Birthday Time!

Saturday was BIRTHDAY TIME!  One year old!  I feel like this year has been forever long and passed like the blink of an eye.  Is that even possible to feel both??  This year has been full of so much joy though.  It's been challenging at times, and I've definitely learned a lot about myself and life, but it's all been completely worth it.  I will say that being a mom makes you so grateful for everything your parents did for you.  I never knew I could love someone so much, and I can see why my parents were so protective of us.  :) 

The party was a lot of fun though, and Ansley had a blast.  She didn't dig into the cake as much as I thought, but she had a little taste.  We had a great turnout of family and friends, and I'm glad everyone as able to get together and celebrate Ansley. 

The cute invite for the party.

Kitchen area decorated for Ansley.

Ansley's smash cake.

Matching owl cookies for favors.

Pinterest inspired wreath.  (Please excuse my dying ferns...I've been a bad gardener).

Ansley's monthly pictures on the mantle.

Dinning room and food table.

My mom made her outfit.

My beautiful sister and her sweet Anabelle.

Asher and Layla with birthday hats on.

AG wasn't digging the hat.

She isn't walking yet, but it won't be too long.  She's getting more comfortable with standing and will stand without holding on more frequently.  This morning she did take 4 baby steps to get a toy, so hopefully she'll be moving around within the month.  (Am I really saying that!?!?)  She also still is toothless, but there is a little something trying to come through on the bottom.  I wish that tooth would come on...it's been teasing her for about 3 months now! 

I wanted to show how much she's grown in a year.  It's hard to remember just how small she was when she was born, but I was looking through the album from her birth, and I got a little teary thinking about how healthy she is and how much we are blessed with her growth and progress.  Thank you Lord for taking care of our sweet girl.

Ansley in the NICU just hours after her birth.

Ansley on her 1st birthday!

We love you, Ansley!  Happy Birthday!

One week from today...

Our sweet Ansley will be ONE next Saturday.  Where has the time gone?  Look at these monthly pictures to see how much she has grown over the past 11 months.  More posts coming soon about her birthday and celebration.  :)

 I can't wait to add her 12 month shot to the collection!

Halloween 2012

Ansley's first Halloween was so much fun.  She had no clue what was happening, but we had fun!  As always, the neighborhood was buzzing with cute kiddos in their costumes.  We have so much fun handing out candy and seeing everyone come by.  I estimated that I gave out around 400 pieces of candy!  Ansley was a sweet little strawberry, and she kept the costume on all night.  Our families came over to eat dinner and celebrate the fun night.  Asher was a giraffe, and Anabelle was a ballerina.  Ansley and Asher did some trick-or-treating around the neighborhood, and they both loved riding in the wagon.

Asher wasn't so sure about Ansley riding in his wagon.

All smiles after some candy.

Sweet AB.