Catch up time!

Oh wow! So, I really need to get better about updating this thing don't I?

Here's a brief update...

My sis-n-law and I just recently purchased a zoo membership so now all three of the girls can go whenever they want to see all the cutsie animals! Skylar is still a bit too young but she loves playing with her cousins. Here's the two of us with Mr. Giraffe in the background:
Every time we go, we always have see the giraffe as he is our fav-o-rite!! They have a little baby giraffe in there too now and seriously, I just want to squeeze him and take him home with me! The cutest!Here's Aunt Kelli, Bree and Aidree next to Mr. Raff!
After a long hot day, we usually take the girls over to the splash-park and they have a blast!!


Last but not least...the train is finally done!!! Skylar got to sit in back with her cousins and she felt like such a big girl! Aren't they darling?!!

Now, here's all of the girls! It was such a fun day!

Now onto the Fourth!

This was Skylar's second fourth of July but this time she actually got to have some fun! We went to my parents house for a little pool-time and then Daddy broke out the sparklers. She had a really cute outfit on but she was so tired after swimming, so please excuse the pajamas!

Daddy also had a lot of fun...can't you tell by that smile! After we put Skylar down, we enjoyed some yummy wings and brisket and of course Gramma's famous potato salad! mmm mmm!

I think that's it for now...I'll try to post more later but for now...ciao!

She's ONE!!!!!!!!!

Sorry I have been MIA lately. We have been so busy with all the party planning and such that I just haven't had time to do any updates...so here we are!

Skylar celebrated her first birthday last Friday!! Matthew and I woke her up early with a birthday song and a nice big breakfast! We then went to the mall to have her one year portraits done and boy was that a blast!! Ugh! She was not happy at ALL! She's suffering from an ear infection and teething pain which was just a bad combo for the day! The poor photographer only had a few shots to show us and suprisingly, he did capture some cute ones! I have to figure out how to put them on here....patience please! ;-) Her and Matthew and a "daddy/daughter" lunch date while my mom and I looked at the photos and made some choices! He said that it was soooo much fun with all her screaming and crying bouts!! lol! WELCOME TO MY WORLD DADA!! :o)
On Saturday, we had her big birthday bash and had so much fun! We didn't have quite as many people as we expected but still a good turnout! We started with socializing and then let the kids have some chicken nuggets while the adults had sandwiches and then....it was time for the cake!! I made the decision to do the cake before presents because I could tell that Skylar was just NOT going to make it!! So...we did her first cupcake-cake and it was HUGE! I didn't know that it was going to be that big but it was all good...she loved it!! At one point she just dug her face completely in rather then using her hands! That's my girl!!! After her cake and of course clean-up, we attempted to do presents but she was in no mood for that! We got through only a couple and then had to say "night-night" to all of her guests! All and all it was a great party but I'm so glad it's over!!! lol!

Since I didn't update on her 11 months...I'll just try to add it all in now...

For the tada's.....

-SHE'S WALKING!!!! (her first step was 10 1/2 months, then a few more by 11 and at 11 1/2 she took off!!!)

-She points (when she wants something or you ask her a question like "where's dada?" she'll point!!)

-She dances (she loves music...all kinds!! and when there's any kind of tune she either shakes her head or her little bootie...so cute)

-She says wooooo (this is the name of her favorite cuddly toy)

-She says uh-oh (if something falls or she trips)

-When you ask her if she's all done (like with her food or her bath) she throws her arms up over her head as if to say "alllll done."

-She shakes her head yes! (she's been very good and shaking her head "no" but now has learned "yes" too!)

-She's drinking from a sippy-cup! (buh-bye bottles)

-She's a cuddler...(if you're holding her and say "awwwww" she'll quickly put her head into your shoulder and just cuddle and snuggle!)

NOW FOR THE BIGGEST>>>>>>>

-She's drinking WHOLE MILK! And so far so gooooood! We started her last Wednesday and she seems to be taking to it quite well so praise GOD no more allergies!!

She has her one year appointment tomorrow so I will give you all the stats! She also will be scheduled for an ultrasound to check on those kidneys and we're praying that she's completely healed!!

Thanks for all the cards, love and support over this past year! We love you all!!

Now for my sweet baby girl....

My baby,

You will never know how much you have totally and completely blessed my life. Its amazing looking back over the past few years and all the struggles that daddy and I went through to conceive a baby but God had a plan. I truly believe that he sent you at the right time for a reason! You far exceeded my expectations and every day I'm thankful to God for the miralce that is you!

On the day that you were born I was so elated and scared and shocked that after nine months here you were, this tiny bundle of joy. I will never forget how you looked at me once I held you. You just stared at me with such love and understanding. It was my most favorite moment. All the world was busy but at that moment, it was just you and me, staring into each others eyes with wonder and amazement. Me amazed because of how perfect you looked and felt in my arms and you looking at me as if to say "hey, I know you and love you already!" Daddy and I often talk of that day and often agree that it was the best day of our lives!!! Getting married was great but you Skylar, you've changed us forever.

