Merry Christmas!

From, The Russells

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My Cup Runneth Over

I woke up this morning knowing that it was our first Thanksgiving with our beautiful little girl. She truly is my little miracle. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful everyday that I get to call her mine, but today really makes you count your blessings. And we have so many!

How can I look at this sweet little face and not be thankful?!

It still amazes me...

Every now and then while I'm watching Paisley sleep or play or learn something new, I realize, I'm her mommy. She looks just like me, but sometimes it still amazes me that I created (with the help of my hubby, of course!) this beautiful, amazing little girl. She makes me smile! :)

My Heart Warmer & Day Brightener

Happy Fall Ya'll!

(Photography by Christina Vaughan Photgraphy)

Time flies when you're having fun...

I'm back! After the past several months, I truly understand the saying, "Time flies when you're having fun!". And I am. I'm having the best time of my life! Paisley is growing like a weed and has decided she likes to do things on her own. I'm not sure how I feel about this. I know she's still a baby, but this is just a constant reminder that she's not going to be a baby for long. Which is why I'm trying to soak up each and every moment I have with her until she's "too big" to give mommy those precious hugs and kisses that makes each and every day worth living.

My husband and I sat in our living room the other night just watching her. Watching her take everything in. Watching the look on her face when she realizes there's something new to get into. The whole time we sat there thinking the same thing. Looking at each other and smiling a reluctant smile. Because we both know everyday she gets older and it is going so fast, we want to enjoy this very moment. We want to enjoy every moment.

And for the past 7 months, 27 days, 10 hours and 18 minutes...We've enjoyed every second!

Such a Happy Baby :)

Paisley has a new smile...Of course it's still just as precious as it's always been! She wrinkles her little nose and grins from ear to ear.

Four Month Checkup

Paisley is 19 weeks! She had her 4 month checkup today and she did great! She 'hammed' it up for the doctor! She was all smiles until the shots came and even then the tears only lasted mere seconds before she had a smile back on that sweet little face! Paisley is now 14 pounds 14 ounces and 25.5 inches long! So grateful to have a beautiful healthy little girl!

(you can barely see her little bandaid on those chunky little legs!)

It's been too long...

My goodness time has flown by!!! Let me just start by saying that when people told me that the first months would go by so fast...THEY WEREN'T LYING!!! My baby girl is already 4 months old! This beautiful little blessing has shown me so much in the past 4 months! It makes me realize just how lucky I am to be able to call this little girl mine. I am so truly, madly, deeply in love with this bright eyed beauty!


Paisley is already on 'solids'. About a month ago we noticed that she would reach for our food as we were eating and even open her mouth as we would take a bite. I decided to give it a shot and try some carrots. To say that she loved them would be an understatement. She devoured them and then wanted more! Unfortunately I only had my cell phone to get her first photos taking these first bites, so the pictures aren't the best quality. Since the carrots we have tried sweet potatoes, green beans, bananas, apples, peaches, squash and sweet peas. Sweet peas were NOT her favorite (she gets that from her mommy!). This however, I did capture!


I'm definitely going to try and update this little project of mine daily...but knowing me, it may be a weekly thing ;)

A Star was Born...

We all knew that when Paisley was born she would quickly become the star of our lives. We had no idea that she would know she was the star :). Let me just say that she is quite the little diva. Drama Queen would better suit Miss Paisley! I do however love the fact that she knows exactly how to tell us what she wants. There is no whining to let us know that she's not quite happy...it's a full on tantrum! Is it sad to say that I absolutely love this quality of hers?

But the best part of my little starlet is her smile. She has a real smile. The kind that can melt your heart before you have a chance to realize what hit you. She smiles with her eyes (she gets that from her daddy). She has the most incredible personality! It's like she was put on this earth to make me smile and she knows it!

So Long Tummy Time...

We have really enjoyed our daily tummy time with Paisley. She holds her little head up and 'talks' up a storm. She's been holding her head up since day one. I tell everyone that she was born nosey :) She has to see everything that is going on around her.

The past couple of days when I lie her down for tummy time, she immediately rolls over. She then proceeds to squeal in delight. I try rolling her back over to her tummy and she just won't have it! She seems so proud of herself (as am I) that she has accomplished this task. I've been trying to come up with different activities for us to try. She's just so ready to move! Bryan and I are amazed at how quickly she has grown the past 11 weeks.

I'm actually quite amazed at how much we've grown the past 11 weeks! We can't remember what our life was like without her. She has become the center of our universe and we are trying to enjoy every second of this precious time with her.

She's Got Him Wrapped Around Her Little Finger

When I was pregnant, I would wonder what type of dad my husband would be. He didn't grow up around any other babies and was an only child. Now that Paisley is here, he amazes me every day. The way he looks at her and talks to her completely melts my heart. Just when I think I couldn't love him more, he surprises me again. The only thing greater is the way she looks at him! Her little eyes light up, she starts kicking her little legs and that beautiful smile spreads across her face. Needless to say she has him completely wrapped. But he wouldn't have it any other way :)

My Very First Mother's Day

My first Mother's Day will always be unforgettable. Simply because it was my first. Last Mother's day I spent with a heavy heart. It would've been my first, but I (we) had suffered a miscarriage a few months before. If I knew then what I know now, I would've smiled more that day. Because what I didn't know was that I would conceive the following month. Everything happens for a reason and I believe that now more than ever because I was meant to have this beautiful little girl. Every time I look at her, I still cannot believe she's mine.

We spent Mother's Day with my mother & grandmother (and some extended family). My mom cooked a huge delicious breakfast and then we spent the rest of the day in the sun. Paisley absolutely loves taking baths, so we decided that we would try out my parents' hot tub (we turned the temperature way down of course!) to see if she liked it just as much. She did. Watching my big eyed beauty taking it all in and enjoying this huge bathtub :) made my day. Watching her grow each and every day reminds me how much I have to be thankful for.

Hello my name is...

Hi! My name is Leslie and I am the very proud, lucky, blessed, and truly happy mommy to a beautiful 9 week old baby girl, Paisley. I don't write things down as much as I should to keep up with all of the things that happen in our daily life. So, I figured since I use the computer quite frequently, I might as well start a blog to mark all of Paisley's everyday life and major milestones. I will forewarn you that I'm not the best writer and I tend to ramble on and on. :)

Now Introducing Paisley Elizabeth Ashley...

Paisley joined our little family on March 1st of this year. She was 7lbs 14oz of pure sweetness. As cliche as it sounds, I never knew I could love anyone more! She is truly my greatest achievement and by far the best thing to ever happen to me and my husband, Bryan. She came into this world raring to go and hasn't stopped since. She is named after our favorite country singer, Brad Paisley (we LOVE him!). Her middle names are after Bryan's Aunt Beth and my Aunt Ashley. Paisley is the spitting image of her mother (big cheesy grin!) and has her father's temperment (this is a good thing!). At only 9 weeks old I've already nominated her for the best temper tantrum award on multiple occasions. Whoever said you can't spoil a baby didn't know what they were talking about! I mean this in the nicest way possible because I wouldn't have it any other way! She has the sweetest smile and the cutest button nose! Her daddy and I constantly wonder how we are so blessed and thank God every day for allowing us to have such an amazing little girl. Hopefully you will enjoy taking a look into our daily lives and sharing this great adventure with us as it happens!