A Tweet Birdie Celebration

We did it. We fed, bathed, loved, snuggled, laughed, cried, played, changed, cared for Charlotte for an entire year. One year. Because this event was guaranteed to break my heart, I decided to redirect my focus on planning a fun celebration. I know, "Charlotte won't know it's for her." You're right: it was for me.

I had so much fun scouring the internet for clever ideas, making decorations, baking food, it helped me to concentrate on what a blessing she is and what a true celebration her birthday is; rather than wallowing in self-pity.

The party was so a blast. It was the most perfect day outside and the yard passed its first real test with flying colors.

Charlotte seemed to have a wonderful time. She was showered with generous gifts and thanked everyone with big smiles and excitement.

Part Favors

Birdie Cake

12 Month Banner

Bird's Nests

Food Table (All Birdie Themed)

A New Favorite Toy

Excited about a new Dollie

Mmm... Baby Apple Cake

Birthday girl and her Daddy

Drinks 

One

Dear Charlotte Grace,

Today we celebrate your first birthday. I knew it was inevitable, this day, but somehow I had hoped maybe it would take a little longer to arrive. You are the personification of joy. You have taught us more about love, patience, family and God than we ever could have imagined. We thank God daily for entrusting your sweet little life to us and can't imagine a bigger blessing.

Over the year you have grown, developed and changed so much. The first moments I saw you were a blur. I remember thinking how much you looked like your daddy.  How surprised I was to see your bald little head.  Lying in that hospital bed on the night of your birth, hoping that I would fall in love with you soon. Holding you, smelling you, nursing you. I had no idea the love I was in for.

At one point I remember thinking to myself, "You are going to be a newborn forever." And now, in a blink of an eye, we are celebrating your birthday.

Over the months, we watched you wake up. You started smiling and cooing and interacting. We were hooked. You didn't make us work very hard for those first smiles, and you haven't stopped smiling since.

We rejoiced and cheered at each milestone you reached. You learned to sit, and roll, and scoot, and crawl, and stand, and climb. Soon you will running.

You have gained 14 pounds and grown 10 inches. Your hair has not grown more than 1/4 inch. You have 6 teeth. You say words like, "Daddy" "Ball" "Dog" "Dollie" "Mama" "All Done" "More" "Buh-Bye" "Hi" "Charlie."

You play games like Peek-a-Boo and Pat-a-Cake. You read books. You hug and kiss you dollies (and your mommy). You climb on EVERYTHING. You are fearless. And trusting.

Every night your daddy and I sneak into your room and give you one last goodnight kiss. You are so sweet in your jammies, with your monkey close by.

Thank you for making me a mother. We love you more than we ever knew we could.

Squeezing Sand

I had no idea how difficult this would be. My baby turning one. The sadness does not stem from the stage she is currently in, it comes from the speed at which she reached this stage. The reality of the overly warned cliche, "it goes so fast" has finally sunk in. It really does go too fast. I feel like I'm squeezing tight my handful of sand and it continues to slip out between my fingers.  Trying to redirect my focus.

She is the most enjoyable one year old I have ever gotten to spend time with. She makes me laugh and sing and dance all day long.

I have been having so much fun planning her Birdie Birthday Party. This occasion is cause for serious celebration!

As if we needed more motivation to party, the backyard will be complete in time for the guests!

11 Months

I just sealed the envelopes to Charlotte's First Birthday Party invitations. What? Not me, I have a newborn baby; not a toddler. How did this happen? How is this the last "monthly update" before my baby is ONE YEAR OLD! No, Father Time, you have made a mistake and stolen 10 months from me.  Because, you see, I just had a baby. In fact, I just found out I was pregnant. So there is no possible way I am inviting friends and family over to celebrate her first birthday.

Despite my fruitless plea, here are the updates:

Standing well unassisted, no steps yet
Recognizing animals and trying to name them
Developing a sense of humor (fake laughing when we laugh at her)
Learning to sing ("Oooohhh")
2 naps
4 teeth
9-12 month clothing
Climbing on EVERYTHING!

We started a little Movement class last week and Charlotte had the time of her life. It is exactly what I was looking for. A big padded room with baby sized obstacles for her to climb on. I think she was in heaven. She climbed up 5 huge steps and slid down the slide, she bounced on a tire, she swam in the ball pit.

We also went and toured a dairy farm. Almost equally exciting. She met cows and pigs and goats. The whole way home she was saying, "mmaaa" which I must assume, in her world, is what the cow says.

Recently, Charlotte has started giving hugs and kisses. Be still my heart. She puts her head on my shoulder, pats my back, and says "awww." As if my heart could love her anymore.

The crew meeting the goats

Love them!

Cows...MAAA

Explode my heart!

Chatting about their day on the farm

Girls on a farm

Love them!

Climbing everywhere!

Learning guitar

Love

Asleep, sitting up, resting against the bars