You are the Sunshine of Our Lives!

Last Sunday afternoon we celebrated your first birthday.  I had a few ideas of what I wanted to do for your big day, but as per everything in my life I put it off until the day before!  I wasn't feeling the greatest over the weekend, but mustered up enough energy to do some baking and shopping in preparation for the family that was coming to help us celebrate you!  I went with a "Little Miss Sunshine/You are My Sunshine/Pink&Yellow" theme.  Since a big part of my thoughts were on sunshine, I figured we would have a summer time party type of meal:  lemonade, chips, BBQ Rootbeer pulled pork on pretzel buns, a simple salad, and a cupcake for dessert. 

12 balloons with your monthly pictures hanging from the strings

Homemade Buttermilk Lemon cupcakes with Raspberry Buttercream frosting

The day was very relaxed with all of our (close by) family here with us.  We sat and talked, ate a late lunch, the kids took over the basement which gave us a bit of quiet to have adult conversations which is always nice.  Uncle Craig, Aunt Janine and the kids couldn't make it until later, but we were so happy they made the drive for YOU!  Micah didn't want to miss your first birthday party.  He thinks you are pretty great, and I think it is pretty sweet! :)  When everyone was here, we gathered around for you to open up your presents.  You were also a bit tired with some teeth pushing their way out, but handled all the commotion when it came to your older cousins helping you open each of your gifts.  They can be a bit intense for you, but they sure do love you a whole heaping lot!  It is special to see the way they all fight over you and love on you.  I am so thankful for our big, crazy, loud family with so many wild little ones! :) 

The only picture I have with you and some of your cousins!  I wish I would have taken more with all the others! :(

Blurry, but you LOVED this huge bag!

Sawyer trying to "help" you

You love cars, and deserved a pink one!

You also love baskets and bags, so Grandma and Grandpa D came through!

So cool new kicks and some hot wheels to add to your prized collection

You wanted that purse so bad, and didn't like that Kendrick was trying to open it for you!

Finally it was cupcake time!  You weren't too excited for the cupcake itself, but LOVED the raspberry on top!  Dad added a few more for you, and you ate each one so quickly it was quite impressive.  You are a pretty dainty eater, and like to be clean for the most part.  When your fingers get too dirty you stare at them and then proceed to lick your fingers clean.  It is pretty entertaining to watch, and I appreciate your desire to be clean! :)  You did end up eating the frosting, but that's about it and really only did because Grandpa D smashed the cupcake in your face to assist you in getting messy.  Regardless it was fun to sing to you and watch you pluck your raspberries out of the frosting and eat them one by one! 

So over it at this point, but look how cute you are! :)

It was a great day with all of the family, and a reminder of just how blessed we are to have each of them in our lives!  You add a little something special to the family with your sweetness, and I couldn't be happier to be your Mom.  You have blessed our lives for more than we could have imagined, and we can't wait to see what the Lord has planned for the future of our little family.  Each day we are reminded of His blessings as we here you talking in your bed, and are just so happy that you are ours!! 

Love you Little Miss Sunshine!  Happy Birthday to you!

Two Weeks with Papi&Mamie

A couple weeks ago, we were blessed with a visit from your Mamie, Papi and Uncle Joe.  We couldn't wait to see them, and counted down the weeks until it was finally time to pick them up on a cold, windy night at O'hare.  It was Daddy's birthday, and a great way to end his special day eating pizza with a part of his family.

You warmed up to them all immediately and were  having fun crawling around the floor with Uncle Joe, reading books with Mamie, and singing songs with Papi.  They had a busy couple weeks planned with visiting old friends and speaking at different churches, but we got to spend some good time with them in the mornings and afternoons, with a few special all (present) family included dinners.  They sure do love you, and you love them a whole lot too!  Uncle Joe surely knows how to make you smile just by being him.  It is so sweet to watch the two of you play, and listen to you giggle and laugh with him.  He adores you, and it is the best!

