MARIANA IS 1 NOW!!

Well, it is a little late but I have been dreading doing this blog!! My BABY GIRL IS 1!!!! I have no idea where this last year has gone! Boy did it go by WAY TOO FAST!!! I love my baby girl so much and I didn't want her to turn 1! I wanted to keep her a baby! She is such a joy to have! She turned 1 March 28th! It all seemed like just yesterday that I had her! When I heard her cry for the first time even before the doctor had her out of me! When I held her for the first time. Holding her close to me and just staring at her. Just thinking about all the great plans that I want for her! I hate looking back on this past year and wondering where it has gone! I don't like how the years go by way too fast. I love the new things they do but that means they have to grow older. I am so blessed to have Mariana Bernadine Benner! She was named after her Great Grandma Benner, who neither of my girls got to meet! She was such a wonderful lady and I am so glad that I had a chance to get to know her. I have told Mike that he needs to tell the girls all about their Great Grandma. He will live her out through his stories, and boy, does he have stories to share about them!
On her actual birthday, which was on a Friday, we took her out to eat at Bob Evans in Salem. After that, we went home and baked a cake for her. We gave her a huge piece and she dug right into it! BOY DID SHE LOVE IT! Of course, a bath followed shortly behind that! LOL! We had her birthday party, yesterday, Saturday, April 5th. She was sooooo great for the whole party. She didn't get to partied out! She had as much fun as a 1 year old can have. She got lots of clothes and some toys. The theme of the party was Girl's 1st Birthday Lil' Cupcake theme! It is such a cute theme for such a cute little girl. The day went really smoothly and we kept on track with the time. You can't drag a 1 year old's party out or you will have a cranky baby! Time flies when you are enjoying it, doesn't it? I look at birthdays as a bitter sweet thing. It is sad to see them growing up but there is anticipation as to what is going to follow. She is so different than Mara, so I can't go by how Mara did things! She wants to do things HER WAY!!! I am tired and I can't think to type about Mariana! It has been a long weekend! I need to go but I do promise to share more! I just felt that I needed to share a little!