I have a TODDLER!

I have been waiting to say this for 10 years, and yet, it doesn't seem like I should be saying it yet. My baby girl turned a year old this past Tuesday, November 24. It's unreal...already she is acting more like a toddler, like she knows it's what's supposed to happen. It was almost an instant change from one day to the next...like she transformed from an infant that needs her mommy all the time to a toddler who wants her independence. I love it and hate it all at once. At least she lets me know that I'm needed and wanted still. She'll wake up and kiss me or snug me (cuddle/hug is snugging for us), she'll say "mama" too. One morning she woke me up by laying her head next to mine on my pillow and saying "mama mama mama mama" ever so softly until I woke up. When I opened my eyes, she smiled with everything she had...her eyes lit up in a huge smile also...it melted my heart and made my day. I love mornings like that.

My baby is also walking now...and trying to keep up with the "big kids" at church...and trying to run. It's surreal...just a year ago she could barely hold her head up on her own (though she could for longer than most newborns!). She is so smart it's not even funny...just today she fed herself tomato and olives on Papa's fork (Josh would put it on and give it to her, then she would put it in her mouth and eat it)...it was amazing. She seemed so prim and proper and perfect, like she'd been doing it her whole life. I am amazed by her every day.

I must end for now, as I'm very emotional at the moment...not really sure why. I should just go to bed and sleep it off. I will put up a picture entry next of her first year...we did 1 year photos today at Walmart...even with her being fussy and the camera being broken and not cooperating for the most part, her pictures turned out wonderful like always. I am so blessed to have found Christan and Trisha for my photographers there at WalMart.

1st Birthday Party

My daughter will be 1 year old (ONE YEAR OLD! OMGoodness!) in 17 days. I am in the process of organizing her first birthday party. I have never thrown a party in my life. I didn't go to parties much while growing up and didn't at all in high school (didn't want peer pressure to drink or do drugs) and went to one birthday party in high school that reminded me of a teen's party...for someone turning 21 or 20 or something like that. I have no clue what to do!

I bought decorations, plates of two sizes, napkins and a few other things. What do I do for any kids that show up? I know I need to get grab bags together, but the ages would range from 2 months to 13 years or so...what can I do for that big of a gap that doesn't cost TOO much that everyone would love?

I still have to get cakes and stuff together too. I'm going to do a cupcake cake from Safeway and probably the birthday girl's cake too. Then I'm also getting a Cookie Cake from Mrs. Fields for the "adults" and those that don't want cupcakes.

Should I be planning games or other activities? I just don't really know! I'm so confused! Once she gets older, I'll know a little better what to do...but for a one year old? I'm stumped! Any advice would be more than welcome!

But for now, I'm off to relax a little before Caralyn wakes up from her second nap. She took a late nap this morning (around Noon instead of 10...and woke up around 12:45) and then fell asleep in the car around 3:45PM and is still sleeping now at 5:35PM (which is her normal 2:00 nap which can last between 30 minutes and 3 hours). I will not be letting her sleep past 6 but can go back to sleep after eating dinner. So...later!