This past year has gone by so fast and it brings your mommy to tears to think of how quickly you've grown and how independent you're becoming! It's all so bitter-sweet! I miss my tiny little baby that I rocked to sleep each night but love this new and adventurous little toddler that keeps me on my feet! You're the cutest little girl and I can already tell that you're going to be such a sassy little thing!

You love your woo. He is your bestest friend and as mommy often says "your main squeeze" next to daddy of course! You still are very addicted to your "gee" and we can't leave home without it! You love to dance and anytime we drive anywhere and a Taylor Swift song comes on, you do your best to sing along! When your sick you still only want your mommy which I wouldn't trade for the world. When your ready to play you instantly bond with daddy cause he lets you "rough house" like the big girl you so desperately want to be. You love to talk...also just like your mama. You'll pick up a phone, hold it to your ear and just chat away in your sweet little baby-talk. You are very possessive of your food and if anyone dares to take it away from you, you are not a happy camper! The same applies to if someone is eating and doesn't offer you any, you throw a fit!! Your favorite fruit is watermelon and you would probably eat the whole thing if mama would let you! You love to play "cat and mouse" with anyone who will play! Basically you will give a certain little look and I will say "I'm gonna get you" and you will take off, giggling the whole way until I grab you and then you let out a huge scream!! It's very cute! I love to hear you laugh and it breaks my heart to see you cry unless its a temper-tantrum and then I can't help but laugh!

You are my world and my miracle. I love spending each day with you and look forward to the many more years ahead! HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY MY SWEET ANGEL!!! I love you more then the stars in the sky! Muah!!!

With all of my love,

-Mama

There's a party on the way!!!

Horray! Skylar's invites are done and should be here today!! I'm so excited! There is still so much planning to do but at least we got this part done early! What do you think?!?! She's pretty cute, right?!!

***Thanks Kristen for suggesting that I hide the address info! I don't know what I was thinking!! Yikes***

My First Mothers Day!!

Mothers Day was fabulous! It's a strange feeling being able to finally celebrate this holiday but I of course love it! This year Skylar and Daddy gave me a bracelet with a "best mom" charm, a beautiful painting (done by Skylar), a gift card to get my hair done (really needed that one!!) and daddy gave me some cash to spend on whatever I wanted...which I used to buy Skylar some clothes!! lol.
We went to church on Saturday night and then Sunday morning had a nice brunch with my family followed by a nice visit with Granny (Matt's mom) at our house! She got me a beautiful card and a digital picture key chain thingy! So now I can show Skylar off on the go! Whoohooo!

It was a terrific first Mama's Day!!!

Beautiful Baby...

So, I've been trying to snap little photos of Skylar here and there as she's approaching her first year mark! It's very hard at this age to get them to sit still long enough but I did manage to capture this photo which I heart!!!

Isn't she a cutie patootie?!!!

Sweet Girl!

Okay, so this video is taken from my crappy camera phone so sorry the image is kind-of distorted. I DO have an actual video camera but sometimes the phone is a lot closer! ;-)
Enjoy! (sorry for the momma-talk)

My 10 Month Old!!

This last month has really gone by so fast. My goal is to try and drag out each day as much as I can for the next two months because then she'll be ONE! Sigh. The above pic is her in her new swing...which she loves...if you couldn't tell.

As you already know, Matthew and I have been making little home improvements here and there and finally our house is feeling more like a home. Well, being that we are kind of getting a little stir crazy and the weather has been so nice...well except for the past couple of rainy days, we started working on our backyard now! First, my dad came over and planted Skylar an oak tree...which is so cute, then that just got me all excited and we ended up planting and pear tree, a palm tree, a hibiscus, some jasmine and some iris' and I still want to plant more! So now are backyard is really looking cute. We have a few more things that we'd like to add but that will come later. We're currently working on a name for Skylar's tree! Any suggestions??

So Easter went great!! We went to Waco on Good Friday and Saturday to spend with Matthew's family and then we came back to go to church on Easter Sunday and have breakfast with my family. It was a very busy weekend. Skylar really enjoyed Waco though and loved seeing all the kiddos. It was such a blast. Oh and Easter Sunday was the first time I checked her into the nursery and church...I cried of course, but she did so good!

So anywho Skylar's doing great and growing fast. She's now 18lbs and 14oz! 11 pounds heavier than the day she was born! She's still a skinny-mini but healthy! We found out also that she can have cake on her first birthday despite her milk-allergy. I'm so excited! The doc says we're transitioning over after her first bday anyway, so might as well start then! Woohoo!

For the taaaaadaaaa's -

-She's standing all by herself

-She took her first step (matthew saw this not me *sniff)

-She can walk if you hold her hand

-She says mama and dada discriminately now not just babbling

-She's eating so hearty (like chunks of chicken and fruit)

-She's blowing kisses (still working on it but has the general motions)

-She will carry on long conversations with herself

She's such a cutie pie and we are so proud to be her parents. She's growing so very fast and soon she'll be a one year old! Oh...invites will be coming soon...so far, the bday is planned for June 13th!