Calla celebrated her 1/2 Birthday on November 18th. Yep, can you believe it? She is already 6 months old! She is truly a blessing from the Lord, and we are thankful for each day we have with her. Enjoy some pictures from the past couple of weeks, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
I know it's been a long time since Calla pictures have been updated. A lot has changed since I last posted about Calla! She is now about 5 1/2 months old, weighs about 17 pounds, and is already in a size 3 diaper! She has a lot of personality, knows how to giggle, can sit for maybe 1 minute by herself, and has rolled off her tummy a few more times (still working on this!). She went on an airplane for the first time in September to visit California and all the family there. Mommy had to travel alone with Calla and didn't know what to expect. The Lord showed His kindness on the entire trip, from Calla giggling through the airport security line to the stewardess taking our carry-on and putting it with her suitcase, and the nice older man who sat with us and told us during take-off, "You know, everyone on this plane has been a baby once or had a baby once, so don't worry if she cries." Calla went a long time without needing to nurse, so that didn't have to happen on the plane, and she giggled for half of the return flight. Calla got to meet so much loving family, like her Grandad, her Aunts and Uncles, and many cousins and friends. She was quiet throughout the trip, and started babbling her "ba" sounds the day we got home. She reaches for things quite adeptly, and frustrates herself by pulling her pacifier out of her mouth. She wakes up during the night now, so Mommy is getting to know what it's like to have a "real" baby! Enjoy these pictures!
Calla enjoyed her first Halloween as a precious yellow duckie. She slept in the outfit and it kept her nice and warm. She went to Kroger with Mommy and Daddy so Mommy could do her couponing, and Daddy ran up and down the aisles with her. People oohed and aahed at how cute she looks!
You might have seen my posting about the Blog giveaways I was entering. I won the one for some hair bows! See the pink one in this photo. If you have a baby girl in your life, check out the bows at Cloudy Day Creations.
Calla started showing signs that she was ready to start solids at about 4 1/2 months. This was from the first day we tried. She loved it! We stopped for a few weeks and resumed again a couple weeks ago. She is now up to eating rice cereal, oat cereal, carrots, apples, and bananas.
Calla was given this dress by her cousin Audrey. This was her first day to wear the bonnet and tights, too!
Some pics from California. This is Calla meeting her Uncle Danny. He had made a few comments about wanting to see her without the bows, so this is how we dressed her for their first meeting.
Calla got to meet her cousin Luc! They are just 3 months apart, but very different little babies. Luc took his first step while we were there - at 7 months old! 
For those of you who made it through to the end of the post, here is a cute video of Calla babbling and demanding to be heard!
Five years ago today, I married my love. I am so blessed to have a husband who loves me and takes seriously the vows that he made. I thought it would be fun to post the vows that we spoke to each other, and some pictures from that day. Click here to listen to the song Darby wrote and sang for me at our wedding. It's the last song, called "For My Friend." 
"I, Darby Glenn Hughes, take you, Karyn Michelle Hauptman, to be my lawfully wedded wife. I will love you as Christ loved the church, giving myself up for you, leading you as together we grow closer to Him. I will strive to be humble, harmonious, gentle, pure, sensible, and considerate. I promise to serve, forgive, honor, cherish, protect, provide for you, pray for you, and be your comforting arms. Whether the Lord gives or takes away, whether He brings good or adversity, I will have hope in the future, seeking to do you good and giving myself only unto you all the days of my life, or until the Lord returns."
"I, Karyn Michelle Hauptman, take you, Darby Glenn Hughes, to be my lawfully wedded husband. I will love you and submit to you as the church submits to Christ, and help you as you seek to bring us closer to Him. I will strive to be humble, harmonious, sensible, pure, and to have my heart adorned with a gentle and quiet spirit. I promise to serve, forgive, honor, cherish, pray for you, and be your comforting arms. Whether the Lord gives or takes away, whether He brings good or adversity, I will smile at the future, seeking to do you good and giving myself only unto you all the days of my life or until the Lord returns."
We went for a nice walk the other evening at Trinity Park by the river; Calla was enthralled with the scenery as usual. She is such a happy baby!
A benefit of being home is being able to take spontaeous mid-week getaways! Darby decided to use his birthday money on a Bed and Breakfast in Jefferson, TX. Why Jefferson? We were wanting to check out East Texas, having heard that it's green and pretty, so we did some internet searching and came across this cute little town. East Texas lived up to its reputation. As we drove eastward, the trees grew bigger and bigger and became a richer green. We were a little unsure of driving 4 hours with a little baby, but she was perfect! We are so thankful to the Lord for such an easy and sweet baby. She slept a lot of the way, and her only crying fit was after we had already stopped to feed her. 
The following pictures/video are Calla looking adoringly at her Daddy. She likes to talk to him when he gives her lots of attention!
