My 1st Birthday!!

I can't believe our baby is one!!!!! It doesn't seem like a year since we brought her home from the hospital! It's remarkable at how much she has grown and developed over this last year! What a journey for all of us!!!

It's been a few days since the big weekend, but it's taken me this long to recover and process that my baby is a big girl now!!

I took off on Friday so Jason and I were both home on her actual birthday. We filled the house with balloons and a huge Pooh early that morning. So when she got up, she was surprised with instant fun! After her breakfast we let her open a present but saved the rest for her party. After a brief nap....I guess she decided she didn't have to nap on her big day....we headed to the pumpkin patch!!! It was the BEST time ever! Kadence smiled from ear to ear the entire time. She didn't get upset once! I think we could have spent the entire afternoon there but someone needed a nap!! She never cried, but we knew we were about to overstep her limits!!

So after some much needed rest...for all 3 of us...we carved one of the pumpkins. And you'll never guess what we (and by "we" I mean Jason) carved into the pumpkin.....drumroll......Pooh!!!

Saturday was her party....Thanks to everyone who made her special day even more special!!!!!!!!! She LOVES all of her new "big girl" toys!! And the cake pictures speak for themselves!! She didn't really use her hands that much!! I never expected her to dive right in with her face! One lick of that icing and that's all she needed! YUM! And she never got sick! She was such a trooper! She's not use to so many people and so much craziness in the house, but she never got cranky until right before bedtime. We were so proud of her! She really showed what a fantastic toddler she really is! Did I just say toddler???? Happy Birthday Miss Mae!!!!!

Not only can I read but now I can walk!!!!!

Kadence took her first few steps this afternoon. It was only about 5 steps but those steps count!! I got home from work and we were walking around the house with me holding her hands. Jason and I have been trying almost everyday to get her to let go. Today she finally did!!! Jason and I sat across the floor from one another with her in the middle. She hesitated to let go and try on her own. She kept wanting to sit down and crawl or hold on to us for dear life. Once she realized she wasn't holding on she just plopped right back down on the floor. But we are saying that she walked!! She wouldn't do it again but that's ok. I've put Jason under strict orders while I'm at work tomorrow...there will be NO walking until I get home! (I wish it really worked that way)

When people tell you not to blink, they aren't kidding! Why do our babies have to grow so fast??????

Meeting Nicholas Sparks!

My favorite author in the whole world was here this weekend!! He was signing books at Walmart on Saturday. He got there early so he greeted those waiting in line before he started signing. I was one of the lucky ones to get my picture taken with him. I was so nervous I didn't even know what to say. I was one of those stupid fans that just stare! I had calmed down enough by the time he signed my book that I actually had a brief conversation with him. He was extremely nice and very down to earth! And can I add....he's quite handsome!!!!


And I can't post without a picture of our little punkin!!

One More Tooth!

Jason discovered a new bottom tooth yesterday after her bath. We didn't even know it was coming through, but there it was....yet another pearly white!! She's going to have a whole mouth full before we know it. Her new grand total is 7!

And she's walking like crazy!!! That is....when you hold her hands!! She just can't get her balance on her own or I know she would be walking. I give her a few more weeks before she really takes off.

And Here's My Real Smile!!!

Birthday Portraits

Here are a few of my favorites. She pretty much looked at the photographer like she was insane the whole time. Completely uninterested in smiling or anything. I just know that if she could talk she would have said..."Seriously!! I don't know you and stop talking to me! Get out of my face!!" And as you can tell...she had that same "get away from me" expression in each picture. I was pleasantly surprised at how they turned out.





This is the only shot that shows all of her teeth! And just for your (i.e. Mom) information....there were NO tears! Just not a happy girl!

But I have to say....isn't she the cutest!!! Happy (Almost) Birthday!