And I think to myself...

I have been watching Lennon a lot lately. She has such a personality. It blows my mind to think how big she has gotten in the last year. She is such a happy little girl, always tip toeing around, playing with all her books and toys. She amazes me every single minute of every single day. I wish I could have bottled this past 13 months to relive it over and over. Matt and I were talking tonight about what our favorite thing is that Lennon does. He said his, and then I told him that I loved whenever she took a bit out of anything she says "Mm mm" afterwards...but it didn't stop there...I kept going and going. A few minutes ago I was messing around on the computer to start the template for what I hope to be our Christmas cards (we will see if that actually happens this year!), and came across the lyrics to Louis Armstrong's "What A Wonderful World". I have heard this song a zillion times, but reading the lyrics, I noticed something new, or at least something I have never noticed, and it made me want to look at all of her pictures. Hope you enjoy a few as much as I did!

"I hear babies cry...I watch them grow
They'll learn much more...than I'll ever know
And I think to myself...what a wonderful world"


And I think to myself...what a wonderful world.

I want a RECOUNT!

I can't believe that Lennon is a year old! It went by crazy fast! I look at her and don't see a one year old at all...I see my sweet little girl, until she starts screaming at me to move! I was looking at her pictures from when she was a little tiny baby and it totally blows me away how big she has gotten. She was this little 6lbs, 18" long baby, that was in the 75th percentile for height and weight, and now she is 25lbs, 30" long crazy kid! She has learned so much this past year, it amazes me. She is still really close to walking, so hopefully within the next month she will be running around causing trouble. We had her lady bug birthday party at Matts dad's house (Papa). I was surprised how many people came, although I shouldn't have been being that I mailed out the invites! My Grandma Savoy came from Fresno, my best friend Carly drove from Boise, not to mention the local family that Matt and I have that came, and some really close friends of ours. We had a really good time. Lennon wore her special lady bug tutu and customized onesie that said "Happy 1st Birthday Lennon" on it...well, until the cake...then she had to be bathed and switched into a different Birthday Girl outfit! She got TONS of toys...and EVERYTHING makes NOISE! I am not sure how they find the lady to sing the songs on these baby toys, but I am definetly not a fan of hers! She also got alot of clothes and some money that we are putting in her account for a rainy day.
I am so lucky to have her sweet little face to see everyday...everytime you walk in a room she greets you with a big smile and a wave...and loves to give kisses (well, she loves to kiss her baby's face...everyone else gets kisses on the arm, legs, foot...where ever she wants!). I am so excited to watch her grow this next year, and for all the changes that she is going to go through!

Happy Birthday, Baby...Mommy and Daddy LOVE you tons!

Happy First Birthday, LENNON!

Lennon in her ladybug party tutu.

Playing in the jump house/ball-pit.

YUM...cake!

She was a mess!

YAY for presents!

Apple Hill!

Matt, Lennon and I went to Apple Hill a few weeks ago and met up with my cousin Kelly, her husband Chris and their almost 2 year old, Katelyn. Apple Hill is about a 45 minute drive in some direction...I am awful with directions! We stopped at a few places: Boa Vista; so Matt could get some of the hottest hot sauce ever, High Hill Ranch; where we walked around all the crafts and goodies, Kelly gave Lennon her first bite of a Carmel Apple, which she LOVED, and we bought an over-priced elephant pillowcase for Lennon (but, it is really cute and soft...it is lite pink and super soft, it has legs that hang off of the sides and a head with a big trunk and floppy ears...Lennon unfortunately isn't too impressed with it...go figure!) and walked to a pumpkin patch. Lennon isn't really walking on her own yet, but Matt held her hand and she walked through the patch and picked out a pumpkin. We also went to my Uncle's winery. It was really neat getting to see the behind the scenes of wine making. My parents have been up there to help pick grapes and all that fun stuff, but I have never been, and am really glad I got to go. After the winery, we split up and Matt, Lennon and I went to the Jack Russell Brewery. It isn't the biggest brewery, but it has lots of little random vendors surrounding a huge grassy area. Matt and I have been to Apple Hill almost once a year for 6 years or so, and found the brewery last year when we went, so it is going to become one of the "stops" we make on our Apple Hill adventure. The funny thing about the day trip we took is that I don't really like apples, wine or beer...but I still had a great time with family that I don't get to see nearly enough, and am excited to make this day trip part of our little family tradition!


At Boa Vista

Walking @ the Pumpkin Patch

Getting SO BIG!

