Our darling girl has indeed turned 1--April 26. I can't believe that it has been a year already! It has really flown. I remember not being sure of what I had gotten myself into when I was pregnant with her, and now I can not imagine living without her.
She was such a wonderfully easy and adoring baby. I ate up all of the cooing and cuddling. She has been such a petite little thing it has been like having a baby for much longer as well. She has made it seem easy to love her and really gives you an ego boost on being a mom since she is so easy to console and has been so laid back.
I would love to post some pictures of her first birthday party, but it looks like they may have been accidentally deleted. If any of you have some pictures, we would REALLY appreciate them! She had a princess party at Hogi Yogi corporate on her real birthday! It was the first actual big party I have thrown for any of my kids and I think it went pretty well. We were so very lucky that so many friends and family could attend. It really meant a lot to us for so many to show up and support our daughter. We were especially blessed to have my ENTIRE family present. My mom, dad, and Michael were in town from Texas for Will's college graduation(YAY WILL!). It was the first time they have been able to attend one of my children's birthdays and it made me very very happy to have them there. We had several little guests so we had a craft table with foam crowns and wands they could make as well as necklaces. Or they could color in coloring books. Kate was very good during the whole thing and enjoyed all of the action and attention. She especially enjoyed the balloons! She kept yelling "Balloon Balloon!" and pointing at them. She loved her cake (cried when we moved it away from her to slice it after blowing out the candle) and dug right in (at the entire slice! and even licked frosting off the floor later during cleanup...ewww) She was showered with beautiful gifts and was extremely spoiled! Thanks everyone! Dallin cried during gift opening (all those presents and none for him...sad LOL) All in all it was a fun day.
It is with celebration and a bit of sadness that I bid farewell to the first year and to baby hood. My little pixie has crossed over and has lost the little baby look. She is looking more like a toddler every day. As the picture up top shows, I even did her hair this week (and tried it again for 1st birthday pictures today at JCPenney). Hats off to Annie and other moms who have great dos on their kids. I almost couldn't get the rubber bands in without yanking her hair out just to give her antennae. I thought it turned out cute though, and it makes her look so grown up. She has started babbling more and talks with her hands to make a point. She is getting braver every day and takes short bursts of steps quite frequently. New words are appearing almost daily("dance", "I did it")....and my easy going laid back girl has started showing a little streak of independence and feistiness. We have had several tantrums (kicking, screaming, hitting, throwing things as she starts to test her wings...oh yes, the joys of toddlerhood.) She is growing up so very quickly. Here's to a beautiful first year, and to surviving (and loving) the toddler years!
We love you Kate Alivia--our little princess!