On the last Tuesday of their visit, Mamie planned a little party for your first birthday and it was so special with hats, balloons, and a green table cloth for our little St. Patty's Day girl! :)  Jane Hawthorne, a woman that is a blessing to know and love, joined us for the special night and we were overjoyed to have her company!  You liked the fact that she had glasses, and continually pulled them off her face as she played "patty cake" over and over with you.  You didn't care too much for the cake, but you ate about half the raspberries that surrounded it and enjoyed each and everyone of them!  Uncle Joe helped you open presents in your sweet little dress from Mamie with a matching one for little Liesel.  It was a great night celebrating you my sweet girl!  You are well loved by so many, and it is so special to feel that love as your mother! 

It is always hard for me to leave them, or watch them go.  My heart gets sad for the distance that separates us and I never quite feel like we had enough time.  Soon dear Zaylee girl, we will be seeing them much more regularly as we will be moving to France for some time with the Tabailloux side!  I am so thankful for this opportunity to give them some much deserved grandbaby time and just get to know them fully and experience a bit of where daddy grew up! :) I have a lot of work to do before them with the whole language aspect of things, but am confident I will be just fine even if I am a bit lost for the first month or so! Thankfully I was given a pretty good memory and fast learning curve, but I am not hoping for any miracles in the time we are there just a better understanding and a bit of conversation skills in daddy's native tongue.  Truthfully dad and I are just excited to take this leap together and experience something totally different together.  It will grow our relationship in ways we didn't know possible or even that we may have needed, and we can't wait to see what God has in store for our little family!

Anyway more on that later, back to our two weeks with the family...
It was a great time with lots of love for you and your sweet little cousin Liesel.  We were so thankful for the time we had with family, and can't wait to see them all again soon!  Until then, we shall skype!! 

A Year Ago Today....

Weaning

The past two weeks have been bittersweet.  I knew that by your first birthday I wanted you to be either fully weaned or at least on the way there, but I had no idea it would be so hard for me to let go of.  I have loved the bond between you and I, and the ability to soothe you at any given moment if you needed me.  It was something that came so easily for the two of us, and I am so thankful for that.  I fed you anywhere and everywhere regardless of what people may have thought because my baby needed to eat! :)  I had hoped you would wean yourself to prevent me from having to refuse you your much desired milk, but when the day came that you didn't want me it stung much deeper than I had ever imagined.  I broke down in a puddle of tears to your daddy, and he of course wiped them away and picked me back up with words that always seem to set me straight and build me up like no one else has ever been able to do for me!  The next day all seemed back to normal, so I held on to our bond for a few more days before attacking the weaning monster.

At first I dropped your late morning feed and tried different types of milk in a sippy cup, but you refused each and every one.  For three days this went on, and you were extra crabby and I took it personally as it seemed you were mad at me.  It hurt my heart a bit, until you started taking the last milk I tried, rice milk.  It made me so happy to see you drinking from your sippy cup, tilting your head back as far as it can go.  You are just so darn cute!  I am happy to say that you are currently drinking at least 12-15oz or rice milk a day, but sometimes more.  Every day it seems you are liking and accepting it more and more.  I am still nursing you in the morning and before bed, and truthfully that bedtime routine will be a hard one for me to let go of, but I know the day is drawing near and you and I will be just fine.  I know this, but it's hard for me to accept.

I love being your mom more than I could possibly every try to express.  You make my life so full and rich.  I pray we always hold a close bond with one another no matter what stage in life it may be.  Zaylee girl, I hope you always know you can come to me with anything and everything.  I want nothing but the best in life for you my sweet daughter. 

Ready for walks

As much as I enjoy winter (or sometimes as little as), I have never been more ready for a bit warmer weather.  I long for the days  of our endless walks around the park.  The stop at the playground for some good swinging action.  Passing by the familiar faces of strangers that also fill their days with the outdoors.  I'm ready to get out of the house and play.  I'm ready to stretch my legs and feel as if I've had a bit of exercise, without actually having to do the task of exercising.  I miss the routine, and the smile on your face as we would get ready to walk out the door.  You love the feeling of fresh air on your face, and I am so happy you do!  Soon, very soon, we will be freed from the winter blues, and be able to run (literally as you are SO close to walking!)  around outside!  I can't wait! 

