Birthday Girl

And so it came and went...Gabby's first birthday. I spent all day watching her in awe and recalling what I was doing a year earlier--having mexican for lunch with friends, finishing up final baby preparations, going into labor, spending all day in the hospital, pushing, and finally having our beautiful daughter at 8:43 pm. We took a little family moment last night, as Gabby was up until 8:43 pm, and honored the time she was born. I just can't believe how much she has grown and look forward to the little girl she is becoming.

Okay, sap stuff over with! So here are photos from the big day. Daddy came home from work around 2:15 to spend extra time with Gabrielle. She opened her gifts from us--an Elmo ride-on car and a toy with pop-up animals (when you press the buttons). I think the one that I had when I was little had Sesame Street characters on it. Maybe my mom can confirm or deny that statement. Anyway, Gabby loved her car, especially since it plays music. She seems to really enjoy Elmo and his theme song that has many "la-la-las" in it. Check out the video, too!

"Man mom! You really 'pimped my Elmo ride!' Those rims are awesome!"

"Uh, hello? Where did my toys go?"

What Daddy did when he got home from work...

Then he got some hugs for being sweet and coming home early. Not only that, but Gabby cried when he left for work in the morning. Is this mama's girl having a change of heart?

"Daddy, I told you that you have to press menu, options, tools, select, scroll down 5 items, then you press ok. Got it? Why do I have to keep showing you how to unlock the keypad?"

By the way, a quick "thank you" shout out to Brooke and Beau for giving Gabby her adorable birthday shirt! She loved it and got many compliments on it!

And now, the video...