Stella is 1!

Stella, yesterday you turned 1 year old!  I can't believe a year has gone by already.  I'm so grateful you got to meet your great grandpa.  All yesterday I thought about where I was at different points in the day 1 year ago: around noon Daddy and I were walking the hallway of the hospital trying to induce labor; hard labor was on about 1 hour later; around 3:55 I started pushing and you were here at 4:11.  You were a wonderful mother's day gift!

Today we had your party.  It was a smaller crowd than normal (ironic now that we finally have a larger house).  There were people noticeably missing from Emma's first birthday (your Grandma and Great Grandpa) which made my heart ache.  They would and did love you so much.  Ok, enough sad business...

Nana, Papa, and Great Grandma got here while you and Emma were napping.  Emma might have been looking out the window waiting for them as she walked down the stairs as they entered.  Daddy and Emma were giving them the tour of the place while I went and woke you up.  You were clingy to me, which was ok.  You warmed up a little bit.  You were happy to be on the floor playing but didn't really snuggle with anyone except me or Daddy.  You did go to Nana, Great Grandma, Addy, and Jeremy for a bit though.

Eventually everyone else got here: Mark, Mickie, and Addy; Uncle Denny and Aunt Marilyn; Sandi, Mike and Mikey; Jason, Kristina, TJ, and Christopher.  (Uncle Jeremy got here before your nap.)  We ate.  The theme was gardens and flowers.  Dirt pudding and food with flower accents (either cut out or arranged) were the dishes.  I decided to go fancy and used my mom's crystal for serve ware.  Better than letting it sit in the cupboard.  This is just as special an occasion as any other time.

After eating we opened gifts.  It was difficult to keep Emma from opening all of them.  You weren't too interested though.  You were happy to chew on the plastic packaging from one of the animals Uncle Jeremy got you for our zoo.  You loved looking at yourself in the mirror of the make up table Jason and Kristina got you.  You also loved your motorcycle Daddy and I got you.

Emma's hands in her lap here are very deceiving.  This was not at ALL how she acted while you opened gifts.

Flamingo and packaging you chewed on.

You loved climbing on the box that your water/sand play table came in from Nana and Papa and Uncle TJ and Aunt Kellyn.

Harley Babe!

We were able to Skype with Mama Duby while opening presents too.  After we did cupcakes.  I made sunflower looking cupcakes.  You devoured yours!  This was not what your sister had done for her birthday.  You were pretty filthy after, but you didn't put any in your hair which was good

You REALLY wanted that cupcake.

Grabbing a giant piece.

The aftermath.

All-in-all we had a great day!  We are so happy and lucky to have you.  I know from now until your second birthday there will be big changes, and I am excited to watch them!  Love you!