365

So cliche, I know, but how has Eleanor been with us for a whole year already? This post is late because I'm just now catching my breath after an extended weekend of basketball, grandparents, and birthday festivities. 

My, what a year it's been. It seems like just yesterday that I went into labor on a PSW construction site. While I was super excited to become a mother, nothing could have prepared me for the journey ahead. We've certainly had our highs and lows, but the highs WAY outnumber the lows. We are so fortunate to have a happy and healthy daughter, and she just so happens to be smart, funny, and entertaining. I still pinch myself sometimes when I realize I'm a mother... there's really nothing better. 

So a recap of the birthday weekend:

Friday:

Eleanor's birthday last year brought the Jayhawks good luck, and it appears that this year did the same. We had friends over for Home Slice Pizza and beer and had fun cheering on our boys, despite the ugly performance.

Saturday:

Bama and Gampa arrived in the afternoon, and we went to lunch at Snack Bar. We then hung out around the house and prepped for the big day. 

Sunday:

All in all, the birthday brunch was a success. Eleanor loved all of the action and having an opportunity to ham it up in front of an adoring crowd. We had about 20 people (17 adults and 3 kiddos) at the party.  The menu consisted of broccoli/cheddar and asparagus/sun dried tomato/gruyere mini quiches, bacon wrapped dates, fruit skewers, and assorted pastries. 

The little miss was a little skeptical of her birthday cupcake - hence the marathon video below. We're trying to stick to a sugarless diet, so I baked Pineapple Carrot Cupcake/Muffins. I couldn't resist topping with homemade whipped cream, and I HAD to put a bit of sugar in there. When I let Eleanor test the cream from my spoon, she squealed with delight and chased me down as I walked away with the spoon.

Justin and I decided to celebrate our 1 Year Parenthood Survival by dining out at Lenoir, one of our favorite spots in South Austin. We had a delicious 4 course prix-fixe menu paired with lovely wines. Free babysitting compliments of Bama and Gampa!

Monday:

Swim class, lunch out at La Condessa, and play time with all of E's new birthday toys.

Eleanor has really been in a great mood lately (so I'm sure that'll change first thing tomorrow). She's full of energy and we joke that she only has an ON/OFF button - no in between. Some new developments in the last week:

: Very into opposites - up/down, in/out, on/off, open/closed, etc.

: Can sign and say "hat"

: Loves to imitate

: Still a little monkey with all of her climbing techniques

: Ate brussel sprouts and couldn't get enough (to be fair, they were flash fried). Also tried spinach, oatmeal, orange, and pineapple this week.

: Our daughter took 3 steps today! I missed them, but Laura assured me that it happened. Something tells me Eleanor will walk for a few days and then promptly start running (away from us, of course).

March Madness in the Thomas Casa - 3 screen action here.

Rock Chalk!

Just casually watching the Hawks. NBD.

The adult (read: full of sugar) birthday cake. Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting from Sugar Mama's. 

Playing with one of the birthday balloons.

Barrista Justin

So great to have Bama in town

The one and only Hadley Greager (7.5 months) - one of the best smiles in Austin;)

Looks angelic, but I'm sure she's plotting her next mischievous move.

Brian, Allison, and Audrey Beadle 

Eleanor playing her new keyboard (courtesy of Laura) and watching Audrey's balloon play.

Audrey was a big fan of the balloons!

Hadley couldn't get enough of the balloon ribbons.

Laura, Eleanor's BFF and nanny

Birthday hat/dunce hat

Great Great Aunt Sally painted a beautiful portrait of Eleanor - a talented artist and her first painted portrait at 75 years old!

A close up - looks just like our baby girl!

Not so sure about the cupcake...

Putting on a show with her tongue clicking.

All done. Cupcake in eyelid and all.

Favorite dinner on her birthday - chicken parmesan.

Bama and Gampa spoiled Eleanor rotten while they were here. Eleanor was perfect all weekend and started crying right after they left.

12 month glamour shots

Silly girl

Eleanor's new favorite this is to be thrown around (in a loving way, of course)...

Monkey see, Monkey do...

Waking up on the big day...

Warning: Looooong clip. There wasn't much to cut out because the cake eating portion of the party was super drawn out. Eleanor took advantage of the captive audience by doing her tricks - clicking her tongue and clapping her hand over her mouth for an "ah-ah-ah-ah-ah!"

Caught red-handed unleashing a box of tissues. Eleanor's been super giggly right before bed - trying to eek our every last bit of energy...