Laci's First Birthday Party

We had a little party for Laci's birthday on Saturday.  Just a few family members and close friends, some good food, cake, and presents - it was very nice.  The weather was an amazing 80-something degrees, it couldn't have been nicer.  We were missing Poppa E and Uncle Tyler, but we made do.  Ryan was able to go in to work a few hours late, which was a special treat for Laci and me.  It just wouldn't have been the same without him.  In all 300ish pictures we have of the day, very few have her smiling, and there isn't a single one of just me and my baby.  I can't believe I keep letting this happen.  We did get a quick family picture though, and it didn't turn out completely terrible, but we really do need to work on getting a proper, frame-worthy family photo one of these days.

Me:  "Are you excited for your birthday Laci?  "

Laci:  "No, I'm excited because I see a dog and she is running this way."

(Or at least that is how I interpreted the following picture.)

She got tons of presents including a new swing for the front yard, which she thoroughly enjoyed for a total of five minutes before she demanded we take her out.  Oh well, five minutes of entertainment is better than zero.

It took her a little while to figure out that opening presents is fun.  Cousin Sydney had to show her how it's done.  Once she got the hang of pulling out the tissue paper, she wouldn't stop.  Since Saturday, she has decided that pulling anything out of its container is a great game to play, such as clothes from a laundry basket (strewn all over the bedroom floor), wipes from their case (also strewn all over the floor), and the entire contents of the diaper bag (yes, also strewn all over the floor).  So far, putting those things back where they belong is not nearly as fun.

This little girl is seriously so spoiled.  She is now the proud owner of several new baby dolls with accessories, including a baby stroller, tons of expensive clothes I would never dream of buying for her (but that I really look forward to dressing her up in), books books and more books, and her very first bottle of pink nail polish courtesy of honorary Aunty Desi.  Books and babies are her favorite things these days.  The babies have all been loved on and the books have been read at least a half dozen times each.  She has moved on from just eating books to actually wanting to be read to, over and over and over and over and over and over and over again.  Seems she takes after me in that realm.

Laci was very generous with her hugs on Saturday.  She hugged little Isabella, her baby dolls, Sydney (it was more like a tackle), Evan, and even Layla the dog - all on her own.  However, she did not hug a single adult, or her parents.  Guess I need to be either under four feet or covered in hair to earn a hug around here.

Cousin Deena made this adorable cake, because, as a pastry chef, that's what she does, and I just didn't want the pressure of making a cake too.  She also made the cutest ladybug cake for Laci.

Isn't that the cutest little cake ever?

Well, the following picture pretty much sums up Laci's opinion of cake.

It's her party and she'll cry if she wants to.

Which she did.

Cry.

A Lot.

She didn't even eat any cake.  It was far too long past nap time and once the frosting got on her skin and she couldn't get it off, she completely melted down.  I was so looking forward to her just digging in and making a royal mess.  Oh well, her loss.  Cousins Sydney and Evan were more than willing to eat it for her.  Laci, on the other hand, got wiped down with a washcloth and sent on her merry way.

.

She spent the rest of the afternoon in her diaper and dress shoes reopening all of her presents, which I suppose is what a baby should do at her birthday party.

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!