Emilia is ONE!

And just like that, our little Emilia Caroline is a One Year Old! What a Crazy, Crazy year... in some ways I'm amazed she's One already, and in others it's felt like we've smashed 5 years of stuff in one year ;) Just in the past year, I've given birth, took a nearly 6 month maternity leave, interviewed and was offered a new job, put our house on the market, started a new job, commuted over an hour to new job for over 3 months, sold our house, started house hunting, found a temporary rental townhome, divided all our belongings into storage or temp housing, and moved. All while breastfeeding for nearly a year (over 9 mo exclusive), nearly of a year of waking up at least once a night (massive sleep deprivation), and even squeezed in a few trips (Florida twice, the Poconos). Ok, I'm tired! Thinking back, I think we were slightly crazy taking everything on with an infant, but I'm happy with the outcome (and will be even happier once we are settled in a nice home!)

Thankfully, I was still able to keep up with monthly updates with Emilia and document everything along the way. With Emilia being our second child, and knowing how quickly kids grow, I really feel like through it all I have cherished each day with her, and can't picture our family without her. We really wanted to celebrate our little girl as she passes this big milestone, and had a really fun day!

Emilia turned one on February 3rd, 2016, which landed on a Wednesday. Keeping up with the tradition we started with Nolan, we greeted Emmy in the morning with birthday balloons in her crib!

Good morning, sunshine!

Even Nolan and Dean getting in with the Birthday Girl!

Happy girl!

Emmy got a "special" birthday waffle with blueberries in the shape of a "1" for breakfast :)

birthday waffle!

The birthday girl with her breakfast!

Since it was a workday, it was business as usual with the kids going to school, and us to work. Daycare actually called to let me know that Emmy had a low grade fever and was cranky, so I used this as a good excuse to leave early and pick them up to start the birthday celebrations. Emmy seemed fine, and was still up for all the activities. Unfortunately, Joe also came home early and was down for the count with a stomach virus the entire evening :( He did manage to come down for key events like present opening and cupcake smash though!

Time to open the presents! Emmy had to have some presents to open on her actual birthday, so we gave her our presents ahead of her party that weekend.

Nolan being a good helper with opening Emilia's presents ;)

She's excited!

Presents included a ball popper and more "Little People" that she loves to carry around. Emmy also loved the wrapping paper!

For me?!!!

Happy Happy Birthday Girl. This girl is always smiling!

Not to be left out, Nolan also got a special "One Year of being a Big Brother" celebration gift :) He got some more Thomas Track Master tracks since he has way more engines than tracks currently. He was a happy camper!

The best big brother!

A few more photos from our evening:

Ready for a Cupcake! Chewing on a yogurt drop while we light the candle!

Emilia's own birthday crown to match Nolan's blue one :) I love this tradition!

Her face while we sang happy birthday

Big brother blowing out the candle!

She is in shock that this is for her!

Checking it out

First taste!

What is this stuff on my fingers?

Happy kid making out pretty well on his sister's birthday!

Now she's going for it!

How big can she open her mouth to get it all in?!

One of my favorite pics of the night

Classic!!!

Dean patiently waiting for any drops

It's a hit! So different than Nolan's experience!

Happy Birthday Miss Emilia Caroline. You have filled our lives with such joy and made my heart grow even more than I knew it was capable. You are so loved, and we can't wait to watch you grow!

Emilia Caroline - One Day Old

What a difference a year makes!! Here's to many more.