Graduation & A Birthday!

What a full and busy weekend we had! Friday we had Phoebe's 12 month check up. She did great when it came time to get her shots. She weighed in at 19 lbs. 4 oz. (25th percentile) and measured 30 inches long (75th percentile). We're making the attempt to switch to cow's milk and somehow manage to give up bottles and the pacifier during the day since she's getting bumped up to the next classroom at daycare. It's because she's walking so darn well. Please keep us in your prayers as we make this quick transition (she moves next week!)

Nana, Papa, Aunt Carrie and Cousin Lucas flew in Friday night and met us for a late dinner. We had made plans to celebrate Phoebe's birthday a week late and they all so graciously bought plane tickets to make the day complete. Saturday morning, Doris & I headed to the MOPS Kids' Stuff sale at our church. We got there as the doors opened at 8:00 and there were already over 150 people in line. It was CRAZY but we got a few good deals which made it worth our while!

Later that morning, we'd planned to go up north for brunch to celebrate Mother's Day since we won't be together that day. You can imagine Doris' surprise when we pulled onto the Indiana Wesleyan University campus in Marion, Indiana 90 minutes later. She asked, "What are we doing here?!" and I said, "Well, Doris, we're here for graduation." She goes, "Who is graduating?!" It was THE BEST to see tears of pure joy on her face as she realized that Ryan had gone to school, completed his bachelor's degree in marketing and she hadn't had to pay a penny! We are ALL so proud of him for his commitment and discipline to get his degree. Every Monday night for the past two years, from 6:00 - 10:00 p.m. he was in class. I've already blocked the months he was doubled or tripled up to finish up his electives from my mind - we are SO glad his school days are over!

Even Granddaddy Alan came all the way from Virginia to surprise Ryan at his graduation! What fun to have the family together to celebrate! YiaYia, Papou and Uncle Steve even made it there to join in the ceremony. Of course, the trip up north wouldn't be complete without a stop at my old stomping grounds. And unfortunately, I'm referring to Ivanhoe's where they serve over a hundred different shakes and a hundred different sundaes. Holy cow - we were all on a sugar overload by the time we piled back in the car. I think Lucas got something called Chocaholics Anonymous and it was chocolate ice cream with a chocolate hershey's bar crushed over the top and drenched in hot fudge. He got his minus the fudge, but really, why bother?! And I had their strawberry shortcake - something I'd never had my entire college experience - let's just say, had I known it existed, I'd probably be 20 lbs. heavier! Yumm-o! We did make the loop around Taylor's campus afterwards just so we could show the rest of Ryan's family where I went to school. We'll be back up there next month for Auntie Kate's gradution with her Masters!

Sunday we went to church and then scurried around town trying to get all the last minute things we'd need to celebrate Phoebe's birthday. She did fabulous! Not sure she liked all the attention but LOVED all the toys!

I ended up caving and just bought a pan to make a giant cupcake. Anyone ever need to borrow it, don't hesitate to ask!

She wasn't too interested in eating the actual cake or frosting. She was more concerned with picking off all the little flowers we'd sprinkled over the top.



And I'm not sure what was going on here, but thought it too funny to not include!

THANK YOU Nana and Aunt Carrie for ALL your help in getting the house together and the cupcakes presentable. I would have been lost without you and probably up in our bedroom crying while everyone arrived if not for you! I owe you big time! And thanks to everyone who came to celebrate Phoebe's first birthday! It's hard to believe our little baby isn't so much a baby anymore...