Anna's First Birthday Party

We had a big monster bash for Miss Anna Beth on Sunday, and were able to celebrate Mother's Day with all the mommies as well.

We ended up having the party at about 1:00 so I could feed everyone lunch. It turned out to be a lot of fun, because we had some monster-themed munchies.

Like these little guys that I made for all the kids.

We also had monster eyeballs (meatballs), monster toes (pigs in a blanket), and monster juice (water and tea). I got a big platter of deli meats and cheeses, different kinds of bread, and my mom made ham and chicken salad. Sharon brought chips and dip (including some yummy salsa that Hannah made), and we had more than enough to feed everyone!

Decorating was a lot of fun. 

I made a monster banner by cutting these cute little guys out of felt.

The kids decorated a few balloons with monster faces (and Anna LOVED them!).

And crepe paper is a must for all kids' birthdays, I think.

It makes a good backdrop, if nothing else!

And here's the cake!

I have to say, this may have been the easiest and most cooperative of all the birthday cakes I've made thus far. 

I like this fuzzy guy.

I also made these!

Cute, right? The kids liked them.

After lunch and some time to visit, we all sang "Happy Birthday" to Anna, Ethan blew out her candle, and we got ready for some cake. However, it wasn't just Mother's Day on Sunday, it was also my nephew Ian's birthday! So, we had to sing again, of course!

I made him a mini monster cake like Anna's.

He thought it was great!

CAKE TIME!

She immediately started to smoosh it with her hands.

Check out the look in her eyes. She's super excited!

 "You mean I can eat this?!"

That's more like it!

She ate the entire thing! Thank goodness it was small, or the child would have been in a sugar-induced coma. Then, we cut the cake so everyone else could have some as well. The inside was colorful!

Death by artificial coloring.

Next up - presents! Anna got some really fun things, and a couple of adorable outfits. The toys were a huge hit with all the kids.

"Open it, Mom!!"

 My big girl, with a pink-stained face.

Zoe has to teach her how to use it.

Or maybe she can just play with Daddy's sunglasses.

Ian got to open presents, too!

Yay for birthdays! I have to say, though, I am so glad it's over. I get a break now until next December, when I have to do the boys' again. I'm going to enjoy my time off, for sure! It really was a lot of fun, and I think everyone really enjoyed themselves (or I hope they did!). I miss our family when we're not together, and this gives us all a reason to hang out, so it's totally worth the preparation and planning!

Happy birthday, Nanner!

Anna is ONE!

My little girl turned ONE year old today, at 10:31 this morning!

I am still in disbelief. It's hard for me to believe that an entire year has flown by so quickly. When did I ever get a chance to catch my breath? Have I been absorbing everything that she's been doing, every little change in personality, every milestone, and all those tender moments with her enough to move on? I don't have a choice! I remember the details of that day so well, and I can almost close my eyes and convince myself that I'm still in the hospital with a newborn Anna.

I don't remember feeling this emotional about the other kids' first birthdays. I've been trying to figure out why it's affecting me so much, and I think I've got it. Anna is really a miracle baby for me, an incredible blessing. Three miscarriages, so much anguish, and a mountain of "why?"s - wondering if I was ever going to be able to carry a baby to term again. She was the answer! The affirmation that all of those lost babies were indeed part of a larger plan for our family, and the reassurance that our suffering was only temporary. I want to freeze time and suck up every tiny little moment with her so I can enjoy this stage forever.

I know she's going to grow up, and it's really okay. She has turned into such an amazing little girl, and I know that there is so much more in store!

Anna is crawling (super FAST!), she can say Mama and Dada really well, and she's starting to try and pull up. She can't pull up well because she's pretty short, and seems to need more leverage to actually get to her feet (she can't use things like the couch, because they're too tall). She can do it, though!

Look at me, Mom!

I stood up by myself!

Ethan was helping her stand up the other day. I don't want him to do this when I'm not close by, because she's really wobbly and I don't want her to fall on the tile, but she loved holding her brother's hands!

She loves to brush her teeth!

And has a ton of fun in the swing!

She loves to spend time with her Daddy.

And she likes to reorganize the drawers in the kitchen.

Sometimes she's a little stinker!

Our sweet Anna Beth is such a joy to us all! We're really looking forward to celebrating her big day this weekend with friends and family, and I can't wait to see her face when she gets some birthday cake! You know there will be more pictures to come!

Happy birthday, baby girl! Your Mommy loves you more than you could ever imagine!