Graham's First Birthday

Well hello there...

I've got lots of blogging plans. The problem is I'm running back and forth grabbing dog bones from Graham's mouth and poopy diapers from Riley's. Ohhh what have I done :) It is a beautifully chaotic life I live.

Little man turned one last week which seemed to come slowly but still managed to smack me in the face. I was unprepared and hung over from our Disney vacation, so we took him to Target to pick out some toys, then gave him a nice piece of corn bread cake. Lame, right? No party... no family or friends... I don't think he minded too much.

Here's the little film I made of his first year. He is so great.

-such a good but impatient eater. almost eats everything. LOVES sweet potato tots.
-walking like frankenstein with both arms in the air.
-talking a lot... only it doesn't make sense. I'm still working on mama only every time I try he laughs in my face and spits out "DAD!"
-drinking whole milk and nursing once a day but not for long.
-weighs 20 lbs and measures 29 inches long.
-never took a pacifier.
-still a terrible sleeper, waking up at least once or twice a night.
-loves Yo Gabba Gabba, ugh. I was desperate in the car, okay?
-eight teeth, four on top, four on bottom.
-walks around hitting things and throwing everything. Such a boy.
-loves his dad, soooo much. "I'm so hungry..."



Be sure to push HD :)

L'anniversaire de Jacob

Lemme tell you something.

The Kearns know how to party.

Jake deploys in almost a week so I wanted to make his birthday extra special. I decided to go French themed (he served his LDS mission in France). We served lemon rosemary chicken, pasta, salad, baguettes, cheese and grapes, and his darling cousins brought their "vooth booth" (a slow motion video booth) which caused some big laughs and a baby announcement. It was a fantastic night, we're glad we got to spend it with our family!

34 Weeks and a Birthday

These last two weeks have definitely been the hardest. 

Other than feeling big and awkward, I really couldn't complain, 

but then there was this one day last week where I tried walking a little more 

than usual... and bam. It felt like someone punched me in the baby maker. 

I kept waiting for it to wear off but it wouldn't and the pelvic pressure 

was enough to send me in to a "is this preterm labor" panic attack!

But it wasn't, and the pain didn't go away, it's still there, making it hard 

to walk anywhere or do anything... 

Needless to say I have a long few weeks in front of me. 

I really don't even know how he's fitting anymore! Because of the 

"pelvic pressure" I want to say he's riding real low 

but then I can feel him up in my rib business too.

He's taking up any ounce of space I have in me. 

It's a wonder I'm eating anything at all. 

Sooo that's all the complaining I have to do.... 

Jake and I had a wonderful birthday weekend. 

(other than the being in constant pain part) 

And I'm so grateful for the friends and family

 who reached out to wish me a happy 25th birthday! 

Can't believe I've hit the mid twenty mark. 

I embraced my last irresponsible birthday in 

the most selfish ways possible, indulging in some donuts

and Downton Abbey in bed,

then later with some chocolate cake and Breaking Bad! 

Things I'll surely miss later when I'm a mum. 

I don't know many people who can say the government and 

basically the world as we know it came to a screeching halt 

on their birthday. Let's hope for a somewhat peaceful

resolution shall we? 

yes, we do have a birthday here.

I have plenty of complaints about being the oldest.

Guinea Pig, The Example and Second Mother... it's a lot of responsibility. 

There is, however, a perk. You get to see all of your younger siblings grow up.

My birthday was a week ago and my younger sister wrote the sweetest blog post for my birthday.

You can always count on Lauren for a tear-jerking flashback. 

 So to keep the love going, I'm going to do the same for baby sister. 

Her birthday is today! She's ten years younger and I call her "mini me."

What I love about her:

1. Mckell has a huge heart and a sensitive soul.

2. She's a great Volleyball player and has a lovely singing voice.

3. She's got attitude. She has since she was a wittle girl always sticking it to us older siblings.

4. Loyal friend and sister. She was by my side my entire visit home.

5. Brave and ambitious. This girl has been through some difficult things,

 but she's handled it so well.

Hope you have a wonderful birthday Kelly! Wish I could be there to celebrate.

Twenty-four

So I like to plan parties.

Even my own birthday party.

and I think it turned out really well! 

I am truly blessed to have such great friends.

And a great husband who puts up with me :) 

I was reading this blog earlier, and I think she took the words right out of my soul.

"I am a deeply blessed woman. As I begin my (twenty-fourth) year I am feeling much more reflective and quiet. I feel life speeding up and the risk of missing it crouching at my door. I long to be an authentic woman who shares her heart freely and simply and above all I want to trust God. I am so weary of simply trying to please Him - I want to live into the freedom that is trusting Him."

Twenty-three was a tough year for me! 

Probably the toughest thus far. 

Moving away from home was very difficult

and having a husband in pilot training? Even more so...

But it made me stronger, more experienced,

 and I fully intend to use the insight I gained

to build a brighter and more accomplished Courtney.

I'm sick of thinking about my dreams.

I'm ready to live them.

Rebel

 Look into the lens. Get lost in it's beauty.

Jake and I have been talking about getting a new camera for years.

Well, I've been talking, Jake's been listening.

My dad's old Nikon is lovely but man is it fickle.

So today when we realized Jake had an empty schedule, 

we took off for the city and went a little crazy.

Nothing like an early birthday gift to turn a pity party upside down! 

It's black, it's beautiful, it's sleek, and I'm a little afraid of it. 

I've never bought anything this nice for myself.

Fantastic pictures coming soon!

Ahhh!

Fiesta Birthday

Yesterday was Jake's 26th birthday! After some pleading and pouting, I convinced him to let me invite a few people over for a little fiesta fun. Everyone devoured the Tres Leches, drank lots of cream soda, and flew his short lived remote control airplane. We've been so blessed here in Oklahoma to make such wonderful friends. Thank you for making it a special day!

Baty

Happy Birthday to my Grandpa the swim teacher, basketball coach, 

Tootie Launcher creator, and singer of jazz.

Franky's got nothing on you.

Flashback Friday/Best Friend Birthday

Ally and Courtney... from the beginning.

Before hair dye...

and after.

fun times...

and rough times.

Today is my bestie's birthday. 

She is the most selfless and caring person I know, 

not to mention an AMAZING mother. 

I don't know why she enjoys being my friend, 

but I'm sure glad she stuck around because

I can't imagine life without her.

Happy Birthday lovely!

Pop, pop.

Happy Birthday to the machine

the man

the legend

my father. 

Thank you for loving me so much and always supporting me. 

I'm the luckiest daughter alive. 

Melting Pot

 
Carolina Beach and Melting Pot Chocolate Fondue

Not a bad thirteenth birthday...

23

My birthday...

it was definitely strange and depressing without the hub,
but I had plenty of family and friends that showed me some love.
The evening started with an emotion bowl and ended with forever lazy.
Thanks for all of your birthday wishes!