Charleston's FIRST Birthday Party!

After months and months of planning Charleston's first birthday party, the big day finally arrived. Our house was filled last Saturday with friends and family with an outpouring birthday love for our sweet girl. The whole day was kinda of surreal, and I still can't believe our baby girl is a year old. I wanted to make this a special birthday for her (even if she wont remember it) and Im so happy with how everything turned out.

Even though my mind was in that crazy hosting-coordinating-wrangling mode, I still manged to get a handful of photos. I am truly greatful for my sister, Brandy and my mother n law for the photos they got as well. I know my dad played photographer too, but I have not had a chance to get those. The day went by so fast, that I truly cherish these photos!

Her cake was the inspiration for the whole color theme of the party. I ordered it from Tiers of Joy, she also did our Wedding cake. From that I created & designed her invitation and printed from mixbook. After that was her chalkboard that I created in photoshop. Pinterest and Etsy played a huge part in helping me decorate for her party. (You can click on any photo and it will enlarge it.)

Seeing all my decorations come to life made me so happy. The colors, the cake, her outfit, the details... it all turned out perfect.

Her banner around her high chair was made from tissue paper that I cut and twisted to make "tassels." They turned out better then I thought, as I made them 10 mins before the party. The "ONE" I had made when I did her cake smash sessions. Those were numbers that I bought from ac moore and spray painted and attached the gold dots and the princess crown. The pink carriage I bought from hobby lobby and spray painted as it was originally a hot pink. 

Charleston did so good opening her presents. Her favorite things were def the books, till she got to Aunt Brandy's princess castle! 

 

This girl was super EXCITED when it was time to eat cake! She wasted no time! You can see her Cake Smash blog here.

 

We didnt get a lot of photos.. but I did get a few!
Her out fit and my necklace came from etsy and my jumpsuit and her shoes came from amazon.

I think her first birthday was def a success and she was completely showered with love!

Letters to Charleston - 11 Months Old

Dear Charleston,

I can't believe this is the last monthly letter to you before your birthday. I have so much to say to you, but I think I'll save the sappy stuff for your one year letter.
So, lets talk about this month. I have to say, and I know I have said it before, but this is my FAVORITE age! You are a ball of energy and I can't get enough of you. I am so blessed to be your mommy. To wake up to your smiling face and bed head each morning. To be able to rock you and snuggle you before each nap during the day. And to steal as many baby kisses as I want. I could never have enough words to express how much I love you and how special you make me feel day in and out.
I feel like this month you're starting to change from my baby to a toddler. You're standing, and walking along furniture. I know you will be walking in no time. And as much as I love seeing you learn new things, I don't know if I'm ready for it. You are a pro at feeding yourself, and you have gotten so much better with sippy cups. You play with your toys on your own. You love climbing things. You're climbing out of your high chair, you're climbing out of the shopping carts, you're standing on top of your baby chair trying to climb into our bed, you're climbing the arm of the couch, pushing on me to get on the table. You're pushing boxes and toys around the house as if they were a walker. You're getting into everything you can possibly touch.
You have such a vibrant personality. You smile at EVERYONE and ANYONE who will look your way. It's easy to go places with you, especially out to dinner. You love watching everyone around you. You're definitely a busy body, You can go from 0-60 in no time. If we take a toy away that you wanted or most of the time it's something you found to play with that you shouldn't have, you can throw a fit. You usually get over it pretty quick. But I know this is just the beginning of your sass.

One of my favorite things about this month that you have just started is your ability to show us your love. You give the cutest slobbery kiss ever. When daddy or I walk into a room you have the BIGGEST smile on your face. It melts my heart... Every. Single. Day.

I noticed the other day, you have 2 more teeth on the bottom. That is a total of 8 teeth. 4 on the top and 4 on the bottom. You have gotten so good with table food. You love eating with your fingers. Spinach ravioli seems to be your favorite. You still love all your fruits and veggies. You're not so sure about meats yet.. you usually push it to the side. Your favorite part about this month was your cake smash session. You were so excited you got to eat cake and mommy did not stop you.

Over the next few weeks I will be soaking up every moment of the end of your first year. I can not wait to throw you a fabulous first birthday party and celebrate you will all of our friends and family.

We love you to the moon and back, sweet girl.

Love,
Mommy

Charleston's CAKE SMASH Session!

Since I started preparing for Charleston's FIRST Birthday party, I've been so excited to do her cake smash session. It took me forever to choose her set up. I finally came up with the perfect set up the day before. I just wanted something simple that would not take away from her, but something that also showed off the Pink and Gold theme. We had Ester from Tiers of Joy bake her cake. She did our wedding cake and she will also be doing her birthday cake. (BEST CAKES EVER)

Before the session I hadn't really let her eat finger foods or even sweets. The day before her session I let her eat finger foods for lunch to see how she would do. She did AWESOME...so I knew she would do great for her session.