Yesterday watching the snow fall!

January rain

Back in November

October

September

September

July

June

May

August

Valentines Day

Growing up, I always remember Grandma D making us feel a little extra love on Valentine's Day.  In the morning, we would be greeted with a card and chocolates, and it always made me feel special and thought of.  It is a silly day, that often gets taken a bit to extremes and puts pressure on men and women all over.  Women often get their hopes up, and more often than not feel let down because the day didn't go exactly how they had dreamed up in their hopelessly romantic plan.  I hope that you will always know just how much you are loved, and look at this day as something fun with a great excuse to be cheesy and enjoy some chocolates and yummy treats!  I love reasons to celebrate, and hope to carry on Grandma D's tradition of adding a little joy to our February 14th.  You are loved, my dear Zaylee.  So very loved!

On Thursday morning, I got out some random art supplies I found around the house and searched for simple but cute ideas on Pinterest for a gift for Daddy.  I decided to use a small canvas I had bought before you were born with hopes to find some creative juices, as Dad asked that we not buy a bunch of overpriced things from Etsy that are so simple to make on our own.  I never found those juices, but on Thursday you and I did our very first craft together.  It was a bit hard to accomplish on my own, as it involved red paint and footprints.  A bit gutsy, but with the help of your highchair I was able to hold your foot still for a quick dip in the paint and a steady placement onto the canvas.  It was not without tears from you, but we survived and it turned out perfect!  Daddy was extremely touched and loved coming home to find it hanging on the front door to greet him on his lunch break.  

That evening, I had planned a new meal and couldn't wait to have a special dinner at home together.  I had it all planned out so that it was ready when dad came home, and had a good feeling about it all...until I took it out of the oven.  I didn't like the looks of the potatoes, and the chicken looked a bit over done.  My thoughts were confirmed when we both took our first bite.  It was a complete fail!  I was so disappointed, may or may not have shed a few years, and Dad did nothing but say all the sweetest things while I sat and pouted.  He picked up the phone and called Mai Thai, ordered our favorite Panang Curry, and wrapped his arms around me and held me tight!  We got you ready for bed, and off he went to pick up our meal and my mouth watered as I waited for him to return.  You were fast asleep when he came back home, and we sat down together to enjoy our delicious meal.  What a man your dad is!!  Always making everything in my life better, and full of so much joy, even when I don't feel like being joyful! :)

Earlier in the day you and I picked up 14 red heart balloons, printed off 14 special pictures of your dad and I, and came home to get my little gift ready for dad.  I glued each picture together with a note card at the bottom of each balloon, and wrote down 14 reasons why I loved your father.  This summer will be FOURTEEN years since that first time we met on the sand volleyball court at LGYC.  I remember it like it was yesterday, your dad not so much!  I have known him half my life, and feel so honored to have him as my husband for the rest of its entirety.

We were both greeted with flowers when Dad came home, and you of course tried to eat your colorful bouquet!  I hope you grow to love this day for the simple reason of an extra excuse to make those you love feel extra special, and may you NEVER feel the pressure the world puts on both men and women!!  I pray you always know you are LOVED!

ELEVEN

1-1...Eleven....ONE more month before by baby is ONE...Woah, how is this possible!?

Styling in your Valentine's Day shirt from Grandma D that came in your special gift bag!

Oh my sweet girl, time is moving way too fast!  As much as we want you to stay our baby forever, we can't wait to see who you grow up to be.  I was browsing through little girl clothes the other day with Kimmy, and she held up a pair of 4T pants and said, "Can you believe she will be this big someday!?"  I was both sad by that thought and a little anxious to know you at that age, to be able to see a glimpse of who you will become.  If the way you are right now is any resemblance of the little girl you will grow to be, I have no doubt you will be kind, an introvert with people until you really know them, a lover of music and dancing, wise beyond your years, gentle and loving, full of joy and laughter, strong but sensitive, compassionate, a little spunky at times with a little attitude when your tired, and just over all a sweet little girl with a whole lot of love for all those around you.  No matter what, we will love every bit of the person God has created you to be, through all the ups and downs, the hard days of the toddler years, and the moments you steal our hearts again and again.  We are so thankful to have YOU as our daughter, and praise God daily for the blessing He has given to us in putting you into our lives and entrusting you to us.

