Growing Up Mudra

Ok, so I was out of town on Father’s Day and didn’t get this post up when we got back because we were so exhausted. I just wanted to wish all you dads and soon-to-be dads a Happy Father’s Day!! We were very happy that we were able to see both my dad and my father-in-law, even though it was pretty brief…thanks for all that you both do for us. I especially want to wish my husband a Happy First Father’s Day! You truly are a wonderful father to Jillian, we love you!

My good friend from college, Jennie Garman (formerly known as Jennie Stewart), had a 1 year birthday party for her daughter Emily while they were visiting Ohio this week (they live in North Carolina now). This was the first opportunity that I had to get to meet this beautiful child and jumped at the chance to attend the party. It was great seeing everyone again and it appears that there was a mini-baby boom this year…tons of kids/babies were in attendance! For all of my OU girls who couldn’t attend, here is our precious Emily and other scenes from the party!

I can’t believe it has been 6 weeks! Jillian is just growing like a weed! I am going to cheat a little and use some pictures that we had done at a place in Mansfield last week (so technically she is only 5 weeks old in these pictures, but I couldn’t resist sharing them). She is so much more alert these days, not taking as many naps, and is even starting to smile a little. She enjoys listening to mommy sing (even when it isn’t very good) and looking into the mirror by her changing table. I had to manually crop these pictures so they aren’t the real results we got in photos but close enough. I’m sure they would shoot me for putting them on the website. Some of you have already seen some of these pictures but some have not…we hope you like them as much as we do!

Another big event that Jillian and I attended this weekend was Josh Speelman’s graduation party; he is my cousin Jim’s oldest son. I found out that he will be attending OU in the fall on a wrestling scholarship! Needless to say, I was elated that he chose my alma mater and that he will soon be a Bobcat! We got to visit with lots of family members that I haven’t seen in awhile and it was a great time. Can’t wait to see all you Speelmans at the reunion coming up soon! Congratulations Josh and best of luck at OU; I will be coming for a visit of course

Way to go Josh, we are proud of you!

Cousin Chelsea meets Jillian for the first time and Aunt Nicci remembers what is like when they are so little.

I just love these twins to pieces, aren’t they so sweet!

Jason and Laura Speelman’s son Brice; I just wanted to pinch his cheeks!
Don’t worry I resisted the urge…barely.

Aunt Gerry takes a turn with Jillian and Susan bonds with Emma.

The kids were having fun on the trampoline – Kaleb, Abigail and Jersey


The Elder Speelmans (my Dad and Uncle Jim) played cornhole with their sons.
Brian and Jason had a good laugh about their style of playing!

This weekend Jillian and I went home for some big events, one of which was Monica’s baby shower. It was a beautiful shower even though the weather was ridiculously hot. We all did our fair share of eating and sweating! You may notice that Jillian had a wardrobe change early in the shower…her little body just needed something cooler and more breathable (or maybe mommy just wanted to put on another outfit!) Monica and Todd are not finding out what they are having, so look below for some belly pics and see if you can predict it…boy or girl! I say girl! For all the girls out there who are far away and haven’t been able to see Monica…enjoy the pictures!

Isn’t she beautiful??


Monica getting in some good practice!

Even the two grandma’s took turns holding our little Jillian.


Todd even got in on getting some baby time in!

Some familiar faces, we were so glad you got to meet Jillian!

A few little gifts we got her along with her stroller!
I guess these gifts are more so for Todd since he registered for the O State stuff!