Abigail is ONE YEAR OLD!

Where has the past year gone? Abigail is now one year old! A year ago today I was holding my new baby in my arms. Today, I'm holding a happy, vibrant, beautiful, smart toddler - when I can catch her! She is all over the place!

We held her birthday party at The Little Gym in Arlington/Mansfield, and it was a blast! I ordered ladybug cakes (one for us and one for her to mess up!) and she wore a tutu and ladybug bow made by Mimi. At the party, we played rhythm sticks, parachute (she LOVED sitting in the middle and playing "peek-a-boo" as everyone in the party lifted the parachute up and let it float down!). She did a few flips and jumped on a bounce house like thing with Poppy and Daddy, laughing all the while! She is my precious love and I adore her!

I knew I'd love being a Mommy - but I never knew it was quite this good. I hope that she and I will always have a good relationship. I love you, my little ladybug! These are just a few of my favorite pictures from the past year - I have many, many more! (Yes, they are in chronological order!)

Abigail's First Birthday Party

We held Abigail's first birthday party at The Little Gym in Mansfield/Arlington today, Saturday, November 7 at 1:00 pm. The Little Gym is a place where little kids can romp around - it is fully covered in gymnastics mats - and it has areas for kids to work on gross motor skills. Abigail has attended a class there and loved it, so I thought it would be a perfect place for her party. Everything was organized and prepared for me - no set up and no clean up! All I had to provide was the cake. (They were cute - ladybugs!) Plus, they had a "leader" there to keep everyone on track.

When the party first started, they began with a game of rhythm sticks. We all sat in a circle and beat sticks on a mat, and as the song changed, we tapped our shoulders, knees and toes with the sticks. Abby didn't do much other than bang the stick on the mat, but she seemed happy with that. She was shy at first because of all the people and all the attention directed towards her, and pretty much stuck to Robby or me like glue.

After that, we switched to a game of parachute. This was a lot of fun because it involved almost everyone - adults and all - in the party. We walked in circles singing, played games with the parachute, all hid underneath the parachute (all that is, except mason, who had fun hiding OUT of the parachute!). The most fun was when we put Abigail on top of the parachute, in the middle, and started playing "peek-a-boo" with her. We lifted it high, then as it drifted down, said "PEEK-A-BOO!" and she'd start laughing. It was a delight seeing her so happy! This was my favorite part.

After that, we had free time, where everyone could run around and play on the equipment. Abigail wasn't too interested in anything other than watching everyone else, although we tried to get her to do everything - anything - something! We made her do a couple of flips, but she clearly didn't like it, so we just let her watch Colby do them! He was amazing at it!

After a while, they got out the bucket of balls and balls were flying all over the place! There must have been 30 or so balls, all different shapes, colors and textures, and Abby and Mason had fun playing with them. When the leader added bubbles to the mix, they were in hog heaven!

When play time was over, we went to the party room where we ate cake and opened presents. She got some really great gifts, and a lot of needed pajamas! Over all, she had a very good first birthday party!

Tea for Two, Go OU and the Pumpkin Patch, Too!

Abigail (11 months) and her cousin Mason (16 months) saw each other on Friday, Saturday AND Sunday this weekend. They had a blast with each other!

Abby hosted a tea party for her cousin.

Just horsing around!

Crazy crawler!

On Saturday, they cheered on the Sooners together - Abby in her cheer outfit and Mason in his jersey.

Tickle Tickle!

In the tunnel. They actually kissed in here!

BFFs

Telling secrets.

They both LOVED the wagon ride!

Family Photo

The wagon was much easier than the stroller to maneuver in the crowd - plus, it was so muddy due to all the recent rain!

Out in the patch.

Bounce house fun.

Abby picked out her pumpkin!

Mimi and her grandbabies.

All tuckered out!

Uno, Dos, Tres, CUATRO!

Abigail's fourth tooth made an appearance today! Pretty soon, when its grown in, she'll have the four front chompers. I'm starting to believe that old wives' tale about a fever, snotty nose and crankiness with each tooth. Each one she's gotten has been accompanied by all three - especially the crankiness! (Sure, with the last tooth she also had strep, but whatever. I'm still thinking the rumor is true, no matter what the dr. says.) I feel like each new tooth is a victory! It's so funny, because now she actually takes bites out of/off things. She can eat a banana like a regular person; we don't even really have to cut it up much, just in large chunks so she can hold it.