A Month of Birthdays

Some expected, some unexpected.

On March 5th, our sweet Addison turned 1! Holy smokes, did this year fly by for us. We waited a week to celebrate it so that Grandma and Gigi could be here for the party. And we did partay! I did cupcakes instead of a traditional cake, but I didn't hear any complaining from the littlest princess. She devoured it (hesitantly at first, "Is anyone here gonna stop me?") in about 3 minutes flat. Of all the clothes, toys and books, I think she loved the pink balloons best of all. Go figure.








And now for some one-year stats and very important information:

At one year, Addison, you weigh 22 lbs. 12 oz (78%).
You are 31.5" tall (99%).
You can say "Mama," "Dada," "Ball," and "Hi".
You started walking at 12 mo. 2 weeks and you are a busy-body!
You are the lightest sleeper I've ever met in my life, although you go down for naps/bedtime like a breeze.
Flower bows/headbands/clips don't faze you in the least (which is one of the reasons I love you so much).
Although you've lost a considerable amount of your baby fat, you can still pound a meal like it's nobody's business.
You L-O-V-E birdies, doggies, squirrels and anything else in the Animal Kingdom; you basically go ballistic.
You've got rhythm that rivals any thug from the hood. At any given time, I can look back in the car w/ the music going and you're noddin' your head like "yeah", movin' your hips like "yeah". Got your hands up, they're playin' your song. Seriously, it cracks us up.

My sweet girl, you are an absolute joy. You smile all the time. You laugh hysterically at your silly sister. You cuddle and want to give loves all the time- it warms my heart. Happy birthday daughter.



And now for Drew's birthday on Saturday. We started out going on a YW certification hike for Girl's Camp- 5 miles at Great Falls in Potomac, MD. It was gorgeous- the perfect day! We dropped our girls off at our friends' house so it was just the two of us (plus 10 YW and 5 other chaperones:)



For the birthday man's dinner we went to our favorite Mexican restaurant, Guapo's. Not only do we love this place for it's authentic cuisine, but also because on your birthday, an entire Mariachi band comes out, places a sombrero on your head, sings Happy Birthday (Mexican-style), then takes your picture and gives it to you as you leave. Totally cheesy- but SO fun. Toward the end of our dinner, Makenna and I leave to "go to the ladies' room" (read: tip the waiter off that it's Drew birthday). Obviously there was some miscommunication because not 10 minutes later, the entire Mariachi band was making their way over to us, crowning Makenna with the huge sombrero, dancing around her, and earnestly trying (unsuccessfully) to get her to smile for the camera. At this point, she goes into traumatic survival mode, sticking all her fingers in her mouth (she does this, I don't know why, but she does), bowing her head, and scowling. What's worse, the band is so insanely loud, their singing can be heard from the far corners of the building, with all eyes on us. At this point, Drew and I are in stitches, thinking "What sane parents take their 3-year-old to a nice Mexican restaurant for their special day when there's a Red Robin next door and a Chuck-E-Cheese down the street?" After Makenna's personal nightmare had ended, she turns to us, doe-eyed and asks, "Am I turning 4 today?"



Back home for some presents. Notice Drew's face in the present-opening pics. After almost 9 years of marriage and diligent training, I can confirm he has learned the correct manner in which to react to gifts. If you've grown up in my family, it's second nature. If not, it can be learned with some practice.





Lastly, we finished up his big day with a homemade Great Wall of Chocolate cake (PF Chang's)- delish.


Happy Birthday Drew! Another year older and wiser too.