She's FIVE!

My sweet Lexie Bean,

On this day, at 4:16 PM, you entered the world. On that day, our lives changed forever! Life with you in it is amazing! It's so hard to believe that 5 years have gone by since you were born! It seems like you were just in my belly, and we were all going crazy wondering if you were a girl or a boy!



When the doctor shouted out, "IT'S A GIRL!!!" we all burst into tears. Me. Daddy. Nina. MawNaw, in the hallway, with her ear against the door. Papa and Dylan were so eager to meet you! The happiness I felt at that moment, can't be compared to anything else. You were my dream that became my reality!



I wanted a baby girl so badly, and I was so blessed to have one!








Every day of your first year was amazing! You fit in perfectly with our family, and you were adored by all! After such a difficult pregnancy, I was blessed with a sweet, easy baby! The first year went by so quickly. The day you turned 1 was very bittersweet.



The second, third, and fourth years flew by just as fast as the first. This past year was no exception. I swear, time flies when you are a mother. Someday, when you are a mother, you will understand just how quickly time passes.



Life with you is always exciting! You are the perfect combination of sweet and sassy. Those sassy moments are difficult to handle, but I also feel pride at just how tough and opinionated you are. You are my sweetheart, a mommy's girl, and I am perfectly content with that.



You are sweet. You are sassy. You are smart. You are funny. You are tough. You are opinionated. You are beautiful. You are an amazing little sister and an amazing big sister. You are a wonderful friend. You are adorable. I want you to know that even when I'm angry, I love you for who you are. To me, you are perfect.



This year brought so much change to your life. I have watched you grow by leaps and bounds. You became a big sister, and you started your first year of school. You have adjusted well, and you are thriving!

On this day, you turn 5. On this day, you become a big kid. But no matter how big you get, you will always, always, ALWAYS be my baby girl! The baby girl that I wanted so very much. The baby girl that I thank God for every single day.

Lexie Bean, I love you with all of my heart and soul. You are SO special. You are going to go far in life, and I look forward to watching you grow. You will always have your own special place in my heart, and I pray that we always remain close.

I love you, baby girl. I am so proud of you, and you make me so happy! Happy Fifth Birthday! I love you forever.

Love, Mommy
February 22, 2012
4:16 PM

365 Project: Week Seven

{February 12th}

Visited Grant's family. At home, Dylan and Lexie wrote out their Valentines (it was so nice that Dylan could do it all by himself this year), and I put together bags of foam letters and shapes for a party project.





{February 13th}

It was a really busy day, spent with Dylan and Lexie. I attended Lexie's class Sweetheart Tea in the morning, and was a parent volunteer for Dylan's class Valentine's Day party in the afternoon. It was a great day with my loves!




{February 14th}

A wonderful Valentine's Day spent with my husband and our babies! Favorite takeout for dinner and the exchange of small gifts. I love my family!



{February 15th}

I ran a bunch of errands, and I spent the morning shopping for things to put on my shelves. After Lexie was done with school, we had a playdate at the library. My dad stopped by with Valentine's Day gifts for the kids. We had a quiet afternoon and evening at home.





{February 16th}

A day spent at home, followed by having our friends over for dinner! After they left, I had to assemble a photo collage for Lexie's class. It was a good night!





{February 17th}

Took Lily's 6 month pictures while Lexie was at school. Visited my parents after Lexie got out of school. My mom and I went shopping. Had dinner with my parents, and visited with my niece and great-nephew before heading home.



{February 18th}

We had Lexie's 5th Birthday party with our family!



On this day, 12 years ago, my Grandma passed away. It was one of the worst days of my life. I miss her so much, but I also realize just how full my life now is. She would be so proud of her great-grandchildren!

Kickoff to Birthday Week

It is so hard to believe that Lexie is going to be turning 5 in just a few days! Wasn't she just born?!?

We kicked off her birthday week by having a party with our family! Lexie chose a Monster High theme, and was thrilled with her decorations. I plan on leaving them up all week, because we're having a party with friends next Saturday!

The party went really well, and Lexie had a great time!



Lexie loved all her presents! She got a pink Nintendo DSi and a DS game, a Monster High car, a raincoat, a Monster High Sketchbook set, a stuffed monster, a Zooble set, a Lalaloopsy mermaid, books, a Polly Pocket house, a blue Xia Xia, a savings bond, pajamas, a wooden cookie baking set, and earrings.









After opening presents, we sang to Lexie. She thought it was hilarious!



The rest of the party was spent playing with cousins. Lexie was so excited to play with her cousin, Aubrey. She's always surrounded by boys, so it was a welcome change. Those two are adorable together!




The other party guests were cute, too!





There was a very funny incident involving a drink, a balloon, my sister, and Lily. The results?



I only wish I had taken a picture of my sister. She looked much worse!

The guests began to filter out. Dylan went home with my sister for a sleepover with his cousins, and Aubrey decided that she wanted to spend the night with Lexie.

The party girl fell asleep while her friend, Tyler, and Aubrey played next to her!



The fun may have ended early for her, but she was so happy when she woke up to find Aubrey next to her!



Party #1 was a success, and there's more birthday fun to come!

365 Project: Week Six

{February 5th}

Visited Grant's parents and Nannie. Followed that up with a superbowl party!








{February 6th}

The school/work week started back up. Back to routine. After school, Lexie had a playdate at the library. Dylan was home sick from school, thanks to bad stomach cramps and diarrhea. Spent the rest of the day at home.




{February 7th}

Stayed home all day because it was my babysitting day. Dylan stayed home again, because his stomach still hurt really bad. He started to feel better in the afternoon! Had friends over for dinner, and we celebrated Noel's 8th birthday!





{February 8th}

Back to school for Dylan. While Lexie was at school, I met my sister for a Starbucks date, and then took Lily to her 6 month checkup. When Dylan got home from school, we spent 2 1/2 hours doing makeup work and projects.






{February 9th}

Mornings are rough for Dylan. I don't blame him. It's hard to wake up early! I tried a new method of carrying him out to the couch and turning on the TV as soon as I woke up, but it didn't help. Stayed home with my girls all day. Dylan celebrated his 100th day of school and brought home a straight A report card again, along with a glowing report from his teacher! I'm so proud of my boy!




(Oh...THOSE EYES.)




{February 10th}

Went to visit Papa and Nina after school. Lexie gave her Papa a haircut, and then we had dinner together. Drove home on some crappy roads, thanks to the snow coming down faster than they could clear them. (Driving on snow covered roads gives me serious anxiety now, thanks to a previous 12 hour drive through a blizzard.) I was happy to get home!




{February 11th}

Went to my niece's surprise 16th birthday party, followed by an evening at my best friend's house!