Party!

December 18th, 2010

It's my birthday ... gonna party like it's my birthday!

For my 1st birthday, I told Mom that I wanted an angel theme (because I'm her little angel) and a dessert buffet. So, before the big party, we had to make all the treats. Here I am helping Mom in the kitchen.

The more treats we made, the more impressed I was ... it all looked so yummy! Ohhhh ... Ahhh!

But, at one point, Mom started making something with coffee in it and told me that it was only for the adults. I was not too happy that I couldn't eat that dessert.

But, I got over it and began to dream about the big day!

And then finally December 18th arrived! It was my special day! Mom dressed me up in my party dress and made my highchair look so fun and festive!

And here I am showing off my #1 ... we have been working on that for the past month!

Nana taught me how to blow my noise-maker! Hooray for Faith's birthday!

And oh boy ... did I mention the treats?! Mmm, Mmm, Mmm

And how about that cute cake?

Thanks Great-Grandpa for buying me my angel cake!

Before I was able to "dig in" to my birthday cake, I enjoyed some of the delicious treats me and Mommy made.

My favorites were the meringues, the ice cream, and the punch.

After I scarfed down my desserts, something interesting happened. Mom lit a candle on top of my cake and everyone started singing to me. It was great ... I LOVED it! I really listened to the "Happy Birthday" song and knew everyone was singing for me. How special!

But after the song was over, I was ready to dive into that cake! C'mon already!

But the candle was still lit.

Finally ...

I was very methodical about the cake-eating. I started by just pulling the polka dots off the cake and eating those ... so dainty.

But then I really got into it! It was so good!

Don't bother me while I'm eating cake! hahaha

I guess you could say I am my mother's daughter ... I love treats too, Mommy!

There were so many people who helped me celebrate my special day! Thanks to all of my family and friends who were able to make it to the party. (I got pictures with some of you but not everyone ... it was a busy day for me, being the guest of honor and all)

And I was especially excited when my boyfriend, Brady, showed up. Look at how handsome he is! Don't we make quite the couple?!

And my best friend, Kendall, came too! It was so great ... we played together and she even helped me open some of my presents! What a great friend!

After celebrating with all my family and friends and eating all the treats, I went downstairs to play in my new playhouse ... Thanks Nana and Papa! I love it!

And then, it was on to the presents ... so fun! A girl could get used to this birthday thing!

THANK YOU everyone for making my day so fabulous! I love you all and appreciate your love and support for me and my family!

Birthday Girl!

December 18th, 2010

Happy Birthday Angel!

My darling daughter Faith ... you are 1 year old today! I am overcome with emotions, both happy and sad. For I can not believe how quickly this year has gone! You are the blessing of a lifetime and I am so thankful that God chose me to be your Mom. You are the light in my days and the love of my life! You, sweetheart, have brought me more joy, happiness, love, and fulfillment than I could ever have thought possible. Thank you for making all of my dreams come true, my darling angel.

I also want to say a huge thank you to all of our family and friends who helped make today extra special. Your outpouring of love was both humbling and astounding.

And to all of you who are anxiously awaiting (lol) photos from the big day, Faith will post those when she gets a spare second, hopefully tomorrow.

Finally, below is the poem that I wrote (at 3 am) a few weeks ago for you, Faith Adele, that I read at your birthday party. I love you, Mom!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My darling daughter ...

On December 18th a year ago you were born,

Very early in the morn.

You were beautiful right from the start;

With big blue eyes and lips shaped like a heart.

You had a little bit of fuzzy hair,

And skin that was oh so fair.

You had long, gorgeous eyelashes that fluttered on your cheeks.

And cute tiny toes on those wiggly little feet.

When you were placed in my arms for the very first time,

I couldn't believe that you were mine.

The daughter I had been waiting for,

That little girl to love and adore.

Your tiny hand wrapped around my finger,

Oh how I wish those moments would linger.

A year has gone so quickly and I have learned so much.

I've felt a love so strongly in Faith's gentle touch.

I feel so honored and blessed that God chose you for me,

My sweet, sweet little baby.

I have enjoyed every moment of loving you.

But now one year later, I feel kind of blue.

For time flies when you're having fun.

And I can't believe your infancy is done.

Now onto the toddler years,

And a new set of parental fears.

But today is all about you, my dear.

So let's raise a glass and say, "Cheers!"

All My Love,

Mom

Santa - Ho, Ho, Ho!

Friday, December 10th, 2010

Happy Holidays everyone! Can you believe it's almost my birthday and then Christmas?

Today was filled with lots of fun holiday events. I had my 1 year pictures taken and then Mom and Dad took me downtown Minneapolis for a holiday extravaganza!

I loved to look at all the pretty holiday decorations. In fact, I even go wild for the decorations hanging from the ceiling at Target! So you can imagine how much I enjoyed all the glitter and lights downtown!

After arriving at Macy's we had lunch and it was so yummy! I scarfed it down and enjoyed every morsel. It was really neat to be in the big city for lunch!

Then, we went up to the Macy's 8th floor display and it was a magical wonderland of glitz! We walked through "The Day in the Life of an Elf!" I LOVED it so much that we went through 2 times! I pointed at everything and wiggled my arms and legs when I saw each new scene. It was great!

This was my favorite scene ... the singing forest! Those Christmas trees were amazing! They moved all around and sang me songs. I couldn't get enough!

Mom's favorite scene was the candy shop (of course ... no surprise there). Here we are watching the elves make chocolate kisses! Yummy!

I thought those chocolate treats looked so good that I wanted to get on in there and try a bite!

After all of that wonderful time spent in Elfland we headed to see Santa. I have been practicing my "Ho, Ho, Ho" so I'd be ready for the big guy. But when Mom placed me in his lap, I forgot all about "Ho, Ho, Hoing." That guy was SCARY! No thank you!

But never fear, after we left Santa and the North Pole, all was well. I calmed down the minute Mommy scooped me up! After all that fun, I was exhausted.

Happy Holidays!