Lainey's party, Sunday 4-26

The weather here is cloudy and windy, so our outside-picnic-and-play party didn't really take place quite how we had envisioned. So, Plan B. We went inside the church to the "donut room" to have cake and pizza and then we took the kids outside to play on the playground for a bit. It was a great birthday, and Lainey loved every second of it. Except when she fell and got a bump on her head. Other than that, she had a grand time. :)

Cally, Lainey, Ella, and Kate in the wagon that Emmy and Pops gave Lainey for her birthday

trying to keep the candle out of her reach while we sang Happy Birthday

her cute "smash cake"

YUM.

outside on the playground

my second cousins, Nate and Luke (I think they are L's 2nd cousins, once removed..?)

opening presents at home

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Thank you to all who came today - we missed some family members due to illness (Brooke!) but we were grateful for all who were able to attend. It was fun, and Lainey loves all of her fun gifts! Thank you so much, everyone!

When life gives you lemons...

take the opportunity to snack on them! 

Only her Yiyia and her cousin Cally can literally "eat" lemons like this. She'll suck the whole thing dry, to the point where we'll have to ask for another wedge. It's a great way to pass time while waiting for dinner, though! :)

Lainey is ONE!

Lainey is one today! I know I say this each month, but I really can't believe it! She is a full year old! :) We started out the day playing with her new kitchen which I have to say is SO CUTE. I am so excited about this thing! I love the details...! :)

Lainey's birthday party is Sunday, so I'll be sure to post pictures from the celebration. She goes to the doctor on Tuesday for her checkup, and hopefully I'll remember to post "stats" after we get home. 

As a one-year-old, Lainey:

• "dances" when music comes on or when she is told to "dance". She only has one dance move, and it's bouncing up and down. Funny stuff.
• loves to throw and kick balls (mostly throw).
• very clearly says "Hi" - but that's about all. She is chatty and jibbering all the time, but Hi is the only word we think she is saying. :) 
• understands where her bow goes, and what the comb is for. 
• has had SIX ear infections. We're hoping that we won't get #7, but I think it's doubtful. 
• adores dogs and other kids - and probably other animals, too.
• likes whole milk A LOT (yes, we gave it to her a little early). 
• is pretty used to the nicknames "Punky" and "Punkaliciousness" and "Punkalish". 
• is busy, busy, busy, busy. She is everywhere, and unafraid to eat anything. A bit scary. 
• blows on her food when we tell her it's hot (although she just says "ah ah ah" and sucks in air instead of blowing it out). 

"I'm baking, Mom. Please go play somewhere else. The oven is hot."

The kitchen and me. After nearly 4 hours of assembly. It was way past my bedtime! But it's SO CUTE!

We love, love, love you Lainey. We are so blessed and thankful to have you in our lives. You are a joy... Happy first birthday, baby girl! 

Some recent pictures

I know...I've not been a good blogger lately! Here are some recent pictures of the baby. It's hard to believe that one year ago today I was having contractions...at home...waiting until they were the required 5 minutes apart to go to the hospital. Tomorrow is Punky's first birthday, and I'm feeling awfully nostalgic. I'm very much in the "One year ago today..." mode. :)

One of her favorite pasttimes - pulling down Ben's books from his bookshelf. And, if you know Ben, you know how protective he is of his books. Sometimes she gets away from me...and this is what happens. :)

I like these next two shots because they show off Lainey's svelte figure.

And then this one I just took this evening - she is post-bath, in her jammies that look like an adult's pajamas. I think that's why I put them on her - she looks so cute in such grown-up pajamas. :) These were Ella's (thanks Allyson!) and are meant for a 24-month-old so they are a bit big...but I like them on her anyway.

My little mermaid

Lainey reminds me of a little mermaid when she walks around in her sleep sack (usually after I've tried to put her down and she's refused).

Not tired. Too much to see and do.

Chatty baby

Lately, Lainey has been chatting up a storm. I love this stage in a baby's life - it's hilarious. They have all sorts of ideas, opinions, and things to say. And, everything is said with such inflection and confidence. Yet we really have no idea what is going on in their little minds. So funny! This is a long video and not too exciting, but it does give you a glimpse into her world of communicating with us. Constant noise, constant movement. We are blessed! 

