Sisters with their kids

While up in Brisbane this past May, we had some family pictures taken. Here's a picture of the sisters and their kids. For some reason the pose was set that I'm not with my daughter, but she was in the capable hands of my older sister Michelle's youngest daughter, Olivia. Both she and Lauren are great with babies! Olivia will be 10 tomorrow! Her sister Lauren is almost thirteen. Melissa has the two boys Benjamin (2 and a half) and Jackson (four months). With one sister having two girls, and the other having two boys, I'm about to break the pattern with a "pigeon pair" . . . apparently that means a child of each gender.

Ella's First Birthday

Well, it really happened. July 28th came and went and now I am the mama of a one year old girl who continues to grow right before our very eyes. Perhaps its like this with your child's every birthday, but the first birthday seems especially monumental. Twelve short months ago, a tiny girl of just 6 pounds, 4 ounces and 19 inches was laid in our arms and "just like that" we were parents. Completely dependant. Absolutely adorable. A treasure. She stole our hearts.

Our treasure she still is. Adorable . . . even more so! And she takes more of my heart with each giggle, smile, cuddle and kiss. But she's just a little more independant than she was a year ago. She is developing in leaps and bounds every single day and I love it.

A perfect year? Of course not. Tears? A few. Highs and lows? Definitely. Exasperation and sleep deprivation. Umm . . . yeah! But, deep, deep joy that I never knew existed? DAILY! In the past year, I've loved and laughed in ways I didn't know I was capable of. Thank you, God.

Ella Rhys: you've turned our lives upside down just like everyone said you would. And we're so glad. Happy first birthday!

The birthday in pictures . . .

Beginning the birthday with a number "1" pancake. Ella was just glad that it wasn't oatmeal.



Cards



Presents! It took some coaxing. No . . . not for eating . . .








Loving on her new baby doll from her Aunts in Brisbane





First time parents didn't let her eat the sugary cake. Ella's sugar free, berry cupcake. She never knew any different. (at least thats the story we're sticking with!)




Afternoon Birthday Tea



First Birthday Whale cake (for a Whaley girl who can imitate a whale sound)




So thankful to God for a happy, healthy baby girl