Emily turns 1!

 Emily had her first birthday yesterday! Wow! My sweet little baby is one year old! We celebrated her birthday throughout the previous week, starting with a visit from Mimi and Pappa Rose.

 Emily and JJ loved playing and hanging out with them while they were here.

 Emily got a new pair of kicks from Mimi and Pappa- some darling purple Keens! She loves walking around in them and playing with the strap, and it is so cute to see them on her.

 Emily also got this really neat toy house that has all these buttons and doors and phrases and songs. JJ loves playing with it as much as Emily does.

 Pappa and Mimi also gave Emily this really neat little handmade chair, with this beautiful mountain scene on the back. She'll have to wait until she's a little steadier with walking and climbing before she can really use it.

 Sunday afternoon we had Emily's birthday party at a little park. It was a beautiful day for the kids to play and for Emily to get her first taste of cake (more on that in a bit).

 Some of the party peoples (Big thanks to Tia Iracema for the pretty party dress!)

 Kids love to celebrate birthdays! Lilly, JJ, and Jacqueline

 Tim and I helped Emily blow out her candle- she almost blew it by herself. She also got her fingers in her cake- tee hee. She did eat half a piece, which impressed me (JJ wouldn't even taste his cake at his second birthday).

Emily liking her very first taste of sugary goodness!

 Emily loves playing with balls and cups, and sporting her new shoes.

 Emily also liked opening her presents, with help from JJ, Lilly, and daddy. She got a new Arial plush doll, two books, a new baby doll, and a fancy new coat. 

The party was a lot of fun, and Emily enjoyed being held by many different people. JJ had a good time playing with Lilly and Jacqueline. Lilly got stung by a bee at the end of the party and was such a trooper about it. I'm really glad that Lilly isn't scared of bees now.

Emily's birthday was a cold and wet day, perfect for a really fun playdate with Megan and Lilly, and new friends Julie and two of her boys, Caiden and Solen. All the kids got along really well, and it was great to get some visiting time in with cool moms.

Today we ate the last of Emily's birthday cake and opened her gifts from us and from my sister, Christine. Emily is now the proud owner of a purple Nalgene bottle (just like JJ's green one), and this really cool gyro bowl that is impossible to spill food out of, along with some new clothes and some really cute little books. (I'll post pictures of the cool bowl when the camera battery is recharged) Happy birthday Emily!


Every day, Emily is getting better at pulling herself up and walking while holding hands. It seems like every day a little bit more of Emily's personality is revealed. (Not sure if that's because I'm more rested now and more awake to notice this, or if she's actually coming into her own more). Emily is such a happy and sweet baby. She loves to show you her toy and give it to you. She makes a toy out of anything, meaning she is easily pleased. She loves to look through books and play with JJ's cars. She even pushes the car along while making car noises. Emily loves to dance (bobbing and moving her torso back and forth) and listen to music and play with toys that make music. Any little hole she can stick a finger into, she will attempt. The girl loves drinking water, and gets agitated until she gets her sippy cup of water (usually just one or two ounces). Emily is really balanced on a rocking horse and can climb up stairs. When Emily does get upset, she's starting to cry "mama" and throw a little bit of a fit. She does calm down quickly when soothed (whew!) and loves to snuggle still (yes!) When she bonks herself or gets hurt, she clearly and audibly says "Ow." I laugh every time I hear her say it, and she is starting to say it more as she gets more adventurous. Emily still lights up when she sees JJ and loves to play with whatever he's playing with (which does not always please JJ).


Emily's one year checkup is in two weeks, when we find out her stats, ask the doctor a hundred questions, and deal with the after-effects of shots. I look forward to it and dread it at the same time.