Happy FIRST Birthday, Dear E.!!

Happy Birthday, E.!  Happy Birthday, E.! Tell me, dear daughter, how did you grow so quickly?! How did our time this last year seemingly disappear? Your papa, in an effort to not forget a single moment of your first twelve months, put together this video of you, compiling pictures and recordings from his telephone. We can't stop watching you, I confess. (And, before I forget, click here for birthday celebration pictures.)

You bring us such delight, birthday girl. And lately - pardon me for saying this - but you look giant to us! And you're walking! And really starting to catch up to big sister; we're especially enjoying those moments in the car when you share goldfish crackers and make each other laugh.

Just one request, dear E. Would you PLEASE sleep through the night?! For weeks at a time, we think you've overcome whatever it is that wakes you and you seem to be finally sleeping solidly. Then, you test us. It's as if you wonder, "maybe they've forgotten this night-time sleep thing? And really, Mama and Papa are ready to play at 3AM?" No, E. Sorry. We need you to sleep (naps are great, length of overnight sleep is great. It's just that one last wake-up. Shake it, will you?! And I confess to totally comparing you to big sister, here. The girl slept through the night well before age 1. Maybe therein lies the problem? You have a big sister? You want to play? You don't want to miss the action? I assure you, E., there is NO action in this house during your night-waking!).

Thank you to all who celebrated E.-girl's birthday with us. We had a fun, sunny party with dear friends last Sunday. Brunch-, heart-, and cupcake-themed made for a cheerful crowd. E. enjoyed the singing, smiling and blushing as we sang to her. And she also loved her first-ever cupcake.

On her actual birthday, Papa stayed home and we enjoyed some outdoor time at the National Arboretum. Later that day, we'd enjoy dinner in Arlington (special bonus: my mom is here; she and my dad drove in for the party and she's staying longer) and more birthday-gift opening that evening.

E.'s personality is showing more and more everyday. I can't believe this quiet, sleepy baby has turned into this burgeoning toddler. She shrieks, laughs, ambles around the house, gets into everything, is ready for shopping dates with Mama, and is even giving kisses  . . . 

E. makes us endlessly happy. Her first year made us endlessly (er, tired?) happy. And we're so excited to see what the next year has in store for our girl. Happy Birthday, E.! Bring on your second year!