Lucy's 1st Birthday Party!

I threw Lucy a "twinkle twinkle little star" themed birthday party a few days before we left for the states. I decided I wanted to go big for her first birthday; it was a big milestone for me as well as her. I spent a lot of time working on all the stuff for it and stressed myself out, but it was all worth it in the end! My blogging friend Mindy took all the pictures (she's great if you're looking for a photog in Oki!) and my friend Carolyn frosted both the cakes. Fair warning--there are lots of pictures ahead!!

pb&j star-shaped sandwiches!

birthday girl!

 still can't believe she is one. whatt?!

 i think we can all agree this picture^ is the best.

 took her a while to get into the cake. she poked it for a while, then i put some frosting in her mouth, which she did not appreciate. Then she got going. 

 Aftermath-not bad!

 some of our friends who came to celebrate!

 I don't really feel like 1 year olds need gifts, but thanks to those who brought some. It was very thoughtful.

 one of our friends got her a book in japanese & translated it using google translate. I laugh every time i read it.

 ^This picture is SO Lucy. She always has her mouth open, usually has something in her hand she's dragging around, and she's ready to get her scoot on. 

 All tuckered out.

Love this picture of my two babies sitting outside the kitchen door.

Thanks to everyone who came. We missed those who couldn't. It was a blast to celebrate our little Lucy!

Lucy Turns ONE

On October 25th my little Lucy Joy turned One year old! She has become such a ray of sunshine and happiness in my life. I'm so glad we have her. Here's what she's up to lately!

Stats:

• 17.5 lbs
• 28 inches
• 7 teeth
• Still scooting-not crawling or walking
• not sleeping through the night..but we're working on it-she used to!
• signs "more"

Her favorite things:

• She LOVES to walk around with her walker (or walls, tables, & furniture). Every time she does it she breaths loudly and happily and has the absolute biggest smile on her face
• She loves to stand up and then sit back down. She uses her 2 hands to push off the ground and she likes to nurse while standing this way too- like an ostrich or something.
• She loves grapes and veggie straws.
• She loves putting circle items on her wrists like bracelets. My hair ties, bracelets, and toy rings all go straight onto her wrists these days.
• She loves to try to plug things in. She'll sit for several minutes at a time attempting to plug my phone into a cord and trying to plug the cord into an outlet. It makes me laugh.
• She loves my phone (of course) and I can distract her pretty well with youtube nursery rhymes
• bathtime and splashing of course
• playing in the sand
• markers/pens/paintbrushes/make up brushes

Things she hates (and lets us know):

• Carseat
• Getting her diaper changed
• Getting dressed or undressed

Things she seems indifferent to:

• Winston
• Eating (ugh such a challenge!)

Other cute things she does that I don't want to forget

• I usually bring her into my bed when she wakes up in the night and sometimes I wake up before she does. My favorite thing is to see her open her eyes and get the biggest smile on her face when she sees me. She loves me!
• She likes to scrunch her nose up and breath really fast like something is really funny and it always cracks me up.
• she thinks it's funny to put her hands in my mouth 

Motherhood was a tough adjustment for me. Lucy was not an easy baby and I really felt like I got one pulled over on me. These last few months though I can happily and honestly say I LOVE being a mom, her mom. She makes me laugh and does the cutest things each day. It is the COOLEST thing to watch your baby learn. The first time she signed "more" I was so amazed haha. I'm enjoying this stage we're in and often think how much I will miss this sweet phase of her life when she grows up. I love her tiny baby hands and tiny baby feet. She just keeps getting cuter! My heart grows with love for her everyday and I can't imagine how much love I'll have for her in even 50 years! I hope the best for her. She is so so dear to me and I hope she knows it.

and thanks to Mindy for these pictures of lucy! I'll share more from her birthday party soon!

TWENTY NINE

Last week I turned 29! We celebrated the day before my real birthday because Duke had the day off for Columbus Day, which was perfect because on my actual birthday I woke up sick! It was a fun day that flew by. Duke made me pumpkin chocolate chip waffles, we both took turns working out (which eats up a large part of the day when you have to take turns!), we went to a local hotel pool where we got fancy drinks and relaxed, and we ended the day celebrating with friends on the beach down the street. It was a great way to celebrate being 29! I'm excited for this last year of my twenties.

I always feel like it't not a birthday unless there are balloons, so that was my one request this year!

Japanese cake toppers=the best

Bear the Goldendoodle!

Most of the ladies who were there^ missing a few! Love all these gals.

It was too windy for the candles to stay lit, so i just pretending here :)

Lucy's face after thoroughly enjoying a brownie, ha!

These people make me the happiest^

The sunset at Sunset Beach. Thanks to my friends who helped me celebrate :) It was a perfect day!