Leading up to Gabbie's first birthday, I started thinking about this time last year. The week leading up to her big day I couldn't help but think about how different my life was twelve months ago. I was sitting in a horribly drabby cubicle, working in the not-so creative world of Medicare, counting the days until our little bundle of joy was to arrive. I think about what was to become my very last day at that place and have such a feeling of relief and joy and appreciation that I don't have to go back. I'm not sure anyone from that company reads this blog, I'm not so vain to think this blog is important enough to demand their attention, but hopefully my previous statement does not offend anyone. I know most people who worked closely with me knew that it wasn't the right fit for me. I had several people ask me why I worked there and not in some other area requiring more creative, out of the box thinking.
Now, 9 months after officially submitting my resignation, my only explanation for me working there was so that I could be here: having the best, most rewarding full time job on the planet. You see, I think if I had been at a job that I loved and enjoyed going to every day, it would be have been even more difficult for me to make the decision to stay at home. There are jobs I have had that I have missed and if I had been in any one of those, I probably would have really struggled with the decision. It is a constant reminder that God always knows what's coming in the next chapter of your life. Always. Don't doubt it.

So on to the big birthday. I really tried hard not to have a huge blowout party. Really. I tried. I re-did our guest list about 5 times before narrowing it down and trying to keep it to our closest family and friends. Soooo 30 invites later, we had a great turnout of our close friends and family at our house. I always envisioned it as a big cookout/get together with a few things to do for the kids, but nothing crazy. I know the years are coming when we'll have the huge inflatables in the backyard, the creepy clown (NOT), balloon animals, petting zoo, tranquilizers....oh wait - sorry, that's a movie. But seriously, I think birthdays are very special. I grew up in a family who made birthdays special and as someone who has a birthday 11 days before Christmas, I like to make people feel special on their birthday. It's the one day of the year that you can be the center of attention and not feel selfish. I want to do the same thing for my children and my husband. The great thing is my husband loves it too, especially when it's his birthday. (He gets the whole month usually, but that's another post) So what if I threw a crazy big birthday party for a one year old who had no idea what was going on. So what. She's my only child right now and I want her to feel as special as she is. So THERE :)


We had such a great time with all of our friends and family coming over. We even had the pleasure of having several house guests for the weekend, which was SOOOO incredibly wonderful because it translated to extra help getting ready.


Thursday before the party, my bff from Chattanooga and her little lamb came up and were a HUGE help. We stayed up until about 3am making a lot of the decorations - the pinwheels, a polka dot table topper thing that I invented, and other fun stuff for the party. Friday my parents came up and we spent another night up late finishing up the last minute details. Saturday was the big day. After a crazy lightning storm on Friday night, our air conditioner was not acting right. As in it wasn't working. It was 105 degrees Saturday morning and about 85 degrees inside our house. After a quick visit from our handy dandy HVAC guy, we cooled down to a balmy 80 degrees inside. Yuck. It was hot and sticky needless to say, especially with about 30 people cuddling inside.
As more and more people started to arrive, I quickly realized just how blessed we are to have so many people love us and love our child enough to come on a Saturday afternoon to celebrate her birthday. (either that, or they smelled the amazing ribs and chicken that my dad cooked for all of us)


After chowing down on all the yummy food, we gathered around to watch Gabbie literally destroy her birthday cake. I was so proud of her - check out this video to watch her. Believe me, it's worth your time. She at one point, laid her face down into the cake. So funny.





Afterwards, the adults got to enjoy the delicious cake my mom and sister created for Gabbie. This cake was ADORABLE! I asked them to create her cake with little to no direction. They kept it a huge surprise for me and I wasn't able to see it until right before party started. So stinkin' cute. I especially loved the monkey on top who's now sitting on my microwave. I don't have the heart to throw her away just yet. She's so cute and hopefully by hanging on to her, my little one won't get any older. (because that is the crazy reasoning we develop as moms I guess...)





Gabbie had her one year old check up on Monday after her birthday. She's weighing in at a hefty 19 lbs 4 ounces and is 28 inches tall - both hitting the 25th percentile. We also did more blood work after her doctor is still not pleased with our little "episode" back in July - thankfully, the results all came back just fine and we're still not 100% sure what caused our ordeal. (I'm ok with that....I guess)
She's crawling everywhere and everyone comments on how efficient she is. This week, she's also started "cruising" along the couch and coffee table, which only means she's on her way to taking those first few steps all by herself. She's pulling up on everything, and just a few days ago starting standing up on her own - like at the back doors, she'll put her hands on the glass to steady herself and stand up. She's also really into getting a book and jabbering - it's really cute, as if she's reading to herself or to us. I think in her little head, she's just repeating how Brent and I sound when we read to her. I laugh to think she's interpreting us as just jabbering, especially if you've ever been around when Brent reads to her (it's quite comical and even Gabbie has been known to chuckle at him).
Food is a great adventure too - she loves to eat. Loves it. I think her favorite foods right now are bananas, cheese and turkey. I never have a problem getting her to eat any of that. I did try to give her cut up prunes recently and she literally picked each one up and slowly dropped them in the floor as a "treat" for Fletcher. Fletcher has become her new BFF as he patiently sits at her feet waiting for any food she's willing to give up. I have to push him down as he tries to eat the food out of her chair that fell from her little hand.
I look at amazement of her as I think just 12 months ago she was completely helpless, depending on me for everything: food, sleep, comfort, mobility, entertainment, love. I know she'll need me for all of those for the rest of her life (well, maybe not sleep) but she'll realize more and more each year that she can do it on her own. I know the next 17 years are going to fly, so I try not to think about it or let it make me sad. Instead, I think of the amazing woman I will be helping mold. Of what she will do with her life. How she will be able to serve the Lord with all her heart, mind and soul. The lives she'll be able to touch.
But until then, I'm going to enjoy helping her learn to walk. Rocking her a few minutes longer each night before bedtime. And reading her Wynken, Blinken and Nod for the 100th time in my British accent.
So, until next year - Happy Birthday, Gabriella Paige. You truly show me every day God's Strength through your tiny little body.