My Baby Girl is the Big UNO

Well, this past weekend, my little princess turned ONE. I can not believe she is one. In some ways it feels as though time as crawled but in most ways and on most days, time has flown by. It was a very exciting weekend. Jonny's mom, 2 of his sisters, and nephew and niece came up and it was so awesome having them here to celebrate. As well as my mommy (who'd been there for about 2 weeks helping me move) my daddy, and sister, Jonny's best friend Frankie and his fiance Cayla, and one of my closest friends (and matron of honor!), Maggie and her family! So glad people took quite a trek to be with us on such a special day! We had a great turnout which really made my heart smile to know that Ariana means so much to so many people. The decorations turned out wonderfully (many thanks to my sister in law, the streamer queen) and I ordered just enough food - and I gotta tell ya, Walmart's party trays really hit the spot! There were definitely some rough spots for me, it was once again another thing that Jonathan should have been partaking with us and it was hard without him here. I cried a couple times but kept myself together for the most part. I just kept thinking about being on the phone with him in the delivery room and it's so hard to think about how he never met the little girl he was so in love with. But as usual, I know he was there with us and was celebrating and so proud of his gorgeous little girl and of me, for getting her to a whole year! (Lol). So without further ado, I give you what you're all really waiting for... THE PHOTOS (oh, and there will be some house photos too!)

The new crib

Starting to set up for party time!
Just getting started to decorate!
Gift table
Living room, party guests, and purple decorations (we had to get our Ravens love on too... don't talk to me about the game GRR! haha)
The "Everyone" cake - first two layers yellow cake, bottom chocolate and it says Happy Birthday Ariana on the top - I MADE IT!
Ariana's personal cake - MADE THIS ONE TOO!
The food spread, decorations, and guests
Getting ready for lunch before cake
Making a wish and blowing out the candle
Taking a hand full and...
...CAKE FACE!!
Some more guests in the play room having cake
Present time!
Checkin out what kinda gifts she got

Hanging out with Grammy (Jonny's mom)
Playing with her cousin (with the birthday "I'm One Today!" button on her back where it couldn't be ripped off!)
Swing set from mommy and playhouse from Gramma and Grampa
Cousins playing
The little ones with Grammy
All of us together before Jonny's fam left

There are a ton more but I tried to pick ones to showcase the whole day (and other parts of the weekend). I hope that satisfies for those who wanted to see some pics (and for those who didn't... well... sorry you had to suffer through a pic packed post - 000 alliteration! haha)

And now I'm off, busy week ahead of me and school starts very soon! EEE!! :)

49 comments

  1. Love the pics~ :) Happy Birthday to her!

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  2. Absolutely beautiful! Definitely love the cake face pic!

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  3. Ummmm...can you make me a cake! Say...in about 51 days!? :)

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  4. I don't know if anyone else thought this or not looking at the pics....but there's a comforting aura in the picture of the living room with the picture of Jonny above the fireplace. I kept scrolling back to it. It's just a picture that speaks so much and is powerful and you just KNOW in that picture he is there, watching over you and Ariana and your family.

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  5. Looks like a wonderful celebration! Happy 1st Birthday, Ariana!

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  6. Aww! It looks like she had a wonderful birthday!! Happy birthday little Ari!!! And the new house looks beautiful! (I'm jealous! LOL!) I also wanted you to know that I gave you 2 awards on my page! Have a good week!

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  7. awesome pictures! wish I could have made it!

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  8. Glad you all had a wonderful day, the house and decorations look great!

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  9. I've been a follower for some time, thought I would finally comment on such a big day for everyone! Happy Birthday Ariana! What an awesome first birthday party for your little one...way to go mom!

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  10. I just have to tell you, your little girl has to be one of the cutest babies I've ever seen. (Sorry if that looks worded wrong, I feel like it does.) She's a doll.

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  11. This is so sweet! And I'm impressed that you made the cakes - they look so good!

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  12. Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!! Happy birthday lil miss!!!
    The new house looks awesome!! Looks like everybody had a good time, and that's what matters!! *hugs*

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  13. she is simply GORGEOUS. and momma?? You look good!

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  14. Looks like a wonderful birthday. What a cutie. I want to to squish her cheeks. I could have sat through tons of more pictures.. Just saying ;)

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  15. Cute! Happy Birthday, Ariana! I have to say, she looks just like you, then I got to the picture of her with Jonny's mom and she looks just like her too! I can't believe she is already 1! That means my baby is almost 1....eek!

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  16. Yay for pictures! I can't believe the little princess is already 1! I started following you before she was born. You have both grown so much this year (and I hope you know I'm not talking about your size). You are an awesome mommy, Rachel. Congratulations on your little diva.

    And that house - UH-mazing!! Seriously, my jaw dropped. I love it!! Great find!

