Alena's birthday!

Alena had a fun 1st birthday yesterday from start to finish! It is hard to believe that she is so old! Dad gave Alena updates throughout the day on what was happening last year at that time--"last year at this time mom was just getting induced," and "mom started pushing at this time." He even showed her how she was finally born (it wasn't quite as graphic as it sounds.)

We had 2 grandmas, 2 grandpas, 3 great-grandparents, two aunts, 1 uncle, and 1 cousin come over to celebrate. That's a pretty big crowd for the little girl! We started out with lunch, then presents, then cake, then nap. It was a full afternoon. Here are a few of her pre-party pictures. Party pictures are soon to follow.

We asked Alena if she felt older. She is using a remote like a big girl, so you decide.

Alena got to open one present early so she could figure out the logistics of opening gifts. She was a fast learner.

Showing off her birthday girl shirt and her spoon and alphabet soup. She likes to stick the soup in her mouth and crawl around. Dad asked if he should dress her in her birthday outfit or her birthday suit. Fortunatly he went with outfit.