Happy Birthday, Mia Part 1

Before we left Wisconsin, we decided to have a birthday party for Mia with all the friends and family that we miss so much. It was such a nice party and we feel so blessed!

Right around the end of September, Mia was doing this thing where she would lean to the side and act shy if someone was talking to her. She didn't do it for too long, but Sarah got a great picture of her doing it!!!

There was quite a bit of frosting on the cake, so I helped her get down to the cake....

and then she did the rest herself.

Annie was very helpful in being sure that Mia knew exactly what to do with her cake!

Mia wasn't really sure what to make of everything that was going on....the singing, the people, the fire.....

and I ended up "helping" her eat some cake at first. She just sat there for a minute and stared at it, but then she got the idea.

And the mess began!!

And even a little smile!!

The frenzy to open the gifts

And almost a smile from the big girl!!

Happy Birthday, Mia Part 2

Mia's second party was at the end of October at Sis' house. It was really nice for people to come see Mia (before she went into hibernation) and share her birthday with us.

This is what Mia looked like while I opened all her presents...

and then she looked exactly the same waiting for cake!!!

These are all the decorations....look familiar? Well, I got such a good deal on everything that I got enough for both states!!

The "I don't smile for cameras" Birthday Girl.....

And this is me holding Mia back from the candle because she was sooooo interested in the flame!!!

I really think Mia thought we were crazy as we all stood around her like a bunch of singing giants!!

This time, I think she knew more what to do with the cake.....

and it ended up right in her lap!

So, I had to dig it all out......

but she didn't care. She ate and played and pointed at everybody. She was really cute!!

Happy Birthday, Mia, Part 3

This Mia's actual Birthday-October 15th. And just to get it out of the way--yes, of course, I cried! Anyway, the girls and I decided that Mia had to do something on her actual birthday so we went to Gerrards's and got her a pretty yellow cupcake.

The girls wanted to present it to her and then be in every picture while she ate it...

but I told them to move it! ;-) Mia immediately dug in to her cupcake...

and dropped it right in her lap!

But we just put it back on her tray!

And she loved it!! It was, of course, real buttercream frosting made with real grease....

so when it came time to clean up, she was all greasy!!

A close-up of all the mess.....

and that little snorty face!

I wanted to get a close-up of her legs....nice. Luckily, it was warm this day and I had her shorts off.....

but I should have put a bib on her!!!!