Blakely's Birthday Week!!!!

We can't believe our baby girl is already turning one. This year has flown by. We have enjoyed every minute of being her parents. She makes us laugh and smile constantly and we just love watching her little, or should I say big, personality develope. Right now she is walking and talking non-stop. If there is a quiet moment in the house we start to worry. Some of the words she says is momma, dadda, bye-bye, hi, puppy, baby, babo(bottle), Moo(Moose, our dog), Mo (more). She is starting to sign "more" and "all done". She loves to give hugs, kisses, high fives,clap, dance and wave to people. She is definately our little social butterfly. She has started eating regular food and isn't too picky. Her favorite things to do are to be outside looking at trees or riding on the 4-wheeler, in her car or in the wagon. She loves standing at the back door and talking to the dogs. Reading books is also a favorite. At her 1 year appointment she weighed 21 lbs (5oth percentile), was 29 3/4 in long (75th percentile). She is right on track with everything. We can't wait to see what this next year brings us.

We started off her birthday week with a trip to Cabelos. She loved looking at all the animals in the museum area. We took her there when she was about 5 weeks old (picture below). I am sure this will be a trip that her and daddy will take togther quite often.

1 year old!

1 month old!

We were very excited because PawPaw, Meme, and Dakota (our 7 year old nephew) got to come visit. We had a great time getting to see them on her birthday weekend.

PawPaw with Blakely in her shirt he got her. It says "LSU cheerleader in training"

Meme with Blakely and Lily (our 9 month old neice).

Blakely with her Uncle Matt who shares the same birthday as her.

Birthday party at Mrs. Lisa's house

Blakely wore her birthday shirt and took cupcakes to Mrs. Lisa's house.

Mrs. Lisa and Blakely. We love, love, love our babysitter!!!

Party! Party! Party!

We decided to have Blakely's party at our house this year. We invited family and a few friends. Blakely had a blast opening her presents and eating her cake. It think the thing she liked best was all the attention she got. She was quite the entertainer.

Our sweet birthday girl.

Blakely decided to entertain everyone at the beginning of the party and show them her muscles. She would flex her arm muscles and tense up her neck and face. She did it over and over. As long as people were laughing at her she would do it.

Momma J gave her a purse with a cell phone, lipstick, debit card, and mirror. She LOVES it!

Daddy got her her first camo backpack and her first 4-wheeler.

This was our attempt to get a picture of some of the kids at the party. It didn't go to well.

Our sweet niece, Lily, who is 9 months old. Sooo cute!

Her mommy dressed her with the theme of Blakely's party..zebra and hot pink!

Brandon's mom and my mom ended up dressing alike and they didn't even plan it! Doesn't Blakely have pretty Grandmas.

Here is Blakely with Joyce "Momma J". I worked with Joyce in Mckinney for 5 years so she has been like another mom to me and she has also helped out alot with Blakely. She likes to be called a "cool girlfriend" rather than another mom. So, I guess I will call her that.

Mrs. Sheaffer and Blakely. I didn't get a picture with Carter, her son. Blakely and him are best friends, or lets just say they will be soon when they know what being friends are!

Uncle Robert and Aunt Paula. This is Brandon's aunt and uncle. Uncle Robert married Brandon and I 7 1/2 years ago. He also dedicated Blakely this past May at church. He has been a part of some of the most special times in our life.

Our happy family

Blakely with her great grandparents. We are so glad that got to come!

Lisa's parents "Momma D" and "Papa Lee"

Some of Blakely's aunts and uncles who spoil her rotten!

She LOVED opening the gifts and loved all the gifts she recieved. Here she is opening up a gift from PawPaw with her LSU socks and LSU outfit.

As you can see, she loved the cake. Mommy didn't think about the black icing when she ordered the cake:) Oops

What have we been up to??????

Here are a few of Blakely's favorite things....

**Sippy Cup**

I put water in it and she loves to hold it and drink out of it. I introduced it a few weeks ago and didn't think she would really care about it. But I was wrong. She LOVES it. She looks like such a big girl.

**Wagon**

Every day, and I really mean EVERY day, we take her on a wagon ride. She is definately an outdoors baby. Every evening after she eats we are outside for 1-2 hours.

**Playing with Wyatt**

Our neighbors' little boy Wyatt and Blakely. Isn't he a cutie?? He is 6 weeks older than Blakely. As you can see in the next few pictures she is the crazy one and he is the laid back one. They love playing together.

