HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

I can not believe a year has passed already. I remember my Mom and Dad telling me growing up, that every year goes faster and faster... They are right! I think back to times in the summer when I was just exhausted from not sleeping and wondering why people say time flies... But that was just a blink ago and here we are. I found myself being very nostalgic around her birthday. That first year is just so precious. So many times I found myself thinking, "That day is done, never to return again." And as you know...they change so quickly. Those cute little things they do are only there for a short time, sometimes a week sometimes less and then unless you have it on video...it's no more. I remember being in the hospital and thinking "How will I ever sleep again? I just want to stare at her!" and the sweet smell of her baby breath or the little pink shoes she wore. Remembering the first time she noticed us and the first time she was upset and wailed..."MAAAMAAA!" These are the most precious days of my life and I praise God every single day for the gift of Motherhood. I know Rick feels the same way too! He still gets tears in his eyes when he looks at her some mornings. We love our family and are forever thankful of this gift! Here are some pictures of the big party... We had it at a restaurant since our condo is small. It was fantastic...we just left the mess when the party was over!

Grace opening her present from her Auntie Julie....
She's making a MMMM sound with her new cup!

Here's the birthday girl, being modest

Grace's birthday macaroni

Getting ready to sing...

Conducting the happy birthday song...

The birthday cake...

The Birthday Princess...

One happy family!

Rick, Uncle Jimmy, and Uncle Pete

Grace is getting very sleepy.

Grace, Isaac, Pauline and Steph

Papa, Meme and Gracie

Grace, Mama, and Maddie

Grandpa and Grandma come to town...

Grandpa and Grandma Ryan came for a visit in February. We had a really great time.

Grace loves them!

Grace's new swimsuit from Grandpa and Grandma Ryan.

Grace and Grandma

Grandpa and Grandma in Alton

So Happy!

All ready to go out in the freezing cold for a little fresh air...

Some BIG firsts!!!

We turned Grace around in her car seat on Saturday. She is so thrilled that she can see things. She sits there with her little ankles crossed. It's really cute!




And the really exciting first....Pig Tails!!!! Yeah! I have secretly been dreaming of this day I think since I played with my cabbage patch doll, Lucy!

Roxy Dog...

Here's an update on good ol' Roxy Dog. AKA Roxanne... She still loves to sleep near people, loves Grace, hanging out by Grace's highchair and really loves to nap on the stairs when Mommy won't let her in the living room. You can see her new green toy "Buddy" has become her new pillow. She takes Buddy with her everywhere. She is very funny and protects Buddy from Grace. We started obedience class last night, so hopefully Mommy will get a better handle on Roxy!

My child has become a monkey!

When I first started going to my Mom's group, I remember some other Mom's laughing to themselves when I gushed over my new little sweet baby girl. I told them how I could not ever envision getting really angry with her. I guess I still can't, but I am starting to see some BIG changes in my little sweet baby girl....who has become some type of zoo animal! She learned to pull up last Thursday and has been on a mission from God ever since! This was on Saturday all within three minutes....

2:47-- We turn around for 2 seconds and Rick finds Grace INSIDE the dog crate????

2:48--Mommy pulls Grace out puts her on the floor, turns back around and see's Grace pulling the wood out of the fireplace???

2:49--Mommy puts the wood back, leans a chair across the front of the fireplace, deters Grace only to see this when I turn back around.... Poor Roxy!

The laughs are coming in droves these days!

Pizza Party!

We had Grace's cousin Matt over for a really fun visit! We went swimming, made pizza, watched a movie, had a sleepover, and played with Grace and Roxy! Here's Matt with his creation!

Daisy & Isaac...

Here's Roxy's buddy, Daisy
...and Grace's buddy Isaac.

We're blessed to have friends with not only a baby, but a dog who will tolerate our busy puppy!