Our precious little daughter turns one year old already on February 21st. We celebrated this momentous day with a special birthday party at our house. Our home was transformed into a cupcake themed party filled with nearly forty guests including family and friends. I began planning the party shortly after Christmas ended. I enjoy party planning and entertaining to begin with, but this party was very special. Most parents view their child's first birthday as a big deal but my husband and I can truly appreciate just what a big deal a birthday is. It's a miracle any of us are even here and Ambree is truly our special little miracle.
Our house was decked out in shades of pink, turquoise and red with touches of cupcake decorations everywhere. Balloons, streamers, multiple types of cupcakes, cupcake table confetti, and of course a three dimensional cupcake cake made with love by my mom. It was certainly a success and the decor and home turned out just as I had pictured. Most importantly, Ambree truly enjoyed it. She frequently looked up at each of the floating balloons and banners. She smiled mischievously while eating her own little 3D cupcake smash cake. She didn't make a mess though, as she's always been a dainty eater and enjoyed it with minimal cleanup...a mother's dream, especially with an indoor party. She helped unwrap her gifts tearing at the wrappings and tissue paper, squealing with glee at each unveiled treasure. She enjoyed herself so much that she continued the celebration through the night refusing to nap and finally crashing at 5:30pm after her final bottle and sleeping through the night. Let it be noted her party began at noon and she was awake at 5am that day with only a 45 minute nap prior to the celebration.
So, the party was certainly a success. However, like any other day (special or not) in our lives there is always a sense of sadness I feel as Ambree's older sister Larissa is not here to celebrate with us. I long to see that little girl celebrate her milestones but I recognize I can only envision each of Larissa's milestones through the growth of her little sister. I wondered what Larissa would have been like at her first and second birthdays. I now have a little insight as to how a one year old acts on their birthday and next year Ambree will shed some light on how Larissa maybe would have been on her second birthday. Again, we will never know for sure, but I see Larissa in Ambree. Mostly when she's asleep...sometimes the similarities are so striking as my one year old rests, that I find myself shedding tears at the memories of Larissa. This is now my way of life and as some will say "It is what it is." Which is true and all I can do is continue to honor my firstborn and savor every second with my second born. Savor is what I do....every single second....
