You know when you get that amazing, perfect Christmas present that you were hoping for so desperately? And it’s even better than you imagined, and your little kid brain just revolved so completely around it? All day was just getting stuff out of your way so you could play with it, because it was your whole happiness?

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Reese has been like that, for 365 days straight. Except that instead of asking for that amazing new hot ticket item, I was basically hoping for a nice pair of socks. You know, something good for me but not particularly exciting. Maybe even a little disappointing, but ultimately fine. But then she came and she WAS that Furby. That Xbox One. That Princess Unicorn. Times a million.

For 365 days I have missed her the second I set her down for bed, and smiled as I got to pick her up each morning. We’ve been to Disneyland, the swimming pool, the movie theater, and Sodalicious. We’ve shared french fries and popcorn and Diet Coke (jk but she did try really hard tho).

I always thought it was so cheesy and stupid when girls said their babies were their “best friends.” But she’s mine. She’s my buddy. My sidekick. My accomplice. My little chicken nugget. I’ve never loved anyone or anything like this. It’s terrifying and the very best. Even if you would have told me, I could have never believed you. She is just IT.

We celebrated her birthday on Saturday, surrounded by her friends and family. We are so lucky to have such amazing people around us. And when people love my baby it makes me love them even more. Ugh there’s just so much love I almost can’t stand it.

See that little wave in her hair? 10 minutes before the party started my mom was like “Hey… can I take her into the salon and curl her hair??” LOLZ

My parents got her this car and she FREAKED. OUT. Is still freaking out to be honest.

  She loved opening presents, running around with her bestie Ruby Fin in her new getaway car, dressing up as a panda, and getting a hilarious number of panda-themed gifts.

We went with a panda theme and it was so much fun! My mother-in-law made one of her signature amazing cakes – a panda this time – as she does for every event I ever ask of her. She also made a fluffy white smash cake for Reese to enjoy. Reese was a little hesitant under the pressure and was much more interested in the fondant panda, but she was eventually yelling happily under a nice layer of frosting.

These amazing dipped Oreos are the work of Summertime Sweets. She is incredible. I told her the color scheme and theme and she did the rest! She even made a super cute “1” pop extra just for Reese. That’ll be her dessert tonight. 🙂

  For favors I got these cute little panda bags on Etsy and filled them with Hello Panda candy. The rest of the decor I made myself, believe it or not!! Being a SAHM just brings out the Pinterest in all of us.

And yeah, I know it’s crazy to go so overboard on a birthday party for a one year old. But if celebrating the best thing that’s ever happened to me (and many members of my family) is wrong… then I don’t wanna be right.

I love you Reese. Thank you for making me a mom and bringing so much color into my life.