After snapping a gazillion pictures of the party decor and Emma, the party guests started to arrive. We timed the party perfectly to start at 11- after Emma's morning nap so that she was in her best mood possible. I had a grand idea in my head that I could get a picture of Emma with every single party guest, but that was a fail. Here is Mom, Ally and Emma :)
At first Emma wasn't so sure about playing with Grandpa George. She is looking at him like "what are you about to do to me?"
But then she realized that she liked getting her head bonked by balloons and it was all smiles from there on out (ps- look closely, I love my dad's facial expression in this picture).
Emma got down on the floor close to her cousin Noah and gave him a big hug! I hope this means she is going to be a good big sister!
Then, it was time to eat. Emma's plate :), just imagine her saying "this is yummy mommy, I am so glad we didn't have pizza at my party!".
We were all listening to Ally tell (apparently) a really funny story. What can I say she is captivating.
But, Emma wasn't having it, demanding the attention to be back on her- it is her birthday (not Ally's) after all.
A picture of me with my college friends- I am so glad they make the time to come to all of Emma's big life events! My baby bump is definitely hiding in this picture :).
Aunt Celeste with her grand kids.
Grandma and Brent :)
Some of the men in the kitchen.
The rest of the guys in the living room.
After everyone was done eating, it was time to let Emma dig into her cake. So I did the only natural thing and undressed her.
All of the guests waiting in the sidelines to sing Happy Birthday. As you can see a few of the balloons had fallen by this point :(.
Then, the singing started, but also the wailing started. Our baby girl did not like being the center of attention (at which point, I was wondering if we were related!). That or she remembered the candle from the week before and recalled the fire incident.
Poor baby- this is supposed to be the happiest day of your life, you were not supposed to cry. Here I am trying to calm her down and show her that in fact, she really does like icing.
All of the party goers looking on- probably finding this hilarious.
After much consoling, she was finally starting to calm down.
Then, she went for shoving it in her face.
Took a few bites out of her candle.
We gave her a fork (since she loves silverware) and she went to town.
At one point, she even had some cake hanging from her chin.
In the background, here was her special helper, Ally, helping to keep the tears to a minimum.
After we wiped Emma down, it was time for the presents. We let her open presents without putting her dress back on- making for some extra cute pictures! Emma was spoiled by all of our friends and family. Here she is "tearing" into her first present.
Emma received her first baby doll from her cousins! She was literally so happy to be opening presents- I think the cake scar was officially over.
Look at that grin- she loves books (and presents in general!).
Where did Emma go?
She loved loved loved and still does love her tea set from Stephanie! Here she is examining it.
And then decided she needed to pull it into her lap to examine it a a little closer.
I am telling you Emma was obsessed with this toy (and still is). This pictures kills me- literally. Look at that protruding belly and those leg rolls- cuteness overload!
She would get distracted by her presents and we had to redirect her attention to the task at hand. Here she is receiving Elly the Elephant from Austin and Ally.
Most of her presents were wrapped in sacks, so we really encouraged her to participate in tearing the wrapping paper.
Checked out that look of concentration and sucked in belly :)
What was inside of there? Emma's first pair of Toms from Kelli and Cecil! I love love love this present! Emma will be matching me one day :)
Emma received so many other cute gifts from her guests, but as not to bore you that is all I will blog about. After the present unwrapping, I tried to get a few more pictures of Emma with her party guests. Emma and her Bobbob.
Steph, Nat (my college roommates) and Emma!
Grandma, Grandpa and Emma
And last, but definitely not least- the birthday girl and her mommy. I am so lucky that I get to be her mommy :). Love you Emma, I hope you had the best, most memorable 1st birthday ever.
And in a few years when you don't remember this event- you will always have this blog to look back on!