Mary Grace's 1st Birthday

Can I be honest here....I am so happy and relieved that the big day/shindig/party is over. Now before you judge me too much, let me just say that I had such fun planning out her first party, and I loved every minute of our time visiting with friends and family- all to celebrate our sweet girl. All the planning, decorating, preparing wiped me out!

We could not have asked for a more wonderful day. It was a beautiful day celebrating a beautiful girl's first year of life. The weather was warm so we were able to open our french doors and mingle on the porch while watching the men fish. 

Let's start with the decor- I went a little over board and I know it. I started planning out her 'theme' while she was still in the womb (all women do that, right?). I officially starting planning, ordering, creating in early February. 

 Her cake knife set turned out beautiful. Her name and birth date are engraved on one side. We will use it to cut all her birthday cakes, then one day she will use it to cut her wedding cake, and we will engrave that date on the top. This thought always makes me tear up.

 

Our sweet Mary Grace had a wonderful time! At first she was a bit overwhelmed by everyone, but she started warming up to the idea. Her birthday outfit, along with her hat, is from Mudpie- she looked so cute! We had so many family and friends stop by to show their love for sweet Mary Grace! She is truly one blessed little girl.

{Mary Grace's great-grandmother, Marlene}

{Sweet friends}

 

{Sweet girls helping with gifts}

{The stuffed kitten was a hit}

{Mary Grace with all of her grandmothers and great-grandmothers - minus Bob's grandmother, Nannie, who stopped by later}

{Time for the scratch off cards|

{Sweet Aunt Betty love}

{Fishing buddies}

{Checking out her new picnic table from Granny}

{Mary Grace and her Great-Grandmother, Mary}

{The cake was not only gorgeous, but delicious! Kelli did a fantastic job}

I've already started getting ideas for next year! We had such an amazing day celebrating our little lovebug with family and friends! Thanks to all who helped make her first birthday such a memorable time!

Party Supplies
Cake: Specialty Cakes by Kelli
Cake Knife Set: Things Remembered in Birmingham (also available online)
Initial 'M' Suckers, Water Bottle Labels: Oriental Trading
Gumballs & Rock Candy: Party City
Striped Straws: FancyThatLoved via Etsy
Pom Pom Decor: The Pom Pom Show via Etsy
Invitations: Easy Made Invitations via Etsy
Scratch Off Cards: Inklings Paperie via Etsy
Mary Grace's Outfit & Hat: Mudpie

One Year

Today my baby turned the first of many corners in life. She's left the baby stage behind and is now a toddler- although in my heart, she will forever be my baby. My one wish for the day was to spend it entirely with her. And that's exactly what I did.

She was all smiles when she woke up, as if she knew today was her day. Last night I sat and rocked her far longer than normal. I tried to memorize each tiny feature of her- hands, fingers, hair, nose, lips.... I supposed I was afraid that she would change drastically overnight. I guess in a way she did.

{Wearing her 'big girl' shirt I made for her}

Our first stop was Cracker Barrel for her birthday breakfast. She tried a little of everything: bacon, eggs, grits, oatmeal, hash browns, biscuits with gravy. Her favorites were the hash browns and biscuits. Yummy!

{Lovey Bunny time}

{A sweet elderly man offered to take our picture. And while we both have a crazy look on our face, I had to share. It's the only one I managed to get of the two of us :) }

After breakfast it was time for those dreaded one year shots. Yuck! We headed to our favorite little ice cream shop to make up for it.

 

 We spend some time shopping for sweet pea, picked up her cake, then headed home for some Daddy time! 

After she was asleep, I sat up looking through all our photos of this past year, wondering where the time went! 

Happy Birthday, Mary Grace!

 

A Letter To Mary Grace - 4.5.13

Our Sweet Mary Grace,

Today you are one. Today, we celebrate every piece of you. One year ago, today, I did not know how much my life would change. One year ago, today, I loved you, but did not know how much that love would stretch/grow/fill/change/complete. One year ago, today, Daddy and I were celebrating your arrival with friends and family. Today, we celebrate with breakfast and a million kisses. Our family of 2 (3, if you count Louie), became a family of 3 (or 4), and the completion that you bring is indescribably beautiful.

A whole year ago today your Daddy and I looked into your eyes for the very first time and we loved you unconditionally instantly. One year ago today our journey together began- we became a family together that day.

Today, we celebrate a year of you. We celebrate the fact that we not only survived it, but somehow loved every moment of it. I would not be the mother that I am, without the many sleepless nights, and the middle of the night tears. You would not be my beautiful girl, without the smiles, and screams, and loveies. Every hour/minute/second that I am yours, I feel more completed and amazed that you are mine. You make me better. More loving. More patient. More generous. Not just a better mother, but also a better wife, daughter, sister, and friend. I did not expect that. The part where you teach me things about myself, while I am teaching you that walking does not have to be scary, sippy cups are not so bad,  and loud noises are a part of life. We don’t have to cry every time I take away the television remote, because there are buckets of toys waiting to be played with, and baskets of stuffed animals waiting for your hugs. And while I am teaching you little lessons, you are transforming the very core of me.

I want you to know that even today, when you are ‘only’ one, I know in my heart of hearts that you are special. You speak only in baby chatter and simple words, yet I still know that you are a treasure. I can see all of you, and am already so proud/blessed/amazed at the the little person that you are becoming.

Becoming. You are becoming before my very eyes. Already becoming the girl you were meant to be. And Daddy and I, we are privileged to watch. We get to guide you, love you, and treasure you. We thank Jesus every single day that we get to help you along your path in life.

In the words of Shakespeare,  "Find though she is but little, she is fierce."

You my sweet girl are fierce.  You may seem little and quiet and careful to the eye of a stranger, but those who know you have seen a little girl who is filled with determination, curiosity, love and hunger. You know exactly what you want and you settle for nothing less. I hope you never lose that fire because that's what is going to take you places.

Daddy and I are so amazed and in love with you, so bent on trying to keep you safe and just trying to enjoy every second because you just keep proving how little time we have with you while you're little. You have such an infectious brand of happy- you're entire being lights up when you smile. 

Last night we read our favorite book, Someday, and I started thinking about your somedays. Someday, you will walk. Someday you will smile as I take your picture on your first day of Kindergarten. Someday you will wave goodbye as you leave for college. Someday you will fall in love and we'll cry tears of joy as you say 'I do'. Someday I will watch you hold your child, and I'll remember how I felt the first time I held you.

Someday will come soon enough. But today you are one. You are still ours, even if only for a little while.

 What a privilege it is to be your mommy, sweet Mary Grace. We are so proud of you, and all you are doing… and becoming. We cannot wait to see where our journey with you leads and we look forward to those many special somedays.

We love you!
Mommy and Daddy

Oh darling, don't you ever grow up
Don't you ever grow up, just stay this little
Oh darling, don't you ever grow up
Don't you ever grow up, it could stay this simple
I won't let nobody hurt you, won't let no one break your heart
And no one will desert you
Just try to never grow up, never grow up

- Taylor Swift