1st Birthday: simple yet memorable!

Hard to believe that just a year ago I was waiting for *the day* that our Abigale would enter this world!  I had a big ol' belly and was "ready" as I could be, wondering... "will I remember how to take care of a baby?!"  I guess I would figure it all out just like I did with Tyler... I obviously did an "okay" job being that he was a happy, smart, and healthy 3 1/2 year old!! 

My mom had come into town so that she could help me after Abby was born, but spent more time waiting for baby, rather than helping me out! I remember walking around Ikea on her "due date" trying to help the process along, but had no luck!  Yes, Abby was four days "late"... yet right on time!

So fast forward 12 months!  And here we are today with a beautiful, smart, spunky ONE year old!  She loves to "talk," clap, play with Tyler and her daddy, and "brush" her hair!  We just love and adore her to pieces. 

My parents were coming in town to help us celebrate and although this occasion would not be remembered by her, I still wanted to make her day special!  My mom always made our birthdays *extra special* and I want to pass that on to my children.  I checked out Pinterest and found more ideas than I could fathom and had time for, so I stuck to the basics-- streamers, a few balloons, and a cake!  That's all a one year old "needs" anyway... right?!

Abby was pretty flexible with her birthday plans, so we decided to go bowling and have her birthday dinner at Macaroni Grill : )  With her spunky attitude, this will probably be the only year we'll get to decide what to do on her birthday!  Afterwards we headed home for presents and cake.  Simple yet fun! 

Abby's 1st Birthday Cake!

I made two circle cakes out of a box of cake mix. 

Cut one circle in half.

Cut the body out of the second circle.

Made a Smash Cake from the leftovers (and not gonna lie, snacked on it too-- couldn't let it go to waste!)

 Abby's Birthday set-up! 
I made her high-chair "tutu" from fabric scraps (the same ones that I used for the butterfly I blogged about, and since I knotted the fabric onto elastic... I will chop off a good couple of inches to make a fabric scrap tutu for Abby-- re purposing!!)

 Let the mess begin!!  She was very hesitant until Tyler stuck some frosting in her mouth!

 Lovin this!

And she's done : )


Happy Birthday, sweet girl!  We love you!