My First Birthday As A Mother...My Best Birthday Ever

Yesterday marked my 42nd year on this planet...and my best birthday by far. There is just something about your beautiful little girl handing you a birthday card that just can't be beat!

I can't begin to tell you how incredible the past 6 months have been. When I think back over the first 35 + years of my life when I truly felt I wasn't meant to be a mother I can't begin to tell you how glad I am I had a change of heart. Honestly, I had a very happy life before I became a mother and I loved my life with Tony. We were very, very happy and had a lot of fun. There's just something about being a mother...being parents...that I can't put into words. All I know is that I can't imagine my life without our sweet Lily!

Last night Patti had everyone over for dinner. Don, Dad, and I celebrated our birthdays and Patti had something for everyone. She served a regular meat lasagna, a veggie lasagna, and a gluten-free lasagna. With our family's dietary issues hosting a dinner party is no small task! Patti also had an assortment of yummy desserts. There was a chocolate cake with icing and Sadie made a delicious apple pie for her favorite aunt (just kidding Mary Beth!). We also had some gluten-free banana bread for dessert, too.

On the way to Patti's house Lily decided it was about time to start calling her extended family by name. Here's what it sounded like:

Dad Dad - Dad Dad (Lily's been saying this for some time)
Aunt Mary Beth - BaBa (seems like all little people convert Mary Beth into BaBa)
Uncle Ed - Egg (again seems like all little people convert Ed into Egg)
Katie - KiKi
Aunt Patti - Pappy
Uncle Dave - Day
Sadie - Sassy
Christina - Tina or Nina
Uncle Don - Don (Lily says this as clear as a bell)
Maggie - GiGi
Charlie - Cha Chi (this was the hardest name for Lily to say)

Even though Ryan and Jamie are away at school Lily was working on their names, too.

Ryan - Ry
Jamie - Jay Meee

It was so sweet to hear Lily calling everyone by name...even if it did take a little prompting!