{April 18}

Recalling back to a year ago today... boy, was I miserable and grumpy and tired on April 18, 2011. I was sooo ready to have my baby and get on with life! I had just started my week's vacation from work because, frankly, I couldn't stand another moment of going into work and sitting at my desk trying to pretend like I was a normal happy person. I didn't want to see anyone, I didn't want to talk to anyone. Wow, 38 weeks of pregnancy and me just don't mix. I was feeling guilty for taking a week off work for no reason other than I was just cranky and impatient, but decided that I would appreciate the time to have quality one-on-one time with Kayla. That plan didn't take me very far; after just one day of being home Khloe decided to make her debut into this world. Thank the Lord! He heard my prayers and answered them! In the early, early, early morning hours of April 19, like 3am early, after my water broke and the contractions came on strong, we headed to the hospital!

It's your last day to NOT be 1 years old, Khloe!

After you went to bed, Kayla and I prepared for your birthday party in the morning! Rainbow cupcakes with blue-ish green-ish and purple frosting and sprinkles, I'm sure just the way you like them. 

Denial

You're about to turn one in two days and it makes me feel like a cement block is sitting on my chest. Like I can barely breathe. I'm afraid that complete deep breaths might make the next two days warp speed ahead just like the last year did. It's like if I don't breathe than maybe you won't really turn one. Maybe I'll walk into your room Thursday morning and you'll still just be 11 months old. Maybe.

Keep breathing.


I like the wise words my Aunt Linda shared with me on this very topic, "Each passing year brings new memories to treasure. Enjoy the journey of blessings each day ahead will bring.... and ignore the math!" Thanks! This is just what I needed!

(Hours later...)


On a lighter note, I've momentarily accepted the fact that you're turning one and am less in denial about it. In fact, I'm getting excited for all the big, new, fun, exciting moments the next twelve-month chapter will bring. I'm also looking forward to your birthday bash in just four days with 30 of our closest friends and family! We get to celebrate your first year of life and that's a honor for us Khloe! Of course you will be too little to remember your first birthday, but the day is more for us anyways; its a little pat on our backs for making it through the first year of getting to know one another. 


Your 1st Birthday Party theme is Spring Flowers!

I get an idea in my mind, then pull together the supplies to make an invitation that matches my idea, and everything else just seems to fall into place. Some might call it a little over-the-top, and I might even agree with them at times when I begin to stress myself out, but I enjoy the creative outlet that planning your birthday party gives me. There will be many of Kayla's friends at this party so it is a must that we also include activities to please the 3 and over crowd. The 40 degree weather forecast is really putting a kink in the plans for your day Khloe, but we'll just have to make do. It won't stop us from having a memorable day! Onward to April 19!

{April 11}

These photos are for you, Sarah! I didn't think Khloe would be able to wear this outfit - she'd outgrow it before the seasons changed, but we went for it today because the weather was chilly. I'm a fan of this outfit - It doesn't get any cuter!

I like to push furniture around. The larger the piece, the more fun I have.

Khloe, you have been in RARE form the last few days, even the last week or two. Your Dad and I can't get over how much your personality has really come through lately! You are normally a funny, crazy girl, but you have been giving out EXTRA large doses of crazy and funny. You are just non-stop! Making funny new sounds, laughing about it and doing it over and over. When we call your name you think its a fun game of chase and off you go looking over your shoulder laughing at us. You think its funny to take your tiny little palms and slap our cheeks with your hands instead of going to sleep at bedtime. You talk non-stop. You climb over and into anything. You're becoming more patient about accepting your sister's hugs and kisses; you recipicate the love with your own hug, but if she lingers too long (and usually this is the case) than you let us all know you've had enough. You give us kisses. When life just gets too hard you throw yourself on the floor with your face to the ground and cry in a dramatic fashion with your eyes half squinted shut. Apparently you don't even stop at stealing other baby's food and drinks.

