52:52 Your First Birthday

I want to remember 

Your First Birthday

I want to remember your first birthday. I cannot believe that you have already been in our lives for 12 months - 365 days - 52 weeks. When I started this project I thought of some of the things I might blog about - your first food, your first Christmas, your first crawl - but I never imagined all the things that would unfold in one single year! I have spent the past few days reading through all 52 entries and it is simply amazing to see how much you have grown and changed! I find myself laughing, crying, smiling and shaking my head in disbelief. To be honest, we just had no idea what we were doing when we had you, but at the same time, it just felt so...right. There were difficult moments, sad moments, and frustrating moments - but those moments dull in comparison to those shining moments. And that is what I wanted Project 52 to be a reminder of. All those shining milestones, moments, and snapshots that occurred throughout your first 52 weeks of life.

Oh, and there were so many.

You never ceased to amaze us with your big personality, your contagious laughter, talkative ways and growing body. You have given your daddy and I so much joy and happiness. I never knew I would have so much love for one little being. But with you, it is so easy. We love you to the moon and back and you will forever be the sunshine in our lives.

Happy 1st Birthday Baby Girl. 

One Year Snapshots

The Beauty of a Child

I don't think I ever truly realized what I looked like until I looked at Anniston. I find myself studying her big facial expressions, her delicate features, and her soft movements. I examine her in a way I've never been able to do with myself before. I've always known what I look like, but since Anniston's arrival, I've noticed traits in myself and Nickolas that I've never seen before. 

It's like I have noticed my chin for the first time and the way my cheeks curve up when I smile that I share with her. I've realized her strong arms and legs must come from her daddy. And that the shape of her eyes are identical to Nick's. I can see my complexion, yet with Nick's olive skin tone. 

Nickolas says she sleeps just like me - tossing, turning and talking in her sleep. And I say that she is a heat box just like him! Since then, I've noticed how I stretch in the mornings the way Anniston stretches. Or does she stretch like me? I now notice my thousand facial expressions that I've always made that I see in her and how she can figure out how something works after one time just like her daddy - it is pretty impressive!

Anniston has led us to finally see that we have a million different features and traits. And as she grows, I know we will continue to see more of ourselves in her - the good, the bad and the hilarious! That really is the beauty of a child. 

Few of your Favorites

Book: Cheerios and Guess Who

Food: Spaghetti

Stuffed Toy:  Love Bear
Toy: Train

Song: Baby Beluga
Animal: Puppy (whispers puppy at all animals)
Activity: Taking out items and putting them back....again and again and again.

Special Moments

Funniest Moment: Watching you fill daddy's mouth with toys. And giggling as they would fall out. 
Proudest Moment: When you started crawling for the first time - we worked on it for so long. Now you are so very close to walking! You love your walker and the stairs!

Scariest Moment: Falling and hurting your new teeth. 

Saddest Moment: Your first ear infection

Hardest Moment: Weaning you off your swaddle. Oh those sleepless nights!
Craziest Moment: Taking you underwater with me and seeing you smile! 

Sweetest Moment: She give hugs. Really good hugs. With back pats and kisses.

You are 12 Months Old!

Your Birthday Party!

Anniston's Old Fashioned 4th of July Birthday Party! 

I cannot believe I am writing about your first birthday party already! I find myself reading through old blogs and it is truly amazing how much you've grown in one short year! I feel like all our friends and family were here celebrating your birth! 

Since your birthday falls so close to the Fourth of July, I thought I would do an Old-Fashioned 4th of July theme! It was so fun getting stuff ready for this party! I love how it all came together and couldn't be more grateful for all the family and friends that came to help celebrate your special day! 

Here are a few of my favorites! 

Dig In Anniston Jean! Her Smash Cake!

My favorite family photo! Say Cheese!

Make a Wish! 

Table Centerpieces!

She loved opening gifts!

Happy 1st Birthday Anniston Jean! 
Daddy and Mommy Love You to the Moon & Back!

52:51 Father's Day

I Want to Remember

Father's Day

 I want to remember your first Father's Day. We had just gotten back from Vegas and this holiday came up so quickly! Your Grandpa Parr and Daddy spent the entire day and night working away in the basement and actually finished it! So it seemed more like a Mother's Day gift! We dressed you up in a Daddy's Girl outfit and worked away in the kitchen, while they worked away in the basement! We made them Walleye, potatoes, beans, salad, and a yummy chocolate dessert! Then we opened gifts and you snuggled up with your daddy and went to sleep for the night. You always seem to fall asleep so quickly whenever he rocks you to bed. I think that you feel safe and loved in his arms - as you should. I can't wait to watch your relationship grow, as you grow. You are such a Daddy's girl and have been right from the start. Your giggle whenever he dances with you, your smile shines as he does brave things with you and you melt away whenever he rocks you. I hope you know how lucky you are to have such a wonderful Father!

