Birthday Presents

Because Brynlee loves her birthday present SO much, it now deserves a blog post.

When Brynlee was born I really wanted to buy her the Anywhere Chair from PBK. However, we just really couldn't afford the chair. So we decided to buy her a similar chair for her birthday {the only present that came from us}.

seeing the chair the first time... she kind of went crazy!

so happy!

To say she LOVES this chair is a drastic understatement. At any point in the day Brynlee can be found sitting in her chair. She reads in her chair, plays in her chair and actually sits in the chair to watch movies. It is her very own chair and she is so happy to have it!

Winter One-derland Part 2

The cake. I think that is the one thing I have been asked about repeatedly all weekend, "what did she do to the cake?"

Overall, she liked the taste but not the mess. {Which is surprising since she will rub yogurt and applesauce up and down her arms no problem.} So at first it was all great. Then when it got all over her hands and face she was over it!

Winter One-derland Part 1

This weekend we had Brynlee's birthday party! Let me just say it was wonderful! I was really nervous about Brynlee getting overwhelmed and upset with all the extra people {a little over 30} in the house. But she did amazing! Mostly she chased all the big kids around!

For the party we did Winter One-derland. So we had all white foods and cake along with hot chocolate and apple cider. We chose to just do snacks and cake instead of a meal. There is no way we could get people around a table of any sort to really eat. So here are some pictures!

Food: White chocolate pretzels, powdered donuts, oreo truffles, white cheddar popcorn and chips and white queso.

 I picture from each month. Thank you pintrest.

 The cake my friend Laura made! She is super crafty and amazing!

Happy Birthday Brynlee {who is now up from a nap, so the rest will come later!}

One Year

Brynlee Anne-

It happened. Today you had your very first birthday. We had a great day celebrating with some carousel riding at the mall. Tomorrow we will have a nice, big party with the family! 

One year ago today, we were sitting in the hospital trying to get our arms around what had just happened. Less than 12 hours after entering the hospital {because I felt like I was going to die}, you were here. You came in your own time and on your own terms. Something tells me this won't be the only time that happens. 

Since that day we have experienced SO much together; lots of laughter and tears, joy and pain, sleep and no sleep, hugs and kisses, singing and dancing, playing and resting. Each day is a new adventure in our house. That is because of you! Everyday your smile brings a level of joy that does not exist without you. It is impossible to be upset or frustrated when you flash a smile! Your love and joy fill our hearts everyday. 

You are truly a gift from God. We never experienced this kind of love until you were born. What a great reminder each day of the love God has for us and for you! It is a sacrificial love. We pray everyday that you experience this love for yourself and are confident in His love and sacrifice for you.

There are so many things to say, so many things to recall from the past year. All the good times, happy times, sad times, angry times, frustrating times, and unforgettable times can be summed up in a few words from one of our very favorites books: "I love you through and through, yesterday, today and tomorrow too."

Nap Time thoughts

I really SHOULD be cleaning. But I just am not in the mood! So while Brynlee sleeps today, I will do everything BUT that. So this will be a whole lot of random thoughts.

1. We had family pics done a couple weeks ago and they are AMAZING! I had the most ridiculously hard time choosing pics for a christmas card. Here are a few of our favorites...

2. Brynlee is full-fledged walking. She rarely ever crawls! It is so crazy. I CANNOT believe she will be 1 in a week and a half!

3. This week is James' birthday. And let's just say, I did good this year! I feel like he is kind of hard to buy for. But this time I know he will love it! And in case he reads this: it is not something you told me you wanted!

4. Brynlee was a rockstar with the whole tube situation. It was a super quick surgery and she was her normal self in no time. {Although it was weird seeing her "off" like that from the medicine}

5. After a month off, I am back to subbing again. I think it will be a good change of pace again. Nice to get out of the house a bit. And it helps that Brynlee adores her babysitter!

Tubes

In 11 short months of life Brynlee has had 7 ear infections, 4 of which were double ear infections. So tomorrow we are having tubes put in her ears. Honestly, the decision was a no brainer. My sweet baby girl has had constant trouble with this {since 10 weeks old}. She is perpetually sick {with a cold or sinus infection} because her ears won't drain.

If you think about, would you pray for us tonight or tomorrow morning?? Surgery will be early, early! I know everything will be fine but even so, I am a bit anxious about sending my baby away for surgery! Pray for the doctors to be confident in the steps they are taking to help my baby- and pray for peace for us as we send her off! 

Even with being sick so much she is such a happy girl! She is always laughing, smiling and clapping. I am so thankful that she will not remember the days of being sick and in pain. I am thankful that she has such a delightful spirit {that I am most certain came from her daddy!}. She is such a light to our world- we are lucky to have her in our lives!

Eleven

Oh chick-pea. I cannot even believe that you are eleven months old! I really am just not ready for this. It is insane to think that in less than a month we will be celebrating one year if you in our lives. Although I miss my baby girl {of course you will always be my baby girl}, I am loving this stage!

You are too much fun to play with! You LOVE to play. Since we have made a play room in the house, this is even better. Your beautiful eyes light up when you get to the door and see all the toys in that room. And it is pretty wonderful to have our living room back! Now, I have to mention that this month you have perfected throwing a fit. You tend to throw your whole body on the floor, face first and attempt to cry. Before it was pretty rare. Lately, it has become more frequent {about half the time when we tell you "no" to something}. Usually we just ignore it and you stop.

This month has been pretty big for you. You have added a few words to your vocabulary: hi, dog and out. But mostly you just say "hi" and wave continuously! It's pretty stinkin' cute! You are still contemplating truly walking. You will take 5-7 steps at a time. I am pretty sure that once you figure out how to stand up without holding on to something, you will be running!

I have missed so much being home with you all day- so now that I am back we are busy planning your birthday party! You still love shopping and hanging out with the fam. We just got back from the lake. There you discovered your love of leaves!

Baby girl we cannot even tell you how much we love you! But we will try!! So glad you aren't too cool for our hugs and kisses yet!