Monday, February 18, 2013

...and now she's a toddler!

The year came and went so fast, and our little Charlotte is 1. I could go on and on about how much I love her and want her to be my baby forever, but my attitude is a little different this time than it was when T turned one year. I understand that children must grow up and learn and explore and be even more fun! And I welcome it :)

About a week ago I took some pictures of C to use for the party. She's so easy to photograph because I can just sit her down and let her do her thing without propping her. We did some inside with a backdrop I sewed and lots more outside in the sunshine :]

here are just a few.




















Her birthday weekend was INSANE. and this is why:

1. I decided last minute to throw a bday party of sorts for her, and invited our closest friends to come. I did not think all of them would, but they ALL did (except my awesome SIL who was very much missed!). good- but stressful.

2. I bought waaay too much food and stressed myself out over making stuff from all of it.

3. The weather was threatening clouds and rain for Saturday all week, which stressed me out more. (It just so happened to be partially sunny)

4. My in-laws came from Idaho and of course I stressed about all of that going well.

5. Charlotte became sick and feverish Saturday right before the party. STRESS.

You might notice that in each of those 5 points there was some cause of stress. A lot of people don't know this about me but I pretty much stress about anything. Throwing parties is not my thing. I hate it. I have nightmares about it. I get cold sweats as the hours pass just waiting for it. I break out all over my face. And this time I also lost 10 lbs. I have so much anxiety about everything and I don't know why because neither one of my parents are that way.

So why throw a party you ask? Because we did one for T's 1st birthday- we had a BBQ with our friends and it was Curious George themed. It was such a wonderful time and is still a lovely memory. I think 1st birthdays are special and I wanted to make a good memory for Charlotte's, too. So, truly, it was all for her.

Despite me being totally nuts about the whole thing, the party went perfectly and I wouldn't change a thing. We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends come all the way to our home and celebrate with us. We are blessed to have a baby that can be happy and sweet even when she is teething (thanks GOODNESS). And we are blessed that Jonathan's parents came because I could NOT have done it without them.

We did a *pink and red* theme because her birthday is just 3 days after Valentine's, and it worked out great cause I used my Vday decor for the party- you can't go wrong with hearts ;)

Like always I took way too many pictures, so bear with me. She downed her cupcake in under a minute so I was going shutter crazy.


 


  


 


 



Call me weird, but I didn't get a single picture of her on Sunday- her actual birthday. I had this cute dress all picked out for church and she woke up completely miserable. She had a fever of 102 so I gave her ibuprofen and we took her to church after it cooled down a little. Not the best idea, but I had to go to teach my class and I did NOT want to be apart from her on her birthday. She slept through most of church but was very fussy and by the end her fever returned. Since her face was wet and puffy and sad all day, I didn't take any pics. So it's a good thing we got plenty from the day before :]

I am still in shock that she's 1 already...she's been very snuggly and clingy attached to me all weekend so it still feels like she's my baby girl (perhaps the only good outcome of teething ever). Oh how I love her!

Happy birthday Charly Mae! Don't grow up too fast please!

3 comments:

The Garlands said...

I know I said this before but I can't believe she's already one. Obviously I knew it was coming with Kenneth having turned 1 already. Hard to believe that you've almost been gone for a year.

Matt and Jen McEvoy said...

Happy birthday to sweet Charly! Very cute pictures and decorations!

A.S.K. said...

Her pictures turned out amazing! I seriously love them! (Kayson loved them so much that he kept signing "more" because he wanted to see more pictures of Charlotte!) Your children are so beautiful. I'm so glad the party went well!