Penelope's 1st Birthday

Penelope's first birthday surpassed all my expectations. The stress of creating a 1st birthday was all consuming. We wanted her birthday party to encompass how wonderful she is and how blessed we are to have an AMAZING daughter.
My family came in as well as Terri and the girls. The night before the big shebang, everyone went into fiesta work mode.
Gina and Angela took charge of the pink chocolate covered strawberries. I unfortunately was not successful in melting the chocolate in the double boiler (as I've done in the past) so it was such a relief when Gina took the initiative and melted it in the microwave. Not to self: if I ever attempt to melt chocolate and don't want it to look like some thick chocolate queso, MELT IN THE MICROWAVE!
Kim got to mixing up the cupcake batter and baking them while I was on mom duty and doing minor things. Penelope was extremely excited about her birthday party and wanted to join the preparation party so she woke up and joined everyone.
After all 80 something cupcakes were done baking, the beautiful pink and purple strawberries were put in the fridge, and decorations were put up, everyone called it a night, went home and headed to bed.
Saturday morning came quick and as the party time approached, people started to arrive. Penelope was all dolled up in her pink and brown petticoat outfit. She was absolutely beautiful. I couldn't believe that a year had passed. My little baby girl no longer looked like a baby, but a little girl. She was walking around and hamming it up for everyone.
She thoroughly enjoyed her cupcake (once she figured out that it was something she was supposed to put her in her mouth) and actually fell into a deep slumber towards the end of the party.
After the party ended, I realized that there didn't need to be all of this unnecessary stress of planning and preparing a birthday party. It turned out better than I could have ever imagined and even without the pink and purple tablecloths, flowers, and other decor, it would have been incredible. What truly mattered most was that all of our family and friends were here to share this wonderful celebration of Penelope turning a year.
Of course the planning was exhilarating ( I admit it, I went into full Tori Spelling party planning mode!) and I can definitely foresee myself having more anxiety in the future for a second birthday party or, dare I say it? A sweet sixteenth party. BUT that's WAAAAAAY off and we're not going to think of that quite yet.
If there's one thing I've learned in this year it's that days, weeks, and months go by so quickly. I love Penelope so much and I cherish every single second with her. Having a daughter has made me a better daughter to God, intensified my marriage, and given me a love that I never knew existed. Brandon and I are amazed every single day at how God has given us this angel for us to love.