Ok, as promised, here are the photos from Madelyn's first birthday party. Many thanks to Nana, Grandma, and Great-Auntie Cheryl for their photos--evidently Kurt and I were occupied with other things and didn't get many photos at all. Bottom line, we couldn't have scripted a better first birthday party for our little girl. The weather was beautiful, our family and friends were wonderful, the cupcakes turned out pretty darn tasty, and Madelyn happily toddled and smiled her social little self from guest to guest (except, of course, when she was devouring/inhaling her strawberry and chocolate cupcake!).
Ok, so I know we promised some photos of Madelyn's birthday party and I promise we'll get to that before she turns two :) But we had a momentous day here at Casa de Olmsted, and I can't wait to share it with you all. We took Madelyn for her first haircut this afternoon at Little Clippers in Lake Oswego, OR. I know, I know...how yuppie of us. But if you had heard all the hype about this place, you would've done the same thing! Seriously, this place was so cute, and they DO kids' haircuts. Everybody knows (ok, well at least every mother knows) that the first haircut is a big deal, so we figured we'd at least drive all the way to Lake Oswego for the first one. Plus, Little Clippers gives the kiddos a certificate and oh-so-carefully keeps those first precious hair clippings for you to take home. Really, they think of everything. Doesn't she just look adorable?! The gal only trimmed a little bit on the sides and the back, but she cut quite a bit off the front to give her those fabulous bangs. Suri and Shiloh, watch out!
What... you got somethin' to say? Listen, I've taken a break from eating the first cupcake of my life to give you this photo op - it's the most delicious thing I've ever tasted. I tried to get most of it into my mouth and I think I did a pretty good job for my first try. Yes?
(I'm so gangsta!)
See you later!
~Maddie-cakes
In exactly 33 minutes (8:01 p.m.), my baby girl will be one whole year. I could spout off a hundred cliches right now...they're all true. Simply put, this year has been, hands down, the most rewarding, joyful, cup-runneth-over year of my life. I love being a mommy. I just love it. I love that I am entrusted with a wee human's owies and tears and words and crawling and walking and eating, and that I am ever rewarded with her smiles and kisses and laughter and wonder and curiosity. I love that I am challenged every day but that this job of parenting has a purpose and meaning beyond anything I've ever tackled before. I love introducing Madelyn to all of the delights this world has to offer, and I feel privileged that I get to comfort her and empower her when its sadness and injustice creeps in. I LOVE watching Kurt be a daddy! I love that he unabashedly adores his daughter and that there hasn't yet been a parenting task into which he hasn't just rolled up his sleeves and gotten his hands dirty (often, quite literally). I love that Maddie's eyes sparkle when she sees her daddy. I love that the start of one new life has strengthened our commitment to each other and given us a common source of laughter and pride and thankfulness even on the rough days. I love watching our parents as grandparents and our siblings as aunties and uncles. They are loving and supportive and generous beyond measure, and Madelyn's tiny spirit soars in their presence. I love my friends and the freedom they afford me to just be real.
Anne Lamott says that there are really only two prayers to be said: "Help, help help" and "Thank you, thank you, thank you." Well, this has been a whole year of "Thank you, thank you, thank you." Simple, and profound, as that.
We celebrated Maddie's birthday by taking the day off work and introducing her to the zoo. She smiled and squealed and kicked and waved to all of the animals, and we all had a blast. Have a look :)
(The new baby elephant at the Portland Zoo! SO cute!)
(Madelyn with a little birthday treat from her mommy and daddy--a giraffe backpack!)
Ok, as promised, here are the photos from Madelyn's first birthday party. Many thanks to Nana, Grandma, and Great-Auntie Cheryl for their photos--evidently Kurt and I were occupied with other things and didn't get many photos at all. Bottom line, we couldn't have scripted a better first birthday party for our little girl. The weather was beautiful, our family and friends were wonderful, the cupcakes turned out pretty darn tasty, and Madelyn happily toddled and smiled her social little self from guest to guest (except, of course, when she was devouring/inhaling her strawberry and chocolate cupcake!).
