Hellobee

Little Lou turned one last month, a few days after Christmas. I can’t believe my tiny baby is a year old now. Before her birthday, we took a few “smash cake” photos at a local park. Lou still isn’t doing that well with solids (although we are seeing major improvement this week), so I made her a cake entirely out of whipped cream. It was hilarious, and a little gross, but she loved it. She ran around the park collecting leaves and avoiding the camera, but our friend managed to get a few adorable shots of the birthday girl.

A tiny smash cake made of whipped cream

When Ace turned one, we had a small family party at home, so we decided to do the same thing for Lou. I decided on a loose theme of Woodland Wonderland, and figured that the Christmas tree would fit right in! Since our house is tiny, and our family is large, I didn’t do anything to prepare, and I didn’t set up much decor. We had a noon party with a baked potato bar and hot cocoa station. I didn’t even make a cake this year! I usually go all out and make a fun cake from scratch, but I knew I just wouldn’t have time. Instead I bought a pre-made Costco cake and added a few decorations of my own. I hung snowflakes from the walls and ceiling, and decorated Lou’s high chair with some sparkles. And that’s it! The kids ran around outside because it was such a nice day, Lou clung to me for the first hour and played with her cousins during the second hour, and then we all ate cake and ice cream and opened presents. Exactly what I think a first birthday should be!

Slightly bigger cake, thanks, Costco!

At one, Lou is shy and reserved around new people, but loud, friendly, and lively once she gets used to a situation. She absolutely loves dogs and whenever we see one in the neighborhood, she practically shakes with excitement. When she is able to pet them it is like all her dreams have come true. She loves trying to take the iPad from her big brother, throwing food on the floor, and then eating said food off the floor, over and over again. At her one year well visit her pediatrician noticed some eye abnormalities, but a quick trip to the optometrist has ruled out anything more serious than nearsightedness. For now she doesn’t need glasses, but she may be getting some in about six months. This girl can climb anything, loves to sing Old Macdonald, and, just like every other baby in the world, she can’t get enough Baby Shark.

Photo by Melissa Fossum.

Right around Lou’s birthday, I saw a blogger I follow on Instagram post about how she has a birthday journal for all of her kids, where she writes a letter to them every year. I loved this idea, so I decided to start that tradition for both kids (just a little late, sorry Ace!). The other traditions we have started with Ace (wake up to balloons on your birthday, pick an adventure and a restaurant for the day, pick your birthday party theme) don’t start until you turn 2, so it is nice to have a new tradition to work on!

Of all the gifts that Lou received, and due to Christmas and her birthday there were many, this sink is her absolute favorite. Perhaps because we gave her so many sink baths, she tends to think it is meant to be played with by sitting inside of it and spraying the water all over her clothes! She also loves carrying around the dishes and pretending to drink it up. This sink buys me half an hour of homework time when I need it!

Happy Birthday to my littlest Lou!