Birthday Girl

One. 

My baby girl is ONE whole year old today! 

Where has the past year gone? Time really does fly when you're having fun. This past year was the best year of my life so far, hands down. I can't even put into words how much I love her and what this past year has meant to me. I find myself short on words. So I'm going to do what I do best...share some pictures and memories from this special day. 

We had a great day celebrating. Emma Claire, my Mom, and I ran errands while the hubs and my dad worked hard in the kitchen on a BIG project I CANNOT wait to share! Around 5:30 Tylar and Sonja came over to trick or treat with us. The girls were just too cute together and I can't wait to share all of the  pictures I took in a separate Halloween post! It really was a great day and so far I am loving having a Halloween birthday girl!

Last night was bittersweet. Rocking and nursing my BABY for the last time. Although I am a firm believer that she woke up this morning as a one year old baby.

Once the little princess was asleep I got her birthday goodies ready for the morning.

I just THOUGHT Emma Claire was asleep for the night. Little did I know she was planning to be up more than 10 times last night. I'm pretty sure she was just too excited about her birthday. Around 5am I gave up trying to put her in her crib and brought her to bed with me. Which apparently meant PLAY TIME.

When it was obvious she wasn't going back to sleep I gave in and we headed downstairs to open birthday presents.She was too funny. She LOVES her caterpillar rocker.

Thankfully after playing and eating some cinnamon rolls she went back to sleep until almost 9. We had to wake her up to go to her twelve month check up. The hubs and I woke her up by singing happy birthday. Even though it was a rough night she woke up with a huge smile on her face. A great memory, for sure.

The Halloween outfit. I bought this when I was pregnant and was so happy to put it on her this morning!

Baby girl and I waiting at the doctor's office. She was the center of attention and LOVED it! All of the nurses and doctors loved her outfit. :-)

My baby elephant trying to pull her hood off before trick or treating. And yes there was a huge bow on her little elephant head. Would you expect anything less?

I still can't believe I have a ONE year old! It doesn't seem possible. Part of me feels like she is still a tiny newborn...

"Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body." Elizabeth Stone

Hurricane Sandy

Well I had planned on posting about Emma Claire's first birthday party today..however, there was a slight change in plans. You may have heard about a little hurricane named Sandy that has been wrecking havoc on the East coast all day. This isn't my first encounter with a hurricane in Virginia. Last August hurricane Irene came through our region and that was within my FIRST week of moving here! Thankfully I had family in town and I was just as lucky this time! My parents are in town and we actually had a really fun day. And while this isn't my first hurricane, it was Emma Claire's. So of course I have to document it!

Baby girl woke up SO happy. She has slept through the night the past two nights and it is apparent. I just love her happy morning attitude.

When I woke up the hubs was hard at work securing the house. He tied down all of the patio furniture and we secured the backyard too. 

A little morning workout with Dad before he left for work. She decided she wanted to do pushups on our kitchen cart! 

Watching the weather with G-Pop. 

Saying bye to Daddy before he headed out to work. Yes. That's right. He had to drive into the city and work today IN THE MIDDLE OF A HURRICANE. The entire city is SHUT DOWN but he still went in. He's such a trooper. Not that he had a choice, but still. He's MY hero!

Despite the hurricane we still had a fun mail day! Woo Hoo!  We got a fun package from Aunt Bre and some new bows.

Is this not THE cutest bow ever? I mean a bow alone is cute..but monogram it and it becomes ADORABLE! 

These darling bows are from Precious Angel Bows. Great price, good quality, and fast shipping. What more could you ask for?

 I'll admit I went a tad overboard. But you know me..I love bows. 

After opening our mail Emma Claire took a nap. It was super short but she woke up happy and I even got some snuggles when she woke up. 

Watching the wind and rain. She was fascinated. 

Playing with Grammy. She thought it was hilarious when she put her hood on. Don't you wish we were all this easily entertained? 

Sweet girl just loves being the center of attention. And yes, it's now dark outside and she's still in her jammies. I figured it was allowed today :-)

My favorite part of hurricanes. The crazy weather people. My parents and I have had a blast watching them all day. 

My mom cooked an amazing pizza for dinner. YUM. 

Today the hubs went to the store for some last minute storm supplys and came back with this for me. He thought I would like it since I love anything apple/cinnamon. I am sad to report I was NOT a fan. It tasted like a candle to me. Not to mention that it was 200+ calories for one bottle. Wow. But I was still touched that he thought I needed a "fun hurricane" drink.

 Right now it's 11:52pm and we still have power. I am SO grateful for that. However, there is no guarantee that we won't loose it at some point during the night. 

Today we have received phone calls, texts, and Facebook messages from friends and family checking on us. I feel so blessed that there are so many people praying for our safety and thinking of us. On that note I am happy to report that we had a fun day hunkered down, playing, watching weather, and just being together.

I am praying for everyone who have been severely affected by this storm. I hope that the storm system moves on quickly and recovery efforts can begin. Hopefully everyone's power will be restored quickly.

Birthday Peek

Saturday we had Emma Claire's first birthday party and we couldn't have asked for a better day. The weather was beautiful, we had family in town, and friends came over to play. It really was the perfect little party. I haven't edited all of the images yet but had to share some, so here's a little preview!

We had a wonderful day and were blessed to spend it with family and friends. I can't wait to share more pictures and all of the little details with y'all.

Race Day!

***Update: I wrote this post prior to the race day and am sad to report that Paige and I did NOT run in the 10k we signed up for. After staying up preparing for EC's first birthday party until 3am the night before we couldn't muster the strength to run. We still had fun going to the expo and doing all of the pre race activities. So to all of you wanting to run a race the day after a huge party....DON'T! ha!****

This morning I'm trading in my Sunday's best for sneakers and shorts. Paige and I are running okay who am I kidding {I haven't had time to train for this! ha!} walk/running a 10k today. My Dad aka Marathon Man is competing in his second Marine Corps marathon. It's a really neat marathon and one day I WILL run in it with him! I haven't been in a race since the winter before I was pregnant. In order to celebrate I thought it would be fun to take a little walk run down memory lane. haha ;-)

I ran my very first half marathon {The white rock half in Dallas} in December 2010 with my dad.

We had way too much fun during the race. 

Post race smiles.

This was before I sat down and tried to stand up again! ha! We came home from this race and my mom made us a huge breakfast and we watched the race coverage on TV. It was such a great day. The hubs (then future hubs) came with Dad and I, stood in the cold for 3+ hours, and took pictures. Such a great sport!

My Dad running in the Cowtown marathon in Ft. Worth.

Hubs and I went to support!

This was the last race I ran in Waco.

  I am making that wonderful face because my parents drove down to meet me at the finish line and I was TOTALLY surprised!  

Running is a family sport to us in case you haven't noticed by now. We all support one another and I'm excited to actually be IN a race today AND support my Dad!

Party Day!

Well y'all...

It's here. 

My baby's first birthday party is today!

I wish I could have each and every one of you over to our house today for cake and ice cream but since I can't I'm sharing EC's cute birthday invite with you. 

I cannot wait to share all of the details of her special day with y'all! Happy Saturday!

Let The Fun Begin!

Last week Emma Claire got a fun package in the mail from her Mimi and Poppy, my grandparents and her great grandparents. It arrived during nap time so as soon as she woke up we let her open her very first, first birthday presents!

 

She LOVES her horsey! She carries it around the house with her.

 How cute is this hooded horsey towel? She loved walking around the house with it on!

A board book! Listen Peter Rabbit is now read each day at our house. It makes noise and she just loves it.

THANK YOU MIMI AND POPPY!

Emma Claire loves her gifts and plays with them every day!