Kylie's Birthday Bash

Kylie turned ONE on Friday and we had a party on Saturday to celebrate.  My family even came over from Boise and it was such a treat to have both sets of grandparents and almost all of her aunts and uncles there (missed you Whitney).  We had a blast.  We partied, napped, went swimming, played games, ate good food, and laughed a lot. 

It has been an incredible year and I know that I don't have the words to describe how challenging, rewarding, awakening, enlightening, broadening, and amazing it has been.  Motherhood definitely has its hard days - I'll be the first to admit it - but for me, being Kylie's mom is almost always joyful, fulfilling, and very satisfying.  I loved her instantly when they lied her on my chest moments after she was born, and that love has grown into something deeper and wider than I thought possible.  I know her so much better and love her more with each new discovery we make together.

I know that she is unusually patient, incredibly observant and inquisitive, a deep thinker, a goer and a doer, and a giver.  I know that she is a sensitive soul, that she is very bright, that she likes puppies and elephants, that she loves getting her arms and back tickled/caressed, and that she loves food.  I know she is kind, generous, very social, independent, unafraid, tenacious, and self-assured.  I know so much more than I did a year ago and I savor each new discovery that I make.  It is miraculous to watch a soul unfold and blossom from day to day and I feel so privileged to be a part of it.  She is straight from heaven and one very special girl with a great big future ahead of her, and I am so grateful I get to stay home full time and be her mom.

 Kylie helped mom make her pink and white birthday cake.  She was my taste tester.

 Could't resist a birthday suit photo on the birthday.  Cutest bum ever.

I had fun planning her party and tried REALLY hard not to go overboard.  I felt like I did just enough to make it special and have fun being creative without stressing myself (and my body) out.  The day went off without a hitch (thanks for all your help mom!) and was pretty much perfect.  

 Pink and Aqua and polka dots and stripes.  Such fun.

 My first cake with more than two layers, an actual crumb layer of frosting underneath the top layer, and my first attempt at a Swiss meringue buttercream (delicious by the way).  I had a lot of fun making it and love how it turned out.  This is the tutorial I used and the place I found the frosting recipe in case you were wondering. 

 Oh beautiful cake, I love you.

 I made the banner out of fabric and ribbon - it was super easy.  But I bought those cool paper flower decorations at JoAnns - they are a Martha Stewart product.  I have used them three times already.  

 Pink and Aqua paper straws!  We sipped pink lemonade with these.

 I also did a photo banner with about 25 pictures from Kylie's first year (I couldn't keep it to one per each month in the year).  They were in chronological order and it was fun to compare those first photos with the last.  She has grown so much!

 Ruffle bum pants.  Adorable.

 Opening presents!

 I like this picture of myself because it shows off my awesome braces-free smile.  Yay!

 Kylie is loved by a LOT of people.  She is one lucky girl.

 Kylie's personal mini cake.  I didn't frost the sides because she isn't used to much sugar and I didn't want to make her sick with a sugar overload.  She ate about 3/4 of it and loved every bite.

 Getting ready to blow out the candle (which cousins Taylor and Whitney helped with).

 Touching the still hot candle wick.

 Frowning about touching the still hot candle wick.

 Crying over touching the still hot candle wick and getting some sympathy and reassurance from mom and dad that her finger would recover.

 Over the hot candle wick incident (which lasted about 45 seconds) and digging in to the frosting!

 Surprise!  The cake has colored layers.  It looked pretty rad.

 I love my little family!

 Eating a fist full of cake is always a good way to spend your afternoon.

 And look at that floor!  She didn't get a crumb on the floor.  She's AMAZING.  I must figure out how to hone this skill for every other meal.

A squeaky clean and very happy birthday girl.  

We sure love our Kylie Cakes.

Here's to an even better second year!