Abby had a birthday, Shout Hooray!

Over the years, I have been to a few different birthday parties for one year old's of different cultures. If you have ever been to one of these parties, you may know what I am talking about. The parties are HUGE! There are TONS of people there, family comes from other countries and there is a GIANT feast. All of this is to celebrate the fact that the child made it to their first birthday! Well, in comparison, Abby's party was tiny. Just Jason, Abby and I but the celebration and emotion was probably just as big if not even larger! It was a year ago today that Abby was put in the NICU because her blood sugar dropped to 23. When she was released 3 days later, there was no explanation as to why this happened. Then, 2 days after that was when our lives forever changed. That was the first time that we had ever heard of MCAD. All I have to say is that a lot has changed since then. For the first few days, Jason and I took turns sleeping so that one of us could keep an eye on her and make sure she was okay. That is what happens when you are told that your child has a disorder that is life threatening. It took me many months to really feel confident that Yes, this is something that is treatable, and Yes, she is going to live a normal life. Here it is a year later. She is walking (sometimes on the verge of running) laughing, smiling and "talking" away. Best of all, we made it through the first year with zero hospital trips. She is the picture of health. She IS going to live a normal life, just with some special care and precautions, and that is something we are very VERY THANKFUL for! Not a day goes by that I don't thank Heavenly Father for this wonderful child and the blessing we have to be her parents.

On a lighter side, here are the pictures (as you can see from the picture above, my cake decorating skills need some work!)

Abby wasn't loving the birthday dinner. I got this recipe from Giada De Laurentis when she did her child's one year birthday party. Giada, your kid may love it but mine just likes to moosh it around on the high chair. Also, when we were in California, We learned that Abby loves pineapple. Unfortunately, the pineapple I bought wasn't that sweet.

Abby really wanted to touch the flame on the candle.

She didn't really want to eat the cake either but she did a pretty good job rubbing it in her hair!

Present time, she was more interested in the camera so this was the only decent picture we got. She got stack able rings, the movie The Rescuers and the cutest outfit that I can't wait for her to wear! Also, her Auntie McKenzie, Uncle Carl and cousin Clover got her the coolest blocks that have pockets for pictures. Right now we have pictures of the Joseph side but I need the Albert side to send on some Family Pics so I can put them in the blocks too. That way, she can get to know all of you as she plays. Thank you so much for all the cards and Happy Birthday wishes that came her way!