Birthday Eve

A year ago this evening, I went into labor.  At 1:04am, Sunday the 23rd, Easter, our sweet little baby girl was born.  We were surprised she was a girl, because we'd been so sure it would be a boy... but we sure are happy with the outcome. 

As many of you know, she also came rather quickly.  I realised I was in labor after we got back from dinner.  Around 7:30pm.  We figured it would take a while, and I wasn't feeling too bad, so we packed our hospital bag, and tried to rest for a while.  It wasn't until around 12:30 that it seemed like the birth was imminent!  I was already starting to feel the urge to push.  My DH scraped the snow off the car, got my boots on me and packed me up.  Then started the trip in to the hospital.  Luckily it was pretty late on Saturday night, and there was little traffic.  The 911 operator thought that we could get there much faster than the ambulance could get to us.  I could feel the baby's head, and she told us to pull over if we thought the baby was coming.  It never occurred to me we wouldn't make it to the hospital. 

And we could see the hospital when the baby's head was suddenly in my hand.   A moment later the body was in my other hand, and I brought the tiny little thing up into my arms.  It was a girl after all.  The clock said 1:04am.  DH pulled over and wrapped the little girl up in his hoodie, and then got back in the car and drove the last two minutes to the hospital.  

So today we got to celebrate that amazing day almost a year ago, when Sweetpea came into our lives.  We had a wonderful day full of family and food, and one great family nap.  

I started the day off icing Sweetpea's cake while she and DH went to the grocery store for some last minute party supplies.   I also made some big sandwiches and touched up the decorations a bit before everyone came over for lunch.  

My parents, grandparents, and aunt and uncle were able to join us for the party.  We started out letting Sweetpea open some of her presents to keep her occupied.  

She got some really beautiful outfits and some great toys... here she is exploring her new doll... 

And a little later, sitting in her new doll stroller... it was a tight fit, but she thought it was funny... When she's walking, (probably not too long now) she's really going to enjoy this stroller I think. She liked seeing the doll in there.  

We had a hard time getting these blocks away from her so she could open her other presents... the truck in the background there was also a favorite of the day, and will be great in the sandbox at the park.  

And this inch worm from Daddy was a crowd favorite... one little push and it goes all the way across the house!  

This caterpillar from Uncle Steve and Aunt Gina was my personal favorite!!  Each little foot is a different letter of the alphabet and plays its own song... it's like Sweetpea's personal ipod!  She loves things that play music for her.  

For dessert I made this cake filled with blackberries and topped with very sweet icing.  Sweetpea was a bit stunned when everyone sang "Happy Birthday" but she seemed to enjoy the attention overall.  

She was less impressed by the cake though.  She had enjoyed pieces of it during the process of making it, and she really liked the icing when I was making that, but she didn't know what to do with this cupcake.  Eventually she ate most of the berries off of it, and fed the rest to Grandpa Gary... She likes feeding people when she's through eating herself... when no one's around to feed the leftovers to she usually puts them off her tray onto the floor or a convenient nearby surface or container.   She likes a tidy plate.  

After a break for some milk, she was ready for some more play time with the family... hanging out on Grandma's lap. 

And sliding down Grandpa Gary's.  

By the time everyone left, we were all pretty pooped, so we took a nice long nap together.  Are all babies as cuddly as this one?  How did I not know this until now!?  

Then after some more playtime exploring her new toys, we went out for dinner at Efrain's to relive that fateful night.  I even had the very spicy chili verde plate again, (but this time I had a margarita too!) 

Of course the biggest difference between tonight and that night a year ago, is this little one here!!  (Eating chips for goodness sake - how does she do it with barely even one whole tooth!?)  

She also enjoyed half of a bean and cheese burrito, nearly a whole plain tortilla!!   After such a busy day she needed to refuel!  

And here's the last shot of the night - hanging out with Daddy.  

She went to bed just as soon as we could get her home and into jammies.  It was a very full day.