First birthday partayyyy

Amy's birthday party was a lot of fun! We grilled out, and had lots of family and friends visit. I was overwhelmed with all the love that was shown for my sweet girl!

We had family and friends from all over Columbia, but also folks from farther away!

My BFF from college, aka Amy's godmother (FGM), Catherine came all the way from Irmo, my dear friend from grad school, Tasia, and her daugther, Saniah, came all the way from Lexington. My Aunt Mary Sue came down from Laurinburg, NC. And my Uncle Nabil came ALL the way from Houston for a surprise visit! It was a lot of fun :)

 

Please pardon the picture overload.

Disclaimer: I was not the photographer for these pictures, therefore, they are very good.

 

Dad (Sido) and Uncle Nabil getting Amy ready for her cake:

 

 

Uncle John and Michael being awesome:

 

She wants to know where her cake is!

 

Digging in:

 

 

Bailey and Katie giggling with Amy:

 

Then Amy felt like giving kisses! One for daddy:

 

A kiss for big brother:

 

And big sister:

 

Mommy got a kiss too, but there was no photographic evidence...

 

 

 

Uncle Nabil and Michael

 

 

Uncle Nabil and moi

 

All cleaned up and time for presents!

 

Bailey and Amy love each other! (I imagine this is how Rebecca was with me when I was a baby...)

 

 

Thanks again to everyone who helped make Amy's birthday so special!

First Birthday Preparations

 

We celebrated Amy's birthday the following Sunday- April 22nd. Here are just a few of the things I put together to make her day a special "one"!

 

For party favors, I made cookies that I stamped with a "1,"wrapped them in saran wrap, and tied a ribbon around them.

(I did this while watching news coverage of the capture of the Boston bomber...just thought I would mention that because I think I will forever correlate the two!)

 

 

 

As a sweet activity for the guests, I had them write Amy a note and called it a time capsule- I cannot take credit for the idea {Pinterest}

The guests enjoyed writing their notes to Amy. I would be lying if I told you I wrote mine with dry eyes. I was balling like a baby thinking of her as a 20 year old woman...

 

 

Next, I wanted to do a timeline, but I didn't want to just do a month-by-month count. I chose to do two timelines. The first one was a timeline of "firsts"...

 

 

 

 

I also did the traditional timeline...which the pictures turned out too dark to see. I should have closed the blinds first...oh well...

 

 

 

 

I made tissue paper hanging things (what's the correct word??). Vladimir actually made one too to help! I think they turned out pretty cute. MUCH better than having those terrible balloons that could pop at any second hanging around...

 



 

And finally, the outfit I made for Amy. I monogrammed her onesie and then made the tutu. It was absolutely adorable on her. And to be the worst mom ever, I did not get a picture of her in it. I realized after the cake had been smashed that I never got a picture. I cannot stop kicking myself about it! Oh well..

 





Amy's First Birthday

So Amy turned ONE on April 18th, 2013! We had my parents, Richard, and his girlfriend, Gracyn, over for dinner. Of course as soon as they got there, my dad (Sido) had to snatch Amy up!

 

 

 Then he did share her with my mom (Tetta)...

 

 

 

 We opened up presents! Uncle Richard got Amy a Hippo pillow pet. {side note: he had no idea that my House's -Augustine House, which we happen to be in first place right now-  mascot is the hippo, so when sorting day comes in August, I will be borrowing Amy's pillow pet!}

She loved it by the way!!

 

 

More presents!

 

 

 

We had baked chicken, mashed potatoes, and salad for dinner. Afterwards, it was time for dessert! The kids helped me bake cupcakes for the occasion. We decided against a cake because we were going to give her a cake at her birthday party that weekend!

She was just a little excited:

 

 

 

Fresh off the sugar rush, it was time to play with toys! She was a little hesitant at first, but eventually walked with the push toy.

 

 

And one last one to melt you heart:

 

 

Happy birthday, baby girl!!!