My one-year-old

Well, Abby is officially ONE! We had a great weekend celebration, including a trip to the Bronx Zoo, the first taste of milk & birthday cake, the one-year check-up, a pet parade in our town, a pool birthday party, a Crumbs cupcake and visits from friends and family! Oh - and we're officially done with bottles - hooray!

Bronx Zoo - Abby loved it! She particularly liked the elephants, rhinos and buffalos. Who doesn't?!? She had so much fun at the zoo with mom and dad, who were inspired to become members of the zoo. Hopefully we'll go again in the next year to make it worth our while!

Birthday cake - She was a little confused at first (what is this, and why is everyone staring at me?) but after a taste of frosting, she was sold. It was so cute watching her dig into her cake and make a big ol' mess.

Milk - Loved it! We went cold turkey on the milk and she did great!

One-year Check-up - The day after her birthday, Abby weighed in at 19 lbs, 14 ozs (25%) and was 28 1/4 inches (25%). While mommy was a bit sad with her low percentages, it came as no surprise given her parents' height (or lack thereof). She is doing great and is healthy and on track for her age. The dr thinks she'll be walking soon - which we know from seeing her cruise all over the house holding on to toys, people, furniture, etc.

Birthday Party - With close friends & family around us, we celebrate Abby's first birthday at our pool. Of course it was not without some turbulence before, which included a board member being annoyed at our balloons/banners at the pool, a call from the property manager, the balloon store not finding our balloon order right away and Jason not being happy with the sandwich selection at the caterer. Of course, Abby did not know any of this as she swam, ate and played with her guests. Luckily the weather was a perfect 85 degrees and sunny for her day! Next year we'll be letting someone else handle the food & decor!

Bottles - Abby drank from her last bottle the night of her birthday...we're officially done now! She is doing great with the sippy cup and I'm relieved to free up some of my counter space.

Gifts - Abby is one lucky girl! From adorable summer clothes to interactive toys and good, old-fashioned cash, Abby cleaned up on her first! Now mommy better get crackin' on writing the thank-you notes!!

All in all, it was a great weekend. Abby's Grandma Sheryl came in from Chicago to celebrate her birthday as well, Abby's "Aunt" LT, "Uncle" DT and "cousins" Sammi & Jordan stayed with us and mommy even took a few days off work to plan, execute and recover from the weekend.

I can't believe my little girl is ONE!!

Moo!

Now when we ask Abby "what does a cow say?", she goes "moooo!" It's really adorable!

25.5 hours until she is one!

Birthday Week

This week last year I was as big as a house and as anxious to meet my baby girl as can be. I tried everything to induce labor - long walks up hills with my dog, spicy food and some of the other "usual" tricks. But little Abby did not want to make her debut early and in my and Jason's usual style, appeared a day late after being medically induced (and removed by c-section!).

Today, just 362 days after she was born, I am doing so much reminiscing about this time last year. I can't believe how much she has changed. I can't imagine another year of her life where she develops, changes and grows so dramatically.

I can't wait to see what this time next year will bring us - though I long for her to stay as tiny as she was on June 19, 2007, at all 6 lbs and 2 ozs of her, I eagerly await Abby's first steps alone, her first "I love you, mommy" and everything else that comes with being a "big girl." For now, though, I'm enjoying the last few days of my daughter's first year.

Stay tuned here for how emotional I'll be 3 days from now....

Water Baby

So, my daughter LOVES being in water! YAY!! This weekend it was hotter than hell so we took her to two different pools, plopped her into a baby raft and off she went, kicking & splashing to her heart's delight. Of course the mom in me was worried, especially in light of the recent "dry drowning" news that hit the Today Show 3 days ago, but I was also thrilled to see her enjoying it so much. Let's be honest - swimming is not exactly a hot sport in my family! Our family is easily found on the ski slopes or golf course - but a pool?? Not so much.

Apparently my little water baby is going to change that!!

And Abby has also been showing off her splashing & kicking skills in the bath tub as well, happy as a little clam.

Hopefully she'll stay this happy in water all summer!