Happy Birthday Olivia! Part 3

After dinner and cake eating/smearing it was time for a bath.  Our dainty eater was a bit energetic in her cake and ice cream consumption.  Before Olivia jumped in the bath, Grandpa and Aunt Lisa insisted that two gifts should be opened.  It was quickly apparent why the insistence was made.

A floating sea star from Grandpa.

Bath friends from Aunt Lisa.

A sweet sticky mess.

Swimming with my bath friends.

The sea star lights up!

A squirting sea star!

Big Birthday yawn.

A quick post-bath bottle.

A puzzle from Great-Aunt Kathie and Great-Uncle Rod.

An "Olivia" cup from Nana.

An "Olivia" duffle bag from Aunt Lindsey, Uncle Andy
and Cousin Lydia.  This will be great for our Michigan trips.

After all of the present opening, it was time for some more pictures.  When the family gets together, and new grandkids are involved there are never too many pictures.

This is how a new daddy holds a baby.

This is how a seasoned daddy holds a baby.

Matching P.J.'s?  How exciting!

Uncle Dennis and Niece Lydia.

When the babies went to bed, it was time to play Euchre.

Happy Birthday Olivia!

Happy Birthday Olivia! Part 2

So what if Olivia won't remember her first birthday party.

I will. And I wanted it to be special.

So what if I went a little overboard.  Who cares?  Working moms are sometimes guilty moms.

It was a whizz banger of a party.  A party to be proud of, a party of lasting memories.

Was it my party?  Maybe.

But it was also Daddy's party, Olivia's party, it was a family party, and it rocked my socks off.

Favors? Check.

Table set? Check.

Gift table? Check.

Ready for the guest of honor.

What does she think?

This party is Birthday girl approved.

The hat is NOT Birthday girl approved.

 Lydia joins the fun.

Yummy Birthday dinner.

Happy Birthday to You!

Make a wish!

Interesting...

Interestingly delicious!

Happy Birthday Olivia! Part 1

Well, I think the first birthday of a first child marks a momentous occasion for new parents.  Let's face it, the first year is tough.  Sure it is sweet and new and cuddly...but it's also tough.  Little sleep, little clue of what to do and it is all new, all the time, everyday.  Old ladies chastise you in the supermarket to, "Cherish these moments!  They go by in the blink of an eye."  You mean a bleary eye of sleepless nights and strange new worries that you never had to think about in your prebaby days?  Yeah, I am cherishing them all right. That said, I was ready for Olivia's first birthday.  No regrets, no wishes for the past, just happy days and looking forward to the next milestone.  This day was so big it cannot be contained in one blog post. Enjoy.

Good Morning Birthday Girl!

Grandpa is cooking Olivia's birthday breakfast.

Cheerios as an appetizer.

Sitting pretty in the nursery during the sermon.

Playing is more fun than sitting quietly in church.

Nana, Olivia, Cousin Dain and Cousin Margaret.
Olivia appears to be reaching for Margaret's baby.

No time to talk, Olivia is on a mission.

Lydia's Baptism Luncheon

After Lydia's baptism we had lunch together to celebrate.  The food was amazing, the company entertaining, and Lydia was adorable.  It was easy to fall in love with holding such a small bundle of joy. 

Gift table.

Beautiful cake.

Aunt Valerie and Lydia.

Grandpa and Uncle Dennis, two thirsty men.

Nana and Lydia.

Olivia on the move.

Three cousins.

Our family branch.

Lydia's Thumbprint Tree.

Lydia Anne is a Child of God

Dennis and I were honored when my brother Andy and his wife Lindsey asked us to be Lydia's sponsors. It was a joyful occasion to witness her being brought to the waters of Holy Baptism.  The newest member of our family is now part of God's family, an heiress to the throne, a child of God.

Each of the Irion kids has had their
name on this banner.

Pastor Hahn with the overjoyed parents.

The whole clan.

Nana and Grandpa.

Our little goddaughter Lydia Anne.