Miller Time: February 2013

My sweet pea E is officially a toddler! She had a good birthday! Grandma and Grandpa Miller slept over after her party, so we had some breakfast together and she played with them a little bit before her nap.

After nap time we packed the car full of props for her 1 year photo shoot! I had all her outfits and hair accessories picked out way ahead of time and was just hoping and praying she would tolerate the outfit changes, stay still, and give us lots of good smiles. It's asking a lot to even keep her still for one picture, let alone an hour's worth. But she did it! What a little pro! It started out a little rough because she wouldn't stop chewing on her hands (I think she has some molars on the way in), but Krystal did an awesome job as always getting good pictures! She gave us some sneak peeks on the camera and I can't wait to see the finished products!!!

The photo studio is across the street from a restaurant called The Mineshaft, and we had planned in advance to go there for lunch after pictures, so that's what we did next! Ellison was very snuggly while we were waiting for a table, which is really not like her. I loved it! She must have known Mommy was sad about her being such a big girl now and decided to give me some extra love. What a sweetheart! Lunch was tasty and Ellison passed out as soon as we got in the car.

After we got home and Ellison finished her nap, it was time for her presents from Mommy and Daddy! Our big gift was a wagon. She seemed a little scared of it at first, but she warmed up to it once Jay took her for a little ride in it! She was laughing and getting comfy playing inside. I think she will get a lot of use out of it this summer! She also got some books and outfits from us.

After dinner we decided to try giving Ells a cupcake. Knowing Ellison's usual personality (our little bruiser!), her first two experiences with cake (at the party and her pictures) surprised us. She was so dainty and cautious, taking a little frosting on one finger at a time and barely making a mess. But this time she got REALLY into it! The frosting was bright blue and it was everywhere. It was the cutest thing watching her demolish that cupcake!

I'm ONE!

After a bath to wash off all that blue frosting, I rocked my one year old to sleep. We don't normally rock her until she's asleep, but Mommy needed some more snuggles! I played the song that was playing when she was born (You Save Me by Kenny Chesney, for those curious) and the playlist we played when we brought her home from the hospital, and I balled my eyes out while my sweet toddler slept in my arms. I just can't believe my little baby girl is 1 year old. It's still unreal to me! We had her one year appointment yesterday and she is now 29.5 inches long and 17 lbs, 6 oz. She has grown 10 inches longer and almost 10 pounds heavier since she was born. How crazy!!! This year has been so amazing and so, so fast. I can't believe how much has happened in this short amount of time, but I also can't really remember life before Ellison was in it. She has brought such joy and meaning to my life, and I love her so very much!

Here's some more pictures from her birthday party (some repeats from my other birthday post, but I wanted them all in one place)...post about the decorations and such still to come!