Holy Zebra

     One week from tomorrow, my little girls turns one. Where did it go? This tiny, little peanut who stayed in the NICU for two weeks learning how to eat is now a bottomless pit with teeth, a giggle to die for, and a very outgoing personality. How did I get so blessed that this child was meant for me? This child who I put to bed at night, and count the hours until she wakes up in the morning because I just want to see that beautiful smile. I would do absolutely anything in the world for that smile. And sooo.....

     To detract from my sadness of how much and how quickly this child has grown, I have poured every inch of myself into her first birthday party! An extravaganza filled with cake, candy, and DJ, and most consuming, a whole ton of hot pink and zebra print. I absolutely cannot wait for this party (and to post pictures after). I have done a TON of DIY for this party, and I totally cannot wait to see it all come together. I have painted centerpieces, bedazzled a cupcake tower, and meticulously planned a pink and white candy buffett with splashes of zebra. As I sit here late at night gluing, cutting, painting, I wonder two things to myself: first, what am I going to do for the Sweet 16 to top this?!?!, and secondly, is there ever going to be any way for this child to understand how much I love her? But I press on, with my eye on the prize (or in this case, the party), not because I think that she will have a clue what's going on, not because I am having any sort of competition to "top" myself, but because I realize exactly what I am building as I piece together the components of this party. I am creating another memory of this wonderful child of mine. I am celebrating the year of memories that we have created. I am celebrating this insanely precious gift in my life. I am trying to figure out, with all of the mistakes I've made, what I have done so remarkably correctly that I should have such a gem in my life.