Our baby is one!

I can hardly write it. I can't believe it has been a year already. Last night we celebrated Nora's first birthday and it went by way too fast! Jarrod and I sat on the couch late last night and welled up with emotions at how fast her first birthday came and went. We tried to remember back to a year ago. We talked about how we sat and waited while multiple women in the rooms all around us gave birth. After the third or fourth one, we would hear the mother scream and then we'd say "wait for it, wait for it" -- and there it was -- the beautiful sound of a baby's first cry. We couldn't wait for our turn, and then it finally came and it was the most amazing moment of our lives. Now it's a year later and our little angel continues to amaze us. She does so many funny things. Yesterday, we taught her to hold up a No. 1 when we asked her how old she was. She loves to laugh and she's a busy girl, but she's so gentle and sweet and in daddy's words "Chill."

For her birthday celebration, we just kept it small. Our friends Brandy and Scott were nice enough to come over after work and they helped us sing, took pictures for us and celebrated with Nora. I made Nora a special Mac & Cheese dinner and then she opened presents. We bought her a trailer to pull behind our bike and a bike helmet, as well as some books and a pink/purple toy truck. From her Grandmas and Grandpas and Aunts and Uncles she got Leapfrog Fridge Farm magnets, more books, a new keepsake Seiko wall clock (lights up and plays music), a toy purse (complete with a cell phone and lipstick) and the most adorable clothes! Next we sang Happy Birthday and let her eat some cake, but as you'll see in the video below -- she was a little frightened at having something that big on her tray! Eventually we got her to dig in. Overall, I'd say it was a successful first birthday and she really enjoyed it.

We're ready to party!

The homemade cakes - Jarrod and Molly worked together!

Decorations

The bike helmet from Mama and Daddy.

Fridge Farm from Grandma Thomas.

Holding the cell phone and lipstick out of the purse from Grandma Linda and Poppa Bob.

Holding up the clothes from Grandpa and Grandma Yates.

Family photo

Going straight for the hair


The finished product


Brandy and Scott