The morning of Cici's birthday we woke her up and sang "Happy Birthday" and then Ben took off for work. I took the kiddos to the store and let Kai pick out some donuts. Cic was so excited to eat her own donut and made quite a mess.
I am always amazed at how different Kai and Cic really are. Kai doesn't like his hands to get dirty and still to this day will ask me to clean his hands off several times during a meal. Cic, on the other hand will finger paint with her food and rub her hair with whatever she is eating. Her birthday donut was no exception.
The Park
Here are some shots we got of Cici at the park. She loves the bridge. Kai will jump on it and bounce her and she just squeals with delight. I love when we find things that the kids enjoy doing together.
I know...what a face.I just had to include it thought b/c it made me laugh so hard. I guess Kai got too close to her when he was jumping and it scared her. Just look at that face...priceless.
One of my favorite shots of the day.
Cici's Birthday Party
We had such a great time at Cici's party. It was great to spend the evening with so many friends. Having a houseful of friends just makes my home feel...cozy. I love it. (Even if I did feel like I was a mad woman running around the entire day.)
I have a 1/2 marathon coming up in a few weeks and hadn't started training for it...so Saturday I told myself I would run a 10 miler just to see how I felt. Little did I know that I would wake up Saturday morning to the CRAZIEST WIND KNOWN TO MAN. I didn't want to back out so I went ahead and ran. I felt good (except for the wind that made me feel like I was running in place at times). Everything was great until I got home and decided I would watch Ben and Kai wash some windows...BIG MISTAKE. I was so stiff and exhausted after sitting for 5 minutes. (I'm not sure how sore I was from running or if I was sore from Ben making me do P90X workouts. Just kill me.) Anyway, there was so much to do and so little time until the party started that it was nice to have something to keep me going all day. It did make for a pretty long day though.
We blew up balloons all over the living room floor and from Kai and Cici's reaction, you would have thought it was Christmas morning. I need to make a note to always have balloons handy. Best entertainment ever!
When guests started arriving, Cici did what she always does and becomes my little monkey-- clinging to me for dear life. She is such a Mamma's girl...both of my kids are actually. She stayed on my hip for most of the evening (which is why I am in so many pictures...sorry).
I posted these pictures in reverse order but am waaay to lazy to fix them... Just go with it.
This picture was taken at the end of the night. She was EXHAUSTED. When she's tired I get a lot of blank stares...
Cici eating her birthday cake...in reverse order.
Cic getting ready to eat cake, but really just wanting to go to bed. Look at those tired eyes.
It's not a birthday party unless someone cries...
Kai was playing with Cici's party hat and flicked the string under his chin. It was actually pretty bad and even left a nice welt.
More blank stares..
Just after everyone sang happy birthday...
"Why is everyone looking at me and singing?"
"Should I be scared?"
Ben and I with our little birthday girl. (Props to Nick and Jackie for taking such great pics at the party. BEST NEIGHBORS EVER! They have been to all three of our kids birthday parties. The only ones actually. Not even anyone in our family has been to that many. That's dedication right there! We love you guys!!!)
Cici "opening" her gifts. It was like Christmas morning all over again. She got hooked up. We have the most thoughtful friends. Ben and I don't see our families that often, so it was really touching to be surrounded by so many friends. We felt so loved. Thanks everyone!!!
First birthdays are the best. I love that all the kids get so excited and help to open gifts.
The Cake
For Kai's first birthday cake, I made it to match his room. It was blue, brown and white. (Ya, I know real original.) Anyway, I was trying to come up with what to do for Cici's cake and I decided to try zebra stripes since her room is pink and zebra. I made a strawberry cake and decided to just use black and white fondant icing.
I stayed up late the night before working on the cake and had Ben come up to help me lay the fondant so I wouldn't tear it. Ben doesn't really like crafts so I didn't expect him to help at all but after he helped lay the fondant he stuck around (I think out of curiousity.) I started rolling out the fondant to cut zebra stipes and he became real inquisitive. I was shocked that he was even interested but LOVED to have company. So, we stayed up together til just before midnight working on the cake. When I told Ben what I wanted he kinda just took off and did most of the decorating which was really nice b/c I was able to clean up the kitchen. I had made a huge mess and hate going to bed with the kitchen in shambles.
I have to give most of the cake decorating credit to Ben. I think it turned out well. Who knew Ben had cake decorating talent?