Here are a few photos from her session.

This one is a snapshot from the video my mother n law shot! I love it! It really shows how much she loved the cake!

She dug right into her cake and LOVED it. At first she was a little confused bc I was not stopping her. 

Letters to Charleston - 10 Months Old

Dear Charleston,

It blows my mind that you are about to enter the double digits of babyhood! Time has flown way to fast since your beautiful birth. I feel like I’ve blinked and you’ve become a little girl. I can’t believe you are now cruising on furniture, playing with your toys and would rather stand than crawl. 

You may have said “dada” first, but you can’t stop saying “mamamama” now, which makes me smile every time. Especially if I leave the room. You will chase be down screaming mama mama. You have learned to make the cutest noises. Grandma Terri loves to copy you and you always respond right back. Its like you two have your own language. Although I love the sounds, I can't wait till you are making actual words and I can find out what is going on in that sweet head of yours. 

You find so much joy in other people’s smiles, especially mine and daddy’s. You love going to Grandma Terri's. You always know where you are as soon as we step foot in her garage. You always have the biggest smile on your face. You light up Great Granddaddy's face every time he sees you. He is always making you giggle, and we cant help but giggle with you. Your sweet laugh is contagious. 

We wont see your doctor again until 12 months, so I just sat you on our scale. Your weighing in at 18.9 pounds. Your still wearing 6 months clothes, but have also started to wear some 6-9 month clothes. Your feet are finally starting to thin out some, so you can wear shoes! Which is good, bc you have a CLOSET FULL! 

I am in full swing of planning your FIRST birthday! I can not believe its in TWO MONTHS! There is not really theme, but a color scheme of Pink and Gold! With a little "Princess" thrown in. :) I've already purchased your smash cake session outfit as well as your party day outfit. I even have your cake ordered! We did a little bit of vanilla and chocolate, but regardless. I think it's safe to assume you will devour it. 

You have a very hearty appetite. With your 6 teeth. You absolutely love your food. We have not tried too many table food items yet, but you LOVE the things we have tried: sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, peas, strawberries & spaghetti noodles. You still love your blueberry, cranberry and apple baby food. We started doing some of the baby snacks like: lil crunchies, yogurt melts, puffs & mum mums. If I had to guess your favorite food would be the ranch lil crunchies. But you are obsessed with the peach puffs and yogurt melts we just started you on. You have never really wanted juice, unless it was some of my Herbalife beverage mix, or aloe. Daddy bought you some white grape juice, you really like now. 

I love watching you grow and change everyday! You bring joy to so many people. You are so very loved!

Love you Always,
Mommy

Letters to Charleston - 9 Months Old

Dear Charleston,

Time is moving so quickly. Every time I turn around your a month older. Now you are 9 months old and have become this beautiful little person.

You are a curious little one - army crawling anywhere you can. I know that you won't be crawling for too much longer as you are eager to stand and become more independent. You are constantly trying to pull yourself up onto the furniture to explore new undiscovered surfaces or to simply retrieve something that had been taken away - remotes, power cords or an iPhone. You have become such a little pro in your walker. You can spend hours in that just exploring the house or sitting in front of the windows watching the outside world.

This past month has been full of adventures for you. We spent the day in Sumter celebrating Aria's first Birthday! You loved spending the day with Uncle Fred and Aunt Daysha. They def wore you out. Grandma Terri traveled to Orlando with us to celebrate Emily's baby shower. You did so good with everyone. We spent a day at Epcot, which you enjoyed hanging out in your stroller seeing the sites, but when you got hot and tired you passed out!
Your Aunt Mary and cousin Hadley , who live in Vegas even came to visit. You loved playing with Hadley. I don't think you have been around to many babies your age so you really loved playing with her. It was so cute to see you girls together.

We have your 9 month check up tomorrow with Dr. Lewis so im excited to see how much you have grown. Your still wearing 3-6 months clothes for the most part, but have been slowing working your way into 6 months clothes. Depending on the brand, some 9 month clothes fit but are too big for the most part.

Life is filled with distractions and now with you, I have a clear direction and purpose. When I look at you I am filled with a love I have never felt before. Don't get me wrong, I love your daddy, but a mothers love for her baby girl is indescribable and magical. You are teaching me every day to be more patient, live in the moment and embrace the time we have been given to share together before you are all grown up and ready to discover the world on your own. Because as much as I don't want to think about it now, there will be a time when I won't see you every day.
I know you are going to do great things in life. You re already such and incredible little lady and I will support you and help you to grow to be everything you want to become. I will cherish all the moments I get to enjoy with you. I love you beyond measures, and I am honored that I was chosen to be your mother.

