Charlotte Lily, One Year Silly

Fairy Princess

Charlotte got some very wonderful presents for her birthday party. But the one that Mommy loves the most is a pretty tulle tutu that a friend made for her. I tried putting it around her waist, but Charlotte pulled it halfway off over her head, resulting in some lovely fairy wings!

Charlotte's Birthday Bash

Thirty-six cupcakes ...

Four baby pools ...

Several dozen popsicles ...

An outrageous amount of loot ...

A tres leches fruit-filled Dora the Explorer cake from Carmen ...

A lovely pink and green tablescape ...

And lots of good friends ...

Made one delightful birthday party for our little girl. Thank you everyone for making Charlotte's first birthday such a special occasion!

Birthday Cake

If you give a baby a piece of cake, chances are ...

... it will end up all over the place. But who can resist a face like this?

A Birthday Wish

Yesterday, my beautiful once-tiny baby turned one year old. I can't believe how quickly this year has flown by. I feel more than a little sad when I think about how grown up she is already, how independent she is becoming day by day. Part of me enjoys that she is becoming easier to take care of. The other part of me wants her to stay little forever so that I can keep her close to me and so she can always fit into my arms.

The picture above was the first one that I ever took of Charlotte. She was born on the evening of Sunday, August 17th, 2008. The next afternoon, with the summer Olympics humming softly on the TV in the background and Adam napping on the pullout couch at my side, I sat in my hospital bed just holding her and looking at her and wondering at the way in which my life had been forever altered in the past 24 hours. I remember thinking that I had never seen anything more beautiful in all my life. A minute later, I stood up and laid her on the bed so that I could remember how she looked at that very moment.

As I look now at this picture, I am again struck by the great trust that was placed in me on the day that she was first placed into my arms. I hope that I am honoring that trust, that I am doing a good job. It is hard to tell sometimes. Several people have commented to me that she seems confident, fearless even. I would like to this that this is because she understands that she is loved unconditionally and so has no reason to be afraid or to feel bad about herself.

Charlotte didn't get the whole "make-a-wish" thing this year when we blew out her candles so I would like to make a wish on her behalf. I hope that her courage and confidence will stay with her throughout her life and will give her strength to do what is good and what is kind no matter what anyone else around her does. Then I will know I have succeeded as her mother.

Happy birthday, Tiny Princess. Mama loves you lots!

Grammy and Charlotte

To Adam

On top of all the other posts today, I need to write just one more.

Five years ago, my heart was broken and my life was in shambles. I thought I would never be happy again.

Four years ago today, Adam proved me wrong and made me happier than I had ever been before. And each day just keeps getting better and better.

Love you, honey.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow ... in Beaufort

Charlotte's First First Birthday Party

Enjoying a cupcake

During our trip to Beaufort, Charlotte's Mimi and Papi (Adam's parents) had a little birthday party for her even though her birthday isn't for another week and a half still (August 17). This was also the first time that all of Nonna and Grandaddy Laughton's family has been together since Adam and I got married. Unfortunately, we didn't really get any great pictures of everyone all together.

Part Two of the festivities: everyone watch Charlotte enjoy her pool

She looks sooo Bybee in this picture!

What a good lookin' group!
Cousin Jonathan, Adam, Papi Milton, and Uncle Mark

Grandaddy and Nana enjoying the poolside view

Beautiful Cousin Stephanie

Worn out from opening all the presents