Oooops...12 months!!!

In the midst of trying to catch up on all my blog posts & photos, I forgot to post her 12 month pictures. So, without further ado, here are the many faces of a 12 month old...

Birthday Loot

What a lucky girl! Ellen got some great birthday gifts from some great people. Here's a few photos of her enjoying some of them: Loving her new chair--it's just her size!

Taking care of her babyGiving her kisses Loving her barn

A definite favorite--LEGOS!!!!! And, playing her awesome piano!

What a great birthday!

Princess Ellen

Our last day at Grandma Kathe's, I found a fancy princess dress to play dress up with. I honestly didn't think she'd enjoy it--it was pretty scratchy, long & altogether not so comfy. But, boy, was I wrong!She relished her role as Princess Ellen!Being a princess comes with a wide range of emotions. At times ruling over your loyal subjects is pure joy!Other times can be quite trying & nerve wracking. And still others are just plain exhausting :)

And then, there are the times that constitute a full-fledged princess-sized tantrum!

I don't know how well you can see it, but that's one frustrated princess on the other side of the pack 'n' play. And as quickly as it came, the tantrum subsides and we are back to our favorite fun-loving girl!

But look out! She can turn into a heavy-handed ruler in the blink of an eye!

Jersey Shore

If you came here hoping to see a post about the reality show, you are in the wrong place! After Ellen's birthday and her one year check-up at the pediatrician, it was time for a trip home to family in NJ & NY. We flew up with Grandma Kathe and had a great time trying to fit in visits with as many family and friends as possible.

We started with a visit to Victory Park to visit Janice & the boys. I really need to be better with my photo taking--I grabbed a few of Ellen but didn't get any good ones of the boys. Next time, I promise! Here she is enjoying the swings--the same ones she loved last October!
Also the same park as seen here in Chasing Amy, the movie (although they've upgraded the playground equipment): We walked down onto the beach for a bit to check out the grouchy swans & the water. So, this constitutes Ellen's first visit to the beach, sort-of (this is the river, not the ocean , so not really the beach).

Not so sure about the sand on her piggies...

but she came around!

Next we were off to NY to Conor's graduation party. Again, bad photographer--I didn't get the camera out even once at the party! But, I did catch a few with the aunt-cousins the next day!So much love for one little baby!

Rachael told me that she always liked when I came to visit, but she REALLY likes it now with Ellen because she's so cute!

I know I've mentioned this before, but have you tried to get a photo of 4 young girls together!?!?!? It is not always the easiest!

So many emotions & personalities for one image :)

What a crew!

After that we headed to visit Aunt Susan & Uncle Eddie which was great--again, bad me--no photos. Then, it was back to Grandma Kathe's and Uncle Will's. We had a great visit--a whirlwind as usual, but tons of fun. See you all soon!

She's One!!!!

WARNING: Lots of photos ahead!!!!

This is what waking up on your first birthday looks like: Happy Birthday to me!
We started the morning with a little gift from Uncle Will...
This will most likely be the only car that she gets with a big red bow on it, so hopefully she likes it! I think she does! I think someone else does, too. (See Guinness' little nose poking through :)
I think we have a winner! Next we were headed to Grandma Nancy's for the big celebration.
Watching the slideshow of Ellen's first year...

Hoping a big knot doesn't appear after banging into the corner of Grandma's china cabinet while waiting for the guests :(
The best birthday lunch ever--Pizza Perfect & watermelon!
Climbing on birthday gifts is a great way to start the party! Opening gifts with a little help from my friends.
Opening a special gift from Grandma Kathe.
Reading books with Aunt Jess Next it was time for the cake!

You never know how they are going to react to the smash cake...

but this kid jumped right in & was all business!
Sharing some with Daddy And once you can smash no more, what's left to do but dive right in!

Hanging with Melissa
and Chris
We ended a fabulous first birthday with our first swim ever!

Not so sure about it at first...

But once she got used to it, she was a natural!

Thank you to everyone for the many birthday gifts and wishes, but most importantly for spending the day & Ellen's first year with us! Here's to many, many more birthday celebrations in the future!

P.S. Can someone remind me next year to maybe get just one family photo on her birthday? Or maybe one with her grandmas? Or her Nana? I didn't get any of them! And, the only reason for the cake photos with Mom & Dad are because Marti made me take them (THANK YOU, Marti!). Someone better be my photo reminder next year :)