12 Months!

It seems like Annabelle grew up a lot in just one week. She said goodbye to all her bottles (yea sippy cups) and hello to whole milk. Yumm! Annabelle also took her first steps the Saturday before her birthday. It was just two steps in our living room but it was enough to make me tear up I was so proud! I didn't get the steps on video or on camera but I am pretty sure I will never forget them. Just one of those amazing memories that stays permanently in your mind.

Fortunately for all of us Annabelle was up for the changes. As a matter of fact, she embraced them! I can not emphasize enough how fabulous our child really is! So good with big transitions and flexible with routines when we need her to be. Just fabulous.... but I digress.

My baby isn't a baby anymore. She's becoming a toddler! I am not so sure where the time went. How did we get here? Stephen and I have a one year old! And, not just any one year old- we have Annabelle. She is the smartest, sweetest most wonderful thing that has ever come into our lives. I love our family and I can't wait to see what happens in her second year!

Annabelle's 12 month photo- she weighs 17.5 lbs

Cousins Come to Visit

We loved having the cousins together! So much fun! And, as they get older they can actually play and interact together. K&G are sitting up now and playing with toys on their own. Gray is so close to crawling! It was really fun to hear all the cousins laughing together.

Happy Anniversary

I love you Stephen! Happy Anniversary- I have loved every minute of our 4 years of marriage! You complete me! :-)

A Very Busy Week

Just a quick note since I haven't updated the blog in a few days. We have had such a fun week celebrating the 4th, our anniversary and Annabelle's first birthday. It went by so fast and I am going to do several posts to follow up on all the events.

First I want to thank all of our friends and family for helping us celebrate all week long. Mimi and Gramps came to visit early on in the week and they were kind enough to babysit so Stephen and I could go celebrate our anniversary. Aunt Steph, Uncle Bryan and Kinsey and Grayson came from Houston to celebrate A's birthday. AND all of our playgroup made it to A's party. It was a blast and I can't believe its over!

So, I hope you enjoy reading about our adventures last week. I may get a little sappy here and there.... after all my baby turned one! AHHH!

Cheers!

Annabelle's Walking!

I finally got her on video! Yea- she's walking!

The Children's Museum

I have had The Children's Museum on my list for quite some time. I read some reviews and heard from friends that it was really a fun museum especially for kiddos Annabelle's age. She really had a great time! AND, unlike a lot of museums she actually got to play and participate in the exhibits. There was a cute indoor playground she crawled around on and a water room where she got to play with water toys and a firetruck with slides! It was really neat to see her so interested in the museum and I think that Mimi and Gramps enjoyed it too. I can't wait to take her back there!

With Ms. Frizzle at the Magic School Bus exhibit

Mimi and A riding the Magic School Bus

A grilling out in the Backyard exhibit

Gramps making giant bubbles for A to pop

A loved the wheel barrel

Water room

A driving the fire truck

Happy 4th of July!

July 4th!! My favorite time of the year in Lakewood.... all the houses have an American flag planted in their front yards and it feels like an old fashioned neighborhood where everyone knows everyone and you feel like you are home. We headed to the parade again this year to celebrate the 4th. I was super excited because it was Annabelle first time to experience Lakewood during this fun holiday. (Last year I was VERY prego and out watching the parade in 100+ degree heat. YUCK! This was a much better experience....) Annabelle sported a very cute and patriotic outfit made by Mimi. It was super fun and a great way to kick off a big week for our ALMOST 1 year old.