We got your gift from Grandma, Grandpa & Great Grandpa all set up (which took HOURS), went to the grocery store to get ingredients for berry pancakes and a special lunch, picked up 6 pretty pink balloons and one ginormous balloon that’s bigger than your whole body and barely fit through the door of the car… And now, we are all set for you to wake up (in a few hours) because TODAY IS YOUR BIRTHDAY!
I can’t wait to make today a very special day for you, my lovey girl!
Clearly someone read yesterday’s blog post to the bunny because we’ve had such a sweet little day together (minus our 5:30 am wake up). Here are some (ha! Many…) pictures of our happy little bumpkin at lunch and our happy little snuggle sesh in the car before it was time to get strapped in the car seat.
Be prepared for an absurd amount of clapping…
To my sweet little bunny girl,
Tomorrow is your final day as an infant, as Thursday marks your 1 year old birthday! Over the past 12 months, I have fallen deeper in love with you than you will ever truly know. I have been the luckiest mommy in the world to have been able to spend almost every single day of your short little life with you. While bringing you to work has had its challenges, it was above all, the most incredible gift. I have had the privilege of witnessing every milestone and moment. From the first time you rolled over or crawled to your first time standing on your own to your first kiss. I have watched as you discovered likes and dislikes, everything.
I am so incredibly fulfilled by this amazing year with you. You are the funniest, happiest, most lovely little being I’ve ever known. Your little smile (and your big smile) bring me instant flutters. You literally light me up with your joy, curiousity and playfulness.
We have a bond, you and me. Our humor seems to have many similarities, which keeps us giggling constantly.
When you randomly smooch my face or give me a tight squeeze of a hug, I melt away. You’re just such a blessing and I’m so incredibly thankful for you.
So, let’s make tomorrow – your last day as my tiny little infant – just as magical as the days before… and remember, come Thursday, we start a new chapter. A new page in our little story. And come Thursday, I will love my tiny little toddler just as much as I do my tiny little infant.
Happy almost birthday, bunzo.
xo,
Mommy
We were about a month late getting these photos taken, but here they are, Charlie’s “9 month” pictures taken at 10 months of age…
This summer has been so much fun! I feel like with my June 27th… Or 28th (I can’t remember) due date and my July 16th delivery, I spent a whole heck of a lot of the summer waiting for baby to arrive and hibernating once she did.
Regardless, we are definitely making up for it now. Between the fun family activities and visiting with friends, it’s just been a blast.
Friday we had a low-key evening with my folks. Nothing too crazy, just a quick dinner at mom’s and then off to bed for the little one and some wine and relaxation (aka tutu making) for hubs and I.
Tutus are done! 
On Saturday, I went and got a mani with my mom and sis and then mom and I went to Costco… It was time to do some party shopping.
Then, Mark’s momma came over to play with C and Marky and I headed to our friend’s for her lake’s annual fire works and a fun little BBQ!
On Sunday, after some family snuggles, we met Mark’s mom at the breeder because she got a new and totally adorable new pup. She’s the cutest!
After naps, marky and Charlie went to his dad’s for their weekly visit and I went to my friend Jenna’s kiddies’ bday party! She made the cutest dang ninja turtle cakes ever. Also, I’m obsessed with her potted plants. Such a pretty arrangement.
After the party, it was time for dinner with my brosef who’s in town!
People always ask me, “How do you get anything done at work with your baby there?”
I try to explain that for one, the girl sleeps like an infant. She literally takes two giant naps each day (some days better than others). Her morning nap starts anywhere from 8:30-9:45 to around 11:30-12… today it was until 1pm! And her second nap from around 2:30-3:30 until 4:30-5:30ish. That’s a lot of sleep.
Anyway, with my hubs coming pretty much every day for lunch, I really only have about an hour of awake, non-lunch time with her. That brings me to the second reason it’s been pretty easy… this girl plays VERY well on her own. Today, I decided to capture just how well she plays. Please note that these note cards kept her busy for a good 10 minutes until I finally interupted so I could feed her some lunch.
“Sure, you can have some of mommy’s water…”
Bet you’ll never guess what she had with lunch today!
The only real “vision” I’ve had for Charlotte’s first birthday party has been tutus. I desperately want to see Charlie bouncing around with her tiny friends, all looking adorable in pink tutus.
So clearly, the only thing to do was to make tutus for all the girlies coming to the party (I think it amounts to 4).
I’ll make an official DIY how-to later, but for now, check out the sneak peek!
My baby turns one full year old in a week from tomorrow. How in the heck is that possible? A big part of me feels like she’s always been a part of me… it’s impossible to think of how it felt when she didn’t exist, when I didn’t love her in the biggest way imaginable. Yet still, when I examine the fact that it has been an entire year, that my baby is a toddler, my head spins in disbelief.
I feel this internal struggle… part of me is sad because this year has literally flown by, but in the same breath, I’m so happy because my tiny little munchkin has turned into such an incredible, funny, spunky, loving, chipper, badass little bunny. This age is hilarious and amazing.
But seriously… where did this past year go?
Charlotte’s birthday is next Thursday. It’s a work day, so her actual special little day won’t be anything too grand, but I’ve been trying to think of things to do to make it a little more fun for her. She loves balloons, so I was thinking maybe I’d decorate her high chair with balloons… make her pancakes with fruit for breakfast… I was debating taking her to story time that morning, but I’d have to wake her from her nap, so I’m not sure about that one yet.
Maybe we can have a picnic outside for lunch… what to make for dinner? I don’t know…
Help! What are some fun ideas to celebrate her special day? And yes, I know she won’t remember later in life, but that doesn’t mean she shouldn’t enjoy each moment of her day!
Mini smirk.
The magic sling.
i LOVE long weekends. Especially when we don’t have too much planned… Ugh! I literally took at least three hammock naps this weekend and I actually have a little color in my skin.
We had an absolute blast hanging with family, getting stuff done around the house, relaxing, and enjoying each other. All in all, a great Fourth of July weekend!
Lunch with little miss sunshine and her cute tush…
Had to sneak in Charlie’s 11 month pics before I totally missed it… Ugh. I really dropped the ball with these pics. Sorry, bunny! I tried… But you’re SUCH a pain during these photo shoots.
Fourth of July pool party!
Lounging 🙂
Charlotte crawled over to this random group of girls and ladies for a nice chat! So silly 🙂
I joined…
Listening to Grandma, Grandpa and the band sing to little Charlie!
Zonked!
Did I mention I finished the dang growth chart???
Playing House 