Allie is 1!

I can't believe my baby girl is one!! It just blows my mind how fast this last year has gone.  It really feels like I just got home from the hospital with her....

For this child I have prayed, and the Lord has granted the desires of my heart.  1 Samuel 1:27 

As we finish this first year of life I have so many prayers for Allie:

Thank you God for my beautiful daughter and the wonderful first year of life you have given her.  I thank you for her health and happiness.  She is perfectly and wonderfully made by you and I pray she always knows that.  I pray that you will guide her father and I to teach her to love you and seek you above anything else.  I thank you for the special relationship she has in her brothers and I pray they are always close and take care of each other.  She was the most perfect addition to our family and I pray for many, many more wonderful years together!

Party Time!

Although Allie's actual birthday is this coming up Saturday, we celebrated a little early with a party this past weekend. I honestly went to bed Saturday night feeling overwhelmingly happy and blessed. Saturday really could not have been a more perfect day...  the weather was beautiful (not a cloud in the sky!!), we had most of our family and close friends by our side, there was lots of laughter and a beautiful daughter who is just growing up so quickly! I am just so thankful that my children are happy and healthy and that we could all spend a great day together!

My wild and crazy kiddos!! :)

the birthday girl!!

we are working on walking...but I am definitely not rushing this baby to grow up!! :(

One of her very favorite things to do....she cries when she has to come in!

Some of the boys in the backyard playing football!!

"Happy Birthday to You!!"

My wonderful family!

She LOVED her cake!!!  She ate almost half of it and cried when we took it away!

Precious Girl!

Checking out one of her new toys!

All the kids!

Another new, fun toy!

On Allie's actual bday we have a home GT game so we will be celebrating her big day again at the tailgate this Saturday! You can't ever have to many bday celebrations...you only turn 1 once!!

Allie is 2 months old!

Well we survived all the craziness of the holidays and had a great time celebrating Jesus' birthday!! As usual, I took way to many pics and could spend hours posting them all, but I just don't have the time! :) Just know that we had a wonderful Christmas with our family and Joe and I spent a wonderful New Year's Eve having a nice dinner without children!!

I can't believe we are past all of the holidays and Allie is already 2 months old! Time flies!!

Allie had her 2 month check up yesterday and here are her stats:

weight: 12lbs, 4oz (90th percentile)

height: 22.5 in (50th percentile)

Whoa she has gotten so big!!! I had to already box up her newborn clothes because they don't fit her anymore. I was so sad to already be done with that phase. :( It goes by so fast and I just want to relish in every little joy of her being a baby. A few nights ago, I walked in the boys room to check on them before I went to bed and I just sat there watching them sleep with mixed feelings. I was sad because they are just getting so big and growing up so fast, but I was also happy to think of all they have become and will continue to be! I am excited to see the little person Allie is going to be, but I sure don't want to rush it!!! Anyway....

Allie has been the greatest baby. She rarely gets upset or cries, but when she does...she makes it loud and clear!! She has been sleeping through the night for a few weeks now and I am so thankful for that! She likes to take small naps during the day, but if you know me...you know I am already working on getting her on a napping and eating schedule!! We have the eating schedule down pretty good, but the napping is a little harder! We'll get there!! She is really starting to smile and laugh which just melts my heart! Her favorite time to "talk" is when she is laying on her changing table. For some reason, she always has a lot to say after her diaper is changed! Her brothers are still madly in love with her and still continue to tell me that they want to keep her! (Thank goodness because I think I want to keep her too!!) Now that she is 2 months old, we are starting to take her out with us a little more. Every time we leave the house now, the boys ask if Allie can come and if she can be around a lot of people yet...I think they are just so excited to show her off! :)

She watches their every move!

(BTW - I realize the flower on her head is the same size as her head and looks a little silly...but I still thought it was cute/funny!!)

Love this smile!!

Still Alive!!

It has been a while since I've had a chance to blog, but we are still alive!! Everything has been going great since the arrival of Allie, but it has been a change and we have been busy getting into our new routine! I can't believe Allie is already over a month old. Time just flies by!

I don't know what she would do without superman and iron man to protect her!! :)

As busy as it has been I am trying to slow down and enjoy the little moments with Allie....her little coos, her smell, her brothers loving and kissing on her, her smile, the list could go on and on. She has just been the perfect addition to our family! I sometimes tear up just seeing how much the boys love their little sister! I think every parent fears how the other children will take the addition of a new baby in the family, but they couldn't have done better. They understand when I sometimes have to meet Allie's needs before I can play with them or read them a book. They have nothing but love for her! They are such great big brothers as I knew they would be!

Allie has already had many first in her short little life...

First Bath

First of many photo shoots :)

First Thanksgiving

First time getting a Christmas Tree

First Santa visit

and we are getting ready to celebrate her first Christmas!!