Daphne's 1st Birthday

A beautiful day(s) for a beautiful baby girl surrounded by a loving family.  Couldn't ask for anything better to celebrate ONE!!

Click HERE to see some photos from Daphne's birthday and her 1st birthday party.

Daphne | 12 Months!!

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY, DAPHNE!!!  

Dare-devil Outtake 

Time Capsule

Evelina's birthday time capsule has officially been closed. I finally got my act together and completed the project.  I can't reveal what is actually in the time capsule since Evelina may read this blog one day before she is actually 18, but I can say it will be a lot of fun to open on 6/6/2028!!  There are even a few letters that were sealed that I didn't even get to read.  So exciting!!  

1st Birthday Party Recap

Even though the weather Gods decided to change the weather forecast 24-hours prior to Evelina's 1st birthday party from party cloudy and 70s to rainy and 60s, we still had a lot of fun.  Evelina's empty playroom was the perfect space for her toys and the space kept all of the kids busy for hours.  Phew!!  

While we were planning Evelina's party, I was frequently asked if we would be having a 1st birthday party for Evelina. When I replied yes, everyone would roll their eyes and say, "She won't remember it anyway." This I know, but it was still a day to be celebrated...a celebration of life, a celebration of Chris and I surviving the first year of parenthood.  A life changing and amazing year!!  Something to truly be celebrated with the ones we love and those who helped us make it through.  Because, it really does take a village!!  

If you'd like to check out some pictures from Evelina's 1st birthday shindig, click here.  I regret not taking more photos but it was a busy day.  Thanks Charity and Auntie KK for taking over. 

1st Birthday Photoshoot Faves

Some of my favorites from Evelina's 1st Birthday photoshoot with Heidi Hope. For the most part we are happy with the way they came out but I think we are done with studio shoots for awhile.  We had the option of shooting outside but since it was so humid and warm, we opted for inside...which was just as humid and warm (thanks to ineffective AC).  Either way, I think Evelina was captured perfectly and I'm glad we also got a nice shot of all the girls.   

 

If you have a moment, could you comment on the preview post on Heidi Hope's blog?  If we get 15 comments, we get a free print (man they are pricey!!). 

The Zoo, Birthday Cake and Presents

What a week it has been!!  A whirlwind past 10 days.  It feels nice to have a little bit of a breather, although life always seems super busy these days.  

On Evelina's actual birthday, we started out the day with a candle in her scrambled eggs, a trip to the Southwick Zoo, followed by cake, presents, and play time. 

We will most certainly take another trip to the Southwick Zoo.  Only about 40 minutes away, it was the perfect size for a little one with a large variety of animals.  We were able to walk through in about 3 hours, the perfect amount of time between morning and afternoon naps.  For the most part, Evelina wasn't sure what to make of the animals but if something moved or made noise, she would observe and analyze, just taking it all in.  Of course, our little nosy body couldn't let the day go by without an abundance of people watching.  

I definitely hope we can make it a tradition of taking the day off to celebrate Evelina's birthday.  We had so much fun!!  

Here are just a few photos from the day.

Happy Birthday Evelina!! Those aren't tears, just watery eyes.

Entering the Zoo; A little under the weather

A pretty and very loud, Peacock

Checking out the monkeys with Papa

Investigating the chicken who was sitting on her little chicks

Beautiful leopard...MEOW

Mama, I'm getting hungry and sleepy.  PS: Chimps kind of freak me out...

My two loves <3

Playing with new toys

Smash cake

"I LUUUVVVV frosting!!!"

Pretty yellow and purple cake...and yummy!!

Unless you are interested in putting a belt on a toddler, denim skirts aren't made for pre-walkers.  Thank goodness for leggings!!

12 Months of Evelina :: In Pictures

You know I couldn't let Evelina's 1st Birthday milestone pass by without a video in pictures, so without further ado, 12 Months of Evelina, in pictures (and yes, I know she isn't a boy, I just fell in love with the song). 

PS: Sorry it is so long. I honestly think I took more photos of her in the past year then have been taken of me in my entire life. I need to get better about using the Flip video camera.

12 Months :: Happy 1st Birthday Evelina!!

Dear Evelina,

You are 12 months old, ONE YEAR OLD!! How did the first anniversary of your birth arrive so quickly? I have been thinking about this day for months and each time I would get misty-eyed as I re-lived your momentous birth in my memory. It is still so vivid yet often seems like it never actually happened. You are no longer a sleepy infant who lives for eating or being held. You have transformed into a beautiful toddler who lives for learning, exploring and bringing so much laughter into the lives of all who know you.

I never in a million years thought I could love someone as much as I love you. You have changed my life and you have changed me for the better. At the very moment of your birth, you provided me with the greatest gift of all, the gift of motherhood. All of the pain that accompanied each contraction during labor, the adrenaline rushing through my body to allow me to keep striving toward the ultimate goal, and the pure force required to push you into this world, all disappeared the moment I met you, my daughter, for the first time, and laid eyes on your beauty and perfection. I still gaze at you in amazement wondering how I got so lucky to be your Mama.

This past year has been an incredible learning experience, but has not been without mistakes. Despite the many challenges the first year of parenthood can present, I’ve always discovered what you needed, and how to get through each twist and turn. Although, at times, this year has been extremely exhausting and difficult, it has been the most rewarding 12 months of my life. And, with each day that passes my ultimate goal is to continue getting to know you, to teach you, and to learn how to be the best mother I can be just for you.

Sweet Evelina, you have come so far since your first screaming moment. You can smile, laugh, giggle, roll over, sit up, crawl, pull up and sit back down, sleep for 11-12 hours straight, feed yourself, explore with your tiny fingers and pick up the tiniest spec, babble and “talk”, wave, clap, high five, blow kisses, play peak-a-boo, show us where your head is, and so much more. You have accomplished so much in only 52 weeks of life.

Your Papa and I couldn’t be more proud of you. Just as we’ve enjoyed your first year and watching you grow each step of the way, we will continue to celebrate each moment of the upcoming year. We are looking forward to witnessing you succeed at the many milestones that are just waiting in the wings for you to accomplish, but most importantly, we are excited for you to just be you. 

You are a blessing, a treasure, brighter than the sun and stars, and although you are still too little to make a wish for yourself on this, your first birthday, I will wish for you. I wish for a year full of happiness, love, fun and new discoveries, family, and friendship. You're Papa and I are lucky enough to be along for the ride with you.  We can't wait!!  

Happy Birthday Evelina Marie-Claire, Evelina Bambina, Bean, Beanette, Peanut, Sweet Pea, Sweet Buttons!! I love you more than words could ever say.

You are the sunshine of my life,

Mommy