Picture Perfect Reminder

When I went out to visit Carrie in OKC while pregnant with Emily, we did some birthday party shopping for Britton (who was about to turn one). Carrie had a great idea to personalize a picture mat with Britton's info and have everyone at her party sign it as a reminder of who was there. I "borrowed" this idea from her for Emily's birthday party so that we would have a momento of everyone who was there to share in her special day. Most of the party guests walked up to the picture mat, paused, bit their lips, and said "Ummmm.....I'll come back when I have something awesome to write!" I was just hoping to get some signatures, a few doodles, and maybe a "happy birthday!" scrawl across the bottom, but these people really delivered! We had some wonderful little messages left for Emily, and I'm sure she will love them as much as we did!

Walking on Sunshine!

Emily is an official walker! Yes, she still uses furniture to cruise around and her favorite mode of transportation is still crawling, since it gets her there fastest, but she can take actual steps in a direction! She walked from Tim to me and back again several times last night. We were in Virginia Beach, and Cammy wants it noted that Emily's first "real" walking took place at her house :) Then we got the older two involved and formed a basic triangle, sending Emily in each kid's direction. She had a ball! She's back to walking in short spurts today, but the sideways crab walk in her favorite when holding our hands and walking around the house.

Thanksgiving 2011

We packed up the minivan and headed for Virginia Beach on Thursday morning. We missed all of the traveler traffic by sticking to Rt. 17 and were at the beach by noon. After unloading the van, we took off for my aunt's house, where we were greeted by Stephanie (my cousin), her husband Kevin, their two kids, Alexandria and Gavin, cousins Kristen and Kevin (both home from college), and Kristen's friend Randall who has family out of state and didn't want to travel. The kids all played together, except for Emily who crawled all over the house/yard and found delight in something we don't have at our house--a staircase.

Gavin hearts babies very much and gave Emily lots of one-on-one attention!

Kevin was the fill-in chef--he deep fried the turkey AND roasted the oysters.

Randall, Steph, Kristen, and Cammy

Emily had the best seat in the house.

And that was at least two hours of my visit--follow her up the stairs, and down the stairs, and up the stairs, and down the stairs....you get the picture.

We had a great laugh when Kevin pulled the turkey out of the fryer--it got a little "sunburn"! Even though the outside was chargrilled, the inside was pretty tasty.

Kids table!

Gavin was the first to conk out, and Steph couldn't help joining in.

The next day, we skipped shopping so that we could visit Mt. Trashmore. It has a big new playground and the kids got some energy out from the sugar rush the day before.

Emily's Birthday Party

I had been planning Emily birthday party for a couple of months. I had a nice list of people to invite, several cute options of invitations, some ideas from the Internet on "first birthday" decorating themes, etc. I went with a polka-dot, not too specific theme and basically tried to make the decor as colorful as possible. Emily had a great time hanging out with her baby buddies, and the adults had a good time chowing down on tons of food and getting some "adult conversation" time in too! Goody bags for Emily's friends
Bottled water for our birthday party guests. See those labels I made around the bottles? Look closer...

Yes, they have Emily's picture! Many bored nights were spent in front of the computer in preparation for this party...

Funfetti and chocolate cupcakes with "1" decorations on them!

Cousin Stephanie drove all the way from Hampton for the party! My kids had a great time seeing their cousins Alexandria and Gavin.

Baby Justin amazed us with his laid back attitude and full head of hair! Only 8 months old and already 2 haircuts behind him!

Cousin Brooklyn hanging out with Grandma Peggy

Caiden had a few admirers at the party, especially Ms. Tracy. We were sure he was smuggling out my valuables in those cheeks!

I don't know how Jen got stuck with this job, but she became the "baby whisperer". A half dozen or so kids surrounded her, climbed on her, or chewed on her for a good fifteen minutes!

Justin and Brooklyn

Jack and Lily prove that nothing is more fun than toys that belong to someone else!

Ryder had us all laughing as he growled on command!

Happy birthday to you!

Yummy! Those cheeks are stuffed with sugary goodness!

Opening presents....the tissue paper was almost as good as the real present!

Uncle John and Aunt Mary found a book called "Emily's Day" and had to buy it!

A laptop and two cellphones for Emily....she owns more technology than me!

"Blowing kisses" to her audience--which really consisted of smacking herself in the mouth and spraying spit at everyone in the cheap seats.

No surprise here--Cousin Steph hooked Emily up with all the latest fashion trends, including jean leggings!

Emily: One Year Old

I don't have any official stats until Monday, when we have our one year checkup. For now, I can tell you that Emily has definitely become her own person, and that person is a red-headed Scorpio! She is strong willed and bull headed. She gets angry easily and every time that things don't go her way. But she is also very loyal, pointing her finger at Momma when she can't get a toy out of the toy box and snuggling at night. And she's extremely smart--she learned how to put the shapes in the shape sorter box in a matter of minutes and claps for herself every time she gets the blue circle in the right hole.

Likes: "grown up" food; walking along the furniture; her new ride-on train; rides in the car; being outside; being around people and other babies; when people talk to her

Dislikes: being changed/getting dressed; being put down for a nap; baby food; being told "no"; when she's ignored; when Ms. Tammy isn't at the daycare

Aunt Kiwi Delivers

Dear Aunt Kiwi,
You are the bestest auntie in the world. I was sooo happy to come home from daycare and find your Snoopy package for me! Mommy helped me open the wrapping paper, then all bets were off--I ate some paper, tasted my card, and threw my new clothes around with sheer abandon. Mommy especially loved the engraved frame--I believe I saw tears in her eyes.....or she was just exhausted, I can never tell the difference. Thank you so much for making me feel special and loved on my (almost) big day.
And no, I didn't wait til Friday to open my presents .... I can't read a calendar and I have a knack for immediate gratification.
Love,
Emily