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  17. Happy Birthday to your baby girl! :)

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  18. What a fantastic looking party!!!! So glad that this was such a special day!!

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  19. Beautiful!! Your house looks amazing. I am so glad so much of your family could be with you on such a special day. I think the cake face pic is my favorite!

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  20. Your house is beautiful, like the ladies who live inside. I can imagine it was hard, every birthday I think of my dad and wish he was there and every year his Marine buddies that were with him the day he was killed send me emails, call and cards. They really help try to fill the void. Your daughter is so sweet and love just pours from her eyes...((((HUGS))) for getting through another "first".

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  21. Awww baby girl is so big & adorable. She looks like both of you I think. I'm so happy that you guys had a great time & I know that your Jonny was having a blast at the party too, since he is always there for you too.

    Love you & baby girl!!!

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  22. Awww, happy birthday to your little sweetie!

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  23. She is so big now! But soo precious!! What a special day! Glad all the family could be there!

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  24. Looks like she had an awesome party!! So glad that Jonny's family was able to come up and celebrate! Love all the pictures and your cake was pretty amazing! :)
    I cannot believe she is 1! ahhh!!

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  25. Beautiful Pictures. Iroincally you rented my best friends house. She said she had rented to a widow and I thought it might be you and the pictures confirmed it. I found your blog from my friend Ashleigh (who lost her husband in August) even before you rented lol promise I am not a stalker. I hope you enjoy the house as much as she and her family did. When you labled the picture and titled it the new crib it was ironic beacause when she moved in she had a picture just like it up titled the new crib. May this year bring you blessings for you and your daughter.

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  26. this post made me smile so much. you're such an inspiration to me and all of your readers, for that matter. he'd be so proud of you. i've read your blog from start to finish. thanks for letting me be your number one follower, haha!

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  27. wow, you did a great job and looks like she had so much fun! the candle as big as her little cake makes me laugh :)

    great yard! Ariana's gonna have so much fun running around out there! have you thought about getting a doggy? ;)

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  28. Awwww! That looks like a great party. The kiddo made out like a bandit! Happy birthday baby Ariana!!!!

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  29. Happy Birthday little girl! You did a great job on the cake too...the party looked like a wonderful time!

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  30. It looks like you had a GREAT time. I can't believe she's one either.

    I remember before she was born!

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  31. Congratulations on your new home and your little girl's 1st Birthday! You did an awesome job on the cakes!!

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  32. You're seriously the cutest mama ever. So happy for you and Ari! I know I am the most random commenter ever but I just couldn't resist!! XOXOXO I seriously pray for you two (and Jonny) all the time!

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  33. Looks like you all had a wonderful time! I love the pic where she was making a wish and blowing out the candle!

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  34. Looks like she had a wonderful first birthday and your new house is so nice. I love the big back yard...

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  35. Happy Birthday! 1st birthdays are always so much fun!

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  36. Wow I can't believe Ari is one! Happy birthday Ari!

    Looks like you guys had a great party, and you look beautiful in all your photos! :)

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  37. Happy Birthday to your little one! Looks like she had a fabulous day :)

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  38. Adorable! I looove the cake pictures! And your new house looks gorgeous. Happy Birthday to your Baby Girl (:

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  39. Looks like a great bday party for a beautiful girl! And your house is awesome too...love the front porch.

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  40. I can't believe she is already ONE!!! ahh- I remember when you had her like it was yesterday! It looks like a great family celebration and LOVE the new house!! I want a porch!

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  41. happy birthday to your daughter!

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  42. its true mommy brain when you look at a picture of a house that says "new crib" and you think... I don't get it wheres the crib. OOOOH! little slow....

    Happy happy birthday to Ariana! She's so adorable and she looks so much like Jonnys mom!

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  43. Ah it looks like everyone had such a blessed day celebrating the gift that is Ariana!! I just love that Johnny's family was there to celebrate her day!!! Your new home is absolutely beautiful!!!

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  44. What fun day!

    You did an amazing job on those cakes! And her "Cake Face" made me smile. :) She is so beautiful & it looks like being Princess for a day suited her just fine. :)

    All those photos of little cousins being busy not even paying attention to the camera...precious!

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  45. Looks like she had a great birthday! Love the "cake face" picture! Adorable. And Elvis hanging in the dining room is not too bad either. :)

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  46. Love your blog!!! I hope you will visit mine at www.momzblotter.blogspot.com and become a follower. I look forward to seeing you there.

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  47. THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST OF ANYTHINGs I HAVE SEEN IN A LOOOOONG LONG TIME!!! OOORAH TO U! THE BRAVE n' TRUE, & ALWAYS FAITHFUL ~MARINE CORPS WIFE!!! Love, DOC!
    P.S.
    oxo 2 you are urs! Take care, stay strong, & keep that smile until u see him again!!!

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