Ainsley's First Birthday!

Yesterday was Ainsley's birthday and we had a great day! First I took Ainsley on a nature walk which she enjoyed for a little bit, but she must have been exhausted because she fell asleep on the way home. After Tom finished school, we took her to the park. She loved the swings. Tom tried to have her climb the rock climbing wall....we may have a little climber one day. After the park, we went home and had dinner. Then the three of us had a little birthday party together. We opened presents. Tom and I knew she would be totally spoiled by family so we only got her a few things. We bought her a ball, a Sesame Street ABC cd that my family listened to when I was a kid, some shorts and new shirt, and a toy that when you pull the handle it plays different animal sounds. From the Reese's she got clothes, a fairytale book with a cd of the family reading her different stories, board books, an I SPY fairytale book, and a Shutterfly book of pictures from her first year of life. They also sent us party hats, cups, and plates to use for her birthday party. From the Butler family she got a toy stroller and she enjoyed pushing it around the apartment. She also got clothes and a hat, a stuffed giraffe, a hairbow hanger and lots more cute hairbows. Thank you so much for all of the great gifts!!!

After we opened and played with the presents, we had cake. We were able to talk to the Reese family over the webcam while we sang Happy Birthday and ate cake. I made her a simple chocolate cake with pink polka dots. It matched her party dress. We put her in the high chair and let her dig in. At first she would only pick off the polka dots. But then she got braver and braver and by the end she had dug a huge hole in the cake. She was completely covered. She stuck her hands in her hair and there was chocolate icing everywhere.

It was a wonderful birthday. We were sad that we were away from family, but are so grateful for the technology to be able to see them over the internet. It made it so much easier to be away. We are so grateful for all of the wonderful cards and presents. Thank you everyone for making it such a great birthday for Ainsley!!!

Enjoying a birthday walk

She fell asleep on the walk...notice she has a baby wipe in her hand. It is her newest fetish, whenever I change her diaper or bathe her she insists on having a wipe or washcloth of her own and she will clutch it for hours. I have tried to introduce a blankie thinking that she needs some sort of comfort, but she doesn't want it- only baby wipes or washcloths. Strange obsession
Being a little shy during lunch-she drinks out of a sippy cup now

A little b-day nap. Notice she has her arm around her lamb. She sleeps with it or a little dog every night. It is really cute.

Future rock climber

She was a little unsure about this toy...she got pretty dizzy

She loves the swings!

Daddy and Ainsley at the park

New carseat finally! She loves to look out the window.

Opening gifts and putting them together

Pushing her new stroller around
Birthday party set up

Singing "Happy Birthday" to Ainsley

She started out picking off the polka dots

She started to dig in a little more...

By the end, this is the damage she did to the cake. I think she liked it:)

We had to stick her in the bath...there was cake everywhere! In her hair, ears, nose, fingers, etc
It was the end of a very great birthday.

Thank you everyone for making it such a great day!!! Happy Birthday Ainsley!