Our Little Pumpkin Is One

Mommy spent last Halloween morning bringing our little Aiyana Eden into the world. This Halloween will be spent trick-or-treating and of course, celebrating Aiyana's first birthday. Where have the last 365 days gone? 

Who would have thought that the little baby that wore her big sister's hat home from the hospital, would love playing with a different hat of her big sister's?

Who would have guessed that this position on Mommy's shoulder when she was nine days old, would earn her the nickname "Koala Baby" many months later?

And who would have known that at eighteen pounds, this little baby would climb into the same doll cradle that Mommy placed her in when she weighed only six pounds?

How could anyone have known that the infant that always had a finger in her mouth, would eventually be pacified by Little Lambie in her mouth?

 

And who would have imagined that the wrinkles that covered Aiyana when she was born, would be replaced with elbow dimples and a full face?

Or that the eyes that shined as a newborn, would sparkle even brighter a year later?

And who would have ever dreamed that the sleepy smile she gave us when she was barely two weeks old, would make strangers smile when she was ONE?

Happy first birthday Aiyana Eden

AND

Happy Halloween to our little pumpkin. 

You are certainly a treat. 

We love you.

Zadia, Mommy, & Daddy

A Party for Princess Baby Aiyana

Aiyana still has a few days before she officially turns ONE, but we started the celebration on Saturday with a pumpkin-themed party. Aiyana helped Mommy clean the apartment. And I helped Mommy make yummy pumpkin cupcakes for my sister.

Aiyana's real birthday is on Halloween, so costumes were encouraged for her party. I decided on my own costume this year--Super Princess Zadia! But my purple superhero cape scratched my neck , so at the last minute I opted for wings instead.

Mommy dressed Aiyana as a fairy, but I like to think she was dressed as Princess Baby Aiyana. Unfortunately, Princess Baby Aiyana didn't seem as excited about her wings as I was about mine.

But as soon as we took them off (and she added some necklaces) she was much happier and ready to party.

Aiyana and I weren't the only ones in the Halloween spirit. Nona, Poppy, Aunt Kelley and Uncle Jude also had some fun with costumes.

I made Poppy take his scary mask off, and I wouldn't go near Uncle Jude with his face paint. But my baby sister was more intrigued than she was scared.

The birthday girl waited (somewhat) patiently for her cupcakes.

And then wasted no time digging in. She started hands-free, but eventually the frosting was up both arms, all over her face and in Mommy's hair.

Some guests posed for pictures with the birthday princess.

And all the kids helped Aiyana open her presents, of which, she was most excited about her bongos!

But nobody is more excited than Mommy and Daddy, who are very glad to have a few more days before their little Princess Baby Aiyana officially turns ONE.

Halloween Fun at My House

I was so excited this week because school was at my house again!!! I helped Mommy set up the space and practiced playing school with my dolls. Then when Tuesday morning came, I sat on the couch and looked out the window, waiting for Teacher Vickie to walk down my block. I told Mommy I want school to be at my house every day, but for some odd reason she didn't think that was a very good idea.

We start the day off with some free play, during which we always end up on the couch with our faces against the big windows. Today I showed my friends how we could see Audrey's house from our living room.

Somebody requests a book, after which I ask to read the same one again, and again, and again.

 

Circle time is my favorite part of the day because we clap hands and sing songs. And this week we had a special guest for circle time. NONA!

Sometimes we do yoga too. Here we are practicing our child's pose.

Teacher Vickie brought some of her toys from home and I get to keep them at my house and play with them all week!!!

And most days we do special art projects or experiments. In keeping with the Halloween theme this week, we used red and yellow watercolors to learn how to make orange, we decorated trick-or-treat bags, and we all helped make orange smoothies for snack time.

 

And what would a Halloween theme be without playing dressing up?

Even Aiyana had fun with the Halloween theme!

Here Comes Trouble

Now that Aiyana's confidently walking, she's also confidently climbing. Unfortunately, she can't get down as well as she can get up. Just today, Mommy had to jump out of the shower to get Aiyana off her chair before she did a face plant.

Mommy has her work cut out for her, so she asked me to be her second pair of eyes. I'm often heard saying, "Mommy, Aiyana's standing on the chair!"

Or, "Mommy, Aiyana's standing on the table." (And you can imagine how difficult it was for Mommy to capture this picture while also making sure Aiyana didn't get hurt.)

And sometimes, I don't want to be Mommy's little helper at all. I just want to join the fun!

Morning Joe

Just a few cute pics to go with your morning coffee.

Holding hands with my friend, Alec.

Caught red handed eating peas off the floor.

School is exhausting.

Naked baby sister.

I'm a safety girl.

Peek-a-boo.

A day at the aquarium.