1st Birthday, in Pictures:

(Warning: This is a ridiculously long post.)

Birthday morning: "So big!" (This also doubles as "touchdown!")Ava loved dancing around and being sung to!
"Happy Birthday" is her new favorite song, I'm pretty sure.

Since we are forgetful parents, her gifts sat until just before bedtime.
She wasn't so sure about taking off the paper...
it took a few minutes for her to get the hang of it.

A little help from daddy encouraged her to rip away!

I love the expressions in these...

It went from "what??" to "yay! I can knock it over!"

Then daddy put tissue paper on her head.

Her second gift was no problem. She had it unwrapped in about 2 minutes.

This one came with a cool red ball that she did not want to stop playing with.

She's pretty enamored with her new things, and we enjoyed spending a special birthday time with her!
The Birthday Party is on Saturday...
so stay tuned for another ridiculously long post. :)

Happy Birthday..

To my sweet, spunky Punkin'!

One year ago today, September 28th...
After 23 hours of labor...
30 minutes of pushing...
38 weeks of carrying you...
(and being in a wedding just 24 hours before going into labor),
we met our beautiful, perfect, whole,
8 pound, 14 ounce daughter
at 12:21pm.
You are such a darling...
and we love you...


Our prayer for you is to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior,
to live a life pleasing to Him,
to spread His love to everyone around you,
and to be a woman that glorifies God in everything you do.

Flower Hair Band Giveaway!!

Hayley is having a giveaway!

You had better believe I'd love to get one of these, but if you get over there before tomorrow you could get your foot in the door of opportunity as well!
Not only that, but she shows you how to make them, too. :)

Already?

She is learning to be brave, to not fear what she has to learn (mental note of applicable life lesson).

She is learning to make friends, to be friendly and willing to be the one who is less aggressive.

She is demonstrating an early ability to rock any style.

She shows a desire to discover, to know if the limits she has found are the only limits existing.
To the parents, this can sometimes prove challenging.

She loves stuffed animals. This is what happens when I ask if she wants to "give a kiss". Her mouth is wide open!

She is my daughter, and I love her deeply.

She is almost a year old...
almost time to sing "Happy Birthday" to my 1-year-old...
almost time to make cupcakes and food and have family come to celebrate this first wonderful milestone...
almost time to stop calling her "baby" and recognize that toddlerhood will quickly be upon us.
But who am I kidding?
She will always be my little girl.

April 29th

...is the "new due date".
November 14th is in no way forgotten...and I'm wondering what sort of new emotions will hit me as I reach the due date of my last baby, pregnant with #3.
And when people ask if "this is #2"...it's easier to just say yes. There are many of you that know what I mean.

I am excited about this baby. I can't express the overwhelming thankfulness that grips me at times, knowing I have a life inside me. What a precious gift!

Thank you, Lord, for Your blessings. They are marvelous and good!