ellie's first haircut!

Well, it was finally time to cut the mop.  Ellie's hair grew in quite funny, with some pieces much longer than others.  Thank goodness for Dee Dee and her awesome patience and haircutting skills!  Shout out to Aunt Caitie for helping us out and keeping Ellie entertained.

Wow! Look at both of our long hairs :)

Trying to sit still for Dee Dee!

my big first birthday party

So, I might have definitely got in over my head with this whole having a big first party at your house thing.  I LOVE our house and am so thankful for all of the amazing memories we have made here; however, it is not the place to cram 50 people in for a kiddo's birthday.  Lesson learned :)  We still had a wonderful time, and looking around, it overwhelmed me at how many people love this little girl.  She brings so many smiles to so many people on a daily basis.  Blessed...

Our little munchkin :)

A little timid at first, but she tore into it after a minute or two.

Aunt Jess!

Me and Cammie Marie... I have flipped these pictures around a bunch and blogger keeps changing them back.  (Ugh.)

Ragamuffin Child!

 Yay! Pink Car!!!  Thank you Chris, Amie, Cam, Nana, and Pop!

Auntie E!!

Pure joy!

 

An amazing day!

happy birthday, daddy!

Nick kind of gets the shaft now that Ellie's birthday is five days before his.  We did celebrate at Pizza King and Zesto's on his actual birthday, which was super fun!  Ellie ordered him a UofL 2013 championship red Louisville Slugger, and he loved it :)  We love him so very much and are thankful for him every.single.day. 

No pictures of Daddy (haha), but Amie did capture this sweet moment of the girls feasting on some birthday ice cream :)

a present from mom and dad

I don't think she likes her new cottage, do you ?!?! :)

happy mother's day!

This time last year, Ellie was only five days old, and we had just survived our first night at home with our precious new baby girl.  My first Mother's Day was amazing, albeit uneventful.  This year, I knew that I just wanted to be with Ellie all day; it didn't matter what we did or accomplished, as long as I was with my favorite girl.  We ended up at Denny's for breakfast with my mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, and sis.  It was the PERFECT start to the day and will probably become a newfound tradition.  Then, E and I ventured to the 11:00 service at church.  We came back home to a nap, and then a trip to the grocery.  All in all, it was a great day.  (Nick was unable to join us because he was landscaping the backyard with Gregg... what a great Mother's Day gift to me.  I love it! :))

Pop and E enjoying breakfast :)

Ellie loves to drink out of straws now!

Mommy's girl came to big church with me :)

ellie's big day!

With a deathly illness on my hands and missing ten days of school earlier in the year, I was not really planning on taking off any time for Ellie's birthday; however, the closer it got, the more I realized that I get ONE moment in my life to celebrate my little girl's first year here.  She has given me so much love and joy in this year, that I knew I could spare a half day to take her somewhere special.  She spent the first half of the day with her Mamaw and Papaw (which spoiled her rotten :)), and then I came and got her.  We met Nan, Pop, and Aunt Caitie and went to the zoo!  Ellie loves the animals, and it was a gorgeous day for it!

Later on, some of the family came over to our house for pizza and cake!  We were planning on having her big birthday party on the 18th, so it was just a few family members.  (Every girl needs a cake on their actual birthday :)).  Nan, Pop, Aunt Caitie, Mamaw, Papaw, Grandma Mary, and Grandpa Bud joined us and it was so much fun watching her tear into her giant cupcake :)

 Yum!

 Sharing with Mommy

 

Mamaw, Papaw, and E

from baby to kid... in the blink of an eye!

Happy First Birthday, Little Girl!!!

You light up our lives with so much joy and love.  It is hard to remember what life was like before you joined our family.  You are so loved by so many people.  I hope you always remember this and that you never take it for granted.  We can't imagine our life without you, precious one!

At one year, you:

*are 21.5 lbs.- 50th percentile
*are 29 inches long- 75th percentile
*wear a size 3 diaper
*wear 12 months clothing
*started drinking milk, skeptically at first, and now love it
*eat anything you can get your hands on, but especially love sweet stuff
*love to play with Little People, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, and your puppy walker
*talk constantly and say so many words... it is hard to keep up with your vocabulary!
*love Penny and love to pet her
*wear a size 5 shoe
*are starting to get separation anxiety when you are left with strangers (Y daycare, church daycare)
*are best friends with Camryn Marie Kane
*never cease to amaze us!