That darn white stuff

This is the beginning...

but I don't really mind being stuck inside with these cuties.

a quaint party

We had an actual party for Gwen, again nothing fancy, but I don't really think she minded much.

I made a chocolate cake (and "magical frosting") I'd been dying to make from the blog: Mel's Kitchen Cafe. It was pretty darn tasty, but honestly not my favorite. I think I still like Hershey's Chocolate Cake recipe best... the one on the coco powder container.

We had a few lovely guests... Thank Derek and Taylor for coming!

My Mom, Breanna, her friends Aubrey and Scottie were also there. No pictures of them... because they aren't as cool.

KIDDING.

I just spaced out on that.

And... LAYLA with a Cabbage Patch Kids tag on her face.

She likes it?

This was her Birthday present from us...

She really does like it.

Nonna's Bed

My mom came, but you wouldn't know it, because I didn't take a single picture of her.

What is with me lately??

There is proof here though, the air mattress.

Kids LOVE air mattresses. Blow one up and voila, instant excitement.

My mom decided to be very generous this stay and allow Gwen to keep her room. This put her in the living room. The girls LOVED lounging on that bed at all times of the day and here they are taking a little break from all the early morning fun.

I love that they love each other.

(I guess you can't see that Layla was beginning to thrust her chest upward, propelling Gwen into the air... but why ruin a sweet moment)

A little cupcake

The night of her actual Birthday.

Little Gwen's Birthday is on Halloween, which is very fun, but also means we must be extra careful to make her feel individually special.

Sunday's are hard days, because it's just the girls and I left to accomplish MUCH without help from the Dad. I've learned to view them as rewarding and inspiring as well, which really helps get me through. Anyway...

Since I knew my Mom was coming the next week, I didn't go all out with the celebrating.

Excuse the stained bib and jammies from the 90's. Gotta love hand-me-downs. Despite all of that rambling, Gwen's cupcake experience was still very entertaining.

"You're giving that to me??"

"Woo hoo! I'm a big girl now! My very own piece of heaven!"

"What the!?"

"Okay, so maybe the second touch won't feel so icky..."

"I was wrong! It definitely still feels weird!"

"But now that I actually stop and taste what's been plastered on my lips..."

"It's pretty darn good!!"

(Sorry for the narration... couldn't resist)

I love my one year old!

Seriously?

Seems as though I just blinked and Halloween was over.

We had fun, we really did.

Layla was Cinderella by request, actually had her mind made since last Halloween.

And Gwennie, she was supposed to be a cupcake, but the costume sold out. So... she was a pumpkin. Can't go wrong as a pumpkin... when you're a baby at least.

We went to our ward's Halloween party. It was so much fun seeing all the creative costumes. Did I get pictures of them??

Nope.

Shoulda coulda woulda.

This is Sister Murri. Our hero. She sits with the girls and I on Sunday, while my husband is off prancing around in some single student ward... psh!

Just kidding Tanner, love you.

We also went to Tanner's ward's Halloween party.

Layla was quite mesmerized by all the student's costumes.

I think she stared at the guy dressed as The King (from the Burger King commercials) for like 10 mins straight. She's doing that here...

(did I get a picture of him?? nope.)

And Gwen's love affair with sugar has officially begun.

She inhaled this sucker in a matter of minutes.

Did you know they made tootsie roll pops in banana flavor?

Ahh the beautiful Rexburg sunsets. What a beautiful sky.

Happy late, late, late, late, late Halloween.

One Year Old

Sweet, sweet girl.

Gwenyth

How can you already be a year old? Was it not just yesterday that I held you, this teeny tiny bundle of pink, bundled up and oh so perfect?

Just a few blinks and babyhood passes you by.

Wait, wait... not yet! I need more baby cuddles and tiny fingers grasping my hand. I need to inhale all your sweet baby aroma before it fades. I need to hear that soft whimper and know that I am all you need to be soothed. I need to bathe in that intense feeling of love that only a tiny baby holds for her mother. I need you to slow down with all this growing up business, please?

I love you my special girl and no matter what age you are, you will always be my baby.

Gwen is such a bright little spirit. Usually happy and content with life as it is. She LOVES her family and is still QUITE fond of her mother... what can I say, I'm the coolest. She LOVES food and will inhale most things edible placed before her, yet she's still on the tiny side. She is learning how to defend herself against her tyrant of a sister, Layla. Although they share many kind/ fun moments together as well. Layla still interprets everything that Gwen says, in such a silly, almost "possessed" tone of voice. It's really the weirdest thing. Example:

Me: "Gwennie, are you finished eating your lunch?"

Layla: "Noooo Mommy, I'm still hungrryyyyy" (imagine a raspy, deep voice here)

I don't know why Layla thinks that Gwen should have a chain smoking, grandpa voice.

Gwen sleeps really well, and is very healthy. She shows NO interest in walking and would much rather speed crawl anywhere. She can sign:

* Milk (her favorite sign)

* All done

* Please

* More

* and sometimes Tired.

and can say...

Mama, Layla, Dada, Beep, kiss, baby, and All done... out off all of those though, she says "Layla" the clearest. So cute.

It's hard to imagine our family without you.

Thankfully we don't have to.