Celebration Station

I was sort of absent from blog world last week.  We have had a lot going on surrounding our little house.  I have been doing my celebration preparation routine, and loving every minute of it.  There is a lot to discuss, so I will try to give you the "reader's digest" version.

My husband's brother and his wife came to town for various reasons and stayed with us which was so much fun for all of us, but especially, "sleep-over obsessed" Bug.  When they got to town we celebrated our little Peanut.  Her birthday is actually TODAY, but I'll get further into that later.  We had dinner in our "intimate" (tiny) dining room, and Bug made everyone wear the tiny birthday hats that were part of the table setting.  We sang.  Peanut cried.  Bug blew out the candle.  Peanut shook her head and spit out the yummy birthday cake I had made.  Over all, it was a lovely party.... considering the fact that the guest of honor was strapped to an orange plastic chair and rubbing melon and bananas in her hair.

After dinner we greeted a sitter and left for an adults only celebration downtown; to see Robert Earl Keen play some good 'ol country music.  A bunch of our friends were also there celebrating that we were out without our adorable children.  It was nice to see and be seen.

The next morning came all too quickly for some of the celebrators from the previous evening.  However, we all met at the park for the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes, wearing our matching team shirts, sipping our coffee, and praying for sunshine.  Bug went on stage with her red balloon and the rest of the JDRF ambassadors to get the walk started.  Her moment in the spotlight, only to be cut short by the sudden need to "go potty", and a quick exit off stage left.  Then the sun had begun to shine, and the walk commenced.  Bug's team raised (and is still raising) a bunch of money for diabetes research, and we will find out in about a month exactly how much we raised.  As of right now, we are one of the top family team fund raisers..... thanks to all of you!

The next day my husband and I were able to have a last minute date, and meet our new favorite (non-family member) babysitter.  On our date we celebrated our anniversary (that was actually on Friday).  We have known each other for almost 6 years, and have been married for 5.  My husband is my most favorite person, my best friend, and my greatest support.  We have been through a lot together in 5 years, and it has truly made us who we are today as a family.  It has been humbling, exciting, scary, and hilarious all at the same time.  If I had it all to do again, I wouldn't change a thing.  It would be nice to have the relationship we have without having to get here through a diabetes diagnosis.... but I'm not sure it would be the same.

Today, Monday, September 19th, is Peanut's first birthday.  Born one year ago at 7:36 am on a Sunday morning, weighing 8 lbs and 1 ounce and measuring 20 inches.... a bit of a shrimp in our family.  Peanut is a:

cuddle monster
mess
food thrower
dog lover
crawler
sleep lover
dancer/bouncer
laugher
fruit monster
second child
joyful little girl
determined little girl
and
1 year old!

I can't believe our baby is 1.  I could not be more excited about it.  I'm getting to know more and more about her every day, and I am dying to know even more.

Have a great "Peanut's Birthday" Monday!