A Little Golden First Birthday

It's time to blog the birthday. The day I wasn't so sure about. I kept telling myself that I'd wake up on the morning of the 4th and she'd still be my Millie. But I had to see it to believe it.  

And my Millie she was. My Millie plus a cold that decided to show up. We had her spend most of the day in her diaper-just how she likes it. It was a wonderful day of playing, cleaning, and wiping a cute little nose.

Then her present from us showed up so we stopped everything and helped her unload and put it together.

A radio flyer. Both Jerrel and I have wonderful yet destructive and dangerous childhood memories with a radio flyer. So we wanted to pass that along to our own offspring. Millie LOVES her wagon. We have already gotten so much use out of this thing! 

We then tried to show her the beauty of the cardboard box. She wasn't so sure, she's caught on now though. I'd like to think she had the very best first birthday. Grandmas, a Grandpa, and an Uncle came by to give her kisses and wish her a happy day and she just got to be home with us. Oh and she got some extra graham crackers. All in all, a good day in the day of a one year old. 

And guess what? I woke up the next day...and the girl was still my Millie. Whew. 

We went on with our week and finally Sunday rolled around-party day. I haven't blogged about her party "theme" or the prep. Now that it's all came together though, I've gotta share. 

I have a collection of Little Golden Books specifically with the illustrations by Eloise Wilkin. Her style is so soft and dreamy. My mom started the collection for me years ago. I was trying to figure out a birthday party direction, I wanted classic, fun birthday but with something that made it special. I was looking through my collection about a month ago and it clicked. Books! Little Golden Books. I hit Pintrest and I found a couple cute ideas to jump from and just kinda made the rest up as I went along! 

So with the books I had in my collection I had a good start. We took a trip to Tiedes in Overton-holy books. I looked through every Little Golden they had, bought too many, and was set to start.

Letters from Hobby Lobby. Pom Poms made from yarn and dowels we had. Daisy embellishments from Hobby Lobby. Little Cast Iron Animals-found in a box bought at the Thrift Shop!

I wanted the house to feel special but also still like home. So I decorated with the books everywhere I could and used Millie's toys as knick knacks. 

I found this giant "M" at Joann.com. I then had color copies made of my favorite pictures from the books. (I couldn't bare to cut them up.) Then Mod Podged the pages to the letter.

When I was done I noticed my brush had shed in a pretty noticeable spot. Annoying. So I added these wooden letters I had in my craft supplies and a button. Necessity is the mother of invention you know.

A pad of coordinating scrapbook paper and some more page copies created this darling pennant. Some scraps of fabric from Millie's birthday dress tied between triangles tied in more "golden" and our birthday girl. 

And another pennant above the sink. 

Our Chalkboard wall was transformed to all about Millie (not much different than the usual.) and birthday with the scrapbooking paper.

I continued to find spots for Little Golden Books. 

I used an old door in the our living room to create a timeline of sorts. String and silver binder clips made this easy-not dating your pictures when you get them printed made this a nightmare. Learn your lesson from my mistake. For everything that is holy-date your pictures people! Using this font-it looks pretty close to the real Little Golden font! 

We had a pretty nice spread. Fruits, veggies, dips, Spritz cookies-to harken some vintage glory, and Millie's favorite-homemade Graham crackers. They are so good! We invited all of her Granparents, Uncles, two girl friends, three of our own friends to a total of around 20 people. we had a houseful quickly. We all made a decentdent in the grub!

Uncle Evan and Kenzie brought this adorable Eileen's cookie as Millie's present. Frosted. Chocolate Chip. Great now my mouth is watering again. 

Then of course we had birthday cake. I decided on Pioneer Woman's Strawberry Shortcake. If you have ever had this cake you understand why this was a valid choice. 

Millie received so man lovely things. Two of her uncles tried to put this together without instructions. That method worked for a while...

Before long their older brother had the instructions though and then it finishing touches were put on. Thanks Uncle Jesse and Jake! (And Daddy!)

 It was a wonderful afternoon with everyone. We talked, laughed, ate cake, and I got emotional while singing Happy Birthday to my Millie. It just all came to a head there. Oh well.

And I still look tired.

Our girl had such a special LIttle Golden First Birthday. She did so well with all these people in her house and loved visiting everyone.

One birthday party in the books. Get it?

Blessings!

Birthday Girl

Happy First Birthday to our Millie. You spent the day in just your diaper-almost just how you like it. Sans diaper would have been preferred. We snuggled because of your cold, we ate oranges because you love them, and we had fun because you are now ONE.

We are so very thankful for you. 

And we love watching you grow and learn. 

Being your parents is the best gig we could have ever dreamed up. It is our dream job. 

Happy Birthday sweet baby. 

Blessings! 

What I Didn't Know

I'm feeling a little misty eyed tonight. Yet joyful. Tomorrow is Millie's first birthday. There, I said it out loud. I keep glancing at the clock and mentally saying "Last year at this time..." a tic I'm sure isn't helping my coping skills. But here we are, one year out of pregnancy, birth, and baby. While I look at the clock the thought crosses my mind, "Oh the things I didn't know."

I didn't know I would jump into the role of mother as if I had always been one.

