Birthday Fun

What a whirlwind past few days! I am exhausted but the birthday fun was well worth it. There are so many great memories and I am so grateful for all our family and friends that were able to share in Blake's special day. The birthday fun started on Blake's actual birthday on Thursday. Brad and I took Blake to birthday breakfast at one of our favorite breakfast spots, Chick fil A. The all mighty chicken biscuit...mmmmm. It was wonderful to just spend the morning as a family reminiscing about the past year. A song started playing on the speakers in the restaurant that was comparing life to a roller coaster ride. I am sure part of it was the hormones that seem to be surging through my body due to my pregnancy but part of it is I'm sure just the mom in me, but as we sat there eating our biscuits and hash browns listening to the words on the radio, I cried. I was sitting across from the love of my life, my best friend, who I've been fortunate enough to have by my side the past ten years and our son, now one, sitting next to us, with one more on the way. All we've been through together, all our love together, I just never felt more blessed than I did at that very moment. Here are a few pics of Blake on his birthday morning....



That evening the three of us joined my parents for Blake's birthday dinner. By the end of our meal it was an hour past Blake's bed time and he was so sacked out from the day.


I tried to not have high expectations of Blake's party as I didn't know how he'd handle all the people in our house and all the stimulation, but I have to say, it couldn't have been better. Blake had a great time and we were able to spend the afternoon with all our close friends and family. It was perfect. I also didn't know how Blake would react to the cake when we sat it in front of him, but he didn't give it a second thought. He shoved the cake in his mouth faster than I could snap photos! He was covered in frosting, even up his nose and in his ears. It was a mess, but completely worth the cleanup to see him enjoy his first cake so much.
Blake's birthday cake...

Blake's smash cake...

Beginning of smash cake...

After devouring smash cake...

Family Photo

Blake is so incredibly loved and one lucky boy to have gotten so many great gifts from all his friends. Here are a few pics from opening presents...






After presents and a lot of the house cleared, Blake was introduced up close to his new friend Brynn. We're so happy to have been Brynn's first party! Here are a few pics of them. It was interesting to see how Blake reacted to her since he'll be having a baby around permanently very soon!


And here is a pic of Miss Brynn in her party hat

Its so hard to believe that its been a whole year since this...

Enjoy every minute because time goes by entirely too fast!

Happy 1st Birthday Blake!

Brad and I agreed that it was so much easier to wake up this morning than usual as we were so excited to get Blake this morning and wish him a Happy Birthday! My little guy is one! Where does the time go? I can't believe my little baby is no more...
There will be lots of pictures past and present, especially after his party this Saturday, but for now, here is my first yearly birthday letter to Blake...


Dear Blake,
What a truly special day…you are now one years old! What an amazing and joyous year this has been for your dad and I. Our lives were forever changed the day you were born and all for the better. Its hard to even remember the days before you were around. Yes those days might have been easier, with little responsibility and freedom to come and go as we pleased, but I would never want to return to those days. My days now are filled with your laughter and your smiles and my heart is fuller because of that...my life is fuller because of that. Your dad and I never imagined the love we would have for you would be as much as it is, it is one of a kind my sweet boy. Your dad says all the time that you're the best part of his day. I agree…even after the worst of days you always seem to make them brighter.
The day you were born is a blur yet vivid at the same time if that makes any sense. Maybe when you are a man and have a child of your own it will. I had waited my whole life to meet you. I knew I wanted to be a mom since I was a little girl and when I held you for the first time was the best moment of my life. Your dad remembers he ran over to you while you were being cleaned up, stats taken, etc. and he started talking to you and you looked directly at him like you recognized his voice and grabbed hold of his finger. The hold of your finger for the first time was probably the best moment of your dad's life. His heart never knew it could have so much love in it until that very moment.
We have loved watching you grow this past year, learning something new almost daily, soaking up everything around you. You are always so curious, having to inspect everything. You are so smart, often exceeding any timeline of expectations we have for you to accomplish something. You are so happy, always smiling and making everyone around you smile too. Your smile I have to say is contagious. And as vain as it sounds you are such a good looking boy. Your blonde hair and killer blue eyes draw people to you constantly. I've never had so many conversations with strangers in my life as I have this past year while out and about with you in public. Your dad and I love seeing your personality shining through and growing and every day with you becomes more fun. You are truly special and I am proud of the toddler you've become. I am sad to see you leave your babiness behind but I am so excited to watch you continue to grow and continue to bring so much happiness into my life. Happy 1st Birthday my sweet little monkey! Thank you for the best year of my life!
Love,
Mom

Monkeying Around

We did more this weekend than we have in months, hence the multiple blog postings in one day! I have been looking forward to this past Saturday morning for weeks now. We were scheduled to have Blake's next round of professional photos taken in honor of him turning one. I have loved his past sessions and was so excited to see how this one would turn out. We woke up early and got all beautified and on our way to Southlake...not a close drive mind you. Blake fell asleep 15 minutes before arriving to the studio. Not good. We woke him up when we got there and he was NOT happy about it. He proceeded to have a complete melt down when we tried to get him to sit for pictures and therefore the session was scratched. We'll have to try again later, but I was COMPLETLEY bummed out. Of course as soon as we left Blake was all smiles. So frustrating! Saturday we enjoyed a nice dinner (see post below) and today we went to the zoo! My roommate from college and her husband and 10 month old were in town for the weekend to see her parents so we arranged to spend the afternoon together. (I am kicking myself I didn't get a pic of us all together) We enjoyed lunch and then went to introduce our monkey to the real monkeys. Even without an afternoon nap by either of our children and both rather sleepy, the boys did great! They loved being outside and seeing all the different animals. It was fun to see our boys together and interacting. We were all convinced they'd both be sacked out by the time we hit the highway, but instead they spent the drive home talking (or squeeling) back and forth to each other the whole ride home. We can't wait to see our friends from Kansas again soon! Thanks for a great day!


Blake...


Case...

The Animals...(and yes the Rhino is humping a log...glad I didn't have to explain that one yet to Blake)

Happy Birthday to Grandma!

Friday was a very special day for a very special person! It was Grandma's birthday. I think all of us appreciated this birthday more than ever since we still have my mom here to celebrate with! It has been a very trying year to say the least for my mom and we hope her birthday wishes come true this year and bring much better health her way. Saturday my mom was having a good day and felt up to enjoying a family dinner together. We certainly enjoyed all being together and the very yummy food! I also have to add, it took us 3 hours from start to finish at this restaurant and Blake was such a trooper. As you can see from one of the pics below at the end he was toast and enjoyed snuggling up with grandpa.




Happy Birthday Grandma! We hope you had a special weekend...

Taco Night

I bet you can guess what we did after dinner!