Calleigh's first 1st Birthday Party

No, that's not a typo. We had a birthday party last evening for Calleigh even though her real birthday is two weeks away. Obviously we won't be up here on the actual day so we celebrated together while we could...More on that in a minute.

Dad was preaching at the Braintree Church so that is where we went yesterday. Calleigh went to Cradle Roll - - it was quite a bit different than at Forest Lake with only about 5 kids compared to 25. But it was fun nonetheless. After a great sermon, we had potluck. Thankfully the church has a highchair so Calleigh was able to take care of business. We left quickly afterwards because I knew Calleigh was tired. I tried keeping her awake on the way home (oftentimes if she falls asleep in the car, she wakes up when you get home and won't go back to sleep) and I was successful until we were about one street away. She started falling asleep as she was chewing a puff. She just couldn't fight it any more. When we got home, I immediately put her in her crib and what do you know, it took her 45 minutes to fall back asleep. Figures. When we got up from the nap, Shawn and Camille had arrived with the puppies.

At around 5pm, the guests started arriving. We had the Cases, Conrads, Mimi, Rondinellis, Irrgangs, Shannon, and Kathleen all come over. We had subs to eat and then after sunset, we opened presents. Calleigh got a bunch of new clothes (some very pretty church dresses), books, and some toys. I'm glad I brought the two suitcases! At one point, Calleigh was standing in front of me and I let go. She stood up for probably a good 15 seconds and even started clapping. Shawn was right there so I told him to quick take a picture - - which he did. Of course, after the fact, he told me he thought I wanted the picture of her clapping. Doh! I've been waiting to get a picture of her standing without holding on to anything.

After presents, my mom then brought out the cake with the one lit candle and we sang. Calleigh just stared at the cake and then Bruno blew out the candle for her. I don't know what set her off but she then started bawling. I think it probably was just late. We didn't give her any cake (I'm saving that for her real birthday with Duncan) and so I just whisked her upstairs to bed. That took quite awhile to pull off but I finally got her to sleep in her crib.

This morning we got up around 8. My parents were both gone as they were walking in a half marathon in Providence to raise money for the school. I made chip beef for Shawn, Camille, and Bob. I was a little nervous since I didn't have the recipe and it's so hard to get the white sauce just right but I pulled it off. I then put Calleigh down for a nap in her crib. I was so excited because she went right to sleep! When she got up, Camille and I took her to CVS and then on to Bed, Bath, and Beyond to get a gift for Rad & Jen. There is a bridal shower for them tomorrow night at my mother's cousin Janet's house. I wanted to get them a set of sheets and it took FOREVER for them to find them in the store but we finally got it (yes, it was off a registry but for some reason, even the employee couldn't find it).

When we got home, Mom and Dad had arrived back home. It was also time for Calleigh to take another nap. Again, she went pretty much right to sleep. I have to tell you that this is thrilling news - - my being able to get her to sleep in this "strange" crib. I'll be bringing this crib to Nova Scotia and it would stink if she wouldn't go to sleep in it.

After she got up from her nap, she was pretty crabby and doing some random crying. Maybe it was because Shawn and Camille left! At any rate, we finally took her for a walk to cheer her up. It was a damp day and only about 50 degrees but we went nonetheless. We took her down to where there are horses at the end of the street. When we got down there, we saw a bunny rabbit sitting in the grass just staring at us. Of course, we pointed out the bunny to Calleigh. And the bunny started hopping towards us and kept coming and coming so that is was right in front of me and I could have just put my hand out and petted it. How strange! I didn't pet it, of course. We kept walking and then we saw more and more bunnies hopping around. There were maybe eight or nine in total. Another one got very close to us as well. So I don't know if they were pets that were just free or they are very wild bunnies but it was weird. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera. I'm sure we'll walk again tomorrow and I'll bring the camera with me.

When we got back, I fed Calleigh supper and then we went to the grocery store with Mom to kill some more time before bedtime. Calleigh got a balloon that she had been eyeing. I tried to give her a bath when she got home but she was really unhappy to so I had to get in with her. After I nursed her, I put her to bed at about 8:30 and she was asleep in about 3 minutes. Poor little dear. I think she was very tired. I think she isn't feeling 100% either. Her nose is still running - - just like mine.

By the way, I have to say that some of these pictures were taken by a "professional" photographer known as Shawn Brace. Can you tell which ones?