Grace Turns 2!

The weekend Grace's party was supposed to happen none of the guests could come because of the stomach bug that our sweet girl ended up with the night before. Thankfully we had already canceled the party and at the last minute were able to get a few friends together the following Saturday for a celebration of our precious Grace.

We headed up to the park she loves so much and rented a pavilion where we had pizza, fruit, snacks and of course, cake. The theme this year was Mickey as when her Mimi was here while Tim was being born she was introduced to Mickey Mouse's Clubhouse and she LOVES Mickey. We had a great time despite it being one of the colder days and Grace had a blast! Here are a few pictures from her 2nd birthday!

Playing on the playground

Food, yum

The birthday girl with Mommy & Daddy

Our friends Bethany & Paul, and Leigh-Ann with her daughter Lydia

Dad & my other friend Bethany

Grace's buddy from church - Eliana

Logan & Adam being silly

Tim and Grace's friend Luke

Feeding the ducks!

Mickey cupcakes

Timothy slept through the party

Grace's BFF Tyler

David's Best Friend Jonathan and his youngest daughter Sadie

Lisa & Jim, friends from church

Mama & her girl

So excited about her cupcake!

While we were at Lake Lanier we had a second party for her on her actual birthday (which this year was Thanksgiving).  We always said we'd make a big deal out of birthdays having parties on holidays if necessary.  She felt very loved and celebrated and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the cake.

Cupcake cake a'la Mickey

Blowing out the candles!

Chris, our niece Anne, our nephews Wilson & Bennett & David

Grace & Truman's Birthday Party

Grace's cousin Truman's birthday is Jan 19, so we decided to have a joint family party for the 2 of them over Christmas.  I had been sick and even had a fever the day before so I didn't have much energy to prep, but I got the cupcakes made and they had their super cute Birthday shirts on and much of the family was together.  What I didn't know was that my Aunt Reta had planned to have Scooby Doo make an appearance to wish the kids a happy birthday!  I actually jumped when Scooby walked in.  At first the kids weren't so sure, but then they warmed up a little.  Grace even let Scooby hold her.

Jenn & I with the kids and Scooby.  Maggie & Truman still weren't 100% sure about him...

The Bilbos & Scooby - I LOVE Grace's face!

My Mom & Uncle Wally with Scooby

Grandma wasn't too sure about Scooby...she doesn't like having dogs in her house, especially big dogs.  

David & Scooby being silly

After Scooby gave farewell hugs, we plopped the kids down in their chairs and let them go to town on their cupcakes.  Grace was on her 3rd cupcake (as we celebrated her birthday for over a month with multiple mini-gatherings trying to include all the family) so she was quite the pro.  It was so fun to watch she & Truman interact, it was like they were having their own private conversations - I wonder what they were saying!

Happy Birthday Grace & Truman!  What a special day!  :)

1st Birthday Photo Shoot

We bought this super cute dress for Grace last year not long after we bought her home from the hospital.  I just loved the balloon-ish hem.  We snapped a few shots of her a few days before her birthday and she had SO much fun!  I think she looks so big in these pictures, but I guess she is a big girl now.  :)

So for family, I'm going to number these, (the number will be below the picture as the new blogger tool lets you caption which is super easy to use but the opposite of how I used to label pictures).  If you want one, let me know which number(s) and what size(s) and I'll bring them with me when we come for Christmas.

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My baby is 1!

I simply cannot believe a year has gone by already.   I cannot believe that a year ago, November 24, I was holding my precious Grace in her first moments on this earth and now she is almost walking, talking up a storm and gives the BEST hugs and kisses.  She is so happy and loving and caring...our lives are so much richer because of her.  My heart overflows with joy every time I walk into her room to get her out of her bed and she gives me that million dollar smile...when she gets the rings on the ring tower in the correct order and she says "ga, ga!" (we think she is saying "Good Girl!")  Even when she throws herself on the floor in protest of me saying "no" or taking something away from her or when she is screaming and won't sleep even thought I know she is exhausted, I still love her more than words.  She is my dream come true and I am so blessed to be her mother.

On her actual birthday we celebrated on the small side with just my dad & stepmom and the Drehers coming over for lunch and cupcakes.  David took the day off and it was the perfect, quiet day to celebrate our long awaited miracle and her first 365 days.  Here's a few highlights from the day.

Opening a present for the first time - what fun!

She actually wanted to read the card, such a sweet girl.  :)

I had so much fun decorating for her birthday!  She LOVED all the balloons and decor when she came downstairs for her birthday - what a special moment.  :)

I loved that she started with the cake, not the icing!

Of course, you have to capture the good, bad and the ugly - which included getting wiped down.

We got Grace this doll that laughs, jumps and talks - she actually sounds and looks a little like her.    She saw it in the store when Mark & Kayla were here and she was SO excited when she opened it.  This picture is a little blurry, but I love her face.