Happy Easter!

Lainey's Easter bunny did not visit until Sunday afternoon. After we came home from church, Lainey took a good nap and then ate lunch. After lunch, she discovered that the Easter bunny had paid her a visit while she was napping. He brought her some plastic eggs with binkies in them, two new books, and a big fluffy squawking chick.

The Easter basket she's holding is actually my childhood basket. I only added a new ribbon - I replaced a blue one with a pink one.

Any eggs in here?

Out of that darn dress that I kept stepping on and tripping over... yay for playclothes!

This is Lainey's favorite drawer to empty in her room - the one with all her binks. Seriously, she does this about 10 times a day.

up to more mischief

Dad and Lainey pointing at the ceiling fan and thinking big thoughts.

with Bud and Yiyia (and her Elmo Easter basket) at our family celebration late Sunday afternoon

chaperoned scooter rides

tiny baby, big gym

She LOVED all the action. She was sweating from moving around so much. Her favorite things to chase were the balls - the soccer ball, the basketball, the plastic softball, the yellow bouncy ball... and then she had fun chasing after her cousins, too. :)

Playing outside

throwing Reagan's squeaky toy

another killer shot of those thighs

questioning my authority

"Sorry, Reagan. These are now my toys. Yes, they used to be yours but now they're mine. Too bad. You snooze, you lose..."

Truly, these two toys of Reagan's are her prized possessions. She finds them as soon as we go outside, and really doesn't like to let them go. We throw them to Reagan and laugh as Reagan chases them, but Lainey rushes to get them back from her. It's funny to see her try to stand up with those two toys - she won't let them go! She could probably stand up faster if she would just leave them on the ground.

Happy Birthday, Cally!

Last night we got together at Cally's house to celebrate her seventh birthday!! Happy birthday, Cally! :)

Cally, Brooke, Ella, Yiyia

Collin, Kate, Cally

Here are all the kids...(and Yiyia and Aunt Tisha). Yes, that's Lainey bonking Collin on the face.

Lainey's first tricycle ride with Great Grandpa James.

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We played this game when we got home. It's one we like to call "put the shoes on the stairs and then grab them off and then put them back on the stairs". It occupies a great deal of time (10 minutes in baby time - that's a while!).

Easter Egg Hunt at the church

Hmm. Eggs. I bet they'd fit in my mouth...

 I know I can smack them together to make a fun sound.

our little family of three

train ride (that she fully enjoyed)

Partners in crime

Our baby loves dogs. She points to them on TV. She waves to them in parking lots. She laughs at them from across the park. She would happily befriend any dog. (This makes Reagan nervous, given her history with strange dogs.) Yesterday we spent some time at Emmy's house and Lainey and Sofi shared lunch. Literally. I think Lainey would hand-feed Sofi pieces of food on her tray, and Sofi would happily accept. It was pretty funny watching them.

Can you tell that we got a new camera? We LOVE it. It takes very clear pictures and I'm so excited about that!

s0 someone wouldn't feel left out...

On a serious note, please continue to think of and pray for our friends Dustin (Nora's dad) and Keegan. Dustin is the one who survived a horrible accident with a moving truck and had his pancreas severed in two. Complications are surfacing, and he's having difficulty with his tube feeds and is currently dealing with a painful case of pancreatitis. There are almost daily updates on their blog. (Kate, you are doing a great job of this!) Additionally, little Keegan's liver is having a hard time due to all the stress his little body has been over in the past year. Also, Maddie posts almost daily updates on their blog from Boston. Please pray for these two and their families: Dustin (Kate and Nora) and Keegan (Maddie and Gray). I know they are appreciative of everyone's support and prayers during this time. And I'm grateful for your support, too!

I. love. these. thighs.

As my friend Amy so perfectly expressed, "Why can't all chubby legs be this cute?" So well said, Amy! :)

I also love these cute little toes that she digs into the ground to steady herself.