Ten on Ten :: at a glance

Ten on Ten :: March 2012

A baby brother for Amelia!

I borrowed this idea from my sister-in-law Rebekah, and since we haven't done any formal announcement of this pregnancy, I thought this would be a cute way to do it. June 16, or somewhere thereabouts, our son John Ransom Gough is due to join our family. We're all very excited, and it is so sweet to watch Amelia's growing interest in and affection for her baby brother. I know she will be a wonderful big sister.

Ten on Ten :: December 2011

Ten on Ten :: May 2011

Ten on Ten :: March 2011

Amelia's first birthday

My daughter, the admirable, industrious (that's what her name means), brilliant Amelia Soleil, turned one this past Saturday. I can't quite believe that I am the mother of a one-year-old child, or even that I'm a mother at all, but it's true, as evidenced by the growing number of toys accumulating in my living room and the wet slobbery kisses I get in the morning when daddy brings her into bed. We celebrated with a destination party at Camp Casey on Whidbey Island. Our whole immediate family was there―Bryan, Amelia and me, six grandparents, seven aunts and uncles, a great aunt, and eight cousins under the age of five. It was quite a group, including my sister-in-law and nephews from Hawaii! 

Some of us took the ferry over Friday and stayed overnight while some drove up on Saturday and stayed Saturday night, either at the Camp Casey house or at a friend of the Goughs' house down the road. I had borrowed decorations from my crafty creative sisters-in-law for the party―handmade bunting streamers and a beautiful tablecloth from Jenny, a handmade "Happy Birthday" banner from Kristen, and vintage floral coffee pots from Rebekah―and I loved how festive and colorful everything looked. 

Everyone went down to the beach to play in the sand (and the water--oops!) and hiked out to the old fort to look around. The sun had come out after a night of rain, and it was a beautiful day.

I would love to say that everything went smoothly and the weekend was a blast, but apparently turning one, teething, and learning how to walk seriously interfere with coping skills, and Amelia had a rough night and, subsequently, a rough day. I am so grateful to my stepmom Stefani, my aunt Peggy, and my mother-in-law Paula for all of their tireless work in the kitchen to feed 27 people two meals, including clean up. They were such a blessing as my time was taken up comforting my struggling baby. 

When it was time for the official party, we changed Amelia from her jeans and strawberry-stained top into her beautiful dress from my dear friend Caroline.

I had been saving it for this special occasion.

She made it through singing "Happy Birthday" and taking her first bites of Great Grandma Velma's homemade birthday cake, but by the time she started opening presents she was in full meltdown, arching her back, throwing her head back, and crying pitifully. Bryan opened her presents (with some help from Amelia's cousins) and we whisked her upstairs to calm down while her guests continued to chat and children were changed into pajamas.

Bryan packed up the car and we took our baby home to her own bed, where she had a much better night. Everyone said they had a good time, and it was fun overall, but I think we'll plan future birthdays closer to home. 

I wanted to say thank you to everyone who helped or brought something to share, like my mom's famous homemade strawberry cupcakes, and thank you for coming out to the island to celebrate my baby's first birthday. It was definitely memorable.