My dear, calm, smiling, patient, lovable, and wonderfully sweet baby girl. Amidst the chaos and complexities of our move from California to Utah, you turned one. Instead of one birthday bash, we had several celebrations in honor of your birthday... a result of your daddy having to go back to California before your actual birthday, and your mother's inability to properly plan when life is not well-organized.
For your first birthday celebration (several days before your actual birthday), you spent much of the day with your Grandpatty, sisters, and brother while mom and dad spent their only free day together unpacking and setting up the house before daddy returned to California for 3 weeks. We wanted to celebrate your birthday with daddy before he left, so Grandpappy cooked a delicious cake, and Grandpatty helped your sisters frost it with beautiful pink frosting, and they joined us in our new house for family night to celebrate your first year in our family.
Even though you were tired, you were so sweet as your family poured attention and loves your way.
You knew just what to do with that pretty pink frosting... and even got a bit of cake with it, too!
On your actual birthday, you were lucky to have Grandma Risenmay here with you. One of the presents she got you was a pretty sparkly balloon, which you didn't even get to see before it was lost to the vaulted ceiling, maneuvered by the ceiling fan (while your mom tried to get it to come down), and promptly popped before it landed on the floor. No matter... a crinkly, sparkly, deflated balloon is just as fun!! We went to the animal farm at Thanksgiving Point, and had a great time!
Your official birthday dinner bash was that Sunday evening where you got to open presents and have your personal cake.
This time your attention was focused on the candle's flame, which wasn't as tasty as the frosting was...
but it was soon all better as you focused your attentions, again, on the frosting.
Mmmmm... you love, love frosting.
You got to open presents... your brother and sisters each picked out a special gift for you. They went to pick them out individually with Grandpatty, and I love how each gift is such a reflection of themselves and what they thought you would like. Michael, a rolly-polly ball that sings to you---because he knows you'll love to play ball like he does. Abby, a nursery rhyme book that sings to you--because she loves reading and saying nursery rhymes and singing. Bekah, a talking phone--because... well... she loves to talk.
And we love you. Thank you for being such a sweet influence in our family. You are such a delight to us all. We love to watch you play. We love to play with you. We love that you follow us around the house, jabbering your sweet jabberings along the way. We love how you point to everything and jabber like you are asking a question. We love how you suck your fingers and find so much comfort in a warm fuzzy blanket. We LOVE that you go to bed so well! We love how you blow kisses. We love your vowel-ladden language. You are always smiling and giving us your wide-mouthed expressions. You are adorable and adored.
Sometimes I wonder what kind of experience you are getting as the fourth child in our family. At times it seems that my attention is split so many different ways, and you get whatever extra time or attention I can find between it all. But then I realize that you have a brother who LOVES you (you are his Bellzeezo!) and watches over you so well. You have sisters who dote over you and give you so much to watch. Your daddy adores you and loves the way you climb all over him. So I guess, between all of us, we're doing just fine.
I remember on your blessing day, your daddy blessed you that you would be able to absorb the energy of your sisters... and you do that with stunning grace. You do it for me, too... as your influence calms the chaos of my days. I feel so loved in the way you squeeze my arm when I hold you, pat my chest, and give me wide-mouthed head-butts (I know you are just tying to kiss me!).
Thank you for being my sweet Ella Bella.
5 comments:
How fun! That shot of all of you around Ella in the high chair is so sweet. I'm glad you guys are all settled and you have your husband back. We will have to get together at a splash park one of these days!
Adorable pictures once again. Your camera takes some great shots.
Paul, I almost forgot. Your creepy message brought back some fond memories of Eddie P. We will have to make some Eddie Piper prank phone calls before I get hitched.
Cute birthday girl and cute new header! :)
Brilliant new title.
amy & paul: went over to chelsey's yesterday for dinner, and the air conditioner was worth its weight in gold. Your old AC makes these 100 degree+ days somewhat bearable at her place. Thanks again!
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