Brylee is One!

Okay, so if this blogging thing were for a grade, I would totally be getting an F-! Ben and I recently canceled our aircard to save us $70 a month (yes, we were paying $70 for internet which in my book, is too much!) so I have no way of updating my blog now unless I am at someone's house with internet. I thought maybe I could do it from my phone, but I can't. I can sometimes pick up people's wireless internet around the neighborhood (yes I am one of those people!) but it is very crappy and I usually end up losing whatever I'm doing! So here I sit at my mom's house FINALLY updating!

My precious girl turned one recently. July 7th to be exact and I cannot believe it! I will never forget reading what a teacher from high school wrote in my year book 9 years ago. "From here on out, your life is going to fly by so enjoy every minute of it!" At the time I had no idea what he was talking about but now I do! This past year has FLOWN by. Feels like just yesterday Ben and I were heading to the hospital and I was nervous as a dadgum wreck!! No, in fact, it feels like yesterday I had just handed Ben that "Daddy's Girl" bib and I'll never forget the look on his face! And now we have this sweet little one year old whom we love SO much. The love I have for her is so amazing. I thank God everyday for that feeling! I mean, I love my hubby with all my heart, but I believe a person never really knows what love feels like until they have a child! I now know what my dad meant when he would always say "I love you more than you will ever know!" It's so true and I tell Brylee that now all the time. She will never know...at least until she has a child of her own.

We spent her birthday at the lake (without Daddy!) It was kind of sad but Daddy was okay with it since we would be celebrating it on Saturday. Ben actually came home sick from work that Monday so that sort of made up my decision to go on and go. I didn't want either one of us getting sick with the big party coming up! Ben's mom, brother, sis-in-law, and their kids were already there. Brylee and I rode up with his Dad on Monday. Turns out, his brother had the same symptoms as him! So it was inevitable that we were going to be around it. I think it was a touch of food poisoning or something. Anywas, we had fun at the lake swimming and just relaxing. I made strawberry cupcakes for her birthday on that Wednesday and she was just so delicate with it. I had to sort of smear it on her mouth. She really doesn't like to be messy! I think she is going to be my "girly girl!" And I'm okay with that! She also got a little birthday pedicure from her Uncle "Nick Nick" (Ben's brother) He has two girls so he's kind of a pro!

Brylee is at such a fun age right now. She is so full personality. She is my crazy gal! She is starting to get a little attitude/temper and Daddy and I have now started the "popping". She is starting to understand the word "no." We don't have to say it 37 times now before she'll finally stop doing whatever it is she's not supposed to be doing. She is understanding the whole "pointing" concept. She likes to point at everything and she's actually wanting something instead of before....just pointing to be pointing. Even when Ben or I point, she doesn't just stare up at our finger anymore. She looks to see what we are pointing at. It's so neat watching her figure out these things! She is not walking yet (which I am kind of thankful for!) but as long as she is holding on to something..ie..mommy or daddy's finger, the couch, the cabinets, etc...she can move those legs! Sometimes her Daddy will get to walking real fast with her and her legs are going ninety to nothing! It's the cutest thing and I can't help but laugh everytime. She is saying "Momma", "Dadda", "Hiiiiiii", and "Bye Bye". But that girl can jabber on and on and on and on. Ben and I talk often about how funny it is because we have no idea where she gets it from because neither I nor Ben are motor mouths! I think she gets it from her 2 grandmothers! I have taught her sign language but I really don't think we will have to use it long! She is signing "more", "milk", "finished", and she is a pro at "please"! I could just sit and watch her all day. It's so fun seeing her develop into this big, smart girl!

I made a book for her 1st birthday. It's something I plan to do each birthday with each of our kids. Someone told me I should blog about it and I probably will soon. As well as her birthday party. But in the book I listed her likes and dislikes over this past year so here they go!

Likes~Holding her hands together (this is a constant thing. I think it's her "security blanket")

Carrots, Someone standing, moving, bouncing with her as a newborn (everyone says it's because I did all that Zumba during my pregnancy!), Making Mommy and Daddy laugh, Bathtime, Being outside, Anything that makes a crinkle sound, Yogurt, Making funny faces, Sweet tea from a big person cup, Cell phones, "Songbirds" on the sound machine, Music, Taking medicine, Getting her ears cleaned with a qtip, Books especially "Bubbles Bubbles", Tearing up Mommy's magazines, Getting her teeth brushed

Dislikes~Getting her nose sucked or picked, Getting her mouth wiped, Any food that is remotely solid (she gags everytime) though she has gotten SO much better, Hibachi grill at Kyoto, When people get loud (scares her to death and she cries everytime), Orajel, Using a blanket

To our dearest little Brylee,

Happy 1st Birthday! Mommy and Daddy cannot get over how fast your first year has gone. You have brought such a joy to our lives and we thank God everyday for blessing us with you. Over this past year, we have enjoyed watching you grow, learn, and do new things everyday. You are so sweet and smart and you are so fully of life and personality. You really have a way of making us laugh! From your clapping, to your mouth sounds, your funny faces and hair, and all the other things you do, we have never laughed so much! You are such a unique individual and we can't wait to see what you do next! We love you more than you will ever know and we pray that God will bless you this next year with good health and safety!

Love Mommy and Daddy