Happy First Birthday!!

One year ago today, very early in the morning, a little ball of smiles and silliness came into our lives. 

We still can't believe she's ours. 

This morning, the Hubs had to head to work early, but I wanted to celebrate Zoey's day (and see how she would react to candles and a crazy person singing Happy Birthday before the real celebration this weekend). So I threw a candle in her usual waffle and sang my heart out. She was a little confused at first, and of course tried to reach for the flame, but once I started singing, she was all smiles. Maybe the beginning of a birthday waffle tradition?

I cannot wait for her first birthday cake experience! Will she love it or will it be a train wreck? Either way, it should make for some great pictures and a big ol' mess! 

Monday's Snapshot

Hey folks! It's week #2 of Monday's Snapshot and I've actually chosen a still from a video I took this past week. 

I had another snapshot picked out for today...and then this happened on Saturday. Z had been pushing Monkey around in the toy basket while "walking" on her knees for a few minutes. Suddenly it dawned on me - she had moved to her feet and she was walking - for real! Since Saturday, she's only done this one more time, pushing her highchair a few feet in the dining room. I know it's inevitable that Baby Tuna will walk. I just would like her to wait a wee bit longer. I'm not ready to have a full-fledged toddler on my hands. Until then, she's still our baby girl! 

Cupcakes and Valentines

red & white felt garlands - West Elm C-mas Collection similar here | XO garland - DIY

We are not huge celebrators of Valentine's Day, despite our love of both candy and flowers around here. That being said, it's still nice to do a little something for the ones you love. So today, The bambino and I picked up some red tulips at Publix, made a little chocolate ganache for some leftover cupcakes, and got a little crafty.

Z made (all by herself *wink*wink*) a super cute Valentine for the Hubs. This momma was certain there was going to be a red paint nightmare all over the house, but the kid did so good!

And, with somebody's first birthday coming up next week (holy smokes!) the leftover batter for the smash cake made some pretty nice cupcakes. I went the easy route for the smash cake and made a boxed mix (the cake for the grownups will be a little "fancier".) and froze them until next week. But the cupcakes, well, with a little chocolate ganache and festive sprinkles, well they made the perfect dessert for our Valentine's Day dinner (chili, if you must know, since it's chilly outside tonite. Not terribly romantic, but very yummy!). 

And what kind of chalkboard artist would I be if I let a holiday go by without a little something? Last year, it looked a little something like this...

And this year...

heart striped shirt

These days, we don't get too many smiles for posed pictures. But at least she (and Monkey) sat still long enough for me to catch some kind of shot. Three seconds after the shutter snapped, she was making a bee line for the open door to the back porch. Heaven help me when she starts walking!!!

Happy Valentine's Day y'all! Hope you're all celebrating with someone you love!