Finally a year....

Little Ms. LJ turned one on the 27th of January. Lord knows why it has taken me so long to post. I'm a horrible blogger.

We had a great party for her... a bounce house for the kids, a street taco guy and a keg of beer and margaritas. It was perfect! Her Mimi got her the most precious birthday party outfit... little pink and white stripped leggings that looked like ballerina slippers... it was adorable.

Aunt Jamie, Uncle Wes and both of her cousins (Jenoma and Harper) came out for the party, along with Mimi, Papa, Grandpa, Grandma Teri and all of her relatives. It was almost like a family reunion. Seeing my pops (Grandpa) sit around with my mom (Mimi), the Fallows and my grandma was a throwback to my childhood.

Some of the highlights:

The bounce house got delivered at 7:30 a.m. If that wasn't the best thing since sliced bread, I don't know what is. The second it was fully inflated we ordered Jenoma and Lucas to go outside and bounce. Instant babysitter!!

Mr. Nuelle and Mr. Shott decided that they were going to have a taco eating contest. If you knew Mr. Nuelle you would not be shocked that he won.

We finished the keg of beer (rather impressive for a one year old's birthday party).

Lucy demolished her adorable heart-shaped personal birthday cake. Picked it up like it was a bowling ball.

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Overall it was a great day. My baby is now almost 13 months old. Still not walking, but man can she crawl. She says a ton of words, can sign "more, please, thank you, and milk," she always wants to give you kisses, can blow kisses, and loves to do everything you do.

I can't believe my baby has been on this Earth for over a year. I sat on the floor of her room two nights ago and just watched her breath. I tried to wrap my head around the fact that the hubby and I had created her. That I carried her in my stomach.. it all seems so long ago.

Happy Birthday my sweet baby girl. I never knew I could love anything or anyone this much.

Hudson Lee

Welcome sweet baby Hudson. 7 lbs, 7 ounces and 20.4 inches long. Your mommy and daddy welcomed you into the world at 6:53 p.m. last night after two hours of pushing. I went and visited you today. I held you in my arms, examined your little legs and huge feet. I kissed your sweet nose and stared into your wandering eyes. You are perfect. Your mama looks exhausted (but beautiful) and your daddy looks like a proud papa. I am already in love with you. My heart is filled with so much happiness and pride for you and your family.

I still remember the day your mama called to tell me that I was going to be an auntie. I remember feeling so overjoyed for her…that she was going to experience all of the wonderful ups and downs I’ve been experiencing on my own relatively new journey into motherhood. Driving to the hospital today, I felt those same emotions. One of my oldest and dearest friends has just joined the club - being a mama.

So as I sit here at my desk, still smelling that sweet smell of new baby on my clothes, I drift back to being in the hospital myself. It feels like it was just yesterday that LJ was born. In 16 short days my baby girl is going to be one. Where did the time go? You always laugh at people when they tell you how quickly it flies by. They aren’t kidding.

Congratulations Janine, Adam and big-brother Zach!