First Birthday

Abby is one today. Wow, time has simply flown by since I brought her home 5 months ago. She had a fantastic birthday celebration with some of my closest friends over the Labor Day weekend. Abby and I packed up her portable highchair, carseat, stroller, two diaper bags, and one suitcase for a two day trip to North Carolina. The airlines picked a fine time to start charging fees to check bags. Lucky for me, some of the baby gear is EXEMPT, or I would have had to take out a 2nd mortgage before my trip! My college roommates from my junior year have been getting together almost once a year since we graduated (don't do the math..it is not pretty) to have a reunion of sorts. Some times we take a trip (just the girls), and other times, we just visit each other in one of the cities we live in. This time, we decided to visit Laura and her family in North Carolina and bring some of the kids and one of the husbands. We had a total of 12 staying at Laura's house. I think this was one of the best reunions we have had. It was probably because we included the kids, and they all got to meet Abby for the first time. I also think it was because I have really missed them lately. Every time I get together with them, I feel so fortunate to have had these three great women in my life for such a long period of time. Friends like these do not grow on trees. I am so lucky.

Abby and Lisa S.


The trip was just wonderful. Seeing my friends who all live in different states is always special. They opened their arms and hearts to Abby as did all of their children and husbands. The kids, other than Abby, were all within a few years of each other in age, and they had a great time with each other playing non-stop over the weekend. It was so great to see. I was so touched by the way the older kids treated Abby. Abby had her own entourage - Benjamin, Ryan, Caitlin, Aidan, and Kirby - who played with her, stroked her hair (gently of course..no one can get enough of Abby's hair!) strolled her, made her laugh, etc. They were adorable with her. It just made my heart sing. Caitlin and Aidan in particular could not get enough of Abby. Caitlin always wanted to hold her and touch her soft skin. She loved playing "mama" for a weekend, and she will make a great babysitter some day.

Abby and Caitlin

I thoroughly enjoyed getting to spend quality time with my friend's children. I feel like I have a much better appreciation for their wonderful little personalities. I have to say that all my friends are amazing parents which is evident just after being with their kiddos for a few minutes. They are great role models and sources of inspiration and advice for me as I tackle issues with Abby that they have already faced a few times (five times in one case!) with their own children. We spent an afternoon strolling around the Duke University campus which was a lot of fun because it is so pretty, and it was where my parents met and fell in love (although they did not live happily ever after with each other) when they were in college.


All of Us
Aidan and Abby
Duke Chapel


Aidan, Ryan, Caitlin, Kirby, Benjamin and Abby Duke University West Campus

Abby was treated like a rock star for her birthday. She got some fantastic presents that she loves already, and we had a little party as well. Abby is not really into sweets much (I am NOT complaining) and fiddled a bit with the cake before she palmed it with one hand and picked it up.

Abby and Caitlin Blowing Out Candle

Abby Meets Cake

Abby and Her Shadow/Idol, Caitlin

Hungry Ryan


Abby and Mom

Satisfied Abby

Abby and the Big Kids



There were always four or five of us taking pictures of Abby's every move as she pondered whether she would throw the cake or not (she didn't). And, the kids would not leave her side most of the time during the present opening phase.



I could hardly even see Abby to get a good picture since she was surrounded by her entourage! And, I felt like one of the papparazi with all the flashes going off!

Laura and her family have a wonderful golden retriever, Marley, who Abby adored. Abby crawled around on the floor with Marley and they played "cups" (exchanging plastic cups with each other). Marley enjoyed hanging around Abby hoping for morsels of food to drop at any time especially during the birthday party celebration. Abby had her own moist towlette (Marley's tongue) to clean off her hands which were full of cake and icing. It was really fun watching them together because Abby just flat out loves dogs. And, Marley was one of her favorites she has met so far. Marley licked her and walked over her, and Abby was so chill about it all. She is such a low maintenance baby in all respects (unless you are trying to hold her for a few hours on an airplane or something) and just goes with the flow.

Abby Riding Marley

Since we celebrated Abby's birthday a few days early while we were all together in North Carolina, it gave Grams and I a good reason to re-celebrate Abby's first birthday again on her real birthday. Grams brought over another cake and we had a toned down celebration at our house after work and school. Abby loves Grams' visits, and Grams bought her a great musical dancing tower that she can sit and play on now, and in a few months, she will be able to dance to the beat. It has a dancing bear on top of it that gives Abby all sorts of thrills. As usual, Grams knows what Abby likes. Probably because Grams is just a big kid herself when it comes to toys anyway! And, Abby's cousins and numerous friends called her and sang happy birthday to her as well. So much attention for one little baby, but she ate it up (the attention. the cake - not so much).

Abby's Birthday - Part 2 At Home with Mom and Grams