Happy 1st Birthday Emery!!!!!

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY 

MISS EMERY ROSE!!!!!

I can't believe an entire year, her first year, has come and gone.  And it is only getting better!  Emery is growing and her little personality is exploding!  We were just talking about how, literally, every day she is changing.  Our friends keep telling us it only gets better from here and we can already understand what they mean.  These pictures, above, show just how she has gone from a little baby to, now, a little girl (although still a baby!).  She is just so precious.  And she is hilarious!  Although she can be a bit shy and quiet around people.  But get her warmed up and set her down on the floor and she's off and crawling and talking and laughing!  What a beautiful year it has been, with all its lessons and growth spurts (for mommy and daddy included) and long nights and short days.  

So worth the wait!

We had such a fun two days!  Friday was her birthday.  And so we got ready early and took her to Batterup for breakfast.  One year ago we were supposed to have a breakfast date there and Miss Emery decided to make her entrance two weeks early.  So we made it up every Thursday after that on her 1, 2, and 3 week bdays!  It was only appropriate we go there for her one year.  (we shared this with the owner, only to remind him that it was also HIS one year anniversary!  lol  .... he had a hard week and had forgot. :(  Well it was awesome because when they brought her a bowl of whipped cream with a candle, everyone in the room sang Happy Birthday to her.  It was so sweet!

I had been working hard all week to have everything done so that I could simply rest and spend her bday with her.  On Tuesday, my friend Kristin came over to help with the bday banner.  Wednesday, Jill came over and we dipped the "ice cream bar" rice krispy treats, oreos and pretzels in chocolate.  And Thursday I worked and then ran errands after work.  But I underestimated the work of throwing such a big party and ended up busting my bootie all day on Friday. (its okay, she didn't know the difference....lol)  In fact I went for 6 hours straight that night decorating and finishing my projects (picture banner "A year in the Life of Emery", birthday banner, porch decor, 50 balloons....)  And I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep so I had planned to fall asleep watching a movie (27 dresses) on the couch.  But at 1:15, with Sean next to me on the couch, I knew I was finally tired and we went to bed.  ZZZZzzzzzzz.......

Saturday morning was relaxed as I spent time with Emery.  And then as soon as she was down for her nap, it was on again!  She slept until just after 1pm once people began arriving.   She got her full 2 1/2 hour nap! Whew!  She's gonna need it!

 

 Prep work!

EMERY IS ONE!!

Plum Crazy Cake Co.!!!

A year in pictures!

My grand piano became the gift table

Emery welcomed guests at the front door! :) (only one of many of my projects!)

chocolate covered oreos... yum!

Evan and Ryan celebrate Emery's bday with her!  (soooo adorable! as always)

This was only half of the family and friends who came to celebrate

 The cake!!!

So it was time to do the cake.  And while a friend went to go get a lighter for the candle, we went ahead and sang happy birthday to Emery.  It was so sweet.  She began to pick around on the frosting.  Then the candle was lit, and with daddy sitting right there and mommy behind the camera lens, she went for the flame!  Daddy blew it out right in time.  But not before there was a loud gasp, as one voice, from everyone in the room.  

.... and then it started.... she began to cry....

and cry....

and cry..... :(

Finally, Sean took her outside where she continued to sob.  (he shared with me later that this gave him a very special daddy moment)  She didn't actually touch the flame, so I know she wasn't hurt.  But I can't tell you how bad I felt.  Not so much in the moment, but for the rest of the weekend.... as I sat in church, laid in bed at night, stared at a wall at work.  I was haunted with the thought that I wanted that candle and I had everyone's eyes on me, thinking "how dumb is she!".  Ok.... I KNOW that is not what they were thinking, but the enemy is quick to fill your mind with lies.  I'm over it now.  I relunctantly watched the video and it wasn't as bad as I remember.  So I'm good.  But I was sad that it kind of ruined the cake eating moment. But when she was settled, I brought her back in, sat her on my lap with the cake on the tray and she continued to eat the frosting.... now with less people in the room and not being the total focus (less stressful that way). 

It was so sweet as she fed me 3 bites of her cake. :)

she was delicate about it :)

Mr. Bubble Guppy didn't stand a chance!

 Family!!!

Our family is so special to us!  We had only half of our family here because a couple of my brothers live out of town. (although I know they would have been here if they could've)  But the others came along with her cousins and grandpas and celebrated with us. Also my spiritual mom, Dorene, was also there as Emery's Grandma!   I know they all have been waiting for this day as much as we have.  It was a super special day for all of us!!!

Papa (my dad) and Grandpa (Sean's Dad) love their little Emery!!

Cousins!!!!  I love these kids!

Uncle T and Auntie Nae Nae & Uncle Chris and Auntie Mawissa!

... and my spiritial mommy, Emery's Grandma Dorene!! 

This mommy really is such a blessing!  It is more amazing that anything I could have imagined!  Also been harder than I ever imagined.  But it is awesome!  Everyday she is a blessing to me.  God has definitely filled our cup to overflowing!  THAT is His love for us!

I think I was pinching myself all day both of these days!  It really is so surreal.  In some ways, I think, in the back of my mind, I felt like a nanny the first year.  But throwing MY child's first birthday party was VERY surreal!!!  I mean, I, ME, I get to throw birthday parties for MY CHILD every year from here on out!  I HAVE A CHILD!!!!  lol (yes WE have a child.  But for the sake of this post, this is me sharing MY experience. :))   I don't know that I can explain what is in my mind and on my heart, but it is just amazing to me.  Surreal is the word! (I know... I keep saying that word! but it is the perfect word!)  I just kept thinking my daughter is One Year!  Not just a baby anymore.  But becoming a little girl... almost a toddler.  Soon she's going to be running from me!  Honestly a year ago, all I could enjoy was the moment because I couldn't grasp the fact that she wasn't going anywhere.  She is a life long blessing!  I couldn't see past a week or a month.  But here we are!  

SHE'S ONE!!!!!  

Praise you Jesus! 

 To Whom all glory and honor and praise are due!!!!