How is she already one?!?!

Isabelle is one!  I know I can't believe it myself!
It feels like just yesterday I was holding her for the first time, immediately falling in love with her and every day since then I've fallen a little bit harder.

There are days when the stress of bills, work or just life in general make me want to pull my hair out and then she'll look up at me and smile and it all just melts away.  I love to make her laugh, it has to be one of my favorite things these days.  I've always been the one to make people laugh- always cutting jokes, doing impressions, whatever and to be able to do that with her is the most amazing gift.

Each passing day she's doing something new or she'll start to understand something.  It's amazing to watch her grow and learn.  Her favorite is a show called Mickey Mouce Clubhouse on Disney- so that was her theme this year.  Here are some pictures on her actual birthday.  The family came over and we celebrated with dinner, cake and presents!

SUCH A MESS!  The bathtub was a slight brown from all the chocolate!

The Saturday after her birthday we had a party for her at the house.  It was a POOL PARTY! We set up a bunch of kiddie pools in the front yard, squirt guns, bath toys, nerf balls- all for the kiddos!

The morning started out gloomy but gave way to some fun and sun.  Our house was loaded with friends and kids- it was so much fun!  

 The Spread!

 Mickey Mouse Cake!  And a pictures from each month- starting the say she was born to 12 months!

 Her Very own SMASH CAKE!!

 Birthday Banner that Grammy Holland had made for her!

It's time for CAKE!!  Time to sing Happy Birthday to the Birthday Girl!

She didn't know quite what to do so daddy helped her out and then made her look like a clown!

The best thing I've ever done!

Time to hose off the birthday girl!!

Hanging with her buddy Avery!

Team Pelick and Flake taking over on water balloon making!

Time to open Presents!

Bottom of the coolest cake ever!

To me everyday is a celebration of the day she was born.  I'm so thankful that I was blessed with her and so happy I'm her mommy.  She truly is the best thing I've ever done.

I love you my sweet princess!! 

Friends make life more fun- isn’t that truth?!?

I met Stephanie when I went away to college.  I only knew a handful of people down in Statesboro and I was super sad that I wasn’t going to Athens.  In fact on the day we left to head down to Statesboro I remember looking at my mom and dad and saying “ok never mind- let’s just scratch this trip.  I’ll go to GPC or State – I don’t need to go away” 

Needless to say they forced me into the car and it was a good thing because I met one of my very best friends- Stephanie McDaniel.

Stephanie showed up at just the right time in my life.  My heart had been broken and I felt lost.  She stepped in, picked me up and helped me heal.  She helped me find my laugh again and boy oh boy did we ever laugh together.  It’s funny you never know when a best friend is going to walk into your life but isn’t it wonderful when they do? 

She’s always been there for me and I’ll always be there for her.  She stood by me when I got married and I’m ever so honored to stand next to her now that she’s getting married. 

Stephanie has always been the life of the party- I didn’t realize how much fun dancing was until I met Stephanie.  She had such a passion for life and it was definitely contagious.  She has always been a girl that knew what she wanted and went for it; never compromising.  Steph knew what she wanted in a guy and wasn’t going to settle for just anyone.  Now mind you, there were casualties- some boys just had to go!  LOL But Stephanie knew you can’t sit back waiting for love to find you- you have to put yourself out there to help love find its way and sometimes you have to do a little legwork.  When Tyler showed up it was clear to see her prince had finally arrived to the party. 

I remember when Stephanie first brought Tyler around our circle of friends.  She was worried about how we would react to a new person in our crew. 

Would he fit in? 

Would we like him? 

Would he like us? 

Who can blame her?  It’s hard to bring a new person into a group of friends that have been so close for so long with inside jokes, shared experiences and it’s hard to be the new person to join a group. But Tyler was an instant hit with all of us, it never felt like he was trying to impress us or be someone he wasn’t.  He was just Tyler being Tyler and we could all see how happy he made Stephanie.

It’s so nice when you friend starts dating someone that you want to be friends with as well.  An even better attribute to Tyler was the fact that he was a Bulldog.  The last thing I needed was another Volunteer, Tiger/Eagle or Gator in the mix!  J  He was an instant keeper for me once I learned we shared a love for the Dawgs. 

Now they are getting married and I couldn’t be happier for them. 

Steph and Tyler-

I wish for you happiness beyond measure.