Then there's the moments I become sentimental, like when you got your fourth tooth on top. I was excited that last front tooth finally popped through, but it also made me sad to see your empty little mouth so full of 6 teeth now! You LOOK old. And I was excited to see you walking so well with just holding one of our hands, but where is my little baby that just lays swaddled in one spot on the floor?

In just 7 more days you'll turn one years old. I can hardly believe it. I'm in denial. It's an understatement to say that time is flying by. You'll always be my baby, right?

Easter and Birthdays

I don't know how to title this post... we celebrated your birthday, but it's not yet your birthday. We sang Happy Birthday to you, but I don't want to admit you're about to have your real birthday...And we tied this all in with a little Easter celebration.

You and Sadie shared the same due date. Eleven months ago when you were born just three days apart from one another, our families decided that we would always make a point to celebrate your birthday's together, whether that be at a park, a restaurant or one of our homes. Somehow, someway we want to make this an annual tradition and create memories of always celebrating your birthdays together.Today was your first annual joint birthday celebration. A little bittersweet considering I'm in denial about you turning one and admitting I have a one year old; and today I had to go and celebrate the occasion two weeks before I actually need to! It made me a little sad.

If today was any indication of what you're birthday will be like, you will play with the balloons all day and will dig in with two hands into your birthday cake.

Three best girlfriends! Sophia, Kayla and Stella

Our lovely host and hostess, with the birthday girls

Coloring eggs!

The beautiful completed masterpiece

This is the point where Khloe reached over and grabbed Sadie's high chair, scooting her chair directly next to Sadie's and reached up and stole her sippy cup (because one isn't enough) and her strawberries off her tray. This upset Sadie, clearly. Sorry Khloe did that, Sadie.

 Time for birthdays!

 The birthday girls - Sadie and Khloe

 Ymmmm! Cupcakes! Khloe had no issues digging right in to the frosting with two hands.

Cupcakes for the older girls

The Easter/Birthday Party ended with a sleeping bag party on the floor watching movies

It was a fun-filled day celebrating two wonderful moments - Easter and First Birthdays!

Playin' around

You LOVE to hang out, bounce around, tumble, go crazy, roll around on beds - my bed, Kayla's bed, even a pile of couch cushions on the floor that look like a bed! You giggle and point to our beds which means you want us to throw you on it so you can play!

 PILE UP!!!!!

 Oh! I got my hands on Mommy's phone...

Hello?

 Reading books with Daddy and Kayla early in the morning

Nags Head, North Carolina

It was your first trip to the ocean! How exciting! Of course you are still too little to fully appreciate the magnitude of the moment or to remember the cool salty water splashing at your legs, but you enjoyed the hours spent at the beach. You did do a lot of sand eating, not on purpose, it just happened to stick to every beach toy you picked up and put in your mouth.

We had a fun family vacation in Nags Head, North Carolina! After we got you to the walk-in clinic on our first day to treat your ear infection you perked right up and were right back to your normal self. The day we left Michigan and traveled to North Carolina I could tell something wasn't right with how you were feeling, and I was worried about starting off the vacation on a bad note. How did I know something was off? You were quiet and still and peaceful - not normal words I would use to describe you. You had a rough night our first night there but a dose of antibiotics (your first sick-baby trip to the doctor I might add) turned you right around; we were very thankful. You were right back to getting into everything, complaining about things that upset you, climbing stairs (you did this for the first time!) and generally just leaving a path of destruction behind you. You cut your fourth tooth on top on this trip so we're certain that's what left you with an ear infection.

You are a good traveler and you love to play with other babies. We often found you sitting next to Abigail (who couldn't crawl yet) with your arms around her neck giving her a hug - so sweet! It was a wonderful family get-away!

 I just had to get a picture of all those curls!

 I think the rush of cool water caught you off guard for a bit!

 My beach girls

We love pink monkeys!

You with your friends - sisters Abigail (8 mo) and Sydney (21 mo)

At the Nags Head Fishing Pier

Happy vacation!