her actual birthday day.

I almost forgot to show you pictures from Meredith's actual birthday. It was such a fun day celebrating our girl. We started the morning with birthday pancakes. Later, we had lots of vacation prep errands to run so we did those and stopped for a girls' lunch.

We spent the afternoon playing around the house and then met Chris for dinner at Not Your Average Joe's, which is one of our favorite restaurants. It was a perfect weather day so we enjoyed sitting on the patio.

So, basically the day revolved around eating delicious food, which is a pretty good birthday celebration, if you ask me.



 

lounging in between bites of grilled cheese at lunch

someone loves the bread as much as mommy & daddy!

happy 1st birthday, sweet girl.

Dear Meredith,
Today you are one year old. I cannot wrap my mind around this fact. In a way, it feels like only yesterday. But then, when I really think about it, already in twelve months, we've been through quite a lot and everyday has held something new.



I used to wonder when you were a newborn if I wound recognize you out of a line-up of babies. I don't wonder that anymore because I have memorized everything about you. Your short second toe with the third one a tiny but longer. Your perfectly shaped blue eyes with flecks of green and brown. Your thin hair that is light brown some days and, I swear, blonde on others. Your sweet, round button nose and your perfectly plump little lips. Your long, lean body with the only chub on your thighs and knee caps. The one lone freckle on your inner left leg. Your lower back with smooth skin accented by scratch marks because you can't control the urge to itch. Your cheeks which call out to be pinched and kissed and pinched and kissed. Little baby, I knew you when were inside me but I know you even more now.

 

I know that blowing raspberries is one of your favorite things. I know that you would eat anything and everything until your insides burst. I know that you have serious moments of taking it all in and you have excited, incredibly social moments. You brighten people's day with your smiles and waving hello. You love to dig through kitchen cabinets and use things like magazine baskets and toy buckets to help you walk. You love being in the water- splashing it, kicking in it and drinking it, suds and all. You love to read and do so happily on your own throughout the day. Your laugh is my favorite sound in the world. You have a fake laugh for when you hear me and daddy laughing and you have a really belly laugh that is mostly used on daddy's silliness.

You are smart. You are an avid observer of the world around you. You love to talk whether it be babble or words. So far you say mama, dada, open, up, all done and bye bye. You know how to sign more, all done and milk. You aren't walking yet, but you are certainly trying to figure it out. Standing on your own still makes you nervous and you really only do it when you don't realize you are. You still just have two bottom teeth which is so cute. People call them your rabbit teeth, which is very accurate.




Meredith, you are the most amazing little person. There has not yet been a day that I haven't thanked God for blessing my life with you. You have made every day, even the hard, sleepless ones, so special. You have given my life greater meaning. You have opened my heart to bigger love. You have made me a mommy, the role I was meant to be in. You have made your daddy and me more complete.




Happy, happy, happy birthday my sweet one.
Momma

her first birthday party.

Yesterday we had Meredith's first birthday party. It was a lot of work, but worth every minute of stress and worry. We had such an amazing day surrounded by the people we love and the people who have supported us through this life changing year. Meredith thoroughly enjoyed being the center of attention and seemed to be destined to wear a crown. The weather was perfect. The food was delicious. The conversation was uplifting. I ended the day exhausted but so encouraged. Enjoy the (many!) pictures :)

the set-up

 

confused by the singing of happy birthday to you

a little skeptical of the cake situation

she figured it out :)

 

the cake for everyone else

my dear friend and her week old daughter!

 

sweet little friends. hugs & reading.

presents!

yay!

Wordless Wednesday: It's Someone's Birthday Month!

tutorial here.

Bloggie Birthday

birthday yumminess

Today is this blog's 2nd birthday. Oh how life has changed in the last two years. This blog has been a safe place for me to write through highs and lows and all the day-to-day things in between. This blog has witnessed fun times in kindergarten, my love for the hubs, the moving away of my family, my pregnancy, the birth of our girl and now, her growth. Thank you for reading along on this journey. I appreciate each of your visits, comments and shared experiences.

birthday balloons

birthday skirt. i would wear this if i were taking this little blog out for a birthday dinner.

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Happy Birthday!

to a dear friend, who is also like a mom, happy 50th! you deserve the best day. to someone who makes me feel special at every chance she gets, i hope you feel special at every turn today. xo



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the 26th

My mom and sister share a birthday today. Happy Birthday to you both!


I am so grateful for my mom and sister. My mom is my closest friend. We talk almost daily. She listens patiently. She offers advice. I am so excited for her to be here in 3 days to help me as I become a mom for the first time. She is the perfect example for me to follow.

I am also very grateful for my sister. She is very special to me. She is lots of fun. She not afraid to be herself. She is also not afraid to make her own path from time to time. We share a love of Harry Potter, Dave Matthews Band and beach days. Even from afar, I know she'll be a great aunt :)

So, again, Happy Birthday to two of my favorite ladies. Wondering if maybe there will be a third family member to share your birthday with :)