Abby's First Birthday!

Teddy Bear Birthday Cake - Super easy cut-up cake using a 9" round cake pan, an 8" square cake pan, and two cup cakes for the ears. I just decorated it with butter cream frosting using a star tip. The miracle is that Abby napped long enough for me to get it done!

Birthday Dinner - Cheesy bagels from Smith's. Love'm, but I really did have something else a little more nutritious for Abby planned. However, sometimes little girls, especially birthday, girls get to have their way. It wasn't long after poor hungry Brian sat down with his bagel before Abby intercepted it and would not let go until it was thoroughly gummed to death.

Cousin Ivy

Her brother, Ethan bouncing around the house like a Tigger.

 Grandma Leavitt

 Cousin Genevieve

 Aunt Minta

 You'd think she was happy or something?  Pretty sure it was all the attention.

 We had lots of helpers opening presents.

 Abby's first taste of birthday cake. 

We think she liked it.........

 because she was clapping for joy!
The question is did she like it because it tasted good or because it was really fun to play with and dump on the floor?

Always happy to have a clean face again!

 One last present.......

 A rocking horse!  Almost like the one at Grandma Tanner's house!  She loves it:)  And of course all the cousins loved taking turns on it as well.

Beca, Damon, and Abby's best friend Vraina made it!  Abby gets so excited when Vraina is here.  She just wants to climb all over her.  Love her super cute skirt with matching hair bow.  I should make one for Abby.

Veggies

Gone are the days of Abby letting me feed her with a spoon! She is playing little miss independant and wants to feed herself. Unfortunately this behavior has drastically reduced the amount of veggies she eats. There just aren't a whole lot of vegetables she can pick up and not choke on. So my brilliant idea was to dump goopy baby food veggies on top of bread peices (her absolute favorite food). Surprisingly enough, it worked! Works even better with a dash of salt.

The Aspiring Pianist

I've recently been called to play the piano in Relief Society. Well I had really played much in the past year or so but I sure do practice (or try to practice) now. My challenge is that I have a little helper. Abby thinks it's her job to help Mama play the piano. She's pretty good at standing up on her toes to reach the keys. When that's not good enough she complains until Mama picks her up so she can really pound out a tune. Meanwhile I get an amazing amount of "hands alone" practice with my little accompanist.

One Happy Baby

Abby had a fabulous nap and just woke up bouncy and happy. Yes, bouncy. I swear this baby is going to jump around like a bunny before she can walk. Brian's mom says he was a lot like this too. Abby, however, is much more smiley and social. She loves watching and interacting with other people, especially other babies and young children.  If there's another kid around, no matter how fussy she may be at the time, her eyes just light up with delight.  I wonder if she will continue to be such a happy extrovert as she gets older?