11 months old

Here we are once again, another month closer to your first birthday! There is this huge mixture of emotions stirring up inside me lately and if I allow myself to sit and really think on all that I am feeling I can't help but shed a few tears. They aren't sad tears by any means but more so happy tears, tears of gratitude and contentment; tears I think only a mother truly understands. I hope one day, years from now you get to experience a love like ours. I spent 9 months of my life carrying your growing body within mine, each day seemed like an eternity because I was so incredibly anxious to meet you face to face. Then the moment came when our eyes met for the very first time, it's a moment that will forever be embedded in my memory and the feeling of completeness that I felt in that very moment I don't think will ever go away. You, my sweet, sweet little bird are such a blessing in my life and not a day goes by when I do not thank our Heavenly Father for giving you to me. Happy 11 months baby girl!

At 11 months old, Blaykleigh ...

• weighs approximately 20 lbs (give or take a few oz) and is around 28 inches in length
• has 6 teeth
• knows how to "ooo ooo ooo" like a monkey, "maow" like a kitty, "moooo" like a cow
• points at all things she is curious about
• officially says "keecat" aka kitty cat
• finally crawls on all fours
• pulls herself up on anything she can
• can be entertained by our cats for hours, she loves them but I am not so sure they feel the same about her especially when chunks of hair start missing 
• started eating mainly "finger foods" and not so much of the pureed baby foods
• for the most part has finally started taking to her nap times during the day and if I am lucky she will even go down by herself
• still loves her bath time and just about drinks up the entire tub
• has the sweetest little giggle
• gives the best kisses, slobber and all
• hates having her diaper changed but I found if you sing to her while you are changing her she will stay still ... most of the time
• loves the three little mice that live in the tick tock clock - a tv show on baby first tv - she squeals in excitement each time it comes on
• had her first "pedicure" a couple of weeks ago
• still loves any and all attention from anyone she meets, definitely not a shy one
• is such a silly little girl at times and loves to make you laugh

Insta-Friday

Thank goodness it is Friday! 

Don't some believe that killing a ladybug will bring you bad "juju"? Well I wonder what you get when you go out of your way to save one? Last weekend found this little guy while loading groceries into my car; brought him all the way back to our house and placed him in the garden -- pretty sure he has made a happy home there ... or at least that is what I imagine. 

Little Miss Blaykleigh and her sunbathing beautiness! 

Daddy bought her her very first swimming pool and no doubt about it, she   l-o-v-e-'s it.

Pretty little butterfly (or perhaps a moth) enjoying some fresh Magic Mountain Basil.

Blaykleigh's slobbered finger print canvas aka the door to our patio. 

One tuckered out babe.

An artist at heart. 

She comes from a long line of very talented folks.

Don't be jealous, the girl can't help it, it's in her blood. 

Hester's Cafe = Magnificent. 

Stacie. My savoir this past week while the husband has been out of town for work (ooor partying like a rockstar Vegas style). The dear that she is flew all the way out from Arizona to hangout with B and I and then watch B while I went to school at night! She is 15 weeks pregnant, any and all energy she has is being consumed by baby Hainke not to mention the constant state of nauseousness ... pretty sure I owe her BIG!

Oh. That awesome pool Jase got B ... well I found it floating in our neighbors 'real' pool this afternoon.  How did it get there you ask? Perhaps it was the gale force winds never seem to cease in this town. I actually found it rather comical until .... (see pic below)

... I inspected our garden which was taken victim. Several plants like this beautiful, thriving, sweet bell pepper plant; tragically split in two, crumbled to the ground. Just like that, wind and an inflatable plastic pool ruined bits of our garden. ... I am a little heartbroken if one can not tell. 

Blaykleigh borrowed a set of wheels for the night. She was ready to go cruisin'!

Blaykleigh and Brighton playing "kitchen" toddler style. 

The view from the husband's hotel room. Sucks when work sends you to Vegas for an entire week of training. 

...

Must be nice! ;) 

Insta-Friday

Life is crazy around here - at least for me! Counting down the days until the end of the semester so that I can enjoy the summer with my loves. It can't come soon enough that is for sure. 

Blaykleigh is all about begging (yes, begging) for my cereal in the morning. Needless to say, I can't help but give in to her cuteness. 

Last Monday Blaykleigh & I met up with a play group from our new church -- we had a wonderful time! Had fun on the swing and fed the ducks, geese, seagulls and a few pigeons! ... All the birdies deserve food.

Our very first ripe tomatoes! 

Cheers! 

AND my tomato-hater husband was quiet the fan once we each devoured our single tomato, said it must be because they are homegrown, lol. 28 years of not eating tomatoes, he has definitely been missing out. 

Making a mess of what was leftover from the popsicle I made her! 

Sweet sleep. Moments that are still few and far between for this little girl. This one doesn't ever miss a beat that is for sure. 

Wrapping up the semester with a little education on how baby's are made. Still amazes me that for 9 months my sweet little girl grew inside of ME!!!!!!

There is something wrong with this picture -- Blaykleigh on the outside of her play area while Mannie is on the inside. I think Mannie has found a way to escape the constant chasing and hair pulling from Miss B! Smart cat. 

Always pointing at something these days; that or trying to shove her entire fist down your throat -- so much fun!

First ever painted toes-ies! 

Color: Windy Rock Canyon 

... 

and we match! :)

Monkeying around

A little bit of video footage.

"Blaykleigh, what does a monkey say?"

annnnnd 

"kitty cat" - her favorite words these days. 

Happy Friday everyone! 

Blaykleigh's 1st Easter

We enjoyed a wonderful 1st Easter with our little bird. 

She got her very 1st Easter basket full of goodies. 

There was a lovely Easter service at our church.

Followed by a late afternoon lunch with some extended family.

Ending with a quiet evening at home. 

...

And next year, we will partake in the dying of some eggs! 

Insta-Friday

our bits and pieces. 

flowers from out front picked by jase, loved by blaykleigh.

afternoon kisses.

dinner with friends.

trips to the nursery.

pretty little dove.

loves her reflection.

best smile around.

doing a little hat shopping.

tucked peacefully in bed.

ready to eat.

saved a turtle and released him back into the wild.