ONEderful Birthday!

Emily Reese is ONE!

Her actual birthday was pretty low key but the big party was just a few days later!

She is walking more than crawling but cannot independently stand from the floor without an elevated surface to push on. That being said, we're in the next phase of wishing I could put her in a helmet!

Birthday number one means a lot of new feeding options...including cow's milk! She loves it (and chugs it--that's Mommy's girl for sure!), but still really wants to nurse...weaning her may be a little more challenging than it was weaning her brother!

Here's Aaron catching HUGE snowflakes on his tongue...a new trick I taught him:) He got so excited every time he caught one!

Emily's birthday weekend brought loads of family into town. Fortunately, we just got a twin size bed for him (it was his cousins'...and before that his Daddy's...and before that his Uncle Jim's!). The timing was great...with Audrey coming, we decided to leave his toddler bed assembled so she'd have somewhere comfy to sleep! We put it next to his bed and they had a slumber party in his room the night before Emily's party! We couldn't get a picture with them all...but after Audrey got up, Josh snapped this one...yep, in addition to Audrey and Aaron on their beds, Duke slept soundly, all night, on his!

Aaron's bed is fun for everyone! Emily and cousin Daphne snuck in when the big kids were off playing!

Thank goodness for a very crafty sister who put these cupcake picks together for the party...adorable!

The seat of honor:

Here's Aaron looking sweet and studly in his tie (he insisted). He was such a big help...opened all her gifts and was excited about them for her! I wasn't sure how he'd feel but he genuinely was excited for it being her day. I didn't see any jealousy...what a great kid:)

Here's Emily looking quite festive herself!

I couldn't resist and have been planning the tutu for months!)

Here is a good portion (but not all!) of the amazing family members who helped us celebrate. We are so blessed:)

She makes a great blowing sound...it just wasn't enough to blow the candle out! She was very entertained by it.

With the first bite...she's not quite sure. She made some crazy faces as the tastes registered...it was too funny and adorable! I'm hoping Grammie may have caught one with her camera!

I actually took it away from her...she may have finished the whole thing if I'd let her!

It was an amazingly fun day thanks to everyone who helped us celebrate!

Happy 1st Birthday Emily!