Happy Birthday Presleigh!

Yesterday, February 24, we celebrated Presleigh's first birthday! Wow!!! I can't believe that this time last year I was holding a brand new baby and just getting to know her. While her turning a year is albeit a little sad, I wouldn't turn back time. Presleigh is growing and healthy and just today I noticed that one of her top teeth finally broke through...ya!

Everyday it seems she is learning something new. Her favorite game right now is pat-a-cake. And if you ask her if she wants to play, she will crawl across the room to play with you. Of course, her favorite part is when we "throw" it in the oven.

For her birthday my parents sent her a lovey. Her sister has one just like it except hers is a giraffe and Presleigh loves it when Blaire lets her hold it. Now she has one of her very own. You can see by the pictures what her reaction was when she opened it! Thanks Gramma Jill and Poppa Tom!

Playing in the sand!

Last weekend the weather was beautiful, so we got out in the backyard and began working on getting it ready for spring planting. Anyway, the girls got to play in the sandbox and both had a good time. Blaire had a great time trying to bury her sister in the sand and Presleigh enjoyed the new experience.

Dedication Day!

On Sunday, February 13th we dedicated our youngest daughter to the Lord. More over, we made the public commitment to raise our child in the ways of the Lord. It seems such a simple act, but such a simple act comes with such responsibility. With Presleigh being the 2nd born, we have already had a chance to see what a great responsibility it really is.

I am humbled to know that God specifically chose Stuart and Me, to be the parents of these two girls and with that the responsibility to raise them to know and love our Lord Jesus Christ.

After the dedication ceremony we were in the congregation as the older children in our church led worship. Blaire was standing between Stuart and Me and I was holding Presleigh and out of no where came on the tears. I was completely overwhelmed with the blessing of my family. I can't even put into words the feelings that overwhelm my heart.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children."

Presleigh's 1st Birthday Party!

Presleigh does not turn 1 until the 24th of February and I have not intention of rushing the rest of her first precious year, but, since my sister and brother-in-law came over for her dedication we decided to do her birthday party this weekend as well.

Before I continue, I have a confession, I am VERY type A. I didn't admit this for a long time but my sister gently(or not) explained to me that I have been this way for a long time. I thought it only came about when I became a mother; I guess not! I am going to work on it, but I am thankful for Jenna coming over and helping me with the party which could be nothing less than perfection;)

Well we bagan mid-morning getting things arranged for the party! We had a lot of errands to run and had to decorate the room, which our church graciously let us use. The kids needed naps and so did their daddies. Thankfully, Presleigh got a good nap and was ready to party.

I dressed her in pink and she was ready to go! Of course she was clueless but we all had fun. And boy did she enjoy her cake!

CUPCAKES!

I have mentioned before that I am not a baker. These days not much of a cook either but that is another post. However, my sister LOVES to bake and is an extremely innovative baker as her mission is to make everything Elli friendly(My niece Elli has severe food allergies). So ingredients that one would never think to bake with, Jenna uses frequently and her baking goods are fantastic!

Anyway, Jenna and Pobzeb came over this weekend for Presleigh's 1st birthday party and she came with Elli friendly cupcakes. So, we had to spice them up a little! White chocolate cupcake cups! The pictures explain the rest!

Look What I can Do!

Step 1


Step 2


Step 3


And here I am!

Wow, what a weekend we have had. On Friday, Presleigh was barely crawling on all fours(She has been army crawling for awhile). However, over the weekend she has figured out she can get into more trouble on all fours and has been trying hard to coordinate her arms and her legs.

And today she is pulling up! She crawled into the bathroom where Big Sister Blaire was taking a bath and pulled up next to her dad who was washing Blaire's hair and insisted that she take a bath too! The funny thing is, Stuart tells me this story very nonchelantly later. I told him he had just witnessed Presleigh pull up for the first time. So funny!

This evening we got out a new picnic table we got for Presleigh and Blaire and Stuart and I got so excited as Presleigh demonstrated her new skills. Blaire got excited too and had to show us how she could pull up too! How funny!

Presleigh 11 months!

Miss Presleigh will be 11 months old on the 24th. Wow, has the past 11 months flown. I can hardly believe that 11 months ago I was waddling around greatly anticipating the birth of our second born.

Miss Presleigh is making big strides. While she is taking her time with her major motor skills, she has "tons" of words. A few being: Mama, Dada, Blaire("bu") more("ma"), doggy("da"). She is a pretty relaxed baby, but when she wants something, she knows how to assert herself.

In the past month Presleigh has been able to move herself from an army crawl to a sitting position and this past week she has started crawling a little on all fours. She is better at army crawling and still prefers that. Yesterday Presleigh pulled up on her own. Although, she was here with her Grandma and no one actually witnessed it. Grandma just found her standing!

Blaire and Presleigh are learning more and more ways to play with each other which is fun to watch. They are both quite fond of each other!