Mr. W’s putting up our Christmas tree instead of playing Diablo (or some other PC game[s]), so I finally get to use the computer! Woohoo! Let’s see, where did we leave off about last weekend, when my baby became a whole year old? *scrolling* Oh yes, Saturday, the day after her birthday.

Late morning on Saturday, I frosted Allie’s cake as she napped. If anyone is interested in making sugar-free frosting for their desserts, I used 4 ounces of whipped cream cheese (you can use regular softened cream cheese) and stirred 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 2.5 tablespoons of apple juice concentrate (it comes frozen, so just thaw it) into it, whipping with the spoon. Then I added undiluted beet juice for coloring with a dropper. You can see a photo of the finished cake on Part 1.
Then Allie’s paternal grandparents came by to hang out with The Birthday Girl while we (okay, Mr. W) prepped her birthday food for our family gathering.

As you can see, Allie decided to wear a shirt that labels who she is, in case of confusion.
When my parents got there, we had a feast of prime rib, mashed potatoes, string beans, cornbread stuffing, and all sorts of stuff that we set up in the backyard to take advantage of the beautiful weather.

There was a ton of leftovers, since my grandma backed out last minute for a church event, and both of Mr. W’s older kids decided not to come until the evening. It’s nice to have ready-made food in the fridge.
First, we toasted to the birthday girl.

Allie didn’t get her own cup of champagne, but my mom wanted her to have a taste of the sweet Asti Spumante. I dabbed a spoon in my flute and touched it to her lips. She licked her lips…and then pointed at the glass, requesting, “Mmm?” I didn’t give her more.

Allie enjoyed her lunch outside, too!

And she got to listen to Gong-Gong (maternal grandpa) tell stories.

Allie’s favorite part about being outside is, as usual, playing with treasures she finds on the ground.

While Allie took her afternoon nap, we (okay, Mr. W) decorated the living room for her specially. I got her after her nap, changed and fed her upstairs, and as she came downstairs, she found the house transformed.

Look, Allie! Balloons and presents! And now big brother and big sister are here, too!

Yay, she’s actually allowed to rip paper! She wasn’t sure what to do, since she was always being told “no” and having paper taken away from her when she starts ripping.

Allie got her first piece of furniture from Gong-Gong (grandpa) and Po-Po (grandma): a beanbag chair! I don’t know how she carried something that heavy and awkward without falling, but she gets lots of practice.

Gift bags were easier for her than gift wrapping, since she still didn’t trust that she was allowed to rip paper without being chided.

Next, it was time for her smash cake. Mr. W pulled her high chair into the living room, lined the floor, put a big “1” bib on her, and put the cake down. She touched the frosting tentatively. “Yeah! Eat it!” everyone encouraged. She gave a little taste with a finger, and it was good! So she offered it to her grandparents.

Since there were no takers (no one likes organic healthy cakes except for me, the baby, and Mr. W), she decided to eat it herself.

She stayed daintily clean and neat until…

Oh, well. This is why I loaded on the frosting.

Allie later had her first taste of ice cream, too. Organic vanilla bean, thanks to her Gong-Gong and Po-Po’s willingness to share. She only got a little bite and didn’t ask for more.

And then, she just played the rest of the night away. With two grandmas and two grandpas…

…two older siblings…

…supervising the photography…

…it was enough to tire a girl out!

“Thanks for my beanbag chair, Po-po. I’m ready for bed now.”

On Monday, the three of us went to Mr. W’s parents’ hotel for a visit before they left. Allie had breakfast with us at the hotel, and she had scrambled eggs, bits of home potatoes, and cow’s milk for the first time! She ate so well and so eagerly that we’re not letting her have a lot more table food. It’s all going well, if a little too quickly at this point. 🙂
Thanks for the first year, my little sunshine and rainbows!