You have already taught me so much about what it means to be patient and selfless. But I want you to know more than anything, that you are loved. By so many. No matter how many times I say it, or how many ways i try to write about it, you will never realize how truly loved you are until you have a child of your own to hold in your arms.

With all of my love,
Mommy!

Letters to Charleston - 8 Months Old

Dear Charleston, 

When did you become 8 months! Yes, I said {EIGHT MONTHS}. Time has just flown by! You continue to change before my very eyes and you continue to become more fun each day.

This month you became mobile. You have started army crawling and exploring and going after what you want. You no longer sit idly playing with toys, but instead seek after whatever you can see and reach. These things tend to be on the dangerous side - especially in the ever so messy office; scissors, electrical outlets, power cords and the fake tree you like to pull the leaves off. This wouldn't be so bad, but it has fallen on top of you 3 times. You think you would of figured this one out by now. You have not figured out the concept of crawling yet, as your not sure how to get your stomach of the ground and keep it up. In the last few days you have gotten up on all four, and your ready to crawl, but then just fall to the ground and start to army crawl. We have not started child-proofing yet, but since you continue to keep us on our toes, I think its time. You gave mommy a scare the other day.. During the day sometimes you nap on our bed bc thats where you fall asleep and I don't want to move you to your crib so I just stack pillows around you. Well apparently I did not get to you fast enough after you woke up and you decided to reach for something and fell off the bed. You screamed for about 3 secs, bc it took me about 2 to get too you. Once I had you cuddled in my arms you were ok and ready to move around again. You did get your first booboo, but it does not seem to phase you. 

Your daddy and I argue about your first word! I swear its "hey." We say it so often in our household it's easy for you to pick up. Also when your doing something your not suppose to do, I usually say "HEY!" instead of saying "NO!" You also say the typical dadadadadada.. so of course daddy takes that as you saying "Dada." I guess time will tell when you start to really talk and we can make out your words more. 

While those developments were so exciting and welcome, one thing that I could've done without this month was your nap strike. You didn't give up naps all together, but I'd say that more often than not, your naps were 20 minutes or less. You have had a few bad nights this month, Im not sure if its due to your teeth or what. You cry for a few mins and usually go back to sleep when we pat your back, but its a few times a night now. 

You are becoming so much more aware of yourself and of your surroundings. You notice our food and must have it. You love playing with your hands and feet. You play with your tongue and perpetually scratch your head. If you drop something or I hide a dangerous object, you no longer simply forget it, but instead strain your head to find the missing thing.

You have 3 teeth now. The 2 on the bottom and 1 on the top that has broke through in the last few days. I swear the only time I know your teething is your slight fever thats associated with it. This top tooth has made your nose a little runny, but still a fairly happy baby! 

You had your first trip to the pool this month. You were a little unsure at first, but after a few mins you loved it. You are def going to be a water baby this summer. 

I love you baby girl. I love picking you up and you wrap your little arms around my neck giving me a reason to better myself, and love life even more. We've got some good times ahead of us. Thank you, sweet girl, for being such a shinning star. 

I love you to the moon and back,
Mommy

Letters to Charleston - 7 Months Old

Dear Charleston,

You are 7 months old. The number blows my mind. I remember reading other people's blog and thinking how big their babies were at 7 months. And here you are, exactly 7 months old, and yet you're still so little and at the same time so grown. You've gone such a long way. I could never imagine myself as a mom to a 7 month old and yet in a blink of an eye, you are 7 {freaking} MONTHS OLD!

I am most likely repeating myself saying this month has been the most amazing one so far. When I day-dreamed about you, when you were in my belly, I couldn't imagine that we would  have times like this where every single day is unbearably precious and unfathomably fun. Writing these letters to you become more important with each passing month.

Your day ALWAYS starts the same. About 6 or 7 am. We hear you rolling around and giggling in your crib, patently waiting for one of us to come get you. When you realize daddy or I standing at your crib.. Its instantly a slew of babbles and laughs followed by the biggest smile, making it evident for anyone else in the house that the PRINCESS is awake.

So what's new this month? Well, you are 16 lbs. and about 26 inches tall. You are wearing 3-6 month clothes and a size 2 in diapers. But not for much longer, I think its almost time to move up to a size 3. You have truly become a water baby. You love bath time and playing in the water, always trying to grab it as it comes out the faucet. You still only have 2 teeth, but I believe you have another one trying to push through. You are such a fighter when it comes to falling asleep. I swear your afraid your going to miss something. But when you finally give up, you are out like a light. Still sleeping at least 9 hours a night. Which is great, now only if I could.

