Lately

Lately we've been going full steam ahead...we've put our first house up on the market (with no place to move yet), Luke has formally accepted a new job, and Lane gets bigger and brighter every day. 

First, I must say thank you to everyone who prayed for us about Luke's job future. Luke has been working with some friends of ours over the past 5 months flipping homes. He loved the work, but decided to move back into his wheel house, he accepted a position as project manager for DPR construction. It's in his wheel house meaning he will be managing big projects for a big company. It's a bit different in that he specializes in healthcare construction, and his first project for this company is working to revitalize one of Savannah's most famous downtown streets. Ben Carter; a huge mogul of a man has been purchasing up every piece of property he can on Broughton Street, with major plans to bring in big retailers. Basically, his mission is to make it similar to Charleston's King Street. I know J Crew has signed up with him, so I'm already happy. Major curb appeal as well as green spaces too. It's a high profile job, but I'm excited for Luke. 

Lane amazes me every day. Her vocabulary is huge, and I sometimes struggle speaking to her like an adult (it's almost like I can't believe she really understands and comprehends all that she does). The weather has been crazy lately, but we've managed to squeeze in a couple of beach and boat days. I'm beyond ready for warmer weather, I really don't understand how people up North entertain their children all day inside. Lane loves to explore the outdoors! 

I won't get into all of the little details since I am enjoying the break from monthly updates and photos. I have finished Lane's baby book, and plan to wait for a super sweet Shutterfly deal to print. So up next I am working on her first year videos on one DVD. 

Here is the picture purge from our life lately:

Dock Sitting

Mom you are so strange face--I get this all day!

I am a DIVA

Boat rides are better this year! The lifejacket fit is SO MUCH BETTER 

You are a silly goose

Gran and Papa have a little captain in em. Ha! Fun playing in Augusta.

Gran and Papa's Yard 

Papa did countless laps around the house with your majesty

Having Aunt Katie in Savannah is great. Now she can take us on mid week boat rides.

Wasn't so sure you'd love the beach again this year. Luckily, you did!

Playing with Skyler

Birthday Party Fun 

Fun friends at the beach

Lane's First Birthday!

NOOOOO! I can't believe my baby is ONE! I'm really not sad, it just came so quickly. Luke and I are blessed beyond measure with Lane Olivia Dorman. She is sassy, sweet, and never misses a beat.
Lane's birthday theme was polka dots! I bought a bunch of polka dot balloons that we scattered all over the floor and across the ceiling. We made a polka dot high chair banner, polka dot birthday cake, bought a cute number one polka dot shirt from Etsy, and strung up her monthly pictures for everyone to see how much she changed this first year.  Unfortunately, I did not get a lot of pictures from the birthday party. I have a ton of video footage, but I wish I had captured a couple more pictures. All of Lane's family came into town for her first birthday party (except Aunt Abigail, who was in Greece--hence my lack of pictures). Along with family, we invited three of Lane's little friends over to play too. The party started at noon where we hung out and watched the kids play. Burgers, baked beans, and chips were served for lunch at 12:30, and we followed up with a homemade cake.
I really tried not to go overboard since Lane had no real idea of what was going on. It was a wonderful day with friends and family. Overall I truly think Lane had a blast seeing and playing with everyone. The party was an all day affair, baby friends Jackson, Celia, and Harris actually lasted till about 3:30, people love to baby watch so we did just that until everyone needed to head home for afternoon naps.

The Birthday Girl being pulled around in her wagon by cousins M.A. and Lily

Her monthly photos 

Lane's Polka Dot Cake w/Buttercream Frosting 

Balloons all over the place- the kids LOVED the balloons! 

I wish you could see the polka dot cloth a little better, but her birthday chair all ready 

I just left her in her pink tutu and hat since I guessed she'd be a mess 

Testing it out!

She had a death grip on this cupcake, and seriously ate almost an entire half of a jumbo cupcake

Mean Mugging Luke's Dad! She gives this face to a lot of people actually. :(

Her cake was a success! I will say I had a major proud mamma moment when I cut into this. Aunt Katie made this happen, so got to give credit where credit is due! 

I'm so mad at myself for not getting a photo of all the little kids together or the entire crowd. I may try and get photos from the video footage though. Anyone tried that?? We'll see!
Here is Lane's last monthly photo to round out the year, and her 12 month doctor appointment stats:

Your weight hovers around the same!

Still Tall

Same 'ol Same 'ol for head too!

I guess this is a good record of your sick times too!

This is SO PITIFUL...I just had to laugh when I saw this. Sorry Lane!  

Lane was OVER her monthly photos for sure! 

HAPPY HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY BABY LANE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
One last side note** I'm getting a NEPHEW this June!

Christmas

So we've been a bit busy around here celebrating Christmas, New Year, and Lane's first birthday! Before I cover her first birthday party I want to throw back to our first Christmas as a family of three.
The weekend before Christmas we celebrated with Luke's family here in Savannah. We all went out to a yummy dinner at Toucan (one of my MIL's favorite spots, and I am a big fan too). After dinner everyone came over to my house to open presents. Lane of course was the star of the show and we all just set around in a circle watching her.
On Sunday my sister, Lane, and I headed up to Augusta for a whole week. Everyone except my sister Jenna and her husband Prem joined us in Augusta at some point in the week. J and P went to India for three weeks, so they were missed, but having fun. Lane and her cousins had a blast playing with each other. Mary Alice, Lane's oldest cousin would walk around most of the day with Lane chilling on her hip. Lane would carry Mary Alice's purse and I-touch, and the two would jam out to Taylor Swift. It was such a funny thing to watch. Lane had no idea about Christmas or anything that was really going on. Luke and I  attended  the child service at my home church, and were thankful we did. Lane loved roaming the isles and talking to everyone in sight. She is a social butterfly for sure! Overall, we had a wonderful Christmas just taking it easy with family. Next year I think Lane will be more aware of what is really going on, so I look forward to watching her reactions.

Lane LOVES purses! With cousin Mary Alice's purse. She is such a girly girl and I have no idea where this came from!

Mary Alice, Lane, and Lily - Cousin Love

Daddy helping open presents

Cousin Lisa got lane a hip puffer vest and Diva outfit 

Chilling with Gran

Helping Gran in the kitchen!

 I also want to throw in the Christmas picture of the three little ladies! Remember this picture in 2012??

Well here we are Christmas 2013

So maybe the timing did not work out for us all to see each other this Christmas, but crafty Kathryn made us appear that way :) Next Christmas we are going to get the real deal again for sure. 

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. Having a child makes everything that much more magical. 

Merry Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Everyone,

The Dorman Family