kara

Often, I find myself bouncing Sophie on my hip, standing beside a restaurant table or booth, trying to keep her happy and calm as I point out other babies and toddlers to her in the restaurant, quietly sitting in their high chairs eating their food. Although Sophie struggled a few times at her birthday party (which is only to be expected), she was, truly, a perfect baby that night at Ferrari’s. It was past her bedtime. Her nap had been short. Her dinner was late. But throughout our meal she scribbled with her crayons instead of just chewing them. She ate pasta—so much pasta. She didn’t cry. She didn’t whine. She didn’t try to squirm out of her high chair. It was wonderful.

“The age of your children is a key factor in how quickly you are served in a restaurant. We once had a waiter in Canada who said, ‘Could I get you your check?’ and we answered, ‘How about the menu first?'” —Erma Bombeck

“Cat-hi! Here I am, in the pond. Come and get the kiss. ‘Oogh!’ said cat. But he came and got the kiss.” —Maurice Sendak

Dear Sophie,

For your first birthday, Dad and I made a double-layer yellow cake with homemade chocolate icing. Dad tried to convince me to etch out “Happy Birthday Sophie” with a toothpick first—as you can see here, I probably should have listened.

You are so lucky. You celebrated your first birthday with all your grandparents.

It’s a birthday tradition that you get to choose your favorite meal. Because you can’t talk yet—at least in a language that we can understand—we guessed.

Dad made you his delicious homemade macaroni cheese. I think we guessed right because you loved it.

We sang “Happy Birthday” to you and I helped you blow out the candle on your cake.

Then, you opened your presents!

You got your cake and ice cream in the red bowl—another family tradition.

You liked it.

You let me put your birthday hat on.

But you liked when I wore it better.

You played with your toys, although you’re still a little unsure about your Radio Flyer—we’ll give it time.

It was such a good day. I wish you a hundred more of these days and I can’t wait to celebrate so many more of them with you.

All my love,
Your mama

“The longer I live the more beautiful life becomes.” —Frank Lloyd Wright

I woke up from my nap, Mom changed my outfit, Dad took me downstairs and there were so many people in my house!

I sat with Grandpa and …

… my other Grandpa and Nini and …

… my Great Uncle Mark.

I held on tight to the rabbit Uncle Kyle and Christina sent me all the way from New York City. Mom says we’re going to visit them before I turn 2. As Uncle Kyle says, right now I’m cheaper to take on a plane than luggage!

I also sat with my mom’s cousin Bret and …

… Linda, Kristin, Peter and Dana.

Dara and …

… Angel and …

Great Grandma held me, too!

My mom’s cousin Kelsey came with her mom and dad and …

… my good friends Sam, Whitney and Lauren came, too!

I played with balloons.

I refused to eat my cupcake.

Mom traumatized me with a birthday hat.

I opened presents—my new piglet is from Aunt Liz.

I’m still not quite sure what all the fuss was about—but it was a good day!

“The best birthdays of all are those that haven’t arrived yet.” —Robert Orben

A week ago we had a casual open house for Sophie’s first birthday, with (lots!) of cupcakes and punch. I had a birthday hat made for her that, hopefully, next year she’ll actually like to wear. And my mom made the “Happy Birthday” banner, which I absolutely love, and plan to use for all our family birthdays, always.

“When you look at a cupcake, you’ve got to smile.” —Anne Byrn

“A very small degree of hope is sufficient to cause the birth of love.” —Stendhal

“All of us are born with a set of instinctive fears—of falling, of the dark, of lobsters, of falling on lobsters in the dark, or speaking before a Rotary Club, and of the words ‘some assembly required.'” —Dave Barry

Christine called me Saturday morning to tell me she couldn’t make Sophie’s birthday party—and for good reason! Christine and Mark’s beautiful son was born March 27 at 12:04am. Sophie has so many new friends to play with!

“It was the tiniest thing I ever decided to put my whole life into.” —Terri Guillemets

Angel and Marty’s beautiful baby girl was born March 25 at 12:15am. There’s already a playhouse plan in the works at Angel and Marty’s house for Sophie and Zoey to play in. 🙂

“Of all the joys that lighten suffering earth, what joy is welcomed like a newborn child?” —Dorothy Nolte