dinner" tomorrow. We will see how Hydie likes turkey and dressing!