One

One year ago today was an extra special day. Happy 1st Birthday, sweet sweet Nola!

Little Squirt is 1 and the day was celebrated with family and dear friends. After much thought, I finally took the plunge and decided to host a party for my girl. We had such a fabulous time and she was such a good girl...such a big girl...such a little show-off, too. Nola was dressed in a Hawaiian dress that her Oma brought back from Kauai a few months ago. The dress was perfect for the Hawaiian themed party.

I was so thrilled that my family and friends were able to share the day with my daughter & I. I began to get choked up while walking out with the cake as we were singing Happy Birthday. I held back the tears, though I was surprised at that moment since I wasn't sure where the emotions were coming from. Perhaps because I never really thought I would see the day where I would be celebrating a birthday for my daugther. Clearly that has changed :)

Now for some pictures...

'twas the night before I turned 1

Nola's cake

wow, look at all the balloons

today's my birthday...na na na na na

my brother, Mike, giving Isabella her tattoo

Nola & Isabella

Isabella, 2.5, showing Nola, 1, how it's done ;)

do I hear 'cake'?

not completely sure what to do with this cake!

mommy loves this picture

new push toy

Thank you to everyone who shared this special day with Noli & I. Love to all!

pretty in pink & gifts

I'm a bit over the PINK, but I guess when you have a little girl, it is somewhat hard to avoid ;) Mom snapped these ever-so-cute pics of Noli yesterday, on my birthday, and I cannot resist sharing them. What's thrilling to note is that we have finally been able to put barrettes in her hair. What a difference hair bows and barrettes make!!

Notice Crinkle Face at it's best...she now does crinkle face on demand! It is toooo toooo funny.

So, I had a nice day yesterday and wanted to share a few of the gifts I received. Here they are in pictures -

gift from my practical friend ;)

flowers specially selected by my daughter

necklace from a dear friend (it says 'love as long as you live'

and 'laugh as much as you breath')

beautiful flowers from my thoughtful cousin, Nadia

Mom and Tante Moni contributed money to my video camera fund. I know, I know...you probably cannot believe that I don't have a video camera. Well, I'm working on it now and doing some research. If anyone reading has a recommendation for a video camera that is easy to use, nice quality, and practical, please let me know.

I received beautiful cards and many good wishes for my b-day. Thank You, all, for remembering my day!

Happy Birthday to me...

Yes, it's my special day!! May there be many wishes for continued health and happiness and lots and lots of presents :) Though, I must say, my best present ever was born just 5 days after my birthday last year. Little Noli made her debut on May 25th, 2007.

I have so much going on and such a busy week. Not only am I working, but I also have to plan a first b-day party for Noli. I wasn't sure if I would do anything for her special day and then this weekend I woke up and made the decision to share her special day with family and close friends.

As for my day, it's just another ordinary day, really. Nothing special planned at the moment. My family and I will go out to dinner at one of my favorite dining establishments (probably this weekend or next) and celebrate. Other than that, I will do some reflecting on this past year and think about the fabulous future that I am sharing with my daughter and family and friends.

I'll close this entry by posting a few quotes shared by a friend on one of my previous birthdays-

'Age is something that doesn't matter unless you are a cheese'. (author unknown)

'The secret to staying young is to live honestly, eat slow, and lie about your age'. (Lucille Ball)

Love to all!