the bradberry family

Anna Kate...

• weighs 18.6 pounds (20th percentile for her age)
• has 7 teeth (and more coming through!)
• is walking and running everywhere
• shy in big groups, but outgoing around family and friends
  
• is pointing to everything
• is trying to say new words
  
• is drinking cow's milk and water out of straws like a champ
  
• knows where her eyes, nose, mouth, and hair are
• holds one finger up when we ask her how old she is
• loves eating cheese toast and yogurt for lunch
  
• loves her dog and kitty cats
• is obsessed with baby dolls
• loves to snuggle before bedtime
  
• is EVERYWHERE and into EVERYTHING!
• wears her mommy completely out by the end of the day
• is the light of our lives
  

Anna Kate will be one tomorrow. Seriously, it is hard to even fathom.

A year ago right now, I was in the worst pain I've ever felt. I was scared because I was being induced five weeks early due to pregnancy induced hypertension. I was laying in a hospital bed and the contractions were hitting me hard. I had such a long sleepless night of labor ahead of me. I remember laying there, watching my blood pressure rise and then suddenly bottom out. I remember panicking every time the monitor lost track of my baby's heart beat. I remember begging Chris to help me, even though I knew there was nothing he could do. It was the most mentally and physically draining night of my life.

The night of pure torture (12 hours and 21 minutes to be exact) turned into a beautiful morning.

At 7:21 a.m. I was handed the most beautiful gift. I held my daughter n my arms for the first time. Through tears, Chris and I thanked God for her safe and healthy arrival after nine months of waiting. From that moment she has been a blessing and joy in my life. She fills my days with smiles, giggles, and yes... challenges. I love her with a love I've never know before. I thank God every single day for the blessing she's been in my life. I never want to forget this last year.

Tonight, after a day of stressful preparations for company and her party, I finally slowed down enough for it to hit me- my little girl is growing up. As I gave her a bath, got her ready for bed, and read her a story, my emotions almost got the best of me. I was not in a hurry to put her to bed tonight. She played and snuggled with me and Chris for about 15 mins. before I put her to bed. It was one of those times that I wished I could freeze. Tomorrow I want to soak in every second with her. I want to enjoy simply "being" with her. Precious moments never to forget...

On our way to the hospital!
Holding my sweet girl for the first time.

WARNING: This post will be LONG! :)

We enjoyed last Wednesday through Monday in beautiful Pensacola, FL. We decided to take Wednesday and half of Thursday for the three of us to just enjoy the beach and being together. We had so much fun and the weather was perfect!

Anna Kate loved playing in the sand!She shared her snack with the seagulls. They kept wanting more!

Fun in the pool with mommy. This little girl loves the water!

Chillin' with daddy in the hammock.

The hotel where we stayed had and awesome kiddie pool! It was huge and had several different types of fountains in it. Anna Kate love being able to crawl and walk through it!

beautiful white sandy beach + bare feet + sunset + my daughter and husband = one perfect evening

Thursday morning we woke up a little early. After a quick trip to the Starbucks in out hotel we took our coffee and peach muffins out to the beach. It was so nice to beat the crowds out there. We lounged in our chairs and ate breakfast while Anna Kate played in between us in the sand. While we were there, about ten dolphin came very close to shore and "put on a show" for us. I've seen dolphin a lot in the gulf, but this time was amazing. They were actually jumping all the way out of the water, doing flips and playing with each other. We had so much fun watching them. Unfortunately this is one of those times that I am kicking myself for not having my camera handy.
Later that morning we went to the pool. Again... it was early and in the middle of the week, so we had the pool all to ourselves!

This trip was Anna Kate's first time in a hotel room. I was a little worried about her going to sleep on her own with me and Chris in the room, but she did great! I think she was so tuckered out by the end of the day that she just zonked out.

Since Anna Kate's great-grandparents will not be able to make it to her party, my Grandma Brown hosted a small family party at her house while we were there. AK had a blast digging into her presents and cupcake!

Pensacola is a very special place to my family. My granddaddy and grandma both grew up within miles of there, all four of my grandparents live there, my mom grew up there, my parents met there in college, and I have been going there on a regular basis since I was younger than Anna Kate. My Granddaddy says that "this beach is in our blood." I believe it. While we did not want to pay to have professional pictures taken, my mom and I thought it would be neat to take the whole family down to the beach one evening and try to get some pictures. Although they are not perfect, I think I captured the love of our family and the love of the beach. Later that night I put the photos in a sideshow to the song Heavenly Day by Patty Griffin. All the women of the family were in tears. I sure had a fun time taking these shots... we may have to do it every time we go! Here are some of my favorites.

After such a gorgeous evening the night before, hurricane Gustav started rolling in on Sunday. We went out to the beach at lunch time and ate at Hemingway's (a great place to eat if you are ever in Pensacola) on the porch. Although it was quite windy, we had fun watching the storm intensify. After we ate, we drove out farther down the island to see some of the waves. Although not huge yet, they were definitely intimidating. I am so glad that Gustav sparred Pensacola this time, and was not as bad as expected for the rest of the gulf coast.

He kinda looks worried... :o)

Beginnings of a rain band from Gustav.

We had such a nice trip. Even though I got my "beach fix" I am missing it! Also missing my grandparents. I wish they lived closer so I could visit them more often.