McKenna Turns One!!

Normally one would think that a one year old doesn't understand birthdays, oh but McKenna KNEW this was a special day all about her. I provided the typical birthday traditions of decorations, cake, and presents and she loved all of it.

She loved the balloons....

Dave flew McKenna through the balloons over and over. And you should have heard the squeals and laughter coming from that little girl.

...she loved the presents...

We bought McKenna a pink sippy cup, a box of cookies, and an inexpensive little doll, since the free Cabbage Patch seems too big for her still. Oh how she loves this baby! When she saw what it was, she gave out squeals of joy. Whenever we ask her "McKenna, where's your baby?", she walks over to it, grabs it and gives it a big hug. So cute!

I was so excited to make a girly birthday cake for the first time. I think I'll need a lot more practice. My original plan didn't seem to work, so I had to change my idea in the middle of decorating and it just spiraled out of control. Here's the end result....please don't laugh. :)

(I'm going to a cake decorating class tonight. We'll see if they can help me.)

...she loved the cake (eventually)...

(This second cake was free from Macey's. We are never too excited about eating the cake that the baby mutilated.)

At age one, our boys were pretty shy about digging in their cakes, but with McKenna's personality we thought for sure that she'd go crazy. We put the cake in front of her and she waved her arms around and kicked excitedly, but did not touch the cake. After a little while she started to gently touch the flowers and then after a few minutes she picked off the sprinkles. It was making all of us very weak. We wanted more action! We decided to cut a piece for her and let her dig in that. So just as I turn off the camera, she takes a bite out of it!!

I've never seen a baby bite their cake, but whatever works I guess.

After about twenty minutes of play, she did get messy enough for us to cry "uncle".

...and she loved the birthday bath!!

McKenna has added so much love, joy, laughter, and excitement to our family. We have felt her beautiful spirit this past year. She is a super easy baby. She sleeps twelve hours at night, eats whatever you put in front of her, and plays well on her own and with her family. She loves to play peek-a-boo, loves to be chased, and loves to "get comfy" on pillows with her daddy. (He puts a pillow on the floor and she hurries over and plops her little body on it.) McKenna walks full-time now and has the cutest little walk. We've noticed that her knees do all the work and her hips don't really move at all. She has 7 teeth and a couple on their way in. McKenna loves to imitate others, which scares me a little. :) If you take a drink, she takes a drink...if you start to dance, she'll start to dance...if you yell out, she'll yell out...she likes to feel a part of things. We are thankful every day for this precious daughter and sister. She has been such a blessing to our family and we can't wait to watch her grow. We love you, McKenna! Happy Birthday!

McKenna Lynn one year ago.

A special "thank you" to everyone that sent presents, cards, and made phone calls, to wish this girl a happy birthday!