**Playing in her new Jeep**

**Pool Time**

She absolutely loves it. She will stay in it as long as we let her. She fell over a couple of times and didn't mind a bit getting her face wet.

We are taking swim lessons in a couple of weeks and I think she is going to really enjoy that.

Starting to get a little tired.

Snack time after swimming!

Mother's Day

This Mother's Day was such a SPECIAL Day for me. In fact, it was one of the best days of my life. First of all, I feel so truly blessed to me a mom. Being a mom is one of the most exciting, joyful, special things that has ever happened to me. I love my little Blakely Ann more than words can even describe. She has truly been such a special gift from God. I could not have prayed or asked for a more perfect baby.

This Mother's Day we got to dedicate her at church. First, when we walked into church Brandon and I were greeted by about 20 family and friends that came just for Blakely's baby dedication. I almost started crying when I saw everyone and realized how many people truly love Blakely. I know that many others would have been there if they could. We had the privilege of having Brandon's Uncle Robert do the ceremony. He did such a great job. He made it so personable and spoke exactly what we needed to hear. It was special to us because 7 years ago Brandon's uncle was standing on the alter marrying Brandon and I and now 7 years later he is dedicating our baby girl to the Lord.

Another reason it was so special was because I got to spend the day with my mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and Brandon's grandmother. My grandparents were able to drive from Amarillo to be here and that meant the world to Brandon and I. Mammy was also able to make it which was such a special treat too. Overall, it was a day in our life that we will never forget.

Blakely made me a card a Mrs. Lisa's house. Lisa had to do it several times because Blakely wouldn't quit curling up her toes. But, it turned out perfect!

I came home one day after working late and Blakely and Brandon had gone and picked me up some of my favorite flowers in my favorite color. I was so surprised!

Me and my sugar dumplin before Baby Dedication.

Blakely could not have been more perfect at the service. She sat through the entire service and was great at the end when we went up to do the dedication.

My best friend Sheaffer with Blakely and I. Brandon and I are so blessed to have Chris and Sheaffer as best friends. Thank you both so much for coming. After we got to the service they offered to be the photographer and videographer...so thank you!

Uncle Robert with our family. Blakely was a little distracted at that point.

My mom, dad and grandmother with me and Blakely.

Uncle Justin (my brother) and Aunt Lydia (my amazing sister-in-law). Uncle Byron (my brother-in-law) and Aunt Regina (my sister) were there but I didn't get a picture of them on my camera. Thank you all for coming. We are so thankful that Blakely has aunt and uncles that love her sooooo much and give her soooo much attention.

Pappy, Honey (Brandon's mom) with Blakely. My mom has all the good pictures of Mammy, Pappy, and Aunt Rhenda on her camera. I will hopefully add more pics later.

Daddy and Blakely leaving the church after a long morning of Baby Dedication and family and friends loving on her!

Bluebonnet Pictures

About one month ago we took Blakely to a place in Mckinney that had a patch of Bluebonnets. She didn't know what to think of them. She loves being outside, sitting in the grass and looking at things. So, she loved getting to be in the Bluebonnets.

Team In Training...

I have decided to join some of my friends/co-workers in the North Cities Team in Training. We will be raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as we train for a half-marathon. I love running and I decided to I wanted to do this because it is for a great cause. My goal is to raise $3500! I will be running in October or November at one of their races in Dallas, San Antonio or San Fransisco. For those of you who love to run, I would love for you to join our team. If you get a chance please visit my website and consider donating to this great society that helps a lot of families.

http://pages.teamintraining.org/ntx/nikesf10/ljonesze5b

Thank you!!!

Our Trip to the Arboretum!

Brandon, Blakely and I decided to take a trip to the Dallas Arboretum with Brandon's sister, Sarah, her husband Matt and their 3 month old baby girl, Lily. We had a lot of fun but the girls were pooped by the end of it. We ended up taking about 400 pictures so I will share a few of our favorites.

Me and Lily.

Blakely (6 months). This was one of the first pics we took. As you scroll down you will see she wasn't this happy towards the end.

I love her so much!!!

At one spot we put the girls in front of the Azalias. Brandon was messing with the camera and I was helping with Lily. We looked over and Blakely was under the bush playing with the flowers. So this is how we got this picture.

2 cousins together!

They love each other so much.

She is definately a Daddy's girl!

She loved getting to lay on the cold grass.

Blakely decided to show some thigh off in this picture!

Sarah and Lily!

Matt and Lily!

The girls and Dads were done after a couple of hours.

Blakely loves her Aunt Sarah