One Year Ago!

One year ago today, we became a family for FOREVER. Hard to imagine that picture above with the judge was a year ago! It's amazing how fast time flies by when you become a mom. Sometimes I sit and wonder what did I do with all of my time I had before becoming a mom? I wouldn't change it for the world!

I remember being SO nervous for this day. I am not quite sure why - but I just was. I remember stressing over what Noey would wear. It was a semi cool summer day so I remember not being able to decide if she needed socks or tights (such funny things I remember!). We gave her a nice little bath and got her dressed and drove down to the courthouse. She didn't make a peep! We had once again a ton of paperwork to sign. Once it was time, we were brought into a courtroom. Our lawyer came with us and we were among, if I had to guess, 15 other families being finalized that day. Noey lasted maybe through the first 3 families, and then she was not having it. She started screaming and crying - I remember it was her nap time and that made me nervous going in there. She was sooooo sleepy. I brought her into the hall and gave her a bottle and she was almost asleep when they called our family.

Both my parents were there, along with my sister and her husband Larry, and Antoines Mom & his sister Ashley. We were asked a few questions by the judge, took pictures and then it was all over!!!!

We all went out as a family and went to Olive Garden. My mom made Noelani this blanket you see in the above photo, and my sister & Larry got her an outfit and a very special alphabet block. It was my intention that we would do this every single year and return to Olive Garden. Of COURSE, Noey was sick all week and today I woke up extremely sick. 

For her first birthday, I froze the top layer of her birthday cake. It was my intention we would all come back to the house to have the cake - this is of course a big day for her and should be treated as such!

Instead, since I was sick, we did the best we could! Here she is in her pj's after her shower. Dada ordered her some french fries (her ultimate FAV) and chicken fingers with bread sticks. If we order out, she never gets to order food - unless it's pizza. So, we figured we would get her favorite since Mama was sick and we couldn't go out.

I don't think she minded this at all! She was just as happy as if we went out. I think the important thing is that we still tried to do something that she loved - and we were together as a family.

She saw the cake when she went to bed last night since it was out to defrost. She really wanted some and I had told her she could have some today. I felt really bad that everyone wasn't over - but again, today is her special day so we still let her have cake :)

Some of the little fondant snowflakes fell off, and the number 1 was cracked, but it still had it's glitter and the colors were still exactly the way they were back in January. I was amazed! The frosting still seemed creamy and the cake still felt moist (I had to pass on trying it because I still don't feel well as I type this).

She definitely did NOT mind that the fondant snowflakes were laying around. She enjoyed eating as many of them as Dada would let her. She was sooooo excited saying "YUMMY YUMMY CAKEY". To her - this day was just as great as if we went out to dinner.

Here she is, in all of her glory enjoying her cake, on her princess tray with her Yo Gabba Gabba plate. I sat down in front of her when she was eating and I said "this is because today is a VERY special day for you"....She looked up at me and tilted her little head. I said "one year ago, you became Mama and Daddys baby FOREVER and nobody can ever take that away from us!!!" She just smiled and said "YESH".....

Oh my little baby girl, you have no idea yet how important this day was to your Mommy and Daddy. You are the best thing that has and will ever happen to us!!!! We love you SO much!