Sara's 1st Birthday

Well, today is Sara's 1st Birthday. It's crazy to think last year at this exact time I was just getting ready to push. I can remember it like it was yesterday- Just two pushes and and here the baby was, I was so excited and overwhelmed by the moment all I could look at was her beautiful face and didn't even think to look at whether my baby was a boy or girl, 'til I heard my mother-in-law saying "Is it a girl? Is it a girl?" Then the doctor announced "It's a girl!" and Ryan and I both had tears in our eyes just looking at the most beautiful little baby girl we'd ever seen.

And we still think the same thing today. This little girl has brought more joy to our lives than we could have ever imagined. What a blessing she has been to us and will continue to be. I hear so often "it goes by too fast" and I am realizing that now. It really seems like we just had her yesterday and yet she's been with us a whole year! I really just need to figure out a way to slow it down just a little, 'cause I've loved every minute of it so far. We got her 1 year pictures taken this week and I just had to post this cute scrunched up smile of hers that I love.

We also celebrated her Birthday last night with a little family BBQ in our backyard. It was fun watching her open presents. Every time I take her to someone's house who has kids she loves playing with their toys. I think we've bought her one toy since she's been born (all the rest have been gifts) and she's loved playing with them, but she doesn't have any real extravagant toys like she's seen at some of her friend's houses. So Ryan and I thought we'd buy her a couple big toys that make noise and might be a little more fun than the little ones in her toy box. I think she liked this one, what do you think?

We tried to set it aside and she just kept eyeing it the whole time she was opening presents, and she hasn't really stopped playing with it today. It was fun to see her get so excited even though she's still pretty little, she's smarter than we think. Dad would help her open the next present and if it was clothes, she would honestly look at me with this look like "Mom, are you serious? Where are the toys?" I wish I would have gotten a picture of that look. I've heard most 1 year olds like to play with anything but their toys, like the box, or wrapping paper or other things laying around the house. Not Sara, toys are actually one thing she can sit and play with for hours. I love it! Then there was the cake..

Just crossing her legs and taking her time. We tried getting her to destroy it, but she would just take one little finger at a time, and poke and suck. It was pretty cute. She got into it more towards the end, but for the most part she just liked taking her time. I think she liked us singing "Happy Birthday" to her more than anything. She had the biggest smile you've ever seen, too bad my camera wasn't out in time.

So, Happy Birthday Sara! Remember we love you more than anything in this world!