My First Born is 3!

First - preceding all others in time, order, or importance.

Please don't misunderstand me...both my children are equally loved and of importance to me. But there is something different about the first...just like there is something different about the second...third...and so on. Naturally we tend remember our "firsts" easily...they come to mind more frequent...and we have a tendency to relate to them more often. Your first kiss...your first job...your first car....your first house....your first child. It's an event in life that you have never before experienced....and it makes it special and important.

For me....I can pretty much remember all of Jackson's firsts. That first pregnancy test....among the other 3...when I heard his heartbeat for the first time...the day he was born...his first smile...the first time he crawled....his first word...his 1st birthday...his first steps....the first time he busted his lip...the first time he said, "Momma I love you!"...the first time he tee-teed on the potty...I could probably go on all day! But I know that in years to come there will be a lot more FIRSTS for him.

It does make me sad that this is probably the last year he gets to stay home with me all day, and we get to snuggle up in the mornings and watch cartoons, it's the last year that I am his teacher, the last year for play dates, and the last year that I truly have complete control over him. It seems that when they start school they are on their own....free to make decisions, choose friends, decide what kind of friend he will be....and a whole list of other things that I wont be there to intervene and decide for him.

....BUT the good thing is, it shows me that we are raising a little boy that is growing into someone that can make those decisions for himself, and I am confident that "most" of the time he will make the right decisions...the way that we have taught him. And really... its the beginning of a new chapter....Raising a Preschooler....I bet that is going to be interesting and fun!

I think Jackson had a pretty cool 3rd birthday....he woke up to a flaming waffle and a party popper...and for lunch his daddy took off work to take him to lunch and the mechanic shop to get his windshield fixed! He felt so special...when he walked out the door, he made sure to tell me, "momma no gurs are coming, its just boys and daddies!" For dinner we took him to his favorite place....Sonny's Pizza in St. Francisville....it has great pizza and an ice cream parlor and game room....all his favorite foods in one place. After dinner we took him to ride the ferry and caught a glimpse of an awesome sunset....it couldn't have been more perfect....

Happy 3rd Birthday Jackson

I love you crazy!

Avie has the third candle

St. Fancisville is such a longggg ride from Zachary....not really

The Claw.....Ohhhhhhhh....the claw.......

So intense...

Thanks Jack!

Ice cream time!

Avie got a little too messy!

Ferry ride!

Sunset

And away it goes....

It's a Ladybug Picnic...

Well I am going to finally post birthday pics....with Easter and a short trip to the beach, we have been busy...like always!

The party was great, we were able to celebrate this special day with our family and friends and it was a beautiful day! Avie enjoyed every minute of it, she made googley eyes at anyone who showed her attention and tried to eat whatever people would feed her. She got so many cute gifts....everything from bathing suits, outfits, and cute girly toys that shes been enjoying playing with, including Jack!

Be advised that I added lots of pictures....I had too many favorites!

Lady bug appetizers...

Avie and Peepaw

Table centerpiece

0 -12 Months Banner

Potato salad residue

The guys admiring Brandon's handiwork on the treeless tree house!

Presents!

Cupcakes....yummy

Avie's personal cake!

I LOVE this....Jack was so excited to give Avie her birthday present he picked out....a necklace, that when he saw it, said..."Can I get this for Avie for her birthday"! So sweet!

Avie could careless about the presents....but she really wanted Jack's bag of pretzels!

Cute ladybug cookies!

Party favors....

Its near impossible to get everyone looking at the same time....but I just love Avie's expression!

12 Months of Pure Bliss!

As I sit here and reminiscence...it's hard to believe that to the day, exactly 4 years ago (March 27, 2006) I lost my first baby to a miscarriage.....and exactly 12 months ago, to the day (March 27, 2009)....I gave birth to my second child....a beautiful baby girl! It's amazing that God can turn pain into over joy....he can replace emptiness with fullness....turn love into unconditional. My heart overflows with happiness and I am so grateful for the family he has given me....they are perfect....they complete me....they make me who I am!

Now...for the 12 months of pure bliss.....

Avie's 1st picture in utero at 10 weeks old. I remember this day so vividly...being able to see a life growing inside me and anticipating the day that she would arrive!

And that day soon would come...

This picture was taken on our way home from the hospital, she was 36 hours old.

I sat in the back seat right beside her and starred at her the whole way home!

I never imagined cheeks could be so fat!

1 Month

Around this time it seems as if she started to realize that she was no longer in the womb

and started developing her own little personality.

2 Months

She was such a carefree baby

3 Months

My little bovine... all dressed up for cow appreciation day at

Chick-Fil-A for free meals...Avie was the cutest in her costume!

4 Months

This is one of my favorite pictures...it's just so soft and sweet and explains her so well.

5 Months

There is nothing like little giggles that blow bubbles and sweet eyes!

6 Months

This is her showing off face!

7 Months

She was being a little stinker!

I just love this picture too....its as if she new exactly what she was wearing

and was not happy about it at all. She kept this same face until we took the costume off!

8 Months

Pure sweetness

9 Months

This is so sweet...she loved Santa Claus....and Santa loved her!

10 Months

I love watching her sleep....so peaceful and sweet.

11 Months

She is very much full of personality!

And today she is a year old!

I love her eyes...it's the first thing I see when I look at her and they tell

so much about her...if shes tired...into something she shouldn't...curious....nosy....

wanting me to pick her up...telling me she loves me...scared....excited...everything!

Lord Jesus thank you so much for blessing us with a daughter. Lead us as parents down the right path in discipline, wisdom, courage, and strength to raise our children to know and love you. Father I pray for your child Avie that you would always protect her when I can't, hold her close when I can't, and let her know that you will always be there when I can and can't. Lord you created her and you will always know her best.

Happy 1st Birthday Avie Rae!

We love you so much and look forward to celebrating many more birthdays!

I cant wait to post bday pics!