Icing on the Cake…or Face

We celebrated Helen Grace’s first birthday with a cupcake-themed family party at our house on Saturday. We dodged a bullet with a forecast of isolated thunderstorms that afternoon- the day turned out to be nice and sunny. It was a tad on the warm side, but we kept plenty of fans and A/C running and stayed pretty cool.

It was such a surreal and beautiful moment for John and me to hold a birthday cake in front of Helen Grace, sing Happy Birthday to her, blow out her candles, and then watch her try out her cake. I tried to take in every moment, every smile, every finger stroke as she tasted the icing…and then smeared it ALL OVER herself! What a wonderful life experience to share with our family and friends! We definitely know our baby is loved!

Another new development to share in a later post but very important to note the timing…our baby girl took a full step on her own on Friday, and as of Saturday, she is WALKING! WOW!

All ready for my party to start!HG, Sha, Whitney, Haney, Rebecca, Leighton, Adickes, Emily    Oh my goodness, my baby is about to experience her first birthday cake…I can’t explain the fireworks of emotions! Diving in “Hmmm…” “Ooooh, I LIKE it!”Daddy put this crown on her head, and but she just couldn’t stand it…so she had to take it off with her frosting-covered hand… “I love this cake so much that I just want to KISS it!” Headed straight to the bathtub!All clean again All of GG’s great-grandchildren:  Worth, Helen Grace, Grace Ann, Hastings, HayesRequisite bloomers shotGiving Geggy some love LOVES her new Cozy Coupe from Bubba Trying out the moonbounce with Daddy Cousin William doesn’t quite know what to do with babies- lol! I wish you could see the grip she has on his lip with her right hand! My first cousins on my mom’s side:  Hanley, Cam, SuzanneA fun end to a fabulous day!

Mama’s Little Helper

We have been working hard to get ready for Helen Grace’s family birthday party on Saturday, and of course, HG is the best little helper, which works nicely since she is permanently attached to my hip. I love my little tag-along!

She’s showing her shoe addiction again.Building up those leg muscles Her walking is getting stronger by the minute. Spif was helping HG warm up to the idea of her party hat for Saturday. She wasn’t really digging it. So Spif had to show her that it was really fun to wear- ha! She has found the fridge- watch out!

FTM Birthday Picnic

One of Helen Grace’s friends from FTM, Layla, has a birthday about a week after hers, so we had a joint birthday party picnic at Shelby Farms on Wednesday. Thank goodness, the weather cooperated, and we had a great morning of play and laughter with our friends! We are so lucky to have them in our lives!

Birthday girl is ready for the party! Caroline and Graham are ready to play! Helen Grace talked Ms. Ashley into taking her for a stroll. The birthday girls!  The hostesses: Lori, Layla, Helen Grace, and me Helen Grace checking out all her goodies Can you believe how sweet our friends are?!