Julia Rae 1 year today!

This week has been full of preparations (both physically and emotionally) for julia’s first birthday…. 

Lots of extra playing

Cuddling

and cuteness going on around here

She loves it when I chase her around crawling -

and she is absolutely obsessed with little chairs

Lots of big BIG smiles with her toothless grin…

and even some fits…

With both the big kids in school during the day – me and my girl get some AWESOME quality time.  I spend most of the day on the playroom floor and there’s no other place I’d rather be.  Speaking of the playroom, we have a new toy in there -Below is my parent’s gift to Julia – It is like a little play market – ALL the kids love it!!

I took William shopping with me for birthday gifts for his sister and he picked out a baby doll for her since she LOVES to play babies… there is nothing more precious than watching her feed, rock and hug on them.  While we were shopping she would reach for the babies on the shelf and go “EHHH EHHHH EHHHH!” We had to wheel her to the next aisle while we figured out which one to get.  When we got home,  I asked the kids to wrap the gifts.. no wrapping paper so we used the paper from the art easel.. In true form to their personalities, Audrey is working while William watches.  To keep them busy while I finished up the cakes, I asked them to color their gifts

Our friends, The Delcambre’s are our family here – Will and Camille are in the same class and so are Evelyn and Audrey (this is their 3rd school year to be together!) We ate one of Julia’s favorite meals: Chicken Enchilada Pasta

After dinner I got a little loving from my girl – she is now giving kisses – you know the big slobbery open-mouthed baby kisses.. they’re the best!

Cake Time! Being a brave mama and trying SO hard not to cry.

and there she goes…

Meanwhile, Nancy (the cake cutter – this is always her role at parties) served the rest of us up

Next, time to open gifts… William gave her a doll, Audrey gave her a toy drum and the Delcambre’s gave her a precious toy picnic basket.  Julia has had a blast with her new stuff!

Julia and her buddy Amelia (only 3 months younger) playing with the drum..

Loving her baby while she waits for daddy to put together the cradle

aaaaannndd, while no one is looking, how ‘bout some more of that cake?!

and here is Julia yesterday (playing babies)...