Olive's birthday

My sweet dolly turned one on August 26. 

How has this happened?!?! No one even warned me!

It's so awfully cliche, but I don't know where this year went. I remember being super stressed out in the beginning. (I mean the girl never stopped crying.) But ever since she found her thumb and mellowed out, I've been having a ball. I just love her so dang much!!! (Picture Tom Cruise jumping up and down on Oprah's couch shouting his love for Katie Holmes, but I'm Tom and Olive is my Katie.) ;) I want to shout it from the rooftops!! I love Olive!!

Unfortunately, I was feeling rather torn about how to go about celebrating her birthday (have a party/don't have a party/ celebrate in Arizona/ have a party AND celebrate in Arizona/ which family to celebrate with, etc, etc.) I was tired just thinking of the possibilities. So, her birthday sort of just happened! The fun part was that Aunt Marcie and Uncle Austin had come to visit so they were there.

We of course started the day with donuts. She got a strawberry one with a candle. I think it all came on too fast. :) She was not so excited about this donut situation. After tears and cuddles, she got the hang of the frosting part. 

This picture KILLS me!! Did you ever see a more forlorn look given to a donut?! I clearly needed to talk to her ahead of time about the deliciousness associated with all things "donut".

"It's OK to cry when you're sad on your birthday." ;)

Ohhhh, a hint of a smile.

This walker was the hit of the day! She cruised around the living room and kitchen with this thing all day. It was just annoying because I basically had to follow her around to get her unstuck every time she hit a roadblock. Or else we were subject to "the scream". It even got to where she'd just anticipate a wall and start screaming. 

The joy!!

BEST.DAY.EVERRRRR!!!!!

I feel like this could be a meme online. Help me with a caption! 

She got spoiled ROTTEN by her aunt and uncle! A book, a dolly, an outfit AND a leather jacket! For the love! That purple jacket killed me! So cute!

Squish Cheese!

Marcie and Austin got their teeth cleaned, then we all went to lunch at Camilles. They left around 4pm. Hugs and kisses all around! It was not a long enough visit, that's for sure!

Travis left really early that evening to go to Grants or something. (Another reason we didn't do a party.) Collin had a soccer practice. I put her down near the chair and watched as she sized up the distance, then took 3 baby steps til she got to the chair! Wahoo! No prompting from me. Both brothers had to be bribed with chocolate to walk at 14 months. Maybe she'll actually do it on her own!

Putting her to bed that night was hard. I just wanted to snuggle her and smell her hair and kiss her neck and soak in my baby for as long as possible. I looooove when she lays on my chest, sucking her thumb and lets me rock and sing to her. All the time I find myself trying to take mental video of her facial expressions, noises and smiles. I just want to freeze time. No more growing up, Miss Olive!!! Mommy wants to savor you forever!

The next day, another fun toy arrived. Forgot about this one! I'd say we have a happy 1 year old!