Our First Family Beach Trip!

"At the beach, life is different. Time doesn't move hour to hour but mood to moment. We live by the currents, plan by the tides and follow the sun."
-Unknown

Hannah loved the beach! Can you tell how excited she is from her first view of the water and crashing waves from our balcony? We spent Memorial Day weekend in Gulf Shores, AL for our first family beach trip - and what a trip it was! Packing everything short of the kitchen sink...in the end, all three of us were content sitting outside and soaking up the sights and sounds!



We enjoyed dinning outside for most meals, cooked some fabulous food (shrimp tacos, red snapper, lamb chops to name a few!)ourselves and went to a cool beach dive called Sea'n'Suds and a place called Lulu's (owned by Lucy Buffet, Jimmy Buffet's sister). Every morning we would pack up snacks, toys, and cold drinks and head down to our beach chairs - and every evening we would relax on our balcony, taking in the sunset!





Hannah was a trooper! She loved playing in the big pool with us, her little pool on the beach, she ventured out to the waves and wasn't scared! Mike took her for short "walks" down the beach, she napped on the beach blanket under the umbrella, and ate her weight in goldfish and all other snacks all day long!




I couldn't be happier that my daughter loves being by the ocean as much as I do! I have such great memories of spending summers at the beach - what an amazing experience to be able to create new memories with Hannah and Mike! My heart may be in Texas...but my soul lives at the beach!

Knee deep in the water somewhere
Got the blue sky breeze blowing wind through my hair
Only worry in the world is the tide gonnna reach my chair
Sunrise there's a fire in the sky
Never been so happy
Never felt so high
And I think I might have found me my own kind of paradise
-Zac Brown Band

Hannah's Birthday Dinner

On Hannah's actual birthday, we of course sang her Happy Birthday and she had her very own Happy Birthday balloon and a small surprise to open that morning! She figured out her snack cup with the first try and has been happily eating goldfish from it ever since! I made a roast chicken (ckn is definately one of her favorites), mashed potatoes, and asparagus for us all to enjoy for dinner - and we did! Since we did cupcakes at her party, I wanted Hannah to have the "cake" experience and bought a mini cake earlier that morning from the local bakery. She may be the only one year old who wanted nothing to do with her cake - she had a small melt down until we took the cake away! Guess she is already spoiled and prefers her mama's baked from scratch sweets and treats!

12 Months Old!

Better late than never...what a busy month it has been! One year old - wow! The time does pass by quickly but I feel so lucky to have been home and soaked it all up! Hannah is growing up - she sprouted 4 yes 4 new teeth this month, has taken a few steps on her own, can hold her own sippy cup, eats off of plates and bowls, and can use her training spoon fairly well! She loves trying new food - especially whatever mommy is eating - and still love avacados, bananas, apples, chicken, rice, and any kind of bread (bagels, sliced bread, tortillas, waffles, etc.) She can wave hello and bye-bye, give high 5's, clap her hands, shake her head no, walk and push toys, and dance on command!



Likes:
playing outside
playtime inside
standing up
singing 5 little monkeys
singing If your happy and you know it...
snacks (goldfish, yogurt melts, puffs, crackers, o's)
reading with mama (favorite books right now are Eight Animales on the Town (it is in Spanish and English), Water Water Everywhere, Counting Kisses, and Bear Snores On to name a few)
animal sounds and Old MacDonald had a Farm
riding on daddy's shoulders
bathtime and/or water play outside



Dislikes:
getting dressed
diaper changes that take too long
when mama isn't around
when people don't wave back
when we take items away
when she cannot communicate what she wants or needs


Hannah is in the 90% for height and 10% for weight...tall and skinny, and full of energy! She wakes up happy and ready to play! With every new day, she learns new skills - like putting lids on bottles/containers, stacking cups or bowls, sorting socks with mama, and stacking books or coasters on the table. Loves to be read to, and loves to snuggle with her mama! Looking forward to what new things she will learn and share with us this next month!

Hannah's First Birthday Party!

Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy 1st Birthday sweet Hannah...
Happy Birthday to you!
We love you! - Mommy & Daddy





Celebrating Hannah's 1st Birthday a little early turned out amazingly well! We had a small party at our house with just family and some close family friends - a great crowd and perfect size party! Mike grilled up some delicious food and we had a casual and laid back BBQ menu - beer can chicken, baked cowboy beans, potato salad, brisket, and lots of snacks! I made chocolate chip cookies and homemade cupcakes for dessert which were a big hit!




Present time came first - with some pretty amazing gifts! Hannah received her first dollhouse from Mommy and Daddy, an awesome zebra 3 in 1 walker from my sis, a water table for outside from my in-laws, and her first red wagon from my parents along with her first table and chairs and her very own portable DVD player! Wow! She also received some great bath books, summer pool wear, monogrammed toy box, and dresses!




Happy Birthday sweet girl! So happy you had a fun and memorable 1st birthday party! Thanks to everyone who helped us celebrate! Looking forward to many more birthdays!

Happy Mother's Day!

Mother's Day came and went very quickly! With out of town friends visiting, my parents in town, my father-in-law's retirement ceremony, and Hannah's First Birthday party...there was a lot going on! Amidst the chaos...I did receive some beautiful gifts from my husband and daughter. I love love love being a mom and was happy to spend the day with my family! I feel so blessed to have the title of "mommy" and am looking forward to this next year of being one!