Happy Birthday, baby girl. It's amazing how fast you're growing up. You have been such a blessing in our lives, and an absolute joy. This time last year, I couldn't wait to finally meet you, and hold you in my arms, but oh, how you were worth the wait. You are our little sweetheart. Your Mommy and Daddy love you so, so much. (so does Grandmom, Granddad, Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Daniel, Uncle Jamin, Aunt Kendra, and your entire extended family!) Happy Birthday, Brooke!
Vacation couldn't have possibly come at a better time. This week as been insane, as I've pretty much been manning the fort alone at work while everyone else is on vacation this week. I also agreed to work 8:30-3 all of this week, which will be nice financially considering I won't be paid for next week, but thank goodness I don't typically work these hours!! It's way too much time away from my baby, and it leaves me absolutely exhausted when I get home and still have all of my usual things to get done. But it has been nice having the office to myself, even as it got chaotic, and my boss(es) feel I've done a really good job while they're away.
We leave tomorrow at 10 AM, and I couldn't possibly be more excited! I'm glad now that we ended up choosing a date so late in the summer, because it left something towards the end to really look forward to instead of dreading the close of summer. (don't even get me started on how quickly the summer flew by!) I get so excited when I think about the fact that I will be at the BEACH in less than 24 hours, and will have 7 whole days to enjoy it.
I cannot wait to see Brooke's reaction to the beach, the waves, the seagulls, the boardwalk. I think she's at a great age for her first beach trip. She's become so observant recently, and really enjoys taking everything in. This morning we saw a bunny rabbit on our short walk to the car, (our street was paved yesterday, and thus I couldn't park in the garage) and she got SO EXCITED about the little bunny. It was adorable. She loves being outside, and she especially loves seeing all of the little animals that live outside. She's enthralled with animals, which of course makes my heart happy. She loves her stuffed animals now, too, (finally!) particularly a little duck named Puddles which she cuddles with every nap and bedtime.
We'll be celebrating her REAL birthday on Monday. Where did the year go? She will officially be my little one year old.
So, we'll be returning next Saturday, the 30th, and you know that I'll have lots of pictures to share from our trip!
Well, Brooke's birthday party on Saturday was absolutely perfect in every way, and we had so much fun! We had 25 friends and family (mostly family!!) join us to celebrate our sweet girl's first birthday at a local park pavilion. The weather was gorgeous and breezy, the food turned out great, the cake was AMAZING, and I got the music to work (that was probably the hardest part about it all!)-- it was just so much fun! It was a beach theme, with hibiscus decorations, two giant beach-themed balloons, and seashells, and we played mostly country, summer songs, with a little Marley thrown in for good measure. :)
There are just way too many to post in this entry. :) Everything turned out fantastic. As we were driving home, I turned to Ryan and said, "That was PERFECT. Everything. Wasn't it perfect??" I'm so happy that we decided to throw the party, and we're so thankful that our close family and friends were able to share it all with us!
Sunday was also a fun day. My brother's company picnic was at a local waterpark, and he was able to bring us as guests! Brooke is a little too young for it, so she spent a few hours with her grandparents while we went to the waterpark with my brother. Water slides, the lazy river, the pool, and laying poolside with the newest People magazine... it was awesome. Here are a few pictures from the day!
Ryan and I when we first got there!
Poolside..
Us in the pool!
Ignore my ugly bruise from walking smack into my desk :(
Well, I hope you all enjoy the party pictures!! My Dad took them, (and took some of our video while Ryan was grilling) and I really feel like they show the whole day. :) We also have over 30 minutes of video footage! If I find some sort of video editing software, I hope to post a clip or two from the party. :) It was just so perfect, and I'm so glad we'll have all of the pictures and the video to share with Brooke when she's older.
(Super cute little video Ryan took of Brooke and I last night)
Still alive! Expect lots and lots of pictures after Brooke's first birthday party on Saturday! :) It's pretty much all I can think about right now. Hope you all are doing great!
- Gym time at the break of dawn. On Saturday, I determined that I'd go to the gym every single day, no excuses, until vacation at the beach. At least then I will know I did all that I could, and can feel good about that. Of course, that means I'm up at 5:30 on weekdays, and 6:30 on weekends, but I'm really, really enjoying it.
- The clock hitting 1:30 every week day. Enough said.
- Feeling comfortable at work and feeling that I'm doing a good job. Feeling like I'm establishing good relationships with those I work with is up there, too.
- Fresh berries. Any kind. (especially fresh berries on sale...) I made a blueberry and raspberry cobbler last night which was amazing...
- My girl's enormous smile when she sees me there to pick her up from Grandmom's. Also, knowing she's learning new things and having a lot of fun, even while I'm away. She's in the best hands outside of her Mommy's.
- Summer storms on a hot day, like this one, that come and go without a fuss.
And, for your viewing pleasure.... (taken by her Granddad)
Every now and then, you take pictures that need absolutely no explanation... when there's nothing you could possibly add that will increase the cuteness a picture contains. Oh, my sweet daughter. Enjoy. :)
