5 Years Ago Today

5 years ago today the Dukes' world changed forever. This little beauty entered the world and we have never been the same. As I reminisced last night, with Blair cuddled up to me, about this day 5 years ago, it made me so sad to think about how quickly time is flying by. I remember holding this sweet little baby in my arms and now this sweet little girl lays beside me growing up so quickly each day. I remember doing all of the things for this little one that she was unable to do for herself and now this little girl tells me that she can do it herself. I remember falling completely and madly in love with this little baby upon first glance and now I continue to fall in love with this sweet little girl more and more everyday. God is so Good!

5 years ago today, I had to go in for a check-up because my blood pressure was a little higher than the doctor would like for it to be. The chance of them keeping me and inducing was pretty good. I remember the excitement of riding to the hospital with my husband, bags packed. The excitement of leaving our house for the last time as a family of two and coming home as three. They kept me in observation for most of the morning monitoring my contractions and Dr. Edwards finally decided to induce. At noon, Dr. Edwards broke my water and started the drip. I remember Chris and I both calling all of our family and friends to tell them the news.

I told everyone to hurry to the hospital while Chris was telling everyone to take their time, it would be a while (next time he should listen to me). I was moved to a room and about 5 minutes later had a wonderful epidural administered (who in their right mind would not do this?). Chris and I had previously decided to allow our family to be a part of this day. Thankfully my doctor also allowed everyone to be a part of this special day. At 4:21 pm we all welcomed Ashlyn Blair Dukes into this world. By we all, I mean, Chris, Aunt Stacy, Aunt Re, Nana, Poppy, Gigi, Mary, Aunt Gail, Grandma and the doctor and nurses. In the waiting room was Aunt Kari, Kailyn, Papa and Grandpa with more family and friends on the way. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity to share in the most precious gift, life, and we wanted our family to be a part of this gift.

None of our lives have been the same since she entered this world. My sweet doctor allowed Chris to deliver Blair. He told Chris to suit up and walked him through the entire birthing process. Chris was wonderful and has never been the same since that day. He was wrapped from the moment he delivered her. What a Difference She Has Made in Our Lives!

This day 5 years ago, this little girl made us Mommy and Daddy, she made some Aunts and Uncles, Grandparents and Cousins for the first time. For this child we prayed and the Lord granted us what we asked of Him. Our lives will never be the same and I praise God for that!

Happy 5th Birthday Little Princess!

5th Birthday
4th Birthday

3rd Birthday

2nd Birthday

1st Birthday

Welcome to the world Ashlyn Blair Dukes!

Our Beach Vacation, Part II

Nana, Aunt Stacy, Mommy and Blair
Mommy, Blair and Daddy

Our Beach Baby

Burying Daddy in the sand.

Sneak Peek

For Blair's 5th Birthday, I decided to plan a Candyland themed party. Here is a peek at the birthday invitations. I love them!

Our Beach Vacation, Part I

Nothing in this world is more relaxing than to me than the beach. So far this trip has been wonderful! We have swam until midnight, enjoyed a lot of seafood (Blair has out eaten us all with the crab claws), walked on the beach at night, gone crab hunting with flashlights, rented SeaDoo's, made new friends, Blair got a hair wrap, rode the ferris wheel at the Wharf, been surprised by Chris coming to see us early, enjoyed each other and celebrated our 8th Anniversary. It has been so much fun and we still have 6 more days to enjoy it all.

Mommy, Blair and Daddy

Happy Anniversary!
Gigi, Blair and Poppy

The Queen, just ask her!

Blair and Daddy riding the waves.

Blair at Lulu's

Aunt Stacy and Blair enjoying a swim.

Blair and her playmate, Poppy.

Our Beach Baby!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Happy Birthday Sweetheart! My sweet husband turned 31 today. To celebrate, Blair and I are heading to the beach for a few days. I just hate Chris will be unable to join us for his celebration until Tuesday. Last night we celebrated Chris' birthday. I bought a yummy ice cream cake from G'daddy's, birthday balloons and decorations to make it a little more special. Blair loves birthday parties so no doubt he was going to get one even though he does not like a fuss made over his birthday. You will see in one of the pictures below Blair and her Daddy fighting over blowing out the candles.

Last weekend he received an early birthday present from Blair and I. We surprised him with the Nascar Driving Experience at Talladega. He seemed to enjoy the drive around the track in the race car. Next year he has requested a ride in a jet. Anyone know of where I can get help with that one?

Happy Birthday Chris! Blair and I cannot wait to spend many more years celebrating your life. We Love You!

Happy Pretend Birthday Blair!

We received a call from Blair's teacher last week that they do not have school birthday parties in the summer. With Blair being a June baby, that knocked her out of having a school party. We really were not planning to throw a school party since we are planning a big Candyland blowout in June and inviting all of her friends from school. Then we were told if we did not throw Blair a party, she would be the only summer baby that did not have a school party. No Pressure!

So guess what? We threw Blair a party at school yesterday. Worked out very well! We came off looking like the best parents. It was also the end of the year party for the school. The school carried all of the kids to the park, rented bouncers and bought several different bubbles to play with. To top it off, we had Blair's party right in the middle of the action so Blair and her friends thought all of that was just for Blair's Birthday and we were not telling her any different. The only problem now is she thinks she turned 5 yesterday and next month she thinks she will be 6. Happy Early Birthday Blair!

Mommy trying to give Blair a cupcake kiss.

My little cupcake!

Blair's friends enjoying her Birthday Party.

Blair with her cake.

I did a beach themed party.

Each child received a sand bucket, shovel,

lai, sunglasses and a beach ball.

Birthday Table Decorated.

Blair's Cake

Softball, Playtime and Nascar

Chris after completing the Nascar Drivers Experience.
Chris driving the Talladega Super Speedway.

Start Your Engines!

Daddy suited up and ready to drive.

Blair trying out the race car.

Like father, like daughter

Chris, Blair and Grandpa

Happy Birthday Daddy! We love you!

I need a vacation after this weekend. Thankfully I will be enjoying one starting Friday afternoon. We had a fabulous weekend! Friday night we enjoyed Mexican food with our neighbors, Jeff and Lee, along with a little shopping afterwards. On Saturday, Blair had a softball game at 9am. Blair was very excited that her Grandpa was able to come see her play for the first time. Afterwards, we had a 1pm Birthday Skating Party for one of Blair's classmates then we headed back to our neighborhood to another one of Blair's friends for water play. Then we headed into Childersburg to visit my grandfather, Papa and spend the night with Chris' parents.

Bright and early Sunday morning (again, bright and early) we headed to the Talladega Super Speedway for some racing. I decided several months ago that I wanted to do something different for Chris' birthday. So, I decided to purchase the Nascar Driving Experience package for him. We had to be at the track by 7:30am to check-in. Chris had class for 40 minutes and then they suited him up in his racing attire and put him in the car. While he was in class, we enjoyed seeing all of the race cars. The pit crew even allowed Blair to get in the car, try on the helmet and pretend to drive. She thought that was pretty cool.

Chris did a great job on the track and seemed to really enjoy his birthday gift. He received a picture and certificate. His certificate said his top speed was 169mph. He would have gone faster but they would not allow the car to go faster. We also surprised Chris' dad with a ride along gift for Father's Day. He got to ride along in one of the race cars with a professional driver. That car would fly! He also brought home a racing wheel to hang in his shop. I am not sure which of the two he was more excited about, the ride along or tire. Anyway, we had a fantastic day and weekend.