So what's new now that you are 11 months?

• According to our scale here at home, you are now officially 17lbs. WooHoo! 
• You say the word hot, and truly understand what it means.  It is highly entertaining to see your mind at work when you are looking around and find something that is indeed hot and then hear you say, "Ot" with so much pride and confidence.  Last night at Trader Joe's we were going down an aisle when you spotted the "flame" on the top of the Sample Hut (made that name up!), pointed and said proudly, "Ot! Ot. Ot" until I realized what you were looking at and confirmed that yes, indeed, that is hot!  It is the cutest thing really, but we are ready for a new word! :) 
• You blow kisses, and often when I say, "I love you" you respond with an air blown kiss!  It is so sweet, and just melts my heart.  We had been working on it and then about two weeks ago, your Papi was blowing them to you over Skype and all of the sudden you responded by putting your hand to your mouth over and over.  He was in awe, and was so honored to get your kisses!!  
• The words hi, bye, Mama and Dada are being said more frequently and intentionally!  
• When we sing the French song, "Les petites marionettes" you do the hand motions immediately and throughout the whole song.  Actually, any song that comes on causes you to react with your arms held high bouncing to the beat.  You love music, and have even begun to "sing" with me with your sweet little voice.  
• Walking is something you REALLY want to be able to do, but aren't quite there yet.  You walk nonstop if we are holding your hands, or using anything that can be pushed across the floor, but have only taken one, sometimes, two real steps before catapulting yourself head first into our arms! Dad thinks you are waiting for your Mamie and Papi to get here on Friday, so we will see what the next two weeks bring.  
• You currently have your very first cold, and it is the most heartbreaking thing to hear you cough and grimace in discomfort.  Hoping it passes soon, but the up side is you are mostly yourself with a moment here and there of extra snuggles and fussiness, and a few early morning feeds.  You are a trooper little Zay!  (you are on your third hour of sleep as I type this...hopefully you are sleeping it off right now!)
• You say, "hi" as you hold your toy cell phone up to your ear.  Cutest thing ever!  
• The past two weeks you have learned that you can throw your food off your tray, but have also learned that we don't tolerate it and are learning that you are to keep your food on your tray.  We will see how this one pans out....goofy girl! :) 
• Playing catch with your ball is one of your favorite things right now, and you are getting to be very skilled with the rolling of the ball directly to me!!  It is so fun to watch you clap your hands after you stop the ball between your two little hands.  You also know the word ball, but are still working on saying it.  If I ask you to get your ball, you go straight to it and then roll it my way.  It is crazy how much you really understand!  
• You have two more teeth than last month, your front two teeth are finally here :) They were much harder on you then the first two, and with each top two you spiked a fever and were miserable!  
• You love putting your toys away, and taking them back out, then putting them back.  It keeps you busy and is so sweet to watch you work! 
• Peek-a-boo is one of your favorite games to play with pretty much anything you can put over your eyes and then quickly move it while we say, Where is Zaylee?  Oh! There she is!! :) You especially love this game in the tub while using the shower curtain to hide behind.  

Other than those few things, life is about the same as last month.  I am trying to figure out my plan of action for weaning you, but honestly haven't thought too hard about how I will go about that task.  I truly love nursing you, and feel sad with the thought of parting with it, but know that soon the time will be right and we will figure it out!  You are becoming so distracted lately, and secretly I am hoping you will wean yourself, so I guess we will see what happens when the time comes.  You are enjoying your sippy cup more and more these days and I am thankful for that and hope it will make the transition a bit easier for us both.

Making a MESS to show how much she does not like photo shoots :)

We are starting to think about small details for your party, and can't wait to celebrate you, our little love!  It won't be anything to extravagant, but will be perfect and a day spent with family.  Who could ask for anything more?

One more month with our little infant baby girl, and then on to the fun times that come along with toddlerville! :)