she turned 1

that's right. my baby, the whole reason i started this blog, is now a 1 year old. it's crazy and wonderful and scary all at the same time.

i wanted to post and share a few pictures from her special day.

her birthday was over labor day weekend. if you live in Lexington, you know that saturday the 4th (her actual birthday) was PERFECT weather wise. it was chilly in the morning and once the sun came out the day was perfectly perfect. not hot at all. a slight breeze, and perfect for a cook-out!

i worked really hard at making sure C's actual birthday was a stress-free-super-fun-for-everyone day. shaun and i stayed up late friday night and made sure we had as much ready for the party as possible. on saturday morning we literally just sat around, had coffee and realized that our baby is growing up way too fast.

one of the first things i had decided for C's party was that i wanted to make her cake. and i wanted to make her cake in the shape of a GIANT cupcake. so - i started looking for the pans that are shaped like the top and bottom of a giant cupcake. $35!! errrr--no. so i borrowed one from a friend. it turned out so great and C loved it! it was a real crowd pleaser too. everyone was freaking out about it. i kept explaining how easy it was but everyone was still blown away. it was really funny!

some of the things i did in preperation for her party were fun and perfect little touches for a 1 year olds part. (meaning - she will never remember and never know, but mommy will. so i didn't go overboard, but she still got some special things)

i made a birthday banner.



have you seen these? i don't know exactly where i got the idea, but when i saw them for sale on etsy i knew i could it myself. it was so simple. i didn't take any step-by-step pictures, but it seriously is so easy, you will be able to understand my directions.

supplies:
- computer/printer
- ribbon
- scrapbook paper with designs of choice
- cardstock
- glue stick
- single hole punch
- paper slicer (optional)

1- simply print your statement on your choice of cardstock color. i alternated colors of paper, and wanted at least 2 letters on each page so not to waste paper. so, i just alternated letters. (that parts confusing to explain, but not to do...sorry)
2- once all your letters are printed off, use the paper slicer for clean lines
3- cut your scrapbook paper about 2 inches larger than your letters so you can see the edges
4- glue cardstock letters to scrapbook paper
5- punch a hole in the top two corners on the scrapbook paper
6- string the ribbon through each hole, creating the words.

see - TOO easy!

I decided I wanted to do something with C's monthly pictures so we could all get a glimpse at just how quickly she has changed over the past year. this project was a cute touch and even easier than the banner.

supplies:
- twine
- clothes pins (i found really small colorful ones at Michael's)
- colored cardstock
- glue stick
- pictures

1- cut cardstock into rectangles slightly bigger than your picture
2- glue pictures to cardstock
3- clotheline pictures to twine



soooo easy and everyone LOVED it!

i also wanted to do something with pictures for the center pieces. i bought some mason jars and ribbon at Michael's. C's room is yellow and pink, so i went with yellow and pink ribbons. i just hot glued the ribbons around the jars and added a little bow in the front. then, i got some of those floral arrangment card holders (free from Michael's) and using the same concept as above with the montly pictures, stuck them in the mason jars full of flowers. the pictures i decided to use were from the day C was born. a small touch, but they really meant a lot to me.

we had an amazing day. it was so wonderful to have so many friends and family that love caroline so much that they came in out of town or sacrificed a beautiful saturday afternoon to watch a 1 year old smash into cake and learn how to open presents. we are truly blessed and i'm so thankful for all the support we have.

to my baby- mommy and daddy love you so much. i don't think you will be able to understand our love for you until you have babies of your own. i know that's how it was for me. you are the most precious thing in our lives right now. we wake up each morning to your beautiful face and can't wait to kiss it. you have been such a wonderful light in our lives this past year. you are loved more everyday and we are so honored to be your parents. you will never remember the day your were born, but i promise you baby, we will never forget. love you will all my heart. ~mommy