Happy Birthday Baby.

I can't believe I survived the first year. It's been the most amazing, trying time of my life, but I feel as if I have emerged a good mother and a better person.

On 8/27, we had what was supposed to be a small get-together at the local park to celebrate Courtney's first birthday. It exploded into a 30 guest rager with tons of food, beer and only 3 other children present. I spent the day chasing after Court, who would not take a morning nap for me before the party, so needless to say, she was a handful. I didn't enjoy most of the party, though I am grateful for everyone who came to see my little girl and buy her a gift. I was tired, she was tired, and it was difficult to mingle, when I had to see to her every need as she was most difficult than normal. My husband was barbecuing and totally busy.

I'd like to thank Casey for doing a marvelous job with the party. We planned a barnyard animal themed party because that seems to be the only specific thing that Courtney is into. She adores her Baby Einstein Baby MacDonald video and sings along. So, we had a barnyard cake, and there was a petting zoo at the park, with a pony named Poncho that she kept dragging everyone to go visit. She would point to him and say E-I-E-I-O. She wasn't much interested in any of her guests, but she actually like the presents, well the paper anyways. She got some beautiful clothes..more little girl clothes, rather than baby clothes. She's getting so big! She got a lot of books, which are her favorite thing in the world and a couple of toys which she already loves. I caved and put sugar in her cake, though she didn't really eat it as much as she rubbed the icing all over her face. I have some great pics of the party which I will upload this week and add to the blog hopefully. They are adorable

She actually turned one on 8/28. I did a lot of reflecting that day. A little over a year ago, I was eagerly anticipating the arrival of this unknown baby, and after she was born, I spent time wondering how her personality would develop. Now, she has a very distinct personality: funny, smart, friendly, stubborn, polite. It's amazing watching this beautiful creature turn into her own person and know that you had a little something to do with it. It's an experience I almost cannot even describe.

She had her one-year well-check with her pediatrician last week. She weights 21 lbs 10 oz, and is 29" tall. The dr said she should be saying 3-5 words by the time she's 15 months old, but she listed the words in her vocabulary and she actually says 32! She's a little chatterbox and a mimic. Casey and I have really had to watch our language. No missteps yet, but she'll try to say anything we say. She has good manners also, saying please and thank you. I'm just so proud I could burst.

Ok, enough of all this sappy stuff. I promise next time I will go back to sharing cute stories, struggles and sarcastic remarks.

I will share one story this week.
I tried to give her a nectarine yesterday and she spit it out, handed it back to me and said "no....thank you". That was the first time she'd ever been so polite about not liking something. She normally throws it off the side of her highchair to the dogs, who are eagerly awaiting.

She also thinks the name of our dogs are Sissy and "No-No" when their real names are Zoe and Fred. We call Zoe Sissy, so I'm not surprised she calls her that, but I feel bad that she calls Fred "No-No". That just means that she notices that we are always yelling no at that poor dog!

She cracks me up!