Birthday Celebrations

Its not a birthday unless you celebrate for several days. And that we did! 

(excuse the long post... like I said we had a LOT of celebrating to do) 

Wednesday was your actual birthday! That morning its like she knew it was her birthday. I came up to get her out of the crib and she was jumping up and down and grinning ear to ear. Dustin, like the best daddy that he is, wanted to set up her alphabet train that we got her so we sat that out for her to see that morning. And just like he predicted, we weren't even down the stairs before she pointed and said "dat" (that). New toys = excitement and all the smiles for a 1 year old. That night we celebrated by letting E have her first smash (cup)cake. It was more a trial run to see how she would do. Let's just say, girl likes her sweets. She opened some presents from Grammy and PawPaw too.  

Dustin and I took off on Thursday so we could go to the zoo. It was beautiful day and super hot (of course, its the south) but majority of the zoo is covered and lined with bamboo, so natural shade was provided. This red head was happy. Grammy and PawPaw, Alli and Audrey (Tanner was in school) and Jess (RL was in school) came to celebrate Ms E being 1. She loved it and held to it together. I was impressed since it was in the morning and during nap time. (We had graham crackers for  fussy time). We saw leopards, monkeys, crazy birds, flamingos, goats, kangroos, turtles, snakes, and fish. (I feel like I'm reading her Brown Bear Brown Bear book) She loved the petting zoo with the goats. But overall, from what I could tell, her favorites were the flamingos and fish. (But we all loved the goats... as you can see...)

That afternoon we visited Dr Moss for your 1 year check up and I'm happy to report that E is perfect. (Kind of the theme for this post) She weighs 20.13 lbs (65%), she is 29.5 inches tall (65%), has 5 teeth (with 1 or 2 more coming in as a type this), and her head circumference is in the 95th percentile. Bigger the head, bigger the brain. Dr Moss was a very proud doctor. He said Emma was growing great!

Saturday was the BIG DAY! It was party time with all of our family and friends. Rainbow themed (which was perfect since love equality won over the weekend). We had the big day the Jim Warren park up the road from our house, under a pavilion. Its a good thing we did too because it was windy and raining all morning. Talk about humid. But then we blessed with beautiful weather. Sunny, no humidity, my cousin Lindsey even had a sweater on at one point. It was perfect. Emma wore a rainbow chevron sun suit, pink converse and a pink flower in her hair. There was a ball pit, bubbles and chalk for the kiddos. Delicious food including chick fil a nuggets, ham and swiss sandwiches, chicken salad, fruit, veggies, hummus and chips, and of course cake and cupcakes covered in white icing and rainbow sprinkles. Emma played the whole time. We brought her train and showed everyone how grown up she was by walking around with it. She didn't want to open her presents so I went for it. SO many amazing presents. Lots of books, a stuffed Minnie Mouse, bubbles machines, a baby, the most adorable outfits and pjs, little people, frog on a tricycle, and jumbo legos... just to name a few! After we (well I) opened presents it was CAKE TIME! We sang Happy Birthday and she wasn't phased at all, a little hesitant at first with the cake but once she got a taste of that delicious icing, it was game over. Right hand right in the center and a face plant to follow. The Best! Everything about Saturday was just perfect. There is not a better word for it. And it the day ended with a face plant to the floor for a nap.

Sunday, Dani and Audrey came to visit and we got some pool time. It was Audrey's first dip in the pool and that little girl LOVED it. Splish-Splashing everywhere. They played with all of Emma's new toys and E showed A how she could walk with her train. There were lots of kisses, smiles, giggles, and judging (mainly from Emma). It was so nice hanging with one of my best friends and her adorable baby. Miss my Dani so much, so we have already planned another day trip to the aquarium in Chattanooga in a couple of weekends! Her and her baby girl are seriously twins and Audrey is the happiest baby on the block (but seriously...) Following that... there was a HUGE meltdown because someone (cough.. E.. cough) was having an apparent growth spurt and needed to eat 2 pouches of food at 4:30 in the afternoon (she usually eats at 6p... and did just that at as well). I guess the sun and swimming and playing got to her. So we said our LOUD goodbyes and they went on their way, we ate and then me and E went to visit with Grammy and PawPaw while Dustin went to our small group through church.

Needless to say... Emma had an amazing birthday celebration. It was so sweet to see her light up being surrounded by all of our family and friends. Made this mama proud to see how much fun she was having with everyone. The smiles and giggles will be forever ingrained in my mind of this first birthday! The memories will last a lifetime, but pictures are fun too and of course we took a lot. Gotta document. :)

Emma is one loved little girl. We are truly blessed as a family. 

Still cannot believe I have a one year old... guess I need to prepare myself for all the "Are you ready to have another one" questions... ;)

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY!!

My baby bug is ONE year young! Still cannot believe it. 

This time last year, I was laying on my side at 9 cm, feeling miserable (probably screaming) and about to push you out of my big ole belly. All of the horrible labor was completely worth it to be able to be your mama. Our lives changed for the better when you entered into the world. We are so incredibly blessed. 

Emma bug you are one sassy, loud, adorable, silly, independent, smart, precious, cute little lady. And I'm so proud to call you mine.

