One Year Photos!

One year photos by On a Limb Photography! 

Oh, how I love this girl!

Melinda did a great job capturing some happy moments from our girl at a lake-side park in Cleveland. 

Let's Party!

We held Blakeley's birthday party at my mom's house in Indiana this year.  We thought it would be the best place to spend the first-ever birthday surrounded by family.  So we all decended on Greenwood, on a beautiful Saturday afternoon to enjoy cake, ice cream, bubbles, presents, and most importantly each other and our beautiful girl.  

1 Year Old!

Our sweet girl turned 1 today!  She is loving being more independent, especially now that she is walking. She is talking more and more: uh-oh, baby, momma, daddy, hi, bye, shoes, toast, cheese, and yes  (I'm sure that "NO!" is coming soon!).  She loves to play outside, go swimming, and be around other kids.  She is still very observant in new situations and environments, she takes it all in before engaging, and it usually has to be on her terms.  She plays endlessly with Baby, loves cats and dogs, and really likes to play with balls right now.  We are having so much fun together and enjoy watching her learn and grow.  Time does go by so fast, we can't believe that a whole year has past since her birth, although it is hard to remember a time that Blakeley wasn't a part of our lives. She is such a blessing and fills our lives with so much love and joy!

Happy Birthday to our sweet girl!

Happy 4th of July!

We enjoyed the DooDah parade with Alex and his parents Paul and Deena. 

It was a hot, hot, hot day so we spent time playing in the baby pool and Blakeley took her first steps!

Cleveland Adventures

While in Cleveland...

Blakeley discovered crayons.

We had picnics in the park,

and of course lots of playing.

 We went to Parade the Circle.

 We went to a beach on Lake Erie.

 We enjoyed concerts and the view from our apartment.

 We discovered lots of new things at the Great Lakes Science Center.

 We went to the zoo.

 We saw a lot of fish at the aquarium.

Just like in Columbus, ate mango at Whole Foods while grocery shopping.

Had a few meltdowns.

 Enjoyed the view of the lake and downtown on our walks.

Swang some more.

 Ate great food and drank great beer at Great Lakes Brewing Co.

 Had dinner and playtime at the Griffin's

 Amazed at everything there was to see at the Natural History Museum.

 Had a great time discovering all the hands on toys at the Natural History Museum.

 Played in the children's garden.

 Dancing to the music at Wade Oval Wednesday.

 Blakeley learned how to take off her clothes at naptime.

 Watched giant barges pass by our apartment on the river.

 Ate some delicious ice cream at the beach...

 ...and had a meltdown when I tried to help.

 Went to the Westside Market...

 and enjoyed a yummy crepe.

 Ate a giant apple...

 had a tantrum...

 and then another.

Went to a splash pad at the mall.

 And another splash pad at the park.

 Had her first fever, on Father's Day.

 Played with trash/recycling.

 Ate some delicious gelato.

 Found some fun kids and a big ball at the park.

 Celebrated my birthday at Lola.

It was a great month away from home...but we are glad to be back!