Emerson's One! ~A Birthday Luau~

On May 16th, 2012, at 12:08 pm Emerson Faith was placed on my chest for the very first time. With our daughter in my arms and Jared by my side, I knew that this was the beginning of a most wonderful life. On that day, we became a family and I became a mom. The two greatest gifts I will ever receive.

And so, with a big move on the horizon and lots of changes close behind we decided to take pause and celebrate our great fortune, our Little Bird, and all the joy she has brought to our lives in the space between that first moment I held her in my arms and now.  

It was a great 1st birthday party with family, good friends and the sounds of laughter and love filling our patio and home. 

Emerson's Luau...

The Decorations- I cannot explain how much fun my mom and I had getting ready for this party. Much inspiration was found on one of my favorite blogs.

The Birthday Girl- Emerson lasted about 5 minutes in her birthday dress (made with love by her Mima) before climbing into her pool. This was exactly enough time to try to climb the spiral staircase, throw a soccer ball and hug her friend, Louie.

So, her birthday dress didn't last long, but our girl definitely knows how to get a party started! 

The Party- Our little bird and all of her little friends had so much fun. This makes me so happy.

Emerson was a little hesitant with her cupcake (Which pleased her Daddy very much) . There was no smashing or smearing of cake and icing for our birthday girl. But she was happy to share her cupcake with her friends.

Celebrating the birth of our sweet girl and all the happiness she has brought us was a perfect way to end our time spent in the Keys. It was bittersweet leaving our island life and difficult to say goodbye to the mamas who became so important to me this past year and to their littles who I've come to adore. There is a bond there that time and space won't break. They are a part of Emerson's story and for them I am so thankful.
To the family and friends who made Emerson's 1st birthday so special, Mahalo!

Also, thank you to Derek for taking so many wonderful pictures. We got one of you and E so she'll know you were there to celebrate:)

Farewell

Tomorrow, we say good bye to our house in Key West. The pink house with the lovely morning light. Expected, but somehow shocking that our time within these walls is done. The house that we brought our daughter home to. The home that watched her grow within her first year. A refuge. A harbor.

Today Jared and I cleaned the house from top to bottom in preparation for our move. As I wiped down tiny hand prints from glass doors and as the sweet baby smell of her room was replaced with the scent of cleaning fluid, I couldn't help but feel sad. More sad than the last move, or even the one before that.

Our story here was richer. More beautifully written than ever before. And closing this chapter to begin another is bittersweet.

To our home with the pink exterior and lovely light- we love you. Thank you for being a part of our story.
To our new home in California- you have big shoes to fill. I know you're up to the challenge and I'm sure you won't disappoint.

Memories

"Write everything down. Even the small things." I can't count how many times I was given that bit of advice while I was pregnant. And I have followed it. I have written so many moments down. Big moments and little ones. Hoping that by doing so, I would commit them to memory. Engrave them on my heart. So that when Emerson isn't so little, I'll remember just how special this time was.  But already, I'm beginning to forget. I didn't think I would, but it's happening.

Emerson is such a wild child and each day another part of her personality blossoms. She certainly keeps me on my toes. Always on the go-- eager to experience something new. With the constant activity sometimes it's difficult to remember what we did ten minutes ago. There certainly isn't time to write it all down and try as I might to write it on my heart, the is an inevitability that some precious memories will fade or altogether disappear.

Emerson will turn 1 year old in a few short days (gasp) and I've been hearing a lot of this: "Can you believe that almost a year has gone by? Can you believe she almost 1?" My answer is yes...and no. Motherhood has definitely shown me that time will never be seen or felt the same. Seconds, minutes, hours. Days, weeks, months. Some seem to drag on. Others are a blur. But I can say that now that it's almost here, I find myself begging time to slow down just a bit so that I can treasure it all up in my heart, so that in the future, I won't come up empty handed when I reach for the memories of these precious days.

I'm beginning to see who Emerson is and I simply love it. And although I'm excited for her next year, and the year after that... I can't help but want to hang on to this time. Right now.

So that I won't forget how special these days have been, a few small things...

Bike Rides...
She rests her tiny hand on mine as we ride. When she's ready to head home, she pulls my hand across her chest and won't let go.

Our shower...
Apparently, this is the place to be. If I leave our bedroom door opened she squeals with delight and bolts to our bathroom.

She squats...
Seriously, this kid almost never sits.

Well, sometimes she sits and when she does, she makes it look so cool :)

Birds...
She's discovered them. She constantly looks for them and loves to point them out when she's spotted one.

Pointing...
She points all of the time now. At fans, lights, the sky. Anything.

Feet...
Recently, she's become fascinated with the bottoms of her feet. So cute.

And my favorite of the day-- we had a crawling contest today, She won. My girl is fast.

I guess I can't believe she's almost a year old. My baby, where has the time gone?