pretty in pink

my oh my, friends! we had so much fun celebrating emma's birthday on saturday. you know that feeling when you have a party and you're so busy and overwhelmed throwing the thing that you just don't get to enjoy it?  this was the OPPOSITE of that.  she was giddy with excitement the whole time, we got to spend time with all of our family and friends, and there were cupcakes everywhere!! it was just so much fun for us all and i really wish the day could have lasted forever.  

this is pretty dorky....i'm totally THAT mom.  i found confetti at the party store that was in the shape of her name and had to buy it.  yea, i spent $7 on a teeny bag of emma confetti, so what?! growing up with a "different" name, i never got to have these sorts of things so i'm kind of bizarrely obsessed with personalized things.  i'm nearing 30 and i live vicariously through my one year old daughter....no shame ;)

i decided that decorating her high chair was a good idea suspecting that she'd likely destroy the decorations before the party started.  good thing she napped until 15 minutes before we got started.  the pretty pink princess throne survived way longer than originally anticipated. score!  and yes, that is a pink vinyl tablecloth on our floor serving as both decoration AND protection.

i mean, do i even need to say anything about this cupcake cake?? holy cuteness i'm in love.

speaking of cuteness, here's the beanie all dolled up in outfit number one. oh yes, there were multiple outfits. multiple PINK outfits. with ruffles. pretty funny to think that when i was pregnant i was pretty dead set on all things gender neutral.  my bestie elisa likes to point out that now our life really couldn't get much more PINK if we tried....hah!

emma got her own "smash cake" which she ate fistfuls of.  at first she wasn't quite sure. we got her in the high chair and everyone started to sing to her. she looked a little confused as the serenade first began.  we placed the cake in front of her and she carefully scooped icing with her little finger.

we helped her along a little and pretty soon we were in full swing. once she realized the opportunity in front of her it was no holding back! cue the cutest moment EVER when she started clapping after a huge handful of cake :) yea, i feel the same way when i eat cake beanie...we are totally related.

a few minutes later and she was totally in the zone. she was shoving handful after handful of cake in her mouth and ryan and i looked at each other with a look of understanding. we had to take the cake away or else she probably would have eaten the whole thing. no, seriously i'm not kidding. this child has a hollow leg.

a new outfit was in order after cake.  i ordered this tutu and tank from etsy and thought it was pretty hilarious that the UPS guy delivered the package in the middle of the party.  like right after cake. perfect timing in a way.  emma wasn't so sure about the tutu at first.....

...but aunt elisa assured her that all the coolest girls wear tutus! :)

my mom gave emma a very special gift.  a locket that HER grandmother gave to her when she turned one. it's beautiful and while emma can't quite appreciate it now, it's extremely special to me and will be to her some day in the future. thanks mama.

i'm pretty sure this child likes being the center of attention as she had no problem opening tons of presents in front of a room full of people.  her newest thing is saying "oh wow!" and we all heard it about a hundred times as she plowed through her gifts.  thank you everyone for spoiling her rotten.  all she's done since the party ended is sleep and play with her new toys so THANK YOU all. more than anything, thank you all for your love and support....it means more than any gift.

ever wonder what grown men do at a first birthday party?? seriously slacking on the pink boys.....

before we knew it the day was over and it was time to say goodbye.  emma had such a wonderful time and we did too.  its been a monumental year of changes in our house and this celebration was a reminder of just how far we've come :)  an hour after the door closed on the last guest....beanie crashed for a loooooong nap. i'm pretty sure she was dreaming of just how awesome her friends and family are.

emma claire murphy, just like i've sung to you every night since the night you were born, you are our sunshine.  you make us happy when skies are grey. you'll never know how much we love you.  your light shines from inside out and we just couldn't be more in love with you if we tried. here's to another year of wonderful :)