Party Time

We had Belle's birthday party at our house on Saturday. It was SO much fun! We had both sides of the family here, and Liz and Mike. Since it was raining we were all inside and it sure felt crowded! Either way, it was a great reminder of how many people love Belle and wanted to come out to celebrate her day.

Belle was dressed ridiculous. As her mother I feel the right to dress her in whatever I like and I often choose big frilly tutus. This time, however, I also opted for a big ole flower for her hair from Emma's Bowtique. Belle may be embarrassed later, but at this stage in her life I get to make the decisions on her attire, so I am going to go all out!

Belle got lots of gifts that she will definitely use. He Mema and Bipa Thompson got her an adorable outfit and some books. She had few books and I wanted more for her as she got older. Her Meme and Papa Huizinga got her a wagon. We gave it a test drive yesterday around the neighborhood. Every kid needs a wagon, right?

She also got lots of clothes (which makes me happy!) and other items like a stroller, cars, and a fridge farm (she played with this a ton at her Aunt Cricket's, so we felt she needed one of her own). All of her cousins were very into watching Belle open her gifts, as you will see from the pics!

Lastly, what one year old party would be complete without a baby covered in cake??? Belle dug right in to her cake and ended up covered in purple frosting. She actually ate very little of her cake and ended up just playing in it, but it made for GREAT pictures!

All in all it was a great day and Belle was exhausted by the end. We feel blessed to have our little one year old and thankful for everyone who came to celebrate.

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Happy Birthday, Belle!

Dear Belle,

One year ago today you came into this world and life has never been the same. I can hardly believe how much things have changed in the past year! You have sure brought us so much joy! I have been reflecting on life this past year and all of the things I love about you, as well as how much you have taught me. Never has anyone impacted my life so greatly as you. So, without further ado, my reflections of this year:

1. I love how you tricked us all by coming out with a head full of dark hair. I had all of these great ideas of how I would style it as it kept growing longer and longer. Instead, it all fell out until you were almost bald and has somehow come back blonde!

2. I love how good you make cellulite look.

3. I absolutely love that your daddy is your favorite person ever (I am happy to take a close second). When he comes home from work your smile couldn't be bigger and you couldn't crawl quick enough over to him to meet him.

4. I love that you are fearless...this is clearly from your dad. Granted, your fearlessness has led to you falling head first off of our bed and taking a few spills in the tub. Either way you seem to keep on going and you don't seem to mind those bumps and bruises.

5. Oh, those blue eyes. I know it might sound silly, but I was hoping and praying you would have my blue eyes.

6. This may be trouble later, but I love how social you are! You charm the pants off of everyone when we go to Meijer. You smile and kick your legs and even wave. The "Stranger Danger" conversation might have to happen early on!

7. I love how being your mom has enlightened me about my own mom....your Meme. Loving you has taught me how much my own mom loves me.

8. You have taught me that putting my needs/wants aside isn't always easy, but that there are much more important things in life than taking care of myself first.

9. Mac is your best friend. Seriously. Who cares that he is a pit bull who is 3x your size. You feel you have the right to pull on his ears, poke his eyes, try to sit on him, eat his food, try to eat his tail, and laugh at him hysterically when he is barking. You two really are best buds and he is one protective dog. That boy sits outside your bedroom when you cry and sometimes I have to drag him out of your room when I put you down for a nap.

10. We love you dearly, but have enjoyed many laughs at your fat belly, your big head, and your tiny feet.

11. You scrunch your nose when you smile, and it makes me smile EVERYTIME.

12. You took 8 months to roll over and I NEVER thought you would actually figure it out. Once you did, there was no stopping you.

13. The first six weeks of your life may have been the most difficult time of my life ever. I loved you SO much, but I was sleep deprived and you felt the need to stay awake all day. People told me to "sleep when the baby sleeps," and I just kept wondering when the baby would sleep...

14. You have so many names. Isabelle. Belle. Booskie. Belle-a-Boo. Bellsie-boo. Boosee. Drama. Fatso.

15. I am amazed at how many times one little person can be sick in one season.

16. Nothing is cuter than a naked baby.

17. You have made me fall more in love with your daddy. Seeing him as a father is one of the hottest things ever (someday when you read this you will be so grossed out).

18. I have learned that you are a creature of habit like your mama. You like things the same. You like naps at the same time everyday and you are like clockwork (usually).

19. It is so amazing to see physical attributes and character traits of myself in another little person.

20. Most of all, I want to thank you. You gave me the greatest gift ever. You made me a mom.

Happy Birthday, Belle! We love you so much and feel so blessed to have you. God has given us one amazing little girl!

Checking In

My sister, Cricket, made it clear to me today that it was high time I updated my blog :-) Lots of things have been happening in the Thompson household.

First, I began my internship over at Caledonia High School. So far it has been going well, but I struggle with leaving Belle. Many moms are cut out to work with little ones home, but I can't pretend to be one of them. I am only there Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, but by Thursday I miss Belle and am ready to wake up with her in the morning and snuggle her while she has her bottle and bobs her head to "The Hot Dog Song" on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. The people at Caledonia are fabulous, and I look forward to working with the students, but it will defintely be an adjustment. My family has been a huge help. My sisters, my mom, and Stacy alternate who takes her during the week. It is easier to leave her when I know she is in good hands. I owe them BIG TIME. I just keep telling myself that it is only 7 more months before I am officially graduated.

Second, Paul and I spent a fabulous weekend at Gull Lake with our friends, Liz and Mike. We won a week at a cottage at Jill and Jason's adoption fundraiser. It was the perfect way to end the summer. It was relaxing and very laid-back.

Lastly, Belle is totally growing up. It is so bittersweet. All of the changes are exciting, yet sad in the same way. She will never be that itty bitty baby again. Instead, she is a fast-moving, stair-climbing, crawling little bugger with loads of personality. She says "uh-oh," waves at people, and continues to raise her arms up when you ask her how big she is. We are working on "da-da" and "ma-ma," but we aren't quite there yet. In two weeks we will have a one year old. Where does the time go? I know it is so cliche, but I get it now. I totally get it.

Alright, enough chat. Time for pictures.