I hope in the good times you find happiness and during the bad times you find strength in one another

I hope you inspire one another to grow and become even better versions of yourselves.

Marriage changes some things while others stay the same. 

You’ll find it funny how some days you love and want to kill this person at the same time.  On days when dishes on the counter instead of in dishwasher will make you shake your fists into the sky or when you are flustered trying to find justification that you need every bit of makeup, perfume and hair products out on the counter while you get ready, on these days you will know you are married.

You’ll pick and choose your battles, finally giving in to the fact that maybe some things just can’t be changed and you’ll love them even more because that is what makes them who they are. 

You’ll find yourself loving each other more than you did before and also loving in a new way that you are still trying to figure out.

You’ll love each other, fight with each other and forgive each other. 

You are making a promise to one another on Saturday and mere words won’t do it justice.  You’ll have to show up everyday and it will take work, some days seemingly easier than others.  You’ll share life changing moments of joy and sadness and each day will bring you a new adventure

Saturday is just the beginning and you’ll have a lifetime to build on that promise

Just remember the road you are about to take might be bumpy with twists and turns but it’s definitely worth the ride

Love you both-

 thank you so much for letting me be a part of your wedding!

Some pics of me and Steph that were basically ruined in the flood but I couldn't throw them away

11 months and growing like a weed!

Isabelle can walk!  She babbles momma and dada and sometimes I hear what could be dog or Hi.  She's always on the move never slowing down for a minutes rest.  I can't believe in a month she'll be 1!!  She's grown up too fast for me!

10 Months

Woops!  Looks like I didn't come back and post her 10 Month picture!  She's such a doll!  Growing up too fast!!

Are you getting the sense that this might be a monthly blog?

Wow - it's almost a month later and here I am again.  I have a computer at home but it's in our office and I never go back there.  I have a work laptop, that's actually what I'm typing on now, but I hate lugging that home each day.  I think it's time for me to invest in a home laptop of some type or maybe a tablet.  I've been looking at the Kindle Fire but I hear Amazon is about to release a new one- possibly 3 new tablets so I'd rather wait to see what those are.  It's funny I want a new phone but I hear that Apple is releasing the iPhone 5 in September so again I want to wait until that is released.  Isn't that always the way with technology?  You buy something and then in a few months they are talking about a newer version being released at a later date.  You can't keep up and keep your wallet full!
Let's see what's been going on in the last month...
Well Isabelle went to another birthday party.  Her buddy Avery turned 1 and we went to her new house to celebrate.  Isabelle was right in her element with kids all around her and even a little ball pit.  She had lots of fun for sure and I even got a few ideas for her first birthday party.
It seems like each day she is doing something new and exciting.  She's a fast crawler and sometimes I even find her just standing on her own without using something to balance.  She's still babbling dada but every once in a while I hear a momma.  There are other new sounds she's making and she loves to push her lips together and make like a raspberry sound.  The other day while making dinner I turned around to find that she had crawled on top of the open dishwasher door AND was standing on it with her little hands clasped around the top rack ready to pull it out.  I screamed and startled her.  She went from smiling to shock!  I knew she could stand but didn't know she could climb on top of things!  Needless to say dishwasher needs to be closed at all times now.  I really need to finish baby proofing the house.  She was pulling up on the cabinets yesterday and trying to open those and the drawers.  She is definitely going to be keeping me on my toes!
The end of May was also our 3 year anniversary.  It's weird- it definitely feels longer than 3 years.  This is probably due to all we've been through and the fact we've actually been together for 12 years now.
We've also been sick non-stop in our house.  Apparently Isabelle is a Germ Magnet and enjoys giving her germs to me and Jimmy.  She's been on antibiotics twice now.  The Amoxicillin appeared to start working and then she got sick again- who knows maybe it's a new virus.  Now she's on a new antibiotic and I hope this one does the trick- now I'm sick and I'm tempted to take her meds!  I will say though for a sick baby she sure is a happy baby.  I mean she HATES when we wipe her nose and she does wake up at night from her cough but as for the rest of the day she's a happy baby.  She's even starting to make this new girly squeal and she will laugh if I start laughing.  She's just too cute!
We also welcomed a new member to the family!  Bridget gave birth about 3 weeks early to Charlotte Hope.  She was 6lbs 14oz, 20 inches and cute as can be.  She is so tiny. Isabelle was so big compared to her and it was only a couple pounds and an inch and half difference but truly it does make an appearance difference!  Bridget called me in tears on Friday to come with her to the hospital- her doctor wanted to induce her b/c Charlotte appeared to not be moving as much as before.  Bridget was upset because she wasn't ready and wanted to have more leave for both her and Matt.  I tried to keep her calm and let her know we'd ask them to verify if they really needed to do this.  I told her worst case she was going to be a mom that weekend.  Matt arrived later in the evening and I went home.  That night Jimmy and I celebrated our anniversary and the next night Charlotte arrived!  It's so fun being an aunt- I see why my brothers and sisters liked it when Isabelle was born.  All the fun and no responsibility! LOL
Now we have Father's day approaching.  I promise to post another blog this weekend.  We'll see if I can keep my word!

