Colden's 1st Shower

Colden and Reese always take baths together.  But tonight we got home late, Reese was sleeping and Colden was in desperate need of a good cleaning.  Colden insisted on taking a shower.  He has taken many showers with daddy...he's even rinsed off by himself in the shower at the YMCA after swimming.  But tonight, daddy had already showered and so we told Colden that if he wanted to shower, he would have to take one by himself.

Colden said he was scared because he didn't know what to do.  We promised to stay with him and help him.  Colden was game.

So...tonight Colden took his first full, soapy, sudsy shower all by himself!

As promised, daddy coached him through the wash and rinse process...

And daddy was right there when Colden needed to dry his eyes...

But Colden did all of his hair and body washing/rinsing himself!

He even squeegeed the shower door all by himself...

My big boy was so proud of himself!  

And after his big boy shower, Colden let me wrap him up in his froggy, hooded towel and carry him burrito-style into his room  :-)

Way to go, my clean little man!

Reese: Happy 1st Birthday!!

1-year checkup at the doctor's office:

Weight: 19 pounds, 8 ounce

Length: 30 inches

(3 days)

(1 month)

(2 months)

(3 months)

(4 months)

(5 months)

(6 months)

(7 months)

(8 months)

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(12 months)

Because Reese was born on Halloween, I can't post about her birthday without showing a few pictures from Halloween!

First I will say that we were supposed to have a family "farm theme".  Mike and I were going to be farmers, Colden was going to be a cow and Reese was going to be a pig.  However, the dress-rehearsal didn't go as planned and Reese boycotted her pig costume.  

But, Colden looked super cute in his homemade cow costume 

(please allow me to pat myself on the back).

And Mike had fun wearing his farmer-turned-cowboy getup.  

(Maybe he was rounding up cows on the western plains....?!?)

We were able to compromise with Reese and she ditched the pig ears and tail for a "Mommy's Little Witch" outfit.

After trick-or-treating around my office, we went home for a birthday cupcake.

Happy 1st birthday, Reese!  

Her first exposure to a cupcake

She was a little less than enthusiastic

In fact, my daughter flat out rejected the cupcake!

(sorry Reese, I'm a chocolate fan myself...next year...)

Well...maybe...

Fun!

What?  Do I have something on my face?

After the rest of us loaded up on sugary cupcakes, we all went trick-or-treating around the neighborhood.  Colden went with a friend and the two of them darted from one house to the next.  He thoroughly enjoyed (and stuffed) himself!

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BIRTHDAY PARTY

The theme of Reese's 1st birthday party was "The Hungry Caterpillar".

I had fun decorating the house 

(thank you to my wonderful family for helping!)

 (We made a caterpillar out of her monthly bunny pictures)  :-)

The food at the party was all of the food mentioned in the book. 

Here is a "before" picture of the food table, with the sun in the background. Apparently, there are no  "during" pictures of the food table and the cute little place cards :-(

Here, Cousin Shana is showing off the adorable and wonderful caterpillar shirt that Aunt Merri made - thanks Aunt Merri!!!!

My dad read The Hungry Caterpillar book to everyone:

Then it was cupcake time:

...and...well...we all know how that went.  

Mushed.  Thrown overboard.  Not eaten.

At least Colden had no trouble figuring out how to eat the cupcake cones:

We all had fun outside:

And then it was time for a little guitar concert:

(Reese loves, loves, LOVES music and is quite the dancer!)

For the party favors, I made caterpillar jars filled with homemade play-dough.  :-)

Finally, when it was time to open presents, Reese wanted nothing to do with unwrapping.  Instead, she was intent on writing down who gave what...

Overall, it was a great time with family and friends!!

Happy 1st birthday, Reesie-Piece!