Happy Birthday to Maya

Although I knew it was inevitable, I don't think I was truely prepared for the day that my little girl turned one. However unprepared I was for the emotional part of it and how hard it would be, I also could not have imagined how wonderful it would be to celebrate one of the biggest milestone's of her short, beautiful, little life. My mom came to visit on April 24th so she could be there for Maya's birthday on the 29th and then also for the big party on May 2nd. I don't think I could have done it all myself so I was very thankful to have her here. When mom first arrived, she brought a ton of gifts with her from friends and family...it was a good thing she drove instead of flying this time. She needed the extra room.


When Maya awoke on the morning of the 29th, mom and I jumped right into the celebrations. We put a had on her head and sang her happy birthday! Jason had to work all day and said he would try to get home early but likely with not enough time for her to open all her gifts so we decided to space out the gifts throughout the day and save the ones from Jason and I until after dinner that night. I'm so glad my mom was there so we didn't have to spend the day alone. There were so many gifts so we got right to work.


Here are some pictures of many of the gifts that were given to Maya. Thank you to everyone who sent gifts and happy birthday wishes and love. We are so thankful for you.

The first gift we opened was from uncle Dax and auntie Tanya. They bought Maya a "lift the flap" numbers book and a Care Bear which is so cool! It's so soft and Maya just loves to hug it.











We opened the gifts from my mom next and what came next was a huge surprise. As I opened the bag a familiar sight caught my eye - it was my very own Birthday Bear Care Bear that my mom had found and wrapped up for Maya. I couldn't believe it as I hadn't seen that bear in years and was so pleased that it would now be Maya's. Two Care Bears in one day! I think it's wonderful that Maya will have one of my old toys to play with and perhaps pass on to one of her children. Mom also gave Maya some puzzles (which she loves to do), some videos, and best of all a play cell phone with buttons that make noise which is, hands down, one of her favorite toys. A great gift since she never gets to play with mommy or daddy's and, I'm sure, was longing for one of her own. We also opened a gift from Baba (my grandma) which was a beautiful compilation book of beloved children's stories and a generous donation to Maya's college fund. Thanks Baba!

During her afternoon snack time we sang Happy Birthday and gave her a little banana muffin with icing and a candle. She had just gotten up from her nap which was much too short and is why she looks so tired. But she was a trouper and put up with our little celebration. She loved the muffin but did not want the icing and just pushed it around until I just took the icing off and then she was happy to eat the rest. This is her birthday dress and new shoes that Grandma Day had bought for her.....very sparkly. Auntie Darcie would be proud!

We then opened the gifts from Uncle Fred & Marilyn and Grandma & Grandpa Carter. From Uncle Fred & Marilyn she got her very first Cabbage Patch Kid which I think I was more thrilled about than even Maya. She just loved holding the doll and looking at her eyes and hair and kissing and cuddling it. Great gift! She was also very spoiled with some super cute clothes from Grandma & Grandpa and a little chocolate indulgence as a belated Easter gift - some day, my dear Maya, I will introduce you to the world of chocolate!! Needless to say, she was VERY spoiled on her birthday!

Daddy was able to get home from work a little bit early so we were able to give her our gifts before dinner. I had very much wanted to get her a little baby doll that would be just her size and her first girly dolly. I think that she liked that it was small and fit into her arms perfectly. We also bought her a puzzle that makes noises when you get the pieces in the right spot - like a sound reward. She's still working to figure that one out! And finally an electronic art easel that plays music and teaches colors, numbers and letters. She has already mastered pressing the wand to the page to elicit the sounds and music. She is already more technologically saavy than us! After that we had dinner and a bath and put her to bed. It was a beautiful day and one we will not forget.

However that is not the end of the birthday celebrations. We had a big 1st birthday party with friends and family on the Saturday. She had 4 of her little playmates and many friends here to celebrate with us as well as some family. My mom and my sister Missy were here but also my Grandma Miller, Auntie Darlene and her daughter Katie. We hadn't seen them in quite a while and they had never met Maya so it was wonderful to have them there for the party. We decorated the house with lots of pink garland, balloons, and flowers and I ordered a special birthday cake for Maya. Even though she didn't get to eat the cake (too sweet - so she had her favorite banana muffin again) I wanted something memorable. We were able to get a cartoon-ish Maya on the front of the cake which I thought was priceless. It even had her cute little birthmark next to her eye. Lovely! It was such a special afternoon. We had a very full house of people who are so special to us and love Maya so much - we felt so blessed and happy! Our good friend Jenn H very graciously agreed to take pictures of the day with her fancy professional camera so I was able to enjoy the day knowing that our memories were being preserved by Jenn. There were too many gifts to post pictures here but we send a big thanks for blessing Maya & us with your generousity but mostly with your friendship and love!