Macy's First Party!

This past weekend, we had a house full of love. Everyone was here to celebrate Macy's First Birthday.

// Quick Disclaimer: I don't go all-out for birthday parties. I sometimes would like to be that family that always has huge, fun, creative parties. But the money! And the time! And the mess! Oh, the mess! We do FIRST (or Fourth-st if you're Carter) birthday's big, but after that we just do little family gatherings. //

Twenty-seven people who love our Macy-girl a whole lot came over to prove it.

What else can I really say? Our kids are loved. The rest is just extra.

{And really, how could anyone not love that face?}

Because being one is hard work, naps are necessary. This little one-year-old naps in the morning and the afternoon, so finding a party time was tricky. We decided to do a 'brunch' party and serve donuts and muffins!

Carter thought this was a good idea. As you can see, he fully supported our decision.

It was fun having so many little helpers around. Macy welcomed the help this year (because opening presents is hard work) but next year might be a different story :)

And if the helpers get in the way, the birthday girl can just climb over them.

I'm not as excited as I look - really. We make this face to Macy, and she copies us. It's pretty adorable.

All throughout the party, I kept thinking that a year ago, I didn't even know this joy-baby. I didn't know what she would look like, or what her personality would be.

Today, I know her intimately and love her deeply.

It's pretty wild.

When it was time for cake, of course Big Brother wanted to show Macy how it's done.

*The cake was from Macy's shower last year, and my grandma saved it!*

Not only does brother desire to teach, but sister desires to learn. See how she watches him? Carefully examining his moves and emotions. Carter is the best teacher, even when he doesn't realize it.

Of course, because the donuts weren't enough:

Despite the sugared-up morning, Carter was excellent. His shirt says 'Greatest Brother Ever' and on this busy day, he was a patient, loving, helpful big brother. It's hard being the only child for so long, and suddenly having to share the spotlight. Especially on birthdays - Carter's favorite! 

Jake and I talked before hand about our plan for helping Carter to be the best boy he could be. Guess what? We didn't need to do anything. Carter surprised us and just rocked it the whole morning.

Duh, guys. It's what Carter does.

Our morning of love for Macy ended with lots of this:

We had such a special day, and are so thankful for all our friends and family who came to celebrate Macy's first year! We love you all!

One Thing I Know For Sure: Love, love, love.

Baby Girl is One.

One year ago today, on your due date, I woke up and talked to your daddy about whether or not today would be 'the day'.  It was 6:30am and I had been in the very early stages of labor for about 18 hours.  

Little did I know that about 16 hours later, we'd be holding you in our arms.

I enjoyed labor. It's true. I loved every single hour. Hours after you were born, I told your daddy that I couldn't wait to do that again. 

You came into the world silently. Even then, I wasn't afraid. I knew it was just you, being you. When you finally cried, it was the smallest, meekest, quietest cry I had ever heard.

You tippy toed into our lives, and grabbed a hold of our heartstrings right from the beginning. Everyone who came to visit you said that although you were quiet, you were alert. 

You were so alert and so full of personality and life. Even at one day old.

And now, here we are - one year later. You are one. Baby no more - you are a little toddler. 

Your larger-than-life personality shines through more and more each day. I love to watch you discover who you are. 

Not who you're 'going to be' - but who you are. You already are somebody, Macyn Joy. This is why it never works when we try to be someone else. You are you. Be you.

You go at things with gusto, always moving forward, always looking for what's next.

You are happy and content 97.6% of the time. You love blueberries, coloring, climbing (so much climbing!), matchbox cars, crawling around on Carter's bed, clementines, snuggling with mama (but only at bedtime), watching Carter, wrestling with your daddy, and baths.

We laugh right now about your climbing - because you can climb from chair to table top in 4 seconds, flat. But you don't walk.  You climb your rocking cow and stand on the seat. But you don't walk.

It's okay, little baby. I'm in no hurry for you to walk.

You are a smart cookie and have picked new things up so quickly. A welcome change for this mama who is used to teaching and modeling and teaching and modeling. You've learned many signs, and have some pretty adorable words, too.

You're growing and learning and changing every day. I go back and forth between wanting you to stay little so I can enjoy you just like this - and wanting you to grow up, so I can see the amazing things that you will do.

Macyn Joy - I hope you know that you are loved.
I hope you know that you are Carter's best friend, and mama & daddy's best girl.
I hope you understand that you are who God created you to be. Go after that, little girl.
I pray that you will be a woman who gives up control to the God who loves you.
I pray so many things for you - but mostly, just that.

To our joy-girl, on your first birthday. To our sissy-pants. To our baby girl. Little sipster (we don't know where that came from. Odd nicknames are just an effect of having a big brother, I think).

Macy Moo.

We love you and are so excited to celebrate YOU today.

You're one in a million, girl. Now you take that, and you just rock it.

Here's to being one. 

One Thing I Know For Sure: Just be you, little girl.