Our little angel turned one...we celebrated for an entire month so this is the party that we had at the beginning of December...Owen, my precocious and spirited first-born, said "da-da" before he ever said "ma-ma" and his first official word with object recognition was "baby". I remember it so well...we were reading Prayer For A Child, one of his favorite books at the time (tho he calls it "fire book" to this day because there is a picture of a fire). There is a picture of a baby and he pointed to it and said, "baby." I think that was even before he turned a year.
On the other hand, Owen didn't walk until he was 12 1/2 months old...Gabby, my sweet precious little girl, walked at 10 1/2 months but has yet to say anything other than, "ma-ma". Regardless...I will hold on to the picture of her teetering around and the sound of her calling to me with her arms outstretched for as long as I draw breath. I cannot explain what this little girl has done to my life.

We celebrated with cup-cakes-her first taste of cake in her little life...

enjoyed and made fun with cousins...

Cousin Elodie (the little monkey!) surprised us and made herself at home here in MN. I have a feeling that she does this everywhere she goes! :-) We love it! She cracked me up time and time again...you should see the things she climbs on and gets into!

I don't think owen has a favorite cousin, but whomever will pay attention and play with him, he will cling to!

Yes, she did double-fist it once she got a taste of the good stuff!

Elodie got a lesson from her mama on how to play nice...

Of course, not a surprise, Gabby loved the paper more than the presents, but she will be able to enjoy many of the blessings for years to come....

She was surprised with a gift from he aunties: a little kitchen! I don't know who loves it more, owen or gabby...or me! We got it all set up the next day and played and played and played. I guess there are going to be many more opportunities to live vicariously through my children! :-)