Happy Birthday Baby

We did celebrate another major holiday this past week, and I will share some moments from the absolutely lovely Thanksgiving we had. But we began the trip on Adele's birthday, so I'll begin there.

On Tuesday the 20th, we went over to the hospital to get another copy of her footprints, as we realized we'd lost the first (parent fail. 2nd child). While there, we posed for a picture at the site of her birth: the Birthing Center parking lot and the passenger seat of our Nissan.

It felt like no time had elapsed at all. Yet there she is, my armful of toddler.

Tuesday was also Driving Day, but before we left, we grabbed fast food and, on a floodlit outdoor table next to the parking lot, we gave Adele her first birthday gift. Can you hear her say her favorite word?

In Maryland, we had a small family party which all her grandparents were able to attend. She donned her birthday dress for the occasion:

I was saving this dress for when she was a confident walker. Well, the last week made the clinching difference. Adele can now be classified a toddler! She's been walking continuously since we left.

Heeeey! Thanks for coming to my party, y'all!

Grandpa Jim took the opportunity to spoil his grandkids a little. Among her gifts: books, 2 hot tutus, new boots, 2 stuffed cats, a cool interactive puzzle from brother, blocks, and a wire toy. She has her own empire now.

My effort for a strawberry cat cake for my little cat lover. No comments about the gruesome effect of the dripping strawberry juice from within the layers. None. You hear me?

Adele's feats have not been limited to circumambulation. She has been trying to say more and more words (most recently: Tigger!) and has been signing a new word every few days. Most recently, she's been signing bird and shaking her head NO. Her days of passive babyhood appear to be over.

She's got a few more cat books, so she won't have to look so hard for cats to exclaim over.

New hat from Great Grandma Dorothy! Grandma Grunert helps her model it and identify herself.

She's such a little lady now. I was so grateful for the break for many reasons, among them, that I was able to spend five straight days get to know the little person my daughter is right now. She understands so much that is said now, and has so many opinions! We are going from joy to joy here.