My baby's first birthday

My precious baby girl turned one today. Cameron has had his own personal countdown going for the last month, and the first thing he said to me this morning as he came bounding in my room at 6:45 was, "Mom! Today's Ella's birthday! Can I wake her up and give her her present?" To which I quickly responded, "No!" She'll wake up when she was ready, and at 6:45, neither of us was ready.

But eventually Max snuck into her room, and she was nothing but smiles!...as if she actually understood that today was her special day.

Every morning since we purchased the gift last week the boys had been asking me if we could open Ella's present. Today, they finally had the opportunity to "help" their sister open the gift they had been dying to play with!

While the boys were preoccupied with HER new toy, they were no longer helping her with the wrapping paper. So she decided to take matters into her own hands...I mean mouth.

After Cameron left for school, Max showered Ella with birthday kisses.....and then while I was upstairs, he showered her with his juicebox.

Even though I had class tonight, I was able to leave early to help celebrate my baby's special day. At first she was very careful and neat about indulging herself in her personal birthday treat (free from Kowalski's).

But then she eventually got the hang of it and all semblence of civility went out the window.

What a precious child she is. I am so fortunate that God blessed us with her.
Happy Birthday Ella Helene! I love you!!!!