Olivia's First Birthday Smash Cake

Olivia loved her cake. I loved how her tutu puffed out around the back of her. 

The party hat was a last minute craft idea. I'm obsessed.

I apologize, two pictures in, Dan gave her a sippy cup. Maybe my mom will Photoshop it out.

She went face first into the cake. When she did that, everyone started laughing and cheering. I think it scared her because she sat straight up and went back to using her hands.

I think she did some pretty good damage. 

Olivia's First Birthday Party: Blush and Gold

Olivia loved her party so much that the next morning she kept looking to the door and smiling, just waiting for more guests to arrive! She acts shy at first, but I think this little one loves a party.

I swore I would never do much for a first birthday - they don't even remember it anyway. Go ahead and add that to the long list of things I swore I would never do. I went a little overboard and loved every second of it!!

Most was a pinterest inspiration - you can see my board here. 

I already mentioned that I spent $45 at the dollar store - the kind where everything is a dollar. 45 items later - and a can of spray paint and we were ready for a party.

The trays, picture frames, vases, and letters were all spray-painted using the same color. It helped the fact that no golds match ever. 

I went to a craft store and picked up pink and gold cardstock, ribbons, sprinkles, and washi tape. The glitter gold card stock ended up being contact paper - which made it super easy to make her banner, cake topper, and the little "1" decorations.

I used the candy melts from the cake pops to pipe "one" on wax paper - when it dried, I placed it on top of the cupcakes.

I found some cake pop tips here. And some tips for melting the candy melts here.

The alcohol table. I found the straws at walmart. Twenty more years, Olivia..

On the porch we had the food. 

Water bottle labels from the same place as her invitations. 

Roses from the front yard.

Gold cups for the kids. With...nothing less than pink yogurt drops and goldfish. Did you catch on to that? Goes with theme.

Chick-fil-a.

For the mantle I framed one of each of her monthly pictures.

Pink lemonade jello shots. Recipe here. With more gold sprinkles.

And, the picture that inspired the entire party. We passed out gold rimmed rose as guests arrived. 

We had an after party, because what first birthday party doesn't need an after party? Bbq pork and friends made sides for dinner. The jello shots were served during the after party.

We had the smore's tray and firewood ready to go in the fire pit, but we all just hung out inside and on the porch.

Overboard? Yep. But it was so much fun!!

Olivia's First Birthday Pictures

Her birthday party outfit was totally a Pinterest idea steal - but I love it.

She kept the tutu on all night. And I loved seeing her dance around in it.

Her 'one' onesie is from here. Shipping was super slow - but it is beautiful in real life. The 'one' is made up of tiny dots to make the fabric flexible.

I made her tutu. I knew I wouldn't be able to find the exact color I wanted online - and saved a lot of money this way. They are super easy - just follow a tutorial like this one. 

She wore her blush moccasins. 

My parents got her the chair for her birthday. She loves it, so I thought it was perfect for these pictures. The lamb was mine when I was little and Olivia is obsessed.

Unfortunately the autofocus isn't working on my camera - so both these and the cake smash ones are blurry - at least the moment was captured.

Happy birthday party, sweet one!

On being a mom

Have you guys read this article?

     A letter to my pre mom self.

I read it when Olivia was around 6 months old. I related to some of it, but didn't think it was worth the hype.

Now that she's one, this couldn't be more true. 

Thought some of you might enjoy that.

Happy Birthday Olivia! pt 2

You can read her birth story here. 

One year ago, Dan and I headed to the hospital giddy, giggling, and so excited to meet our little girl. When you are pregnant you hear all these horror stories from others about giving birth. So many friends are nervous about 'the giving birth part' and even some who swear they will have a surrogate (jokingly - I think) to not have to go through labor. 

When I say it was the best day of my life, I mean it. I would have a million kids to go through that day over and over. I realize not everyone is lucky enough to have wonderful birth experiences, but I want people to know that it isn't always bad. With all these horror stories, you have to meet someone at the other end of the spectrum, right?

It was like Christmas morning, only a million times better. We didn't know what she would look like. We didn't know what her name would be. We knew we loved her - but we had no idea how much. 

And when we finally got to hold her - oh, Olivia - you stole our hearts right then and there. 

When pregnant, people would tell me to be careful wishing her out, because she was much easier to feed and cart around on the inside. 

Let me tell you guys - she's so much more fun on the outside. I could kiss her chubby little cheeks for days. And listen to her saying "mamamama" over and over. See her face light up when I come into daycare. Watch her kicking around in her monkey jammies. Feed her new foods, and watch her make different facial expressions. Hold her up into the light and stare at that one strand of hair that is two inches longer than all the rest. Watch her mischievous face when she's a few feet away from the dog's water bowl - about to make a run for it. Melt into a puddle when she grabs my face and gives my cheek a slobbery kiss. Take a look at the monitor where she is sleeping butt in the air and face planted into the sheets. See her light up when I mention 'checking the mail,' and her poor, frustrated self when I take the mail away. Watch her delight in ordinary objects, like a crinkly water bottle that we take for granted. See her push up on her tippy toes to reach higher than she ever has before. I could do all of that all day. And making her laugh so hard that she squeals. I'll do anything for that laugh.

Olivia, I'd say you are much better on the outside.

I love you more than I ever thought I could love. 

Happy birthday, sweet cheeks!

Happy Birthday Olivia! pt 1

I posted this on Facebook and Instagram yesterday, but thought I should post it here too.

One year ago today was, hands down, the best day of my life. The start of the ultimate adventure. 

Dan and I walked into the hospital so incredibly excited to meet her. We had no clue that every single thing about her would be better than our wildest expectations. No idea how much our lives would change, how much we would enjoy spending time with her, how little we would miss our old life, how quickly the first year would go by, and how greatly and immensely we could love. 

Happy first birthday Olivia Park. You made me a mother. And you are the greatest gift I have ever been given.

Few Wedding Pictures

It has been a whirlwind of a week since I left yall last. Work was crazy busy (and still is!) - and we left late Thursday night for a wedding in Atlanta - got back late last night - and I have a feeling its going to be one of those two-weeks-later-and-I-still-haven't-unpacked trips. 

Olivia's birthday party is Saturday. We go to Greenville for homecoming the following weekend. And then it's Halloween. So much fun to be had. Not enough time to get my life together.

I want to post about the wedding. I have a few other pictures to post. Olivia's first birthday is in two days - WHAT?!? But, for now, I'm going to leave you with just three pictures.

A quick family photo from the rehearsal.

My party animal baby was up way too late (and I heard the bridal party took Fireball shots..) so she was cracking herself up putting on my mom's sunglasses.

And the last one, my mom took. Olivia was so tired that she not only crashed on the way home, but didn't wake up when I got her out of her carseat. 

She hasn't slept on me since she was itty bitty - so I took full advantage and held her for half an hour. Love this sweet angel baby of mine.

Happy Monday!