The Big “1”

Helen Grace turned one yesterday, May 25th!

We couldn’t have asked for a more exciting and happy year (although a little more sleep would have been nice- heehee), and I know people say this all the time but our baby has truly an angel. Yes, she has her own opinions and is very assertive, but man, she is a sweet and happy child. We are so thankful to be her parents and to watch her grown and learn. I consider motherhood to be God’s greatest gift.

Throughout the last week, I have been thinking back to this time last year when my back was killing me and I thought I just had heartburn from hell. We drove to the hospital that Monday night with no thought of actually having a baby that day. Everyone tries to explain to you how much your life will change and your heart will swell when that baby arrives, but no one can fully prepare you for the LOVE that you feel for that extension of your your heart that will forever walk around outside of you.

Baby girl, we love you more than you will ever know (at least until you have babies of your own)…to the moon AND BACK!

Enjoy pics from Helen Grace’s first birthday. Her one year doctor’s appointment is scheduled for next week, so I will post all of her milestones once we get her measurements and stats.

First glimpse of the birthday girl We came into her room singing Happy Birthday, and she was so confused about what we were doing. “Ok, please just get me out of this bed and stop singing already! And I don’t want to hold your sign, Mama!” “I’m ONE!” Some duckies were outside waiting to wish HG a happy birthday. John and I took off of work a few hours early on Tuesday afternoon, and we headed to the zoo to celebrate.  Ready for the zoo with Mama and Daddy! Chickens were following her around the farm exhibit. The point was rampant today! Staring contest with the kimodo dragam The monkey was just chilling on top of the pole. We soon learned why he was perched up there like that…grody! Checking out the orangutan So very typical Now that’s better. Helen Grace wanted to go FASTER in her stroller…go, go, go, Daddy!

We were very lucky to have had a beautiful afternoon (although HOT) at the zoo. The forecast called for 40% chance of isolated thunderstorms, and no sooner than we had pulled out of Poplar and on the way home, the BOTTOM fell out of the sky. Huge rainstorm. Whew, glad we missed that! We headed back home to meet Spif, Granddaddy Google, and Bubba for dinner at Newk’s.  Going for the jewelry as usual Got Bubba’s earring! Spif and Granddaddy got HG this fun (and pretty!) rocking chair. She rarely sits in it like this… She prefers to sit like this instead…Her first word will probably be ‘bottom’ since I feel like all I say lately is, “Sit on your bottom,” in the tub, on the couch, now in her chair, etc. Granddaddy hung her new swing on our porch. Endless entertainment! See…she can’t stay away. She had to have one last rock in her new chair before bed.And call me crazy, but I snuck into her room and took a pic at 9:21 p.m…her *true* birthday!