Happy Birthday Maelee K!! {Seriously?!}

When did my baby wake up and become a kid?

Today was Maelee's first birthday, and I CANNOT believe it has been a year already.  I was looking at her newborn pictures earlier this week and re-living all the emotions and drama, and marveling at how much has changed in 12 short months.  What an amazing journey we've had the opportunity to travel this past year!  We are SO in love with this chunky hunk of adorable love {and of course squeezy-chubby thighs!}.  And please excuse her dorky hair, she had played in the water before dinner and cake!  :O)

Quick stats:  22 pounds.  8 teeth.  Walking for 2 months {I know!}.  Knows signs for "more, please, finished, food".  Says "Mom, Dad, Maaa {Madi}, hi, hello, here, bear, gma {grandma}, papa, no no, baby, and oh!".  Understands "No!" but likes to push her limits juuuuuust enough so you say it.  Melts our hears.  Gives kisses and runs to give hugs.  Is a Mama's girl.  Total Mama's girl.  Plays hide-and-seek.  Is a complete tease.

She actually slept for most of the day {still recovering from a double ear infection}, but was all giggles this evening for her party.  We invited a bunch of friends over and bought a slip-and-slide for the little people to enjoy {and crash into each other on...} and had a BBQ {we supplied mango chicken with mango and black bean salsa, strawberry lemonade, capri-suns and ice cream, and everyone else brought some kind of salad}.  Everything was SOOOOOOO yummy!  I PROMISE I will post the recipe on the Tried and True Recipe swap blog sometime in the near future.  Just keep bugging me about it and I'm sure I'll get annoyed enough to post it.  :O)

I made her "smashing cake" and was actually quite proud of myself.  I'm no pro, and it was so hot outside that the frosting melted and slid and basically didn't stay quiiiiiiiite where I put it, but I think it turned out pretty darn cute anyhow. 

She liked it!  I've never seen a child actually bury their face in the cake and go at it!  Too stinkin' cute!!

We got these miniature cones for the kids {they were a little smaller than I anticipated!} that were a HUGE hit!  I don't think many people had only one, which was fine since there were 60 in the box!!  That should have tipped me off, eh?  LOL

We hosed her off, got her dressed and opened presents.  I didn't get any pictures cuz at this point all the Daddies were playing football and I was controlling the level of "help" the other kids offered Maelee K.  :O)  She got clothes from us, a kiss from Madison, a stroller and baby from Grandma Jonnet and Papa Russell, a puzzle from Stephanie and Paul, some really cool vinyl hibiscus stickers from Devin and Beth, matching aprons {one for Madi} homemade by Kachelle, clothes from my sister Yvette, and Michele is going to give her a really cute book about big sisters and little sisters {thanks in advance!}.

It was a wonderful day.  Thanks to everyone who called and texted birthday wishes, and to everyone who made the effort to come to her party.  We really appreciate your love and support of our family.  And once again, a big Thank You to Kiki and her family for placing Maelee K in our care and asking us to love her as our own.  We truly do.

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!