Our Mini Winnie: Happy 1st Birthday, Delaney Evelyn Winchester!

On Sunday morning, June 22, 2014, the birthday girl woke up around 6:45am, ready to eat. After a big bottle and diaper change, she played for an hour and we decided to take her to our favorite coffee shop, Oasis Cafe. We weren't there long before Delaney was yawning and rubbing her eyes, so I brought her home for her first nap of the day at about 9:00am. While she was napping, Brad and I hung up pink streamers and pink and white balloons.

Laney woke up at 10:45, and Noni and Grandpa Winchester came over for lunch and a little birthday celebration. Laney's great gramma Ev called from Calgary to wish her a very happy birthday, and Noni made delicious paninis while Laney opened a couple presents. She got a stroller walker from papa and me, and a few cute outfits from Noni and Grandpa. After lunch, we served Laney her first taste of sugar - a slice of strawberry shortcake. She was a little bit tired and wasn't sure about this slice of cake we put in front of her, so she stuck her hands in it and squished it around a little bit. After a few bites, she was hooked! She perked up and kicked her feet as she stuffed her mouth with chunks of cake and frosting. Happy girl! We had so much fun watching her dig in, and she devoured the entire slice. All together, I think we took about 500 pictures of her eating birthday cake.

After cleaning her up, which was a team effort, she opened her big present from Noni and Grandpa. She got a very cool Smart Trike that I'm sure she'll enjoy for the next couple of years. After she took a quick spin on it around the living room, she completely crashed from all of the sugar and excitement. She took a nap at around 2:30, we cleaned up, and Noni and Grandpa headed home.

She woke up from nap #2 around 3:30, and Brad and I took her to the pool for a birthday swim. Playing in water is one of her absolute favorite activities, and she screamed, squealed, and smiled the entire time. Brad was in the water with her, and I sat on the sidelines because I'm almost 9 months pregnant and move around very slowly these days. He put Laney up on the edge of the pool, and she would lean forward and "jump" into his arms in the water. He also threw her high up into the air and caught her without letting her go completely under water. She had SO much fun! After swimming, we came home, gave her a bath, played, and she was completely wiped out by 7:30pm.

Laney's first birthday was very low key! We didn't have a big party, but we were completely focused on making sure she had a fun day. We definitely achieved that. :) It couldn't have been more perfect for her and for us. We're so lucky to have this happy, silly little girl in our lives and can't wait to see what the next year brings!