Happy Birthday to You!

It's my birthday present to me! I'm so happy!!

Today is Elizabeth's day of all days. We started the celebrations early. Saturday, to be precise. We invited a few of her/our friends over for an informal party. The kids kicked around balloons while the adults chatted. Elizabeth received some lovely presents. But the best part, for me, was watching her devour her birthday cake. I made a double-layer chocolate cake w/ chocolate frosting (from scratch—go me!) She started out politely scooping frosting with her little index finger, but it didn't take too long before cake was gooshing out of her fists and smeared all over her face. It made all the hard work planning and baking and cleaning for the party worth it.

Blowing out the candle (with a little help from friends.)

Before . . .

After!

After getting cleaned up, Elizabeth showed off all her loot.

The festivities continued when more friends dropped by later that evening. I was especially touched when our next-door neighbor, Tito, and his girlfriend, Valerie, came by with a bag full of clothes they'd just bought for Elizabeth. Tito has always been so kind and loving to Elizabeth. They first became acquainted in the spring when it got warm enough for us to sit on our stoop and watch the world go by. Tito is a favorite with all the kids on the block, but he and Elizabeth have really got a special bond. The whole family has been very kind to us. It was really touching to see him pick her up, hug her close, and say, "Oh, I love you, Elizabeth!" He has grandkids of his own, but I believe they're all in Puerto Rico.

Valerie, Tito, Birthday Girl, Daddy

Sunday, Elizabeth got to open up her gift from G-ma and Mumpa Davis while they watched on video chat. Then Monday, we took a special trip to the park and visited another friend of Elizabeth's, who just turned one not too long ago. My friend, Kelly, has three girls, and it was a hoot to watch Elizabeth sit in the middle of that tornado and just try to keep up. She loved it!

At Sunset Park

People ask if it's hard to believe a year has gone by. I've always looked forward so much to each milestone that it does feel right for her to be one year old. What I don't think I'm ready to accept yet is that, before I know it, I'll turn around and she won't be a baby anymore. We still rock her while we sing lullabyes at night, but she's getting awfully heavy. (19 lbs!) She eats with her fingers and drinks from a sippy-cup. She toddles along with just one hand barely holding onto a finger. And even her baby-talk sounds like real conversation. But even with all the growing-up, it's hard to feel sad when I'm so overwhelmingly grateful that she's been a healthy and happy baby all these months. So shout out loud, Elizabeth, I am I! And I may not know why. But I know that I like it. Three cheers! I AM I! You are you and we love you, too.

P.S. If you just can't get enough, (I'm talking to the grandparents) here's the links to the videos of the birthday song and Elizabeth eating the cake.