My Special Day

Today, 31 years ago, a recovering hippy and a Gman, drive somewhere in Northern Arkansas to pick up their new baby. It was a beautiful autumn day, hence my name, Autumn. Which is nice because they were going to call be Winder Dawn...hmmm. My father gave me the middle name Nicole and my first last name Ivy. What a wonderful page in God's plan. Thank you mom and dad for being open this day to the Lord's leading. Happy Special Day to you two too!

This is the picture my parents were sent when they were notified about me.

I was 2.5 months old and huge. My foster mother feed me cereal already with a infa-feeder. Remember those? I was put on a diet as soon as my new pediatrician meet me.

Here is me in the car with my mom.

The Balance a Daddy Brings

I overwork my mind sometimes trying to make sure I am raising and training Ziva in such a way that is balanced. Lots of fun but lots of learning. Balance in her diet. Balance in her sleep patterns, etc, etc, etc. What I love is that it just isn't about me. The perfection that only the Lord can provide is wonderful. Jason bought Ziva these glow in the dark sticks and took her out in the dark the other night. They both had a blast. It was something new for her and she ate it up. I can't explain how much fun she was having and at the same time I knew her mind was expanding. Best of all, she was loving hanging out and playing with her daddy. It was awesome. He just does these wonderful things with her I would never think of but are so great for her. It's no wonder when he is at work she asks where he is and wants him home. They both fill up my heart. Thank you Lord!!!!

Now these pictures are blurry. I wanted the full effect of the dark. These were taken when they came inside and turned out all the lights.

Ziva is leaning back against Ziva to the right of the picture.

This is just Ziva.

Just Z again.

Z is on the left and Jason on the right, but if you look you can see where Z leaned down for a moment.

Z's Halloween Sucker

Halloween 2009

Forgoing the usual cutesy, girly costumes. I took one of my only chances to dress my child up as whatever I wanted to dress her up as...A CHICKEN! I loved the idea. No one else seemed to. Huh, whatever. 27 feet of white feather boas later my Ziva is too cute to peep!

Right after wrestling her into her costume. Seriously, we had to. That and bribe her with candy.

Trick-or-Treat.
After she got the hang of it, Ziva seemed to really enjoy herself. At this door she got mad because no one answered. She almost wouldn't leave.

They were too cute together! They had so much fun. I loved getting to hang back and watch them!

This little boy wanted to take Ziva home with him. As soon as Ziva "answered" the door, he was spell bound. He actually turned around to his mother and told her that Z was so pretty. We didn't think he was going to leave. The funny part was that Z didn't know what to do with him.

Z's newest reaction to having her picture taken.

"So you dress me like this then expect me to share. No way!"

Sorting out her candy.

Arkansas Trip/Fall 2009 - Random Pictures

Going with Poppy to the swings.

Swingin' and cheesin' with Nanny.

Carolyn Pugh and Z

The best and only posed smile Ziva did for pictures on the trip.

My parents have a storm door and Z loved looking out of it.

Arkansas Trip/Fall 2009 - A Night with the Browns

Ziva and I also got to spend a night in Lowell with the Browns. Almost everyone got to drive in visit. It was a very nice time. Too short but very nice.

Ziva and Gran Jan

Z and Grandpa Brown

Ziva wanted to be outside all day...

...no matter how cold she got.

Can't really tell but she was shivering.

Reading to Julia

The Kids watching TV

Julia

Ziva running from Julia as Julia chases after the Cheerios in the snack trap that she thinks is hers.

Aunt Katy's conversation was as lively as ever.

Pops teaching Z how to jump big.

Jaxon's turn.




Okay so this picture was not planned. Jaxon was trying to hug Ziva and this is how it turned out. I thought it looked like those pictures in the 80s that we took with our siblings. So I had to "doctor" it up for humor sake.

Julia picking and packing to go.

Arkansas Trip/Fall 2009 - Fella Kids

A trip to Arkansas wouldn't be complete without visiting the Fella Families. It was sad that Jason couldn't be there to hangout with his friends. It was awesome for me to see the wives and for the kids to visit with each other. The night was full of yummy food, laughter, surprises (or wanna be surprises) and lots of fun.

