Pruitt Postings: Emma's 1st Birthday Party!!!

*warning: lots of details here, for my memory's sake.*

I can't believe the day has come and gone. My Emma's FIRST birthday party/celebration was yesterday. She had SO much fun. Everyone could see how thrilled she was at everything that was going on. Jamison started the day at 7am cleaning up the front yard to make it look nice for our guests. I focused on cleaning up the kitchen and living room to make the area more welcoming and comfortable. Afterwards, Amanda Burbidge (one of my MANY life savers yesterday) and I went to Winco to load up on some candy for the festivities and other decoration items.

We came home, and I realized I hadn't bought eggs for the cake and cake balls, so we had to make one more quick run at 1pm to get some eggs. At this point we were really time crunching here. The good thing is that as soon as I got home it was time for Emma's nap. So I laid her down, and while Amanda and I were hard at work in the kitchen, Daddy finished in the yard with Emma's grandpa Kent.

I was SO lucky to have Amanda around, she hung up the banner and helped cook and set up, and by 3:15 Jay and I were dressed and ready to party at 3:30. I was beyond excited to get Emma up and ready to see all her loved ones that were coming over. We got her little birthday onesie on, her cute pink tutu and headband...and took her out to the kitchen to see what was going on. She. was. amazed. I loved seeing her reaction to all the balloons and decorations...not to mention the people that were already arriving. Grandma and Grandpa Staheli came, as well as Grandpa and Grandma Fernelius (and the kids). Mike and Rachel Stoops, and Amanda and Brandon Burbidge came as well to help celebrate. And Jamison's brother Ben Hoskins and two of his kids, Peter and Isabella came.

What a FUN time! We had pizza; yummy salad and fruit; lots of candy in her cute blue, red and pink colors; and cake balls and cake of course.

We all ate, watched Emma eat her cute little girly cake; the adults enjoyed some cake; and then we watched as she opened a few gifts. And to end the party: Grandpa Fernelius surprised everyone with glow sticks/necklaces/bracelets and EVEN foam sticks. SO. MUCH. FUN. The kids played with the glow sticks until around 7pm. They couldn't get enough of it! :)

I still can't believe everything that everyone did for my sweet baby Emma. We are SO very blessed to have such wonderful friends and family. And I know Emma felt ALL the love yesterday. Needless to say when bedtime came she crashed! And slept WELL! :) Mommy and Daddy did too. haha

I love my little Emma darling. So so much. It brings tears to my eyes to think back to all the events that occurred within these few days a year ago. On the 4th I was admitted into the hospital to be induced at 9am, and saw my baby for the first time after 36 hours of labor, on the 5th at 9:34 pm. Those were HARD hours, as any other mother would tell you. Those were moments that I thought for sure I wouldn't make it through. Those were moments I wished I could just have her here without going through everything she and I both went through. And now, one year later... those moments are my most cherished and treasured memories. I would do it all over again today to have her here. I would have given my life for her then, and I would give my life for her now. A mother's love is so deep, and so pure. I don't know anything quite like it.

...Here are some precious memories from MY Emma girl's very 1st birthday party. :)....