Thanks for your help, Babe!
I love this picture of Cic next to her cake. I couldn't get one of her looking at the camera b/c that candle was fascinating!
Look Who Graduated!
Ahh, the beloved front-facing car seat. This is such a great day for my kids. It seriously changes EVERYTHING. They just love it!
I wish I would have had my video camera with us b/c Cic just sat in her seat and said, "Wow, wow, wow!" over and over again.
My parents have always bought the front-facing car seats for the kids on their first birthday and it really helps out a ton. One less thing to worry about. My folks are ALWAYS looking for things to do to help us out. I am so lucky to have such generous and thoughtful parents. Not only did they buy Cic a new car seat but she was spoiled rotten with a whole new wardrobe from my Mom. Can't wait to put her in all the cute dresses my Mom picked out.
Mom, you are the best grandmother ever! My kids are lucky to have you looking out for them. Thank you!
Family Birthday Dinner
On Cicilee's actual birthday, we went out to dinner and let her open one of her gifts.
I know...I need to get more pictures of Ben but he hates getting his picture taken. He always tells me, "no."
Kai and Cic excited about her new baby doll.
Thanks to my Mom for yet another adorable outfit for Cic. Cic is quickly learning that grandma has great taste in clothes (and headbands).
I love this picture of Cic.
Just look at those lips...another thing that she gets from her daddy.
I was really nervous that Kai wouldn't let Cic play with her toy but he was a rockstar and totally helped her unwrap it and then let her enjoy it. What a stud!
Last but no least...Cic had her 12 month check-up and the results are in...
Height~ 30 inches (75%)
Weight~ 20lbs 2oz (40%) SAME EXACT WEIGHT KAI WAS AT ONE YEAR. CRAZY!
Some things I never want to forget about Cicilee at this age...
~She has 6 1/2 teeth. Four on top and two and a half on bottom.
~Her gap between her top front teeth. I love it. I will probably hate it when she has to have some major brace work done though.
~She is such a good eater...and mooch. Whatever anyone is eating she will beg for a bite or two. She ALWAYS begs Ben for bites of whatever he is eating and he ALWAYS gives in. (I think she already has him figured out.)
~Her favorite foods are all things fruits and vegetables. YAY! She also loves all things carbohydrates...bread is a biggie with her. Another favorite is fruit snacks. I was really nervous about letting her have them b/c I was afraid she would choke, but no she has it down.
~She is definitely a "Mamma's Girl." Her favorite place in the world is in my arms. I love it b/c I always want her to be my little baby.
~She has learned that when Kai is being mean all she has to do is cry and he runs to timeout before I can even get there to see what happened.
~Her favorite thing is her (Kai's old) blue blankey. I love that she is attached to something (b/c Kai never was) but it makes it difficult when I need to wash the blanket. She won't sleep without it so I have to time laundry that day just right or everyone will be miserable. I learned with Cic that when your baby gets attached to something like this to go out a buy another one...Just for laundry sake...even if she were to lose it. I still need to go out and buy another blankey for her...I just need to figure out where to buy it.
~She is starting to stand on her own and totally cruises along the furniture with ease. She even took a step all by herself the other day (but I am not counting it). She loves to walk (as long as she is holding on to you.) She has made so much progress just within the last week. We are expecting her to start walking on her own anyday now. CRAZY!!!
~EVERYONE tells me she looks just like Ben. I totally see it. She has so many of his features...she even has the same hair issues. Her hair is thicker and grows faster on one side just like Bens. :)
~She still has the adorable dimple on her left side that I fell in love with when I first saw her. It is probably my favorite thing. It's a dead giveaway when she is really happy.
~She loves to give kisses. Well, it's sort of a kiss. She pretty much just opens her mouth and licks you when you ask her for a kiss. We still love it, even if it is slobbery.
~She is a total squealer. There is no question about when/if she is happy. She will let you know...everyone in a one mile radius knows.
~She doesn't say too many things yet, but does love to say "Uh Oh" every meal time after she throws her sippy cup down. She can say, "Wow" but I am not sure if she knows what it means. She loves to shake her head "no" and loves to laugh with Kai.
Cicilee is such a fun baby. She has changed the dynamic in our home (poor Kai didn't know what hit him) and we love her more than we can express. I always wanted a sister growing up and now I have a daughter. What a blessing.
Thanks for being a part of our family Cic!
