At her 12 month doctor's appointment (which was actually a few days after her actual birthday), Eden weighed in at an incredible 19 pounds and 5.5 ounces, which is the 25th percentile for weight. Her height was also in the 25th percentile, 28 inches, but her head circumferance was at the 50th, a full 45 cm. Compared to her initial stats, 4 lbs 15 oz and 18 inches, she's come a long way.
A week later at the visit for her fever she weighed in at 19 lbs, 12 oz. Guess the lack of appetite wasn't as bad as we thought! The most exciting thing is that it is not too long until we can turn her seat around! We think she'll like facing forward much better than backward. Seems oddly appropriate since a few weeks from now would have been her 1-year birthday had she been born on her due date instead of a month early.
Although we have written about all of her newly-found skills in previous posts, here is a video of Eden's mad 1 yr skills which include walking with her toy (and anything else in the house like chairs, baskets, and stools) and giving kisses (our personal favorite).
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
My First Birthday Party!
For her first birthday, Eden wanted to have a party. She invited her family - grandparents, aunts, uncles, great aunts, great uncles - and set the date for Saturday, March 14.
She was surprised when she woke up that morning that her Uncle Bebop (Boston) and Aunt Whitney were already there!
One of my highlights was how Eden really warmed up to my dad ... After a little while it seemed like she was flirting with him (peeking around to get a glimpse, smiling when he noticed, giggling when he made a funny face, and looking around for him when he wasn't around) ... so much fun!
Overall, the party was a great success. Most people left by 3:30, and Ashley and her Mom got to do some much needed shopping for Ashley's birthday shopping trip. I got to stay back with Eden and relax a little (and have some leftovers). Thanks to everyone who came. For those who missed it, we missed you too. Hope to see you soon!
She was surprised when she woke up that morning that her Uncle Bebop (Boston) and Aunt Whitney were already there!
The first people to show up on the day of the party were Nonna, Big Daddy, and Aunt Sarah. Although they ran into some St. Patty's Day Parade traffic, they made it here just before Eden woke up from her morning nap. After the Jones clan arrived (Granddaddy, CC, Grandmama, Uncle Britton, and Aunt Courtney), Eden woke up from her morning nap, changed into her party outfit, and made her grand appearance to much applause and lots of oohs and ahhs (literally).
After the excitement of seeing the birthday girl awake, I grilled out hamburgers and chicken, and we all sat down for a nice meal ... complete with green bean casserole, corn salad, fruit salad, and chips - all inspired by favorites of the birthday girl, except for the chips, of course.
Then, it was present time! Of course, everyone was ready ...
And Eden braced herself for the long-haul ..
This year was the year of the chair. On Friday, Ashley and I could not pass up a little rocker for the front porch. Aunt Courtney surprised Eden with a recovered rocker (that used to be Ashley's Aunt Janet's when she was little) ...
... and Nonna and Big Daddy brought over my old rocking chair for her room! (very sweet)
Of course, she also got clothes, clothes, books, books, clothes, shoes, and books, too! She even received two of my favorite wooden toys that my mom had saved. Eden (and Ashley) loved all the gifts ...
One of my highlights was how Eden really warmed up to my dad ... After a little while it seemed like she was flirting with him (peeking around to get a glimpse, smiling when he noticed, giggling when he made a funny face, and looking around for him when he wasn't around) ... so much fun!
The last present Eden opened was her new stuffed animal (an owl named Dot) and a new outfit ... each were made by Ashley and are now officially in the EdenBaby line of products soon to be available ... the wings and ruffles around the legs are made from what is left of Ashley's baby blanket (seriously, it fell apart because it was washed so many times).
Eden REALLY likes Dot ...
... and her cute new outfit (top and pants) ...
Then it was time for dessert. Ashley made cupcakes and placed them on a series of plates and bowls to create a tiered look.
Of course, the birthday girl got her own, special cupcake ... complete with her new favorite fruit, cranberries.
At first, she just looked at it. Then she touched it. Then she looked at the icing on her fingers. Then she looked at the cupcake again. Her fingers. Us. After Ashley gave her a small bite, she figured it out ... YUM!
Overall, the party was a great success. Most people left by 3:30, and Ashley and her Mom got to do some much needed shopping for Ashley's birthday shopping trip. I got to stay back with Eden and relax a little (and have some leftovers). Thanks to everyone who came. For those who missed it, we missed you too. Hope to see you soon!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Happy Birthday, Eden!!
This morning Eden woke up a big girl . Although she was officially 1 at 2:55 a.m., we figured she was a little young to get any humor out of us waking her up when she was born. Good thing. Ashley got to sleep in quite a bit this morning! Perhaps as a testiment to her big girl status, Eden woke up at 8:45.
After lounging around the house for about an hour, we packed up and headed to Southside Produce to get some veggies for Eden's party tomorrow. That's where Ashley found a perfect last minute present ...
Then it was off to one of Eden's favorite restaurants, McAllister's (really she just loves their chicken). At the table we talked about some of our favorite memories from the past year: Ashley sitting awake holding a sleeping Eden with me asleep next to them at 2 in the morning with snow falling outside, the first time Eden seemed to recognize the fact that Ashley and I were always around, the first time she ate sweet potatoes, Eden going crazy and squealing with delight at the Christmas puppets, the first time she crawled ... so many fun memories!
We also talked about what we're enjoying about Eden at this age ... she can "tell" us what she wants, she sleeps through the night, she's about to start walking and talking, her personality is really beginning to shine ...
After lunch, we had planned to go to the grocery store for ingredients to make cupcakes, but Eden had other plans. She started to fall asleep, so we figured we wouldn't chance it. We came home and put her down.
While she was taking a nap, I got some much needed yard work done. As I was weed eating and blowing and bagging 120 gallons worth of debris from our back patio I realized it has been over 4 years since I have done any yard work at a house where I live. FOUR YEARS! Nope, I did not miss it at all. While I was working in the yard Ashley was busy wrapping things up for Eden's big day tomorrow. She has been sewing a little stuffed owl for Eden's bed, making a birthday outfit (top and pants), painting Eden's furniture (baby dresser, end tables), and planning her family party for tomorrow (there are no less than 5 pieces of paper on the back of the kitchen door to remind us of what needs to get done).
By the time Eden woke up, the patio looked 1000 times better, Ashley was nearly done with that owl, and we were almost ready to get back in the car for those cupcake ingredients. Upon our return from the grocery, Eden ate some dinner then crusied around all her favorite furniture. While Eden was pretty much entertaining herself, Ashley and I hung some decorations in Eden's room making it just a little bit more "done."
As we now sit on the couch (me watching an Auburn-Florida basketball game, and Ashley putting the finishing touches on Eden's owl pillow) it does not seem real that our little girl is already a year old. We do know that most if not all parents say something similar, but that does not take away from the surrealness of the experience. We feel so blessed and know that there are many more wonderful years to come. Happy birthday little girl! We love you!!