Dear Ariani: Your FIRST Birthday!

I can’t believe you are a year old now! This past year has flown by. I am so thankful to be your mommy and have enjoyed watching you grow and change this year.

At your one year checkup with Dr. Lahr you were 28 inches long (10th percentile), 19 pounds and 4 ounces (42nd percentile) with a head circumference of 18 ¼ inches (86th percentile).

I felt brave and decided to take all of your birthday pictures by myself this year. Yikes! I’m sure they would be better if Grandpa had taken them, but I’ll never get better if I always have someone else do it. All in all, I’m pretty happy with how they turned out! (Grandpa did take photos of your party so I could play hostess and help you open gifts. I’m so glad he did!)

We had your party on the Saturday before your birthday. All of your grandparents and cousins and aunts came and most of your uncles. (Uncle Drew had to work and Uncle Sam is at basic training.) You decided not to take a morning nap at all that day! I was worried that you would be fussy, but once everyone arrived, you enjoyed yourself very much!

You got a lot of cute (and noisy!) toys as gifts. Grandpa and Nana gave you a little ladybug that plays songs and teaches shapes and colors. Grams and Pops gave you a walking toy that has lots of fancy lights and buttons and songs. Uncle Caleb and Aunt Jennifer gave you a board book and a toy camera. Uncle Jacob and Aunt Jessica gave you a stacking & sorting toy and a board book. And Uncle Drew sent his gift with Nana - a toy cell phone and a stuffed Minnie Mouse. What fun!

As far as cake goes, you hated it. You did not like touching it and getting messy. And even when Daddy helped you taste it, you did not like it. Oddly enough, the day we took your cake pictures, I found you eating cat food just an hour later - and enjoying it. You’re so weird!

We made some special memories this week and I’m so glad we did! I love you so much birthday girl!