Addy's First Birthday Bonanza

Addy had an amazing first birthday! The celebration kicked off with a bang on Wednesday with her first birthday pancakes. I'm going to make this a tradition.

Then she got her first of many presents, the ball pit/kiddie pool. She was not too impressed. Maybe she will grow into it. LOL.

Saturday was our big day for her birthday party! We invited quite a few of her baby friends and many showed up to celebrate. We definitely had a full house! Addy really seemed to enjoy herself.

Cake time!! Addy loves cake.

Let's open some presents! She got a lot of goodies from her friends. Everyone was very sweet.

Baby-in-a-Bag...not sold in stores...

And her favorite present of all time from Aunt Jessica...I can't get her out of this thing. She loves it.

She also received her very first cell phone in hopes that she might stop throwing mine around. LOL. I foresee a multitude of fender benders in our future...

PSA: Texting while driving is dangerous...

She definitely had a fabulous birthday and I couldn't be more proud of her. She even took a couple of steps for us later on. I cannot believe how fast she is growing. My baby is turning into a little girl.

A year in pictures...

Happy Birthday Addy! We are so proud of you and love you with all our hearts.

******

Here are some pictures and video to look back on one of the best year's of our lives.

Retro Addy

May 13, 2008

May 2008

June 2008, One Month Old:

July 2008, Two Months Old:

August 2008, Three Months Old:

September 2008, Four Months Old:

October 2008, Five Months Old:

November 2008, Six Months Old:

December 2008, Seven Months Old:

January 2009, Eight Months Old:

February 2009, Nine Months Old:

March 2009, Ten Months Old:

April 2009, Eleven Months Old!

Happy One Year Baby Girl!

I'm in denial...

I don't have a one year old. I can't. This year has just flown by.

I cannot believe a year has passed. One year ago today, I was an emotional wreck. I was so nervous about having a C-section and so nervous about becoming a mom. I was uncomfortable, swollen, and crying. I drove around for about an hour listening to Journey and crying my eyes out. I wasn't sad, just so completely happy and anxious! I couldn't wait to meet little Addybear and smell her sweet skin. I tried to wrap my mind around what it would be like to hold her for the first time or hear her for the first time. Nothing can prepare you for the actual experience. Jim and I were just overwhelmed with excitement and anticipation...running around making sure the room was ready...making sure we had diapers, wipes, and all the neccessities.

The one good thing about having a scheduled C-section birth is that you get to plan around it. You can spend the day before preparing and can even have that last meal as a non mommy. Mine was Olive Garden with a huge slab of chocolate cheesecake for dessert. I deserved it. I grew a baby for nine months! I think she appreciated the cake. My cake cravings during my pregnancy just might be one of the reasons why Addy loves cake so much now...oops.

Now she's a year old. She's trying to walk, trying to talk, and showing her personality everyday. She is a sweet, playful, outgoing, curious, inquisitive and cheerful little girl. She is full of smiles and laughter..even in the morning..I KNOW she didn't get that from me. She is independent and will not hesitate to explore a room without me...she always looks back to make sure I'm watching, of course.

I am so proud to be her mother. Everyday I look at her in awe and think of how blessed I truly am to have such a beautiful, healthy daughter. I feel that I am the luckiest woman on earth... We are truly blessed.

And with that...I leave you with her happy dance. :)