Your favorite foods are pumpkin, apples and pumpkin and you just started liking squash. Two weekends ago we gave you one of those puffs that dissolves in your mouth, I was a little nervous. I knew it dissolved right away, but was not sure how fast and if you would choke. I think I was more worried about if you knew how to chew it or swallow it....but you loved them. I know sure if it was more of a "solid" food then what your used to or what. It amazes me that even at a young age you still know what to do. You are so interested in regular food. No matter where you are, you try so hard to reach it and grab it. Soon baby girl.. soon!

You are using your fingers and hands like a pro. You grab on to anything and everything, from toys to things on the shelf at stores. Your always grabbing on to clothes that get close enough for you to reach.You love when were out shopping and prefer me to carry you as I push the cart, so you can grab on too and help! Your going to be the perfect little shopper with me and Grandma Terri.

You babble and coo all day long. Im pretty sure you will be a big talker here soon. I think you have said "hey" several times, but that is still up for debate. Regardless, I can pretty much make out the meaning of your noises. I love your smile and giggles. It just brightens up the room. You are such a ray of sunshine when your great granddaddy Jack sees you. He loves to play with you and is always looking forward to your little giggles.

You are not crawling yet, as you haven't quite figured out how to lift that belly up. But you are EVERYWHERE! You scoot and wiggle around on your back to move from place to place. I can put you on your back and turn away for 2 seconds and you will be on your stomach turned the other way. You are def going to give me a run for my money! Your daddy and I will be chasing you all over this house.

You are such a mommy's girl too. Your daddy likes to beg a differ but there is no denying it. He's determined to make you a Clemson girl, but he does not realize that the girls in this family are Carolina fans all the way. Im so looking forward to taking you on your first tailgating trip in the fall. You will love it!

You are growing so fast! I need you to slow down! Sweet girl you are such blessing and your daddy and I love you to pieces!

Letters to Charleston - 6 Months Old

Dear Charleston,

Today you turned 6 months old. SIX WHOLE MONTHS of baby. I can't believe it. In many ways the past 6 months have passed by at a scary speed. Sometimes I feel like I blink and you've changed right there in front of me. You're no longer the tiny little baby we brought home. You are solid, with chunky, strong thighs and a firm grip. I am amazed at how much you have grown and how we can't even remember what life was like before you made us a family. Seriously, how did we spend our evenings?

We saw Dr. Lewis today and your weighing in at 15.15 pounds and 26 inches long. I have a feeling your going to be short like mommy! As for your clothes, your still wearing 3 months for the most part, but can wear some 6 months depending on brand.
You have been teething since 2 months, but this month your first tooth finally broke through and just this week we noticed another one right beside it. Ahh 2 teeth!

At six months you're as eager as ever to move or just get up on your own two feet. One day I could leave you on your play mat on the floor and work around the house, and then the next day you were suddenly mobile. Now you can roll across the floor and lie on your back and wiggle backwards (it's hilarious), and I cant leave you unattended for 5 seconds because I don't know where you'll end up. But it's wonderful because now your world is starting to open up. You have gained a tiny bit of independence and there's a world of adventures ahead.
Did I mention you can sit up all by yourself? No? Well, you can. You're a bit wobbly at times but everyday you get stronger. And you love it. Just recently, you have started to lift your arms up when you want picked up and every once in a while you will reach for others if you want to go to them. Its super cute.

We started feeding you baby food.. you weren't sure about it at first and at times you still aren't. We have tried several brands but of course you prefer the beech nut over anything. It seems your favorites so far are pumpkin and honey crisp apples with pumpkin. Your going to be a pumpkin girl, just like the rest of us! You ate a whole jar of the apples and pumpkin the first time eating them. You just did not want to put them down. You were also covered from head to toe because you got excited every time you took a bite. You like your vegetables better then your fruit. Although the other day you tried pears and raspberries and you love it.

Recently, you have discovered our faces, and we keep getting poked and prodded by your adorable fingers. Especially when we are rocking you to sleep.
You have always been a good sleeper - you sleep 9-10 hours every night. Your napping is less predictable - most days you sleep a total of 3-4 hours, but occasionally you go on a nap strike and get a little irritable. But sleep eventually wins.
Your always a happy baby when you wake up. Its usually about 7:30am when I find you in your crib just a giggling and playing with your feet.

This month you have definitely come in to your own. Your personality has continued to grow and you are becoming more of a little person than an infant. This makes me slightly sad because your tiny baby days are ending, but I am so excited to see what the next month brings.
I just can't believe it's been 6 months already.
Your Daddy and I love you more than you could imagine!

6 Month photo shoot coming soon!