Happy Birthday, Ellie!

Today is Ellie's 1st birthday and she had a great day! She appreciated that so many of her family and friends sent cards and emails, and called to wish her well and sing her happy birthday.
Ellie's day began with a visit from Papaw Tom and Linda who arrived last night after she went to bed. They gave her a card that played music when she opened it (from the Wiggles) and she loved it! She walked around opening and closing it all morning.
Then Daddy made her a breakfast of yummy homemade waffles and bacon. We had a lot of snow yesterday and Arlington County schools were delayed 2 hours this morning. That meant that her Parent's Day Out class was delayed until 11:15. Since it ends at 1:15, we decided to keep her home so she got some quality time with Papaw Tom and Linda. We even went out to lunch at the Indian restaurant near our house.
Ellie had one of her favorites for dinner - lasagna. She also had her first cake - we made a pumpkin apple cake that Jim decorated with a football and "Happy First Ellie." She wanted to eat the big #1 candle we put on it, so we had to keep that out of her hands.

As you can see, she gobbled the cake right up and made a good mess on top of the lasagna she already had everywhere. We got her cleaned up and changed just in time to get to swim class where the teacher had everyone sang happy birthday to her.
Finally, Ellie had her 1-year checkup at the doctor's yesterday. The doctor was impressed with her verbal skills, saying that her interactive talking is usually not mastered until 18 months. Ellie says about a dozen different words, football still being her favorite. She also caught on quickly to hold up 1 finger when people ask "how old is Ellie?" She weights 22 lbs, 2 oz and is just about 30 inches tall. She had to get 2 shots in her arm, which got pretty sore by the end of the day, but she's tough and didn't cry too much.
Overall it's been a great first year for Ellie and she looks forward to the next one!