Sunday, August 9, 2009

Tessa Turned One!

We had a great weekend celebrating our Tessa Boo's first birthday! I can't believe that a year has gone by-so much has happened to us in a year! We had our families over on Saturday for a party and had a little party of our own Sunday evening. Adam was upset that people didn't come over on Sunday to sing Happy Birthday with us. I told Eric that her birthday party was my victory lap. There were many nights the first couple months of her life where I would be up most of the night, every night trying to force feed her and then pump for over an hour to get milk for the next feeding. Once I was done pumping, it was time to eat again. Those were our days-pump, eat, pump, eat, etc. Some days (and especially nights) I didn't think I could do it anymore. I would tell myself to plan her first birthday party to help me focus on something else and help me remember why I was doing what I was doing. It was difficult and something I hope to never have to do again-but for you Tessa, I would do it all over again!!The top of the cake was supposed to be a party hat-my icing wasn't stiff enough to do what I had originally planned and I was too tired to be a perfectionist-she liked it anyway. Banana cake and Lion House buttercream icing-probably the best cake I have made! It was good!!
The past year was a hard one, especially when Tessa was so sick. Thanks to lots of love and support and a loving Heavenly Father who helped me make it through the tough days, we all survived! We put a picture up for every month throughout this past year to see her progression. Her pictures from the first couple months of her life are so sad to look at. Aunt Angel was a huge help to us during those weeks-I don't think she will ever know how much we appreciate her help, her advice and her calming reassurance. Thank you Angel!


Tessa and Ellie attempting a game of "go fish"

She got a lot of loot-but her dolls were a favorite! She loves giving her babies "loves".


She wasn't sure about her cake. I think the mass of people staring at her kind of freaked her out. Once she got going she loved it! I think she had a tummy ache last night.


She got a little pony- I don't think she got to play with it until early Sunday morning while Adam was still sleeping. It was a hit with all the kids!
Adam and Ellie were her candle blowing helpers



Aunt Dee sent her some purple rain boots-as you can see, she loves them!
Singing happy birthday Sunday night-she still had half a cake to pick atModeling her new nightgown
Happy Birthday sweet girl! You are too cute for words and such an important part of our family!We can't wait to watch you grow up. But do us a favor and do it slowly!! We love you!
Mommy and Daddy