What a Difference a Year Makes

One year ago today we were thrilled to receive this picture:

Now we are lucky enough to call this beautiful little girl our daughter. She brightens our world each day and we are so blessed to have her in our family.

What an incredible year!

Our Birthday Girl!

I can't believe that our baby girl turned one-year-old this week! Where does the time go?!? It seems like just yesterday I was bringing our 6-month-old baby home and now she is turning into a toddler before our eyes.
Stu and I went back and forth on whether to have a big blow-out party for her. We had big parties for the boys first birthdays at home with us (both of the boys were over 1-year-old when we brought them home, so their first parties were for their second birthdays). However I think our whole family is feeling "partied-out," after her homecoming in October, followed by Christmas, and then her baptism a few weeks ago. We are blessed to have so many friends and family that celebrate our joyous occasions with us but I felt uncomfortable asking them to attend yet another party and bring another present. So we ended up having a small party for her with immediate family and a few close friends. It was perfect. It was nice and simple with cake and ice cream. My brother (the chef) made the food as his present to HotDog so I didn't even have to worry about that:)
Although she had no clue all of the hoopla was in her honor, I think HD had a fabulous time. Her favorite part was the cake, of course!


Ready to start her big day!


Anticipation

Not quite sure what to think



Starting to get the hang of it


Pigging out!

A little irritated when we decided she had enough


She received some fun new toys and, of course, lots of cute new clothes! Stu and I bought her some new equipment for outside. This little girl loves to be outside and will fit right in with her brothers this summer. I think she'll really enjoy her new outdoor toys!

Uh-oh! Got caught speeding!

Playing on her new outdoor climbing equipment


Enjoying a ride on her new fish, courtesy of Chipmunk


This was the first time she had tried cake and I think we let her eat too much because soon after everyone left she had a horrible tummy ache. She screamed like a banshee for about 20 minutes (very unlike her) and finally passed out in my arms at 6:20. I think she was completely worn out from her big day.
The day after her birthday I took her for her one-year checkup. The doctor pronounced her "fabulous" and said she looks "perfect" (which we already knew, of course:). He was pleased to see that she was developmentally on target in all areas. His only tiny concern was that she seems to be gaining weight a bit too quickly. Our big girl is now up to 25 1/2 pounds!! What can I say, the girl likes her food! We are hoping that the switch from formula to milk will help slow the weight gain. And I'm sure once she starts walking the weight gain will decrease. Speaking of which, she still has no desire to walk at all. There is not a doubt in my mind that she could if she wanted; she walks around our furniture barely holding on. However, I'm enjoying these last few days of pre-walking and are not encouraging it at all. It will come when it comes.
Next up on our agenda: Both boys will be having minor surgery next week. Chipmunk will be getting a tonsillectomy and Monkey will be getting (his 3rd) set of tubes. Ugghh. Most people think we're crazy for doing this at the same time but I figured that we'll already be at the hospital and Stu will already be off work...might as well go ahead and get them both over with. Looks like a fun spring break for us:)