Lets take a stroll down memory lane.... :)

And finally... TODAY'S picture

Cannot wait to see you smash your cake tonight. We celebrate your birthday with our friends and family on Saturday at the park. Rainbow themed. Blog to follow!! 

Tomorrow Dada and I took off work and we'll be headed to the zoo for the first time ever for you in the AM with Grammy, PawPaw, and your besties- Jess and RL, and Alli and Audrey. Cannot wait to see your face light up when you see all the animals from your books come to life. 

Birthdays are pretty magical and special, so we are doing it up right for you baby girl! 

We love you Nugget. 

XOXO

First Father's Day

This past weekend was Dustin's First Fathers Day. 

To keep it short and simple, it was a great weekend celebrating him. 

He is our rock and the Man of the House. I honestly don't know what I would do without him. I could not have raised this almost one year old without him. I am very proud to call him my husband and Emma yells "dada" proudly, as it is her favorite word, daily. 

We love "Dada" to the moon and back! 

So happy he is ours. 

"I have the Best Dad EVER" tee from imagodeikids

We went to Murfreesboro on Saturday to be with the Murdocks. Sunday we attended church, ate at Chuys with the family and finished the day with some swimming in the pool. Once we put this teething girl down for bed, D grilled us some steaks (what he requested) and we chowed down with Orange is the New Black in the background. 

Great day honoring this man we love so much! 

Love you Boo. XOXO

Emma is 11 months

Well I'm officially 1 week and 1 day late on this birthday post. Sorry baby girl. Life is busy. You are growing and things are super busy at work for me and your daddy. 

Well this past month has been super fun! Your little personality is coming out and all I have to say is "Wow". The world better watch out. You are pure sass, very smart, and you have a hot headed temper on you already. 

You say "no" all the time! I'm pretty sure it is your favorite word right now besides "dada". Every time you say "no" we try and say "yes" in hopes that you start to say that word more than "no". So negative. (it is pretty cute though when you do say "no" though). You are into everything as well!

You get really angry when you don't get what you want. You throw your toys down, shake, and scream/cry. Hey temper tantrum... terrible 2s already? We usually take you away from the situation and/or distract you and you seem to calm down quickly, but once you get older (and understand more) this will have to change. Sorry sis, but you can't get what you want every time. I think day care will help you in this as well. 

My good friend and co-worker, Jess (RL's mommy) said something to me and Alli (Tanner and Audrey's mommy) yesterday and it was perfect... "Every day is different and its all a phase, they go by quickly.... This is life as a parent and fussy, happy, poopy, crazy, manic kids are a blessing!" Couldn't have said it any better than that. Emma, you truly are a blessing!

I will give you props, you listen pretty good for a 11 month old! You have been testing your limits and exploring more (aka stairway and Moose's bowls) and me and your dad tell you "no" and you look back and 1 of 3 things happen... you do it again, you smile and do it again (sass), or you stop doing it. The 2nd thing happens more times than the others, but when you stop doing it, we praise you for being such a girl, which you are. 

You laugh a lot. You love to hide in the curtains and we say "Where's Emma?" (your version of Peek-a-boo) and then we say "there she is" and you crack up every time! It is TOO cute!

You are very smart! You love looking at your books. Your favorites right now are Brown Bear, Polar Bear, Robin Hood, and your Bible Stories. You recently have been able to point out different animals in your Bible Stories book. I ask you "where's the sheep?" and you point to it... and follow up with "I did it! (baby talk)" Way too smart. Daddy and I are very proud of you!

Knock on wood, you are still an excellent sleeper. Naps vary but at night.. you are a champ. 8-9p you go down and rise and shine at 6-630a every day. I'll take it! Keep up the good work!

You are still loving your baths. Seriously, you could stay in the tub for hours. Very entertaining. You have recently decided you want to do squats and/or stand up. Easier to wash that booty... but very dangerous. So I hold on to you and we splash and you chew on your toys and get all clean. Its a good time! 

You officially have 5 teeth. On the top, you have your upper right and left centrals and upper right lateral. On the bottom, you have your lower right and left centrals. We get to see them the most when you give us the biggest cheesiest grins... and also when you give us open mouth kisses. (those are the best!)

And speaking of teeth... still trying out table foods. You don't understand puffs or yogurt melts or mums-mums. We have noticed that you like to eat off my plate, so you have eaten sweet potatoes, cheese, spaghetti, guacamole, and watermelon (not off my plate, off your daddy's). Besides that though, you can't really figure out the solid food thing yet. It'll come with time. No worries. We also introduced you to your sippy cup. We have putting water in for right now because you make a mess, but we will be transitioning that to milk very soon. 

I keep seeing this quote on my instagram feed and boy is it the truth. "The Days are Long, but the Years are Short".  I cannot believe you are going to be a year old in less than a month. This year has gone by way too fast and you are just becoming a smarter and prettier girl everyday. Where did my baby go?

We have been prepping for your birthday party and practicing you saying "one" and holding up your pointer finger! It'll be here soon (you can find me in the back corner of the room crying my eyes out...)

Happy 11 months nugget! Mama loves ya!

XOXO