We were in New Mexico on Harper's first birthday for a very special 65th wedding anniversary celebration for Grandpa and Grandma Lauwereins (more of that to come). We started the day with a trip to the city pool to soak up sun and spend time together as a family. Then we discovered that mother nature followed us from Oregon to New Mexico. It was raining. However, it was hard to be upset (even though it ruined our plans) because the people in New Mexico were praying for the rain to battle devasting forest fires. So we went to Subway for lunch and met many locals, including firemen, thanks to our talkative two year old! He was telling everyone that it was "Harper's Birthday" (make sure to use your best southern accent when you read that). After lunch we returned to the hotel for a swim in the indoor pool.
I have enjoyed watching Harper's personality develop over the past year. She is very loving. She loves to hug and kiss and snuggle. I always prayed for a snuggle bug and God answered that prayer (he also reminded me to be careful of what I pray for because she wanted to be held 24/7 for her first 6 months of life!).
Harper is also a tease. She loves to make people work for a smile. I love watching people work/squirm in the grocery store as they try to make her smile. She holds on tightly (enough to leave bruises) to my arm, but eventually will flash a smile.
We are so thankful to have Harper. It was nearly a year ago that I was released from the hospital, but told my daughter had to stay. Nearly a year ago that every doctor and nurse kept saying "you are so lucky you came in, honey." Nearly a year ago that I learned to trust my gut and to respect my motherly instinct. We are blessed to have her and I won't be able to celebrate her birthday (or her Grandma's) without thinking these thoughts.
Happy Birthday Girls!
After the family swim, we had nap time and then it was time to PARTY! In honor of her birthday we hosted a Happy Hour (yep - a happy hour for a first birthday) complete with appetizers, beer and a drink called Pink Panty Droppers (Inappropriate - oh yes, but we could not come up with a new name after we read that one on the internet.) We invited the entire family (around 25 aunts, uncles and cousins) to celebrate with us. Harper enjoyed Uncle Rick and the view of the party from his arms.
It was a busy and LOUD room!
Harper met her cousin, Michael, for the first time. 
Michael met Uncle Rick...aka "the fun uncle!" Or should we say "the trouble maker"...
There were even a few gifts for Baron. Lucky boy!
We sang Happy Birthday to Harper.
She ate every single crumb from her Red Velvet cupcake.
After the party, we discovered Baron had convinced each of us 2 times to have a cupcake for a total of 4!
This picture makes me giggle. This is Harper's personality. Like I stated earlier, she won't smile unless she truly wants to. 
I had to put in a picture of Harper with her baby doll. She loves this baby. She hugs it and kisses (licks) it. It is amazing to see her natural drive to nuture at such a young age.
After the Happy Hour 1st Birthday we went out to dinner. It was a late night, but our 1 and 2 year olds were rock stars. Bed time was a little rough with both kids and us in one hotel room. Harper was having a particularly hard time until Baron started singing "Happy Birthday to Harper, Happy Birthday to Harper, Happy Birthday my Harper, Happy Birthday to Harper." She quieted down, I teared up and we all went to bed.
Happy Birthday Harper! We love you soooooooo much!
1 comment:
What an awesome first birthday. I love all of it!
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