Claire's First Birthday: Part 1

I have begun preparing for Claire's birthday celebration. I am not planning an extravagant birthday - just something small for the family - but I still find myself having to reign in my excitement and decoration purchases. I have to keep reminding myself that Claire won't even remember this birthday and that everything I am doing is for Jared and I. We don't need fifty pinwheels, or giant metal flower sculptures, or any of the other outlandish things I almost put in my cart at Hobby Lobby last week.

Crafty present I made for my little monster.

No matter how I reasoned with myself I still managed to find things in my cart that I needed to put back.

I cannot believe baby girl is going to be one. CRAZY! I cannot believe that a year ago she was still hanging out, cooking in my belly. A year ago I was planning some really fun genetics activities for my tenth graders. A year ago I thought I had until February to square everything away.

Crafty decor I made for my little monster's birthday.

My life is so different than it was a year ago. Claire has grown and changed so much. Jared and I have grown and changed so much. It goes by so quickly. I don't want to be "that mom" that says she has enjoyed every minute--there have definitely been minutes where I wanted to pull my hair out and call it quits--but I have enjoyed a lot of it and there has been joy every single day since January 27, 2011.

My little "almost one year old" monster.

The party is this weekend and I am almost all set--except a few last minute things. I can't wait to post pictures and show off my awesome, one-year old daughter.