Kate Walker, Mia Walker, Z, and Ashlen Cate

Feeding them was the only way we could get them to stay in one place long enough to take a picture.

In my mind, this picture is symbolic. Of what? I have no clue, still I feel it is.

The best picture of the night.

Chad, Jay and Greg missing the others.

Lastly, congrats to Jay and Sarah on y'all's engagement!

We welcome a new Fella woman to make the group complete. We are praying for a wonderful marriage and a happy life together for you.

Arkansas Trip/Fall 2009 - Devil's Den Part V

My past post for Devil's Den is in honor of Ziva's first marshmallow. No, it's not "roasted." We just wanted her to try them out first.

So you want me to try this?

Okay, here I go.



Mmmm, I like it.

Ziva's reaction when asked to share. Her dad gets the same look when he is asked to share.

Arkansas Trip/Fall 2009 - Devil's Den Part IV

These next pictures are just pictures of the park. More for us to look at later and remember how much we miss places like this. Please don't judge my photography. I am not a nature photographer. Honey, the first picture is just for you!!

Arkansas Trip/Fall 2009 - Devil's Den Part III

I was given the task of getting good pictures of Ziva. That seems to be all her daddy is requesting. Well, that and get some pictures posted on the blog. I tried, but in my defense I have to say that Ziva is over smiling for the camera. It seemed the only times she would smile was when she was swinging or not looking at the camera. She has mastered making faces at the camera.

Swinging smile.

Not looking smile...sort of.

How's this for a smile mom?

Or how about this?

Hiding her smile. Where did she learn this!?!

Arkansas Trip/Fall 2009 - Devil's Den Part II

A few years ago the valley of Devil's Den flooded and the bridge and play area had to be replaced. This is the "newish" bridge. I am totally surprised that I got Ziva to get up on it let alone hang out on it. She enjoyed watching the water, but wouldn't let me go to far from her.

"Look Waaer!"

"Waaer!"

"Mor Waaer."

Arkansas Trip/Fall 2009 - Devil's Den State Park

Poppy and Nanny were so gracious to get a cabin for a couple of days at Devil's Den. It was so awesome and lots of fun. Thanks Y'all! Here are a couple of random pictures from this part of trip.

Where we stayed.

A big leaf...I'm easily amused.

Ziva "roughing" it.

Ziva in front of the falls...oh you can't see them...well take that up with her.

As close as she would get to the water falls. She did not like it and therefore kept trying to escape.

Raining Leaves

Arkansas Trip/Fall 2009 - Creekmore Park

Okay so first off this post is out of order. Not sure how this happened but it did. This obviously happened after we arrived in AR. Not that it really matters. It just drives me crazy when this happens and I'm too lazy to fix it.

I got to take Ziva to one of my favorite parks in Fort Smith AR. Jason and I lived with in walking distance from it when we lived in Fort Smith. I do miss it because it is a very nice park. I did enjoy getting to share it with Ziva. I think she enjoyed it too. Only thing missing was Daddy.

Let's go!

Here...

...I...

...Go!

This place is fun...check out letters in background...not on purpose.

The wrong way to come down a slide.

That's better!

All Smiles

Up a Creek with out a Paddle

"Bug!"

Come on. Let's go!

Arkansas Trip/Fall 2009 - The Car Ride

Ziva did well on the trip. About as well as a 21 month old can do two days in a car. It was interesting how she entertained herself some of the times.

Chillin'

We stopped in the Mississippi Delta area just down from Memphis over night. So nothing made more sense than chowing down on some fried catfish.

Taking a break to stretch our legs.

Arkanss Trip/Fall2009 - One Last Meeing

Ziva and I headed off to Arkansas with Nanny a week or so ago. We went to see family, friends and of course enjoy those beautiful fall colors that we can't get in Savannah. We had to leave Daddy behind to work which was sad. We did get to meet up with him on our way out of GA. He was on a trip for work so it was hugs and kisses at a Cracker Barrel.

Ziva loves to rock. She tries out almost all of the rockers out front of Cracker Barrel.

Rockin' with Daddy

One Last Hug