Tirzah's First Birthday

One month ago, we celebrated Tirzah's first birthday!

It's hard to believe that if she had arrived on her due date, we would have had a party this past weekend instead!

What's even harder to believe is that this tiny 5 pound 12 ounce bundle of pure sweetness is now an active, determined curly-headed toddler!

This first birthday celebration always contains so many emotions for me.

But the strongest emotion I always feel is JOY!

These little ones are such a gift, even though not every moment of that first year feels like it.

There are plenty of highs and lows, sleepless nights and milestones to celebrate.

My husband always jokes with me that the party is more for me than for the baby!

I just smile and say that he's probably right.

Getting through the first year of life with a baby feels like a pretty big deal to me! 😄

I had some (unrealistic) dreams of making a naked smash cake for her party.

It looked incredible...in my head!

Turns out, cakes have to be basically perfect if they're not going to be covered with icing. 

And mine never are!

I ended up just frosting a simple cake and adding flowers and this gold topper that my sister-in-law loaned to me.

I think Tirzah was just fine with it! 😊

This "first year stats" board was so fun to create!

After making some for a friend's twins, I decided I wanted the same thing at her party.

I made these vanilla cupcakes with strawberry buttercream frosting, and Eddie declared they were the best cupcakes he's ever had! 

I call that a win.

We planned a big party with both of our families and some friends.

The day of the party, there was a big snowstorm in the forecast.

And snow it did!!

After having two birthdays during the summer/early fall season, I'm still getting used to the challenges of winter celebrations!

Thankfully, my parents were able to make it here safely before the storm hit us.

Judging by the photo, you'd never know that some of us were happy,

but we really were so glad to have both sets of parents here to celebrate with us!

I love this picture of our happy little birthday girl! She was clapping her hands and enjoying all the attention that a one-year-old gets at their party. 😍

Earlier in the day, she was taking quite a few steps, to the delight of her grandparents and family!

Tirzah loved the icing on her cake, but she didn't actually do much smashing...

...not until she had some "help"!

I think her siblings ate more of it than she did!
(Notice the fingers in her brother's mouth!)

As you can see, she's often the center of attention around here! 

  

This is her "Why-did-you-take-away-my-cake" face!

It's amazing how much extra love one little person can bring to a family!

She's our feisty little snuggle-bug,

so determined, yet so sweet.

She's fearless, which has caused her mama more than a little stress.

She loves to climb the stairs, clean out the cupboards and go fishing in the toilet. (Why??!!)

She loves to dance, play the piano, and "sings" loudly when she hears us singing.

It's so fun to hear her say "Mom!" and chatter "Papa" when she hears his voice on the phone!

She's the delight of our family, and we love her so much!

Happy birthday, Tirzah Anne!

An Engagement Brunch

Last week, I had the privilege of hosting a brunch

in honor of my sweet sister-in-law, Kyra,

who recently got engaged!

We are so excited for her and Nick, and can't wait to celebrate with them in just a few months!

Bridgette (another sister-in-law!) planned the event and would have hosted,

but her baby was born just a week and a half earlier!

So I let her do the hard work of planning the menu, since that's not my expertise,

and I got to decorate. (Don't tell her, but I clearly got the better end of the deal!😉)

I had fun making these watercolor verse cards for each place. 

It was so special having Polly there to celebrate with us!

She and Joe made the trip to VA for Liz' graduation, so it was the perfect time to be together.

Aren't these girls just beautiful?!

I gathered some stems of greenery to lay down the center of the table.

I love that it is simple, but gives impact!

And there were just enough peonies, irises and roses left in the flowerbeds to make a bouquet!

This picture captures the joy of the morning so well!

Is there anything better than good friends, laughter and good food?!

Oh, and a brand-new baby! She was pretty much the center of attention. 😍

The sisters pitched in to help make the food, and it was oh-so-delicious!

I attempted making pavlova, because I've been dreaming of it ever since Amy introduced me to it years ago!

It didn't look like the picture on Pinterest, but it ended up being delicious! I can't wait to try making it again. Maybe I'll get brave next time and make a lemon curd to go along with it!

Even the children got in on the party! We heard them praying, and I ran for my camera, but didn't get there in time to capture that moment! I think they had as much fun as we did. 😊

Iced coffee over ice cream? Yes, please!

And here is the glowing bride-to-be! She's such a beautiful soul, and I'm glad I get to call her family.

This photo was taken by Hadassah! I was impressed that she got us all in the picture, even though some of us weren't looking at the camera or smiling!

This may be the sweetest photo of the morning!

Happy week, friends! xoxo, Ruby

A Princess Tea Party

Hadassah turned 4 a few weeks ago,

and I wanted to celebrate this sweet stage of life in a special way.

She is our vibrant, artsy child,

and like so many little girls that age, she loves anything princess!

So it was fairly easy to decide on a birthday theme.

The weather cooperated beautifully with my plans for an outdoor tea party!

This sweet girl had the time of her life! Her mama had almost as much fun, I think :)

My dear friend, Karen made this dress and her two friends' dresses! {How talented is she?!}

Hadassah was elated that her skirt was a "twirly skirt", since dancing is her passion.

 

Since I'm not supermom, I cheated and bought the cupcakes and cookies from the grocery store!

They were just right for a tea party, and the girls didn't know the difference.

The darling little princesses

and their mommies!

I just love the pure joy on their faces! 

Of course, there was dancing!

:: Teeny-tiny everything ::

 

My bestie, Edith brought a child's tea set for them to use that was given to her as a child!

They loved it!

     

     I thought maybe Nicholas would sleep through it all,

but luckily for him, he woke up in time to get on the fun!

 

Real men have tea parties.

{I'll be sure to show him this picture when he's 16!}

When the day was over, and Hadassah and I were talking about her princess tea party,

she asked if she could have another party just like this one!

She is a child after my own heart.

Happy 4th birthday to our beautiful princess!