My 1 year old

It's still hard for me when people ask how old my baby is. I always think in that split second, "Is she really, one?! YEP!" Here's Delaney at 1 years old - 19lbs 13 oz(25%) and 31 1/2 inches long (97%):

Look at the pictures above compared to my little baby girl a month after she was born (still wearing preemie clothes):

Delaney enjoys standing (not walking) and talking on the phone. She did take her first steps a week after her birthday, but not much since then. She's VERY stubborn and likes to do things when they are her idea. She's really quite the diva. When she sees what I have on my plate during dinner she points and speak gibberish to tell me she wants what I have. I say no and she throws her head back, opens her mouth as wide as it will go, and wails! It's ridiculous. In case you're wondering - I don't give in. She's forced to eat her food first. Even Brooks has gotten good at saying, "Oh please, Laney."

My big girl also enjoys playing with baby dolls. This doll in particular came from her Auntie Pat. She loves hugging on her baby and putting her paci back in her mouth. I love having baby dolls around the house to balance out all the cars that we have.

Those baby blues are still melting my heart! I also LOVE that headband that she's wearing (she got it for her birthday). You can't see from the picture, but she has two big teeth on the bottom and is working on four teeth on top. They are popping through like crazy! Pretty soon she'll have a set of pearly whites to go with her smile.

Of course she still totally enjoys playing with her brother. She's also already gotten good at "tattling" on him. As soon as he takes a toy away from her she screams. I come running to save the day. I'm working on sitting back and letting them figure it out. Brooks is helping her learn to say new things since she still doesn't say much other than mama, dada, bye, yes, and woof. He labels everything for her, "SHOE, this is a SHOE, pumpkin. Say, SHOE." And of course he uses that adorable baby talk voice to help her understand. I love how much they love each other. I know this post is about Laney, but I have to say this one thing about how much Brooks loves his sister. This was his dinner prayer the other day: "God, thank you for the food, and that we went hunting with Daddy, and for watching a movie, and I love Delaney. Amen." They are seriously so sweet together.

I'm so glad that Delaney loves the outdoors as much as we do. She recently discovered how much she loves to swing and how much she loves to slide.

PRECIOUS! I just love her so much! Someone gave me this outfit when she was born and I've been waiting 12 months for her to wear it. Girl clothes are so stinking cute!

What a wonderful year it has been. Not a day goes by when I don't stop and think to myself how incredibly blessed I am.

T is for Tenley and Teagan

One of the best parts about Laney's birthday was that our good friends from Colorado came to celebrate with us. My friend, Kristen, came out and brought 2 of her 3 precious girls: Tenley (3 1/2) and Teagan (8 months). It was so fun to have them here. I absolutely LOVE to hang out and be silly with Kristen, and because our children are so close in age it's great to see them get together and play. We had fun eating out together.

The kids had fun taking bathes together.

The kids snuggled in the pumpkin patch together.

The little girls got to know each while playing outside and playing in the tubberware together.

Brooks and Tenley hung out in the tent together.

Pops even had a good time hanging out with all the girls.

One day we'll get both the kids to smile for a picture.

Man, I miss this family! Thanks, Kristen for bringing your family down to Texas - I LOVE YOU HILL FAMILY!

The Birthday Cake

Funny - I don't actually think that any of the cake got in her mouth. Also, lesson learned when picking out a first birthday cake: orange, brown and green were not a smart combination of icing choices...it looks like she has poo smeared all over her face.

Pumpkin Patch First Birthday

Delaney's birthday was absolutely perfect! I had lots of ideas and high expectations - and it was everything that I hoped for. The weather even cooperated. Kristen (my friend from Colorado), and my mom and I stayed up well past our bed time on Friday night to make sure everything was set. The decorations were set all ready for our guests (in the garage). Kristen helped me make this adorable banner and Brooks added his special touch with the pumpkin on the wall. I also found a recipe for a pumpkin pie dip that's set down in the middle of apple slices and pretzels...yum!

I found this idea below on another blog and I just had to try it. Chad's job was to find the branches and they fit perfectly in the vase. I made the cones out of scrapbook paper and filled them with kettle corn. The branches are now in our house and might serve as a permanent decoration because I love them so much!

A delicious cheese ball shaped like a pumpkin? Doesn't get any better than that!

HEB had pumpkin cakes on display so I went ahead and got Delaney one for her party. For the guests I served cake pops, candy corn, and candy pumpkins.

I had mini pumpkins for party favors.

The Birthday Girl with some of her guests: Delaney and Birdie - all smiles!

Gammy and Pops came in for the weekend.

Birdie, Delaney, Scoops and Brooks hanging out.

Suzanne and Laneybug - Suzanne takes care of Laney everyday. She was also the one who made Laney's shirt and bow - she's the best!

We had the party in the front yard and it was perfect! All the kids just played on the playscape and the adults just sat around and mingled and drank beer on a beautiful Saturday. It really was perfect (have I said that already)!

It's Party Time!

Photo Card

View the entire collection of cards.

Today was Delaney's party - It was an absolutely perfect day in every possible way. Here are just a few pictures of our Little Pumpkin!

Happy Birthday, Baby Girl

One year ago you came into this world - so tiny, so fragile, and so perfect! I love you, Delaney Ann!

I can't believe how much you've grown!

I am a Rangers fan...

Fact #1: I grew up in Arlington - home of the Texas Rangers. Fact #2: I remember going to games at the old stadium. Fact #3: I collected baseball cards as a little girl. My mom just cleaned out my closet and brought them to me. I kept them all in a Rangers notebook. The notebook is also filled with Rangers autographs. Fact #4: I used to celebrate my birthday by staying at the hotel by the ballpark and then going to the games...a Carlson and Smith family tradition. Such great memories! Fact #5: The highlight of my 5th grade year was being on a plane with "Pudge" Rodriguez and Julio Franco as we all traveled out to San Diego. The All-Star was in San Diego that year and the players were traveling to play in the game. Fact #6: I was #7 in softball because Pudge was #7. I was also a catcher - just like Pudge. Fact #7: Brooks was named after a baseball player. Okay, that doesn't really justify me being a Rangers fan - but it is a reminder that I'm a baseball fan in general. Fact #8: I delayed the birth of my daughter to watch the last out of the ALCS in 2010. That's right - after being in the hospital for 5 days, the doctor came in and told me that my blood pressure was too high and that they were going to have to do an emergency c-section to take the baby (remember my preeclampsia and the only cure is birth?). I told her she would have to wait. There was only one more out in Game 6 versus the Yankees. I wanted to see to Rangers win their first franchise pennant. So, the doctor sat on the edge of my bed as we watched the last out together, and then Delaney was born about an hour later. I've got to find some World Series tickets!