1st Birthday Party!

I still can not believe that Lainey is one. Part of me is so sad. I can remember last year at this time thinking that we had a whole year together and that it was going to be amazing, which it has been and how long that is. It is not long enough and I have no idea where the year went. My little girl is growing up and it is so much fun to watch her learn everyday but part of me wants her to just stay the same.

Also not only is she turning one but that means back to work for me, so sad and daycare for her. I am starting back next week but I still can not imagine not spending everyday with her. 

She is finally a good sleeper. She sleeps through most nights, 12 hours. I really thought this day would never come but she has done it!

Here are a ton of photo's from her birthday and a few from visit with Morgie and Aunty Melissa!

 They loved playing in the crib together

   

 I can't believe how much Morgan and Melissa look alike! Gosh we sure do miss them so much already. Tonight at bath Lainey kept pointing at the other sink, I had to tell her Morgan was not coming:(

 Mmmm cupcakes, I ate more than I will ever tell anyone. lol

 Gift bags, a wanda and a crayon roll.

 Right before all the guest came, Nanny was hanging out with the girls so we could get ready. Lainey can not stop hugging and kissing Morgan, it is so adorable to see how excited they get for each other.

My new fabric wall. I have to take the glass off some of them still, too much reflection. I love that I can just stare at this wall and it make me happy. Also check out that little rocking chair, that is my next project. I am going to reupholster it for Lainey. 

 This is Lainey's section in our main room. I wanted somewhere her toys could be stored and out of site. She really likes it.

 "IT's my party!!!"

 Wow all these people came for me.

 So excited to have a cupcake.

 Dad Brining the cupcake to Lainey.

 "Do I get to eat all of these" lol

 This was the first gift and the only one she was interested in, after that she could careless.

 Lots of clapping at her birthday party.

 Us three ladies meet at our prenatal class. So nice to have little ones all around the same age, one of them is only one day younger and the other 10 days younger than Lainey.

Melissa was an amazing help! I just love her so much, wish I could have kept her here in the closet or something. 

What a great first birthday we had. And a great visit with Melissa and Morgan.

Also I finally tried spaghetti with Lainey and she loved it.

So my little girl is one, no longer a baby although she will always be my baby.

Bonnet

WARNING!!!!! CUTENESS OVERLOAD:)

 Lainey's summer bonnet! I am in love with this bonnet, it is absolutely adorable. I tried to only post a few pictures, and trust me I cute out more than half, it is just so cute! Of course Morgan is here and needed a matching bonnet.

From Drab to FAB!

I have been behind on my posting since we moved and started reno's but here are the kitchen table chairs I re-covered last week.

Before:

 After:

I went for a bright busy pattern. I am tired of everything being so dull in my house. I use to love neutral colors but ever since I started quilting I became a fan of patterned fabric. It was so easy to do, I wish I did it years ago. 

And of course one of our little helper. 

I have been busy sewing for Lainey's birthday party on saturday! I will post what I have been up to after her birthday. Back to enjoying time with my sis and little Morgie:)

Lainey's first birthday!

I thought since it is Lainey's first birthday I would share one of the letters I write to her. This letter is written today on her first birthday and it is a letter to her of her birth story, the best I can remember one year later.

May 2011

Dear Lainey,

Today is your day, one year ago you entered our life. One year ago you changed my world forever. It is 10 minutes away from the exact moment I first meet you a year ago. I always wanted to be a mom but until I had you I was really naive in what I thought it was to be a mom. I knew a few things, I knew I would love you with all my heart, I knew that I would love to watch you learn and grow and I knew that life would never be the same. What I didn’t know was how amazing it would feel to be loved by you.

Labor was hard and in the end I thought maybe I couldn’t do this but your dad was amazing and we got through it and we meet you and almost immediately we forgot about the pain. I remember when I first held you, you looked up at me with such big eyes, I will never forget that moment and how you looked. You were born at 9:27 and after the labor we were pretty tired and went back to the room at the hospital to sleep. They wanted you to sleep in the bassinet beside my bed but you would have none of it, you wanted to sleep with me, of course I caved and let you. And still to this day, last night to be exact; you want to sleep on me.

We stayed in the hospital for two nights and then they sent us home. We got home and to be honest we were not really sure what to do. You slept so much that day, so we cleaned and held you. The next morning we got a call and we had to go back to the hospital because you had jaundice. I was so scared I could not stop crying and worrying about you.  We all stayed in the hospital for another 5 nights. When they told us we could go home we didn’t want to, we liked that we had qualified people to check on you, we liked the scenes of security.

We did go home and I never put you done for about 2 months. I remember people telling me it was alright when you were sleeping to lay you beside me, but I just wanted to hold you to know you were safe. I don’t regret it, I love the cuddles.

My labor for you was pretty good. I have nothing to compare it to but it was short and that is all that mattered to me, well short and safe for you. My water broke in bed on the night of the 23^rd of May. It was the day we were getting ready for your arrival. You were due June 14^th so we thought we had lots of time. Once my water broke we tried several things to induce my labor naturally but nothing worked. So on May 25^th we went to the hospital and they induced me at noon. My labor started at about 1, but nothing painful until around 4:30. My back hurt so much and your dad massaged my back the whole time, he is so amazing! At about 8:30 I thought I could not do this anymore and I wanted to get an epidural. They checked me and said I was close so I decided not to get one. I didn’t want one going into it so I am glad that I did not get one. About 5 minutes after they checked me I began labor. My pushing was only about 40 minutes but it felt like 20, it went so fast. The umbilical cord was wrapped around your neck so we had to slow down for a bit, but then you where there. You had a tiny little cry and once you were put in my arms you were quiet.

It is the most amazing experience in my life and you continue to be. Everyday I learn so much from you, I learn patience and how to love a little bit more and how to let the not important things go and how to spend more time doing things I love and how to really just enjoy every second.

I look forward to celebrating so many more birthdays with you my sweet little girl, thank you for blessing our lives.

With all my heart, I love you,

Mom

xoxox

And of course what is a post without pictures:)

 This us having breakfast this morning:)

This picture is from a couple weeks back but her face is priceless, she just loves blueberries, I hate the mess they make:)

Life

How perfect to find this seeing that my blog is called "Life". I still think it is a cheesy/lame name but I am horrible with coming up with names for things. Seeing as I named Lainey only when the doctor asked what her name was and without discussing it with Trevor;) But don't worry we both love her name! Anyways I found this on a blog and loved it, I think I will frame it!