Happy Birthday Baby (the big one)!

Yesterday was Kyle's 29th birthday. The first birthday we ever spent together was when he turned 15. I still remember agonizing over the tough decision of what to get him.  After 2 hours in Dillard's I finally decided on Eternity by Calvin Klein & a Nautica Shirt. I can still remember the faint smell of Eternity on his shirt after he got out of football practice and it still brings the same big smile to my face.

Kyle is not big on celebrating anything having to do with him so we ended just grabbing a burger and fries with some friends (one who was stuck here from Irene which we were secretly happy about because we only get to see her so often).  It was a fun casual night and no one sang happy birthday so he was happy. 

Happy Birthday Kyle!

Ryan doing double duty

Dallas is almost the size of Meredith! 

Mr. Colin, such the cutie! 

9 Months Old...

It has been too long since I have posted but things have been exciting and hectic lately and so much has happened...

Last week marked Dallas' 9 month birthday.  She has now been out of my stomach as long as she was in it.  It's crazy to think about how little and helpless she was when she first came out. Today she is a completely fearless child full of laughter and loud screams of joy and excitement. I know I have said it before but this girl is all daddy. She is standing independently, took her first steps, doing her one legged peg leg crawl around the house at warp speed and if she can choke on it she is putting it in her mouth. She loves taking everything off the bookshelves and out of baskets. She loves to be "chased". Life is filled with laughter, hugs and kisses these days (and some of her very loud screams). 

Here is a photo summary of the last month...

Dallas' First Haircut!

Treasure Hunting 

Mamaw's Birthday Dinner!

Daddy Feeds Me

Dallas' First Tooth! No picture for this one, she barely lets me see it but it's there.  We were worried she was going to be toothless forever!

Bumps & Bruises

With Dallas' new found mobility and speed have come lots of bumps and bruises.  For the last two weeks the poor girl has been sporting a bruise either on her forehead, cheek or eye. Inside I want to scream every time I see her bump her head but I hold the shriek deep inside and manage to act like it’s no big deal and she will be ok. 

Her new favorite thing to do is “scare” us.  She will turn her face the other way and then look at you and scream “RAHR” or she will lie down on your chest, sit up and scream “RAHR”.  It’s pretty hilarious except for when you are in public places and at the top of her mighty lungs she yells “RAHR!”  And trust me those lungs are mighty. It was apparent from the first few days of her life when the nurses would be wheeling her from the nursery and we could hear her before she ever made it onto our hallway.   

Here she is giving us a scare this morning

You can always tell way daddy walks in the room because Dallas immediately laughs and lights up!

Eight Months!

Our energizer bunny keeps growing and growing and going and going.  This little girl is active. When I am around other moms they say things like "wow she is busy" and "your arms haven't stopped moving since you got here"

The other morning I got out Dallas' 8 month sign and was going to snap a few shots of her sitting in the chair with it.  I am not sure what I was thinking. I know better, getting her to sit is not easy these days. She is constantly on the  go doing her one legged crawl or pulling herself up anything she can and walking around.  So I let her stand up (had Kyle standing in the wings in case she tried to dive off the chair which is a likely scenario) and snapped a few shots.

Sitting? Are you kidding me mom?

         This is much better!

Guys Night

Dallas and I got the boot from the house the other night so Kyle could have "guys night out" with his two nephews and little brother. I managed to snap a few pics before we officially got kicked out so guys night could begin! 

  Dallas made the cut for a picture

The boys spent the evening eating pizza, playing laser tag and watching Super 8. 

It's so great seeing them all together and having so much fun. 

You're a Grand Old Flag

Fourth of July weekend was a great one!  We spent time out at our friends lakehouse and also at my cousins house hanging in the pool a snacking.  I thought we were going to take Dallas on her first boat ride but when we tried to put the life vest on her it became clear she had NO intention of wearing it.

Here are some highlights from the weekend...

Saturday Splash Time with Daddy

Hanging at the Lake

Why aren't you talking to me?

I looooveeeee you cousin Greyson!!!

 How about a kiss? Only open mouth from me! ;)

Daddy's & Daughter's

Group Shot!



Seems Like Just Yesterday

This morning I walked in to find that Dallas has figured out how to stand up in her crib. She was so proud of herself and beaming ear to ear. I could already see her planning on how she was now going to get out of the crib and down on the floor where her toys are. It seems like just the other day Kyle was putting the crib together for her and I would swear that literally just yesterday he had lowered it to its next "level". I will never forget the night the nursery was officially done. I stood in there crying and Kyle walked in wanting to know if I was unhappy. I wasn't. I was crying because I was overcome with emotion that soon we would bringing home a little person to sleep and play in this room.  That and the song "All American Girl" by Carrie Underwood was playing (gets me every time). I am, in general, an extremely happy person but very few times have I actually been moved to "tears of joy". They are the most amazing feeling and ones I hope to continue experiencing throughout my entire life. 

Look at me mom!  This is awesome!

This is what tears of joy look like. When my mom found out I was pregnant with Dallas...