Bridgette turns ONE!

Well, we made it! Bridgette turned a year old last Friday, and we had a very fun weekend with her! On Friday, we took her out for lunch and Paciugo's ice cream. (and yes, she loved the ice cream!) Saturday we celebrated with family and friends at our house for a "tutu party". Here are the top 5 highlights from the day:

1. We totally lucked out with the rain! (It started pouring right after everyone left)

2. Bridgette dove into her cake :)

3. All of the family were able to come in - thanks everyone for making the trip!!

4. All the girls (including her aunts) looked great in their tutus!

5. And in true Bridgette form, she didn't nap all day

We are so blessed for the past year we've had with our beautiful daughter! She is the sunshine of our day and we love waking up to her smiling face every morning! Enjoy the photos... between 3 cameras, there were too many to choose from (so sorry for the overload!) There will be a part 2 post from the rest of the weekend...

I got the sidewalk chalk going as we were setting up for the party.

The birthday girl ready to play.

Bridgette and Ava loved the mini ball pit!

Festive pink cupcakes!

All the sisters surprised me with tutus! And Vovo made one for me!!

Uncle Jared and Daddy being their usual selves. :)

All the girls lined up for a picture with their tutus.

Caroline and Bridgette checking out the ballet bar and pointe shoes.

(Ballet bar and shoes were borrowed from our neighbor Tamara - which totally added to the party!)

Good ol' family shot.

All the kids seemed to love the balls.

Ayers and Bridgette climbing on the picnic table.

Bridgette and her granddads, Poppa and Vovo.

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And here comes the CAKE!

The nice picture before...she's already going for it!

Here we go...

...digging in...

...and loving it...

...and I think we're done.

YAY!

Ava and Bridgette snuck off to her room for a little quiet time.

Bridgette finally crashed that evening after everyone left...

... and so did Ava. Poor girls were pooped!

Ok, more pictures to come in a part 2 post. Stay tuned!

Getting ready for lil'bean...

With lil'bean kicking away and my ever growing belly (oh, and maybe my nesting instincts also) ... we decided to start getting ready for our little guy now so Bridgette can get use to some "changes" early. The biggest question everyone has asked us is: "What are ya'll doing to the rooms/office?" Well, we decided we just couldn't lose the office so we've rearranged that space into a shared office/playroom (which has turned out quite nice, and is MUCH more kid-friendly!!). And since Bridge and her brother are going to be so close in age, they are going to share a room. So... there are 2 cribs in the nursery, and a new paint color on the walls! In Bob's words "My son can not sleep in a pink room!" We even have bedding on lil'boys crib, thanks to our awesome neighbors Julie and Mary Nell (a.k.a. the FNA's (Favorite Neighborhood Aunts). A BIG thanks to them for the gift, helping us paint the room, and just being there for us!! Here's a little preview of the office/playroom and the updated nursery! Now, I just need to work on the wall art! :)

Daddy's little helper

Mary Nell working hard...

... along with Julie and Bob

The new paint looks GREAT!

And so does lil'beans new bed!

And the new office layout...

Top 2 shelves: Design Roots stuff, Bottom 2 shelves: TOYS!

(and check out my new chair... sweet!)

And the other side of the room with the storage bench :)

Happy Father's Day!

This year marked Bob's first Father's Day, and what a great daddy he's been! {Thank you Bobby for continuing to be a great husband and a sweet, funny, and playful daddy to our little girl!} Last Sunday morning we met Mimi and Poppa at the Arboretum for a little picnic breakfast, and walked around until we couldn't stand the heat. Boy, it gets warm fast!! The rest of the day was spent relaxing around the house, setting up new cribs, and ending with a nice steak dinner. Here are a few pictures from the morning outing.

Walking, World Cup, and Happy Plates

Last week marked a lot of fun "happenings" around the Bloem house. First off, Bridgette started walking! ... like for real, no stumbling or holding on WALKING! :) During the week she started making it across the room, not realizing she was on her own. Then last Friday I took her to get some shoes (the cute jellies and flip flops weren't cutting it) and after she got fitted for her first pair of stride-rites, I look up and she's walking all over the shoe department in Nordstroms! And by that evening she was all over the house and hasn't stopped since! (we got some great video, just need to figure out how to post!)

And if that wasn't enough, the World Cup started last week. Now, before Bob that didn't mean much to me... I don't really even know much about the game. But after marrying a Brazilian, I think I'm going to have to learn! After all, Bridgette and little brother may very well be soccer players of their own! And speaking of little bean, it was just a coincidence that at 24 weeks, my uterus is measuring the size of a soccer ball the week the World Cup starts. :)

I also introduced these cute little animal plates to Bridgette, and she LOVES them! After she eats, she plays with the plate, talks to the animal, and just makes eating lunch that much more fun. Hence the term: happy plate :)

Little Bean's a growing

Yummy lunch on a hippo plate...

... and after lunch. Acabou! (all done!)

Memorial Day Weekend 2010

This year, Memorial Day weekend was spent down in Anahuac, Texas with the Fuson family. All but a few were able to make it out, and it was great to catch up with everyone! And by everyone, I mean our group is getting BIG! It was a fast trip, but so great to see all these faces that we don't get to see as often as we'd like! Bridgette got to meet her second cousins, and I got to talk to Ruth Anne to see just how crazy it will get with two :)

Bridgette quickly became friends with Zeke while chatting it up on Poppa's lap!

that's some serious conversation going on

Bridgette, Titus (in the back) and Zeke bonded over the tupperware cabinet

boop!

Some good lookin' Fuson boys

(Josh, Casey, Uncle Jared, John, Taylor)

and the whole clan... my how we've grown!

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And, in the same weekend... we were able to stop at Vovo e Vovo's house for a quick visit. We were able to cool off in the pool, while Bridgette checked out the water.

testing the water out for the first time with Daddy

the Bridge and Uncle Jared

Having some swing time with her Vovo!

Dog Days of Summer

It's official. It is only June 2nd, but it is just plain H-O-T outside! I guess I was still holding on to the thought of one more cool front, but that is definitely not happening! Weekend forecast already says it's getting into the 100's!??! Being 5 months pregnant (and feeling quite large I must add) + 100 degree weather does not mix too well - ha! Oh well, I better just get use to it and embrace the fact that summer is here and here to stay.

Last week Bridgette and I met up with Amy and Audrey for a little fun in the sun. The girls played in the baby pool while us moms tried to work on our tan. Hey, I've got to try something to hide these varicose veins that this little boy keeps giving me! (Thanks lil'bean :))

So, my plan for the summer is to: enjoy our stroller walks indoors at Northpark Mall and embrace the hot temperatures with pool days, swimsuits, and the sprinkler! (the dogs are going to love this) Oh yea, and try to remember to put my feet up :)

Mom, can we go out yet?

Playdate in the baby pool

Bridgette's new water table pool...

...perfect height for walking around.

Happy Hour on the 'shire with Amy and Mary Nell.