Dang I did it again

Man- I'm super slacking on the blog posting.  I seriously have contemplated pulling out the laptop almost every night but I'm always so tired I just say "I'll do it tomorrow"
Life just gets away from you when you have a kid!!

Well let's see what's been going on...

Since the last post we've had lots of adventures
Easter weekend was full of lots of fun- Isabelle was good for about half of church.  But with all the incense burning that was pretty good.  Jimmy even came with us and said- that stuff stinks!
LOL
first time in a Catholic Church and he goes when they burn the stinky stuff!  Isabelle was super cute as usual!

Bridget also had a baby shower at my house hosted by Mom, Carolyn and me.  We made all her favorite- chocolate peanut butter cupcakes, buffalo chicken dip and had Mexican catered in with her all time favorite CHEESE DIP!  It was a pregnant momma's dream!

 She's just the prettiest Pregnant sister ever!  And here she is with a blanket Grandma made for sweet baby girl!  Grandma Doris makes the best blankies!

Sweet Baby Girl turned 8 months on April 16th- I think she is as cute as can be and then she gets even cuter!  I can't believe how fast she's growing!

 Here you can see her new bottom teeth that she started getting in Miami- now they seem to be all the way out!

Another super awesome event was Allies wedding.  She was such a beautiful bride and we had such a great time at her wedding.  I even had to be dragged home- momma had a few too many adult beverages!  We all had such a wonderful time and I am so happy for Allison.  I wish the newlyweds nothing but happiness- they deserve it!!

 It was an awesome time with all my girls but we were missing one!  Momma Nicole had her baby 5 weeks early and couldn't attend but it was a happy day for her because sweet baby Morgan was released from the hospital the same day as the wedding!  It was truly a blessed day!

When I finally got to meet Morgan it was a super sweet treat.  I must tell you I was one smitten kitten.  I even got to snap this photo and I swear she's smiling!  Now I know this might be gas but I like to think I make her make great gas!  She's soooo cute and I can't wait for all of Isabelle and Morgan adventures!

The best is how wonderful she smells- I have to admit it gave me a bit of baby fever!

 Talk to the hand Uncle Jim!

We also got to head back to the beach- this time to Amelia Island thanks to Josh and Megan for inviting us to come along and stay in the Neel Family condo.  It was Isabelle's first Road Trip this time as we took to the highway!  She was a great girl when we drove back- not so much on the road home!!

  We had a great time- but I'm honestly looking forward to the time when we can go to the beach and Isabelle won't want to eat the sand!  She was however just cute as a button the whole trip and even got two teeth on top!  Such a great vacation!

I had my very first mother's day and I can't wait for all the future celebrations- it's so wonderful to get some lovin on Mother's day- I loved my first card- Isabelle made it in daycare and I just laughed when I opened it.  I don't know how many times I've tried to get her handprints and she wiggles or scrunches them up- I knew they were her hands!

Jimmy had to work on Mother's day so I went to the Aquarium with the whole family!  3 generations of ladies

Isabelle had so much fun and we bought a pass- we can't wait to go again!

Just yesterday she turned 9months!  I can't believe how fast it's gone by- you blink and so much passes.
Our usual chair photo shoot was a little shorter than normal because she's such a wiggle worm these days- she even wanted to stand up in the chair.  I'm sure the next blog post (with my current track record) will be all about her walking!  This weekend her buddy Avery is having her 1st Bday party and we are all VERY excited!!

My sweet baby girl is growing up too fast but I am loving all the snuggles I'm now getting and I think she's close to learning "KISS"

SNUGGLES 

I mean look at this cutie pie!  Looks like she might have a gap just like mommy did! 

So many happy times- I'm so blessed!