I didn't know saying the words "She's ours" would make my heart leap out of my chest yet give me such peace.

I didn't know a tiny being could make so much dang laundry.

I didn't know watching a Daddy and a daughter is about the sweetest thing there ever was and ever will be.

I didn't know smiles, coos, rolling, sitting up, standing, walking, talking, and kisses-oh the kisses, were going to be the highlights in my own year.

I didn't know I would put the potholders away 578 times a day.

I didn't know I could go an entire year without a full nights sleep and survive. But I did!

I didn't know she would be a girl, that her name would be Millie, and that she would make me wonder what I ever did without her.

Finding the words to express the work, the emotion, and the wonder of this thing called motherhood is honestly beyond me. There is just so much I didn't know on that ride, at this exact time, last year. And that was a little a lot scary. But now?

Oh what I know now.

Happy Birthday-Eve my girl. I promise I won't always be this nostalgic. At least not publicly.

Blessings!

A Little Valentine.

Last year we had a pretty great Valentines Day. We were anticipating the birth of our babe. 

I made this awesome gift for my baby daddy. 

He got me beautiful flowers and one of my favorite children's books, All The Places To Love. 

This year I wanted to make it special. So I rushed around making supper cleaning the kitchen as I went. I hurriedly lit candles as Jerrel pulled in the driveway. I hid the last bit of clutter before he could walk in. I quickly realized though those things-this big production I was trying to put on wasn't what made our little Valentine dinner meaningful. Nope. It was the little things.

We had such a sweet Valentine's Day. We were in our PJ's. I made pizza in the shape of a heart. We enjoyed brownie sundaes and were just us. 

Millie shared her homemade graham crackers and I sat in awe of what a difference a year makes.

Best Valentine's Day ever. Right here. In our little house. With our little pizza, our little brownie sundaes, and our sweet little girl. I love living little.

Blessings!

11 Months of Millie

What? You think I have been avoiding the blog? Well that's...

The truth. The honest to goodness. If I'm lyin' I'm cryin', and I ain't shed a tear, fact.

Because it's the eleventh month. Because it's impossible that much time has passed. Because I just didn't want to write it all out.

But you know what else is fact? All the fun we have had this last month. While the passage of time somedays is startling, sad, and hard; the pure joy far outweighs the rest. I wouldn't want it any other way. Ok maybe a button to push to go back in time for just a little bit might be nice every once in a while. Overall though? Watching our girl is the most delightful and fulfilling thing there could be.

We started out our month learning about the goodness of bananas.

And while we still mostly prefer Momma's milk we will take a banana for a little while. Among other foods. We don't believe in "kid food" so Millie pretty much tries everything. We notice she likes some things more than others, but the girl will eat anything. We are staying away from sugar (except in fruit or veggies) and watching dairy intake still. Simply because dairy doesn't always make me feel that great and lactose intolerance runs in the family.

We took time for a little Valentines Day shoot downtown.

A million photos and one crash with the cement later we had a few acceptable shots.

The weather has been fabulous. We have been able to get out and play with Chester, ride our trike. and hang out in the yard with daddy while he plays with Chester or cleans up Chester's messes. 

Millie is still working on her model poses.

And still getting lotsa kisses from Chester.

Ack-get me some iodine! I've been kissed by a dog!

Best buds. 

Millie has helped me in the kitchen this month too. It's been nice to be able to put her on the counter. I can give her things to play with and she sits and watches.

Then we get to try the creations, which the girl is quickly learning is the best part of baking. 

The trike is wonderful to get out and about. See what I mean about the weather? January-no coat. It's nice but us snow bunnies wouldn't mind another big snow. I know, I know. 

Chester get outta my face. We say that a lot around our house. 

My daughter ladies and gentlemen. She is a goofy, kooky, nut. Just like her father. 

But she sure is a sweet nut. Like her mother. 

Millie started babbling this month. The thing about babies? One second they can't and the next they can. Millie had only been cooing, making mainly vowel sounds. One day Jerrel came home from work and she just started saying "dada, tst, tst, mama, mama, ka, ka," Like she came out doing it. I was amazed. Jerrel said "Man, you're chatty today." I said "Not with me!" Guess she wanted us both there for the unveiling of the new trick. 

Looking spiffy in her hoodie Gramacita and Paw Paw bought her for Christmas while in utero. Cannot believe she is big enough to fit into it!

Millie also dances to music. Baby doll loves music on commercials, the radio, anything. She starts bouncing around whenever we even mention dancing. It's SO cute.

Along with her future in BMX...

Millie heard that Chicken Soup was good for the soul so she figured it would be good for your hair too. One handful in the mouth another in the hair. She is starting at the Salon on Monday specializing in Chicken Soup Hair Masque. Leaves your hair sticking straight up and in knots, but oh so shiny. 

From 10 months to 11. 

We've learned to shake our head "no." We play with bubbles. Pretend things are a phone. Like to stir like  baking and be momma's helper girl. We try to blow kisses-if we want, but can give them to you if we are feeling generous-and thats ok. We know how to melt peoples heart with a sweet smile a cock of the head. The learning never stops. 

Today Millie leaves you with a kiss. 

Rightbackatcha girl.

Blessing!