Aly's is 1 !!!!!!!

Just a year ago we got to meet precious Alyssa

And look at the beautiful girl she has already gown in to!!!

Playing in the Pool!

Aly, Grandpa Eddie, Aunt Cheryl and Asher

Aly and Daddy

Cake on her hands!

Aly Playing with her cake!

Aly and Daddy playing in the pool

"What are you people looking at?"

The few seconds we got her to wear the hat!

Her Cake

Video: Aly playing in the cake!

WOW, WHAT A CRAZY WEEKEND!!! That just about sums it up! We had Aly’s 1^st birthday party on Sat. July 3^rd at JV’s parent’s house. It was a lot of work but we made it all happen and we had such a great time. Alice, Jason and I made Aly’s number 1 cake before everyone got there and Alice helped me finish all the food and decorations. All the troops arrived around 2:30 and we all spent some time outside either in the pool or hanging out inside where it was cool. The weather was pretty good, it was a little cloudy but not rainy so that was good.

We did Aly’s smash cake outside by the pool. At first she stuck her finger in there and played with it for a minute then she didn’t really want anything to do with it. So I did what any mother would do, I pushed her whole hand in it. She really didn’t like that either. She started crying so I picked her up and together we ate some of it. I really thought she would of loved it, but guess I was wrong.

Then we opened her presents. She got so many wonderful gifts. Books, puzzles, some clothes and lots of new toys: A giant panda and a light up thing from Grandpa Eddie, a grocery cart and a cd player from Grammy and Grandpa M. Some cool bowls and a Charm bracelet from the Davis’s (Laura is going to fill the bracelet with charms for her each year), some books and clothes from the Munhalls, some books from Aunt Cheryl, and some clothes from Aunt Lane. We bought her a little penguin that sings and rolls around. Paige has been working on a DVD for Aly for a while. I didn’t have any idea it would be as special as it was but we watched it and it made almost everyone in the room cry, especially me! It was so great and something we all will cherish!!! After the presents and the cake Aly was about done (b/c she didn’t get an afternoon nap) and the party started winding down. It was such a great time!

On Monday I took Aly to have her 1 year old pictures done. A girl name Whitney did them in Gainsville and they turned out AMAZING!!! Aly cried at the sight of her cake there and wanted nothing to do with it or the tutu! We did manage to get a few good shots with the cake though. We had to put cheerio’s on the back to make it look like she was eating cake, but between you and me it wasn’t cake! She wasn’t in her best mood to perform but I think we def. got some good ones! I have a few already but she is doing some editing to them and sending me a CD with all the photo’s on it! I’m so excited to see it.

JV decided to give me my birthday present early on Sat. It was a hand held video camera so I could use it for video’s of Aly and especially on Sat. It is so cool, I love it! Aly also gave me a peanut charm for my bracelet, so cute!!! I had a great birthday, it was special to spend it with Aly. Then we grilled steaks for dinner and had strawberry shortcake for dessert, Yummy!!!!

We are having one more party for Aly on this Sat. with all of her friends (well they are mostly my friends) so that should be fun. I don’t think I’m going to traumatize Aly again with a cake, I’ll just give her a cupcake to play with!!!!

Just a quick update with her: She is completely on whole milk, no more formula, but since she still only has 1 tooth she still is eating mostly baby food! She loves waffles and cheese toast. She still hates pee’s but is eating green beans now!!! She doesn’t like fruit whole b/c its slippery and she can’t pick it up. She loves cheerio’s and puffs, French fries and rice. She pretty much wants what ever you are eating at the time.

She is down to 2 bottles a day of milk, one in the morning and one at night, Then she gets a cup of water and a cup of milk to have though out the day. She is still sleeping great (in the magic jammies). I think she woke up the morning after her birthday and said “I’m one, so I’m going to start walking today” and she did. Since Sunday she has been standing up and just going on her own just like that! Its so cute!!! She is still taking 2 naps a day most of the time, but some times she fights the afternoon nap. We go to the Dr. for her 1 year visit on Thursday the 8^th, so I’ll send a short update about that, then again after her party this weekend!!!

I want to say a big THANK YOU to everyone for being a part of our lives and Aly’s this year. You all have made such a wonderful difference and we wouldn’t be where we are without you!!!! I see all the time on TV these people raising there kids without family and friends and I couldn’t imagine this journey without each and every one of you!!!