Your First Birthday!

Dear Gabriella,

I cannot tell you how excited I was for your first birthday!  Not only did that mean that you could get off of formula and start drinking whole milk, but it also meant that we were going to get a whole day to celebrate you!  As I looked back on the last 12 months of your life, I realized that it was the happiest year of my life.  You bring so much joy to your father and I that I cannot express it in words.  We love you so much.

For your party, we decided to do and umbr-Ella theme.  There is a song out right now by Rhianna that goes, "Under my umbrella-ella-ella" and everyone sings it to you.  (Side note: your dad hates that song.)  Since that is your "theme song" we went ahead and made it the theme of your party too.

We reserved a ramada at Gateway Park by the river since it is exceptionally hot in Yuma in August, and you love the river.  We postponed your party until Labor Day weekend since your Nana and Papa always come to Yuma for dove hunting season, which begins on the first day of September. 

Your Grammy gave you a pink umbrella from Disneyland that has your name written on it.  We brought it to the party and had guests take pictures with you under your umbrella.

I made coconut lime cupcakes with little umbrellas in them.



And everyone wanted to hold you!

You and Mark

Having fun with the balloons and Jessica

You and Caloni

You and Trish

While we were waiting for the briquettes to heat up, we all went swimming in the river.

You had so much fun playing with your dad in the water.

After we were done swimming, your dad cooked hot dogs and hamburgers for the guests.

You enjoyed the edible arrangement that your Grammy and Pa brought.

After dinner, it was time for your birthday cake.  It was just a plain white cake with vanilla frosting.  In order to entice you to eat it, I put your favorite snack (yogurt melts) on top of the cake.  It totally worked, and I no longer have to entice you into eating cake.

Next it was time for presents!

You got all kinds of new toys and clothes from family and friends.  It was such a wonderful party, and I appreciate everyone who came to celebrate with you.  You are surrounded by so many people who love you.

I got this idea from your Aunt Jennifer.  Here are some of your milestones from your first year:

10-11-10 Smile in response to stimulation

11-30-10 First giggles (with dad.  I was so angry that I missed it!)

12-11-10 You started snuggling your stuffed animals.

12-25-10 First taste of rice cereal

3-10-11 Rolling from tummy to back and back to tummy with ease

3-20-11 Sitting up on your own

5-25-11 First word association: "Dadda" (of course)

5-27-11 First tooth breaks in

6-11-11 Scooting across the floor

7-22-11 Clapping

7-26-11 Crawling on all fours and pulling yourself up onto things

Happy first birthday Ella.  I love you!

Love,

Mom