Your First Birthday

It's hard to believe that it was a year ago today that you, our precious Aurora, came into this world. You have truly blessed us with your whole being and you don't even know it! Your smiles and laughter, your tantrums and tears... All are welcome and have changed our lives forever.

Okay, I'll try to stop with the excessive sentiments.... For now. Instead, I wanted you to know about your first birthday.

Today, your Father and I took the day off from work. We had intended to go to the zoo as a family, but that idea got derailed because the zoo workers are on strike. (For the record, we were going to go to the zoo for Mother's Day as well but, no dice.) Instead, your Daddy entertained you while I finished designing and icing your birthday cake. (You love your polar bear so much, I made you a polar bear cake.) You took a nap while I grabbed a shower, then Nanny and Nonno arrived.

While eating lunch, Zia Monica and Zio Derwin arrived (they also took the day off work). We went to the park for a little bit where you swung on the swing for a bit, went down the slide a couple times with Zia, Mommy, and even Nonno. (You were also teased by a three-year-old, James, for being a slow poke.) By the way, Zio couldn't come because he tore his Achilles tendon, so I'm sure he will always remember your first birthday.

When we got back home, Zia Sebastiana had arrived, so we could finally open some gifts. You were blessed with many pieces of clothing (quite a number of cute dresses thanks to Nanny), and spoiled with some great toys including pots and pans, play food (that you have demonstrated imaginative play with by placing in plates earlier this week), a baby doll complete with bottle (that you tried to feed to it when you weren't trying to pretend to drink it yourself), a bubble lawn mower, and a motorcycle riding toy that you currently love to push around and into people. You were even nice enough to share them with your cousins when they arrived.

Nana came first from the Patterson family, followed by Aunt Meg and the kids, then Grandad and Uncle Paul. You opened your gifts from them with the help of Thomas. You got some great hats from your cousins, including a safari hat, fire chief helmet and crown. We can't wait to have you wear them for dress up when your older. In the meantime, Aunt Meg suggested we wear them to make you laugh. Sounds like fun to me! Grandad and Nana also got you some pots and things to add to your kitchen set, including food. We can't wait to see your imaginative play develop in the coming years with all this great stuff!

With all the gifts unwrapped, we soon sat down to your birthday dinner including some of your favourites: lasagna and chicken. There was salad too, but instead you ate some of your veggie sticks that look like cheesies. The meal was followed by your birthday cake which you got to touch and eat and seemed to enjoy.

Unfortunately, you were a mess so we had to give you a bath. After that, you got to have a bit more play time before saying good night to all your remaining guests and heading​ to Dreamland.

Your Dad and I had a great time celebrating with you (as did the rest of your​ family). Again, in case we haven't said it enough: you are the greatest gift that came into our lives. I hope that it doesn't go to your head, but that you know that it's true. Your Daddy and I hope for all the best things to come to you and look forward to all the great adventures that await you! Love you, Aurora.

P.S. You also took a while lot of steps today demonstrating more confidence in your abilities. It's exciting to see you continue to grow in your skills... As well as being terrifying! Don't grow up too soon...