First Birthday!!!!

This morning we were all woken up by the sound of a balloon coming into contact with a ceiling fan - I know, how ironic. I was so excited to see Lily this morning! As soon as I woke up, all I could think about was her little smiling face - it was almost like a year ago when I was anxious to see her for the very first time. I relived a lot of moments today - the scary parts of labor when they couldn't stabilize my blood pressure, the unexpected c-section, the long wait by myself after they took her away - but most of all, the happiest moment when she was finally in my arms for the very first time. My arms ache to hold her even now as I think about it.

So as soon as I heard her wake up, I went running to her room to greet her with a big "Happy Birthday!"

The first thing we did was to go play outside. She loves to be outside - everything about it - birds, grass, plants, mulch, dirt - she wants to play with it all.

 She obviously has some kind of secret here.

Then we went to a farm north of where we live. I figured it would be an activity she would enjoy, since we would be outside, and there are certain things I want to instill in her as she grows older - a love for God's creation and a desire to eat healthy.

Checking out the tomato plants.

Hug me, Daddy!!!

I'll take all of these!

This isn't the kind of avocado you normally see at Walmart!

Somebody got really excited to be running around at the market!

On the way home from the farm we stopped at McDonalds for lunch. Who would have thought that some of my favorite pics of the day would come from that.

She has a very ambiguous eye color if you can't tell by these pics - sometimes they look gray, sometimes they look green, sometimes they will be gray with a very distinct brown in the middle. I'm not sure if they are still changing, or if she will never be able to really answer the question about what color her eyes are.

After lunch we went by the citrus center for their orange and vanilla twist ice cream cones. This is normally a tradition for when we are on our way home from the beach, but today was a special day.

Yum!!!

Next we came home for a nap. I played with her on the couch until she fell asleep - one of my favorite moments of the day :)

While she was sleeping, Clay and I finished filling the balloons and decorating the dining room. She is obsessed with balloons - she can hardly focus on anything else when we see one out in public. The one that got caught in the fan this morning has been in the house for a couple weeks now. She points it out several times a day. I had this idea of creating a wonderland of balloons for her. I think it came out close to what I had pictured in my head.

THE CAKES!!!!

I am obsessed with the cake! I absolutely loved it - it was better than I imagined. I said I wanted a fanciful 1 on top, some flowers and butterflies, her name in round circles, and just a little bit of sparkle. Many thanks to Extreme Sugar Cake Shop in Fort Myers for making such a beautiful creation.

Lily's smash cake.

 Pictures of the main cake:

We also had some cheesecake flavored cupcakes - just for funsies.

After she woke up from her nap, Clay, Nana, and Papa were waiting in the dining room for her. I set her down so when she rounded the loveseat she would see all the balloons for the first time.

She was immediately intrigued.

She obviously can't get to them fast enough!

She has captured one by its string and is showing it to Papa - as if they aren't obvious already :)

Time for pizza!!!

She was so serious when I was putting her bib on - as if she knew she had a very important cake-eating moment coming up.

This cracks me up :)

In a second I'll notice it....

Getting the feel of it.

Testing out the taste.

Must have tasted good - cause now I'm gonna dive in face first!

This icing is good!

Starting to make it past the icing to the red velvet cake!

Smashing!

(I am cutting the main cake in the meantime)

Starting to get messy.

Really messy.

Doesn't get much messier than this!

After a shower, followed by a bath, she was ready for presents.

I always thought these kind of boots were lame, until I saw the baby version - cutest things ever!

Nana and Papa got her a mini-suitcase - she thought it would be great to sit in it and play with all her new clothes.

Opening the big one.

Lily's first car - haha.

Playing with her new pool toys from Aunt Jodi in the sink.

After all of that, we went to go see Lion King since it is out for a couple weeks in theaters. It's the first movie we've seen that she's really paid attention to. She fell asleep after about 45 minutes, but before that she was watching and dancing and clapping the whole time.

Cuddling with Nana at home before going to bed.

It was a day packed with activity and all the fun and sweet moments that are typical of life with Lily. I am so, so happy to be a mother in the first place, but most of all, I am happy to be HER mother. I hope she felt just how much I love her today. The last year with her has been the biggest blessing.

To see Lily's 1 Year pics go here 1 Year.

To see Lily's 1 Year post go here 1 Year Pics.