The Week of Blake's Birthday

So we started celebrating Blake's second birthday the Sunday before his actual birthday, yea I know, absolutely crazy!!! However, one only turns 2 once in his life and when you get to my age your lucky to get a card :). So Sunday daddy and mommy changed out Blake's "baby" swing for a "toddler" swing and he LOVES it. On Monday, GiGi and Blake made a really cute turtle cupcake cake together (see pictures below) which Blake got to enjoy for dessert a few times. On Tuesday DeeDee came to see us and stayed thru the weekend, Blake always loves for DeeDee to come so that was a great surprise for him. DeeDee and I took Blake to the children's museum on Wednesday and to lunch at Chick-Fil-A, one of Blake's favorites, and had a great day! On Thursday, uncle John and T-daddy came to join us for the celebration and on Friday morning we all and GiGi headed to the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia to meet up with some friends for a fun filled morning/afternoon. We had a GREAT week with lots of fun and exciting adventures. We always love to have family and friends around so a BIG thanks to all who helped to celebrate the week of Blake's birthday. :)

Blake ready for bed after his big day at the zoo.

Pictures from the zoo:

We were getting ready to leave and Blake looks like he has just about had enough.

Katie Beth and Blake

DeeDee bought Blake this giraffe at the zoo and he LOVES it (his name is JoJo)

Mommy and Blake feeding the giraffe

Blake checking out the "billy goat"

The three amigos Fulmer, Blake and Katie Beth

T-daddy showing Blake one of the animals.

Blake will ALWAYS find a water puddle.

My best friend, Jill, and her two sons, Gavin and Carter, and Blake trying to get off on the end.

Blake with is beloved giraffe, JoJo.

Uncle John showing Blake the penguins.

Katie Beth and Blake checking out the penguin.

Mommy and Blake checking out the penguins.

Looking at the fish, and they were VERY stinky.

Blake and Uncle John checking out the animals.

Katie Beth, Blake and Carter. (I love these forced smiles!!)

Blake feeding the giraffe.

John, mommy and Blake

Blake trying to get ahold of the cow.

Katie Beth, bless her, she is always trying to hold Blake's hand, don't worry Katie Beth soon the tides will change.

Pictures from Blake playing in the sprinkler:

Pictures from the children's museum:

Blake LOVES the water table at the museum, we spend most of our time here.

Blake going down the slide at "Grandma's Farm"

Mommy and Blake at the children's museum

Pictures from Blake and GiGi's turtle cake:

Blake enjoying a cupcake for his snack. (he wasn't to thrilled with the green icing so GiGi took it off)

The turtle cupcake cake baked by GiGi and Blake.

The proud baker and his finished product.

Blake helping GiGi fill up the cupcake holders.

As usual Blake enjoys tasting the batter the most.

Blake helping GiGi make the batter for the turtle cake.

Extra Pictures for the liking:

Blake playing out on the back patio.

Blake loves to play with Berkley, they have become really good friends.

Strawberry Picking with GiGi

GiGi and Blake went strawberry picking the week before Mother's Day. They picked a lot of strawberries and left them for me for Mother's Day, they were very delicious strawberries. Here are some pictures of their fun outing.

A Mother's Joy!

As I left for work one day last week I was running around trying to get out the door on time, Blake and GiGi were sitting at the kitchen table having a snack. I went out the door as usual saying "bye bye" and "I love you" closing the door behind me. I got in the car and couldn't leave because I had failed to "love" on my little man before I left, even though I knew I would be late I ran back in the hug and kiss the joy of my life. As I left the second time I said "I love you" and Blake responded with "love you too," quite and subdued not nevertheless it was said!!! Well, that was all it took I ran back over to love him up again!!! A mother waits so long for that and oh how you want to hear it again and again, as for now it has only been once, but thats enough for me. I now know how it feels for your heart to swell in a split second!! :)

Almost 2!!!

As I sit here and write I am watching my sweet little boy play outside with his water table, it is amazing how simple things are so intriguing. It is hard to believe that Blake will be 2 in less than 2 weeks, where has the time gone?? The saying "time flies" is making a true statement in my life right now, I wish I could slow the clock down just a little! The past two years have been the best years, we (Josh and I) have had the most fun being parents and watching Blake become this little boy of ours. My mom says it best "the years are the best" and they are! I love how Blake interacts with us now, he has certainly developed his own personality and yes, he is head strong like his mama!

He is still right around 30 pounds and he is 37 1/2 inches tall, I hope he will get his height from his daddy's side of the family!

He is talking ALL the time, repeats just about anything you say, speaks in 3+ word sentences, knows his ABC's and counts 1-12.

We have had 1 ear infection since January and saw an ENT specialist this past week, but we were relieved to hear that the doctor thought everything (anatomy) was great and did not recommend tubes at this time, WONDERFUL news!!!

So, for the next couple of weeks we are in full birthday planning mode, I am planning a trip to the Riverbanks Zoo, the Children's Museum and a few other surprises along the way...you know you only turn 2 once in your life!!!!

SUPERMAN!!!

Still loving the blueberry batter.

This is how we do our business:)

The love of cars and trucks.