Good Morning Daddy! 

I love you to the moon and back! 

You love writing with pens and crayons!

Papa loved his card and watching you open his gift!! 

And you even loved his gift! How does this work Daddy?

My two favorite Daddy's finishing our basement!! 

Daddy rocking you to sleep. 

Happy Father's Day Daddy!

  Daddy's Little Helper
Anniston loves "helping" with all our household chores - dishes, washing windows, and folding clothes. But she really seems to loves helping her daddy with everything he does! She is so intrigued by all his tools and gadgets. It is ridiculous trying to finish all these projects and keep this house baby proofed. So instead, as Nick works, I am constantly removing things from Annie's reach, her mouth, and even her diaper. Yes, she has put tools in her diaper...oh Anniston! But at least she is an adorable helper to have on hand! 

52:50 Going to Vegas

I Want to Remember

Going to Vegas

 I want to remember bringing you to Vegas. I know, Vegas isn't your typical first born destination, but it definitely held your attention! Your Auntie A and Uncle Ty wanted to celebrate their 30th and 21st birthday, so we decided to make a big family trip out of it - of course! I wasn't sure how you would handle the time change, the heat, the busy lifestyle, and the airplane. But you were such a riot! You spent the days splashing away in the pools, walking the strip, taking in the busy casinos, trying new foods and dancing to the music! You seemed to make people smile wherever we went and we couldn't have been more proud! We didn't win any money while we were there - but we sure felt lucky having you there for the journey! 

Getting on the Plane to Head to Vegas! Show me the Money!

A view from the top!

At the Venetian Hotel just before our gondola ride! That Accordian player sang songs specifically to you! He was so sweet!

At dinner with Auntie A!

One of Nick's Elevators in the Cosmopolitan Hotel! 

Nickolas in an MEI elevator!

On the gondola! 

He sang Anniston lullabies!

We went out for dinner at this fun restaurant! You loved trying all the new foods!

 What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas
Well, I don't think that phrase was meant for me to leave my purse containing my iPhone, credit cards, and camera. Unfortunately, they were all left on the taxi as we were getting dropped off at the airport! Terrible timing right?! So my pictures of this trip are VERY limited, which really saddens my heart! I had to go through some ridiculous security and even got felt up - why not, isn't that what Vegas is all about?! 
Crazy enough I was able to track my phone until 4:35am, when it actually died. iPhone has this amazing feature that your phone can go into "Lost Mode" and you can track it to the exact intersection every 30 seconds. Unfortunately, Vegas is the land of taxi cab drivers, so they wouldn't notify the particular taxi that we were in, saying they had my phone. So, long story short, I knew where my iPhone was, I watched it drive around Vegas all day and night,and enjoy another day in Vegas! But, I couldn't do anything about it. Infuriating actually! But oh well, I guess those are just memories that I will have to hold onto. And to think, I ALMOST survived Vegas, with a baby, and without shenanigans!
So Close!

Oh yeah, and I spilt coffee all over my arm on day 2 in Vegas! This is the aftermath. This baby blistered, leaked white stuff, and peeled.
So Unattractive and So Not Cool. 

52:49 Your Brave and Busy Body

I Want to Remember

Your Brave and Busy Body

I want to remember your brave and busy body! You aren't even walking yet, but you are all over the place! Crawling up stairs, climbing on top of anything and everything, rocking things, and opening and closing doors. There is never a quiet or dull moment. You are fearless in the way that you love to be up high and fall down fast. You purposely roll off the edge of bed, just so you can do an upside down somersault. Luckily for you, we have always caught you, but you make your momma's heart flutter every time you do it! I guess that is what happens when you have a mom that likes to be flown in the air and a daddy that likes to fall out of planes! I think we are going to have a future full of bumps, bruises and owies! 

Be Prepared to hold your Breath! 

Exploring things up High!

Dancing on her play table!

Upside Down Fun!

 Crawling on Boxes

 Right before she crawled right off the box!

 Flying in the Sky

Climbing up the Stairs