Picking out the perfect pumpkin.

She LOVES her daddy!

Catching Up...

I know it has been awhile since I have updated my blog. So, here is a quick run-down of what we are up to...

Matt is going back to school a few days a week and watching Lennon. I am working, decorating cakes again. So far it is working out really well for us. Matt loves being with Lennon, and I am enjoying working again. I actually started to miss it a little bit after not working for a year!

Lennon is getting so big! She will be one in a little less than a month. I am so excited. She is the smartest baby I have ever seen (and I am not just saying that!). She says a few things, like Mama, Dada, Baba. We think she is saying Hi and Bye, but she is definitely waving when she sees someone or is leaving somewhere. She even has a different wave for Hi and Bye...which I just noticed the other day...told you, smart baby! She finally started crawling about 2 months ago. She is on her way to walking anytime now. She will walk back and forth between people, and from someone to the couch or table, but can't stand up all by herself yet. She is pulling her self up on everything though, laundry baskets, coffee tables, couches, cribs, toys...she will find a way to be standing!

Here are some pictures from the last few months...and I will update again after Lennon's birthday!


At the park on Fourth of July.

Fourth of July with cousin Karlee.

All of us at Burney Falls.

She loved playing in the sand and lake up at the cabin.

What a cutie!

Lennons 9 Month Pictures

Here are a few pics from Lennons pictures we had taken earlier this week. My Grandma Irwin made her the cute dress, with the petal skirt...unfortunatley Lennon is a big baby, so the matching hat didn't really fit, and the little sweater that my aunt knitted was too small! Dang, that girl is getting big! She didn't do so well for her pictures...and she had a little break down, but here is what we got! Enjoy~

And I should have more postings soon...4th of July, Cabin, Hanging out with Lennon's cousins, etc!!

It's been a while.

I know that it has been over a month since my last blog...but we have been really busy, and are going to be really busy this month too! I promise to update as soon as I get time to sit down and remember everything that we have done from the last posting till prestent! There will be lots of pictures too, I am sure!

26 Things...

With yesterday being my 26th birthday, I made a list of 26 "things"...goals, facts, wants, etc, and thought I would share...

1. I love my life...it is worked out as I had planned, as odd as that might seem. When Matt and I first started dating we had a conversation about what we want from life...he reminded me of it the other day, my number 1 goal: be married and have a baby by 25...and I did...
2. I have recently starting liking Brussels Sprouts.
3. I am amazed daily by Lennon...it totally blows my mind that she is mine...even though she looks nothing like me!
4. Pedicures are a twice a month thing for me in the summer...and I am soo excited summer is almost here!
5. I got my first massage yesterday...and I will be going back!
6. I set a goal to lose 50 lbs by my next birthday...this morning was my last Java Chip Frappicino from Starbucks till I hit my goal.
7. I got a jogging stroller for my birthday...and am going to use it daily.
8. I love Diet Dr. Pepper.
9. I love Matt's bbq-ing.
10. I have the best parents ever...they have been married for almost 27 years, and have taught me what I want in a marriage.
11. I love my brother...which is almost surprising since we couldn't stand each other until I turned 22-ish...he is an awesome uncle, and has achieved soo much!
12. I am going to run a marathon sometime...not sure when...but I will by my 27th.
13. I talk to my mom daily.
14. I wish leopard was considered a color.
15. I have, hands down, the best in-laws...from Matt's parents to niece/nephews...they are some of the best people I have ever met.
16. I am going to "try" to start scrap booking a book for Lennon.
17. My best friend is moving away...and I wish she wasn't...even though I know it is selfish!
18. Matt's sister, Nikki, is probably one of my closest friends...she scared the crap outta me when I first met her...like really bad! But I love her dearly!
19. Next to Carly, I have some of the best memories with Shannon...oh the things we did!
20. The dumbest movie I have ever seen is Battlefield Earth.
21. I really want a pair of leopard cowboy boots...they look way cuter than they sound.
22. My grandma used to make dolls for me and my cousin Natalie...I have every single one of them...and can't wait for Lennon to grow up to have them.
23. I swear sometimes Lennon says "Hey".
24. I wish I had my "baby whisperer" here permanently!
25. I love Matt more today than I did yesterday, and more tomorrow than I do today.
and...
26. I can honestly say that my life feels complete...sure I have wants, but I have everything that I need! I couldn't be more happy with my last 25 years...and can't wait to see what 26 brings.