Macia's FIRST Birthday Party!

The spread:  a brunch with eggs benedict casserole, sausages, pancakes, berries, angel food cake, blueberry pancake cupcakes with maple frosting, fruit, juice and coffee.

 Despite Grammy's best efforts, Maci decided to gear up for the party by skipping her nap...

 Ellis drew this picture of and for Maci on her actual birthday:  It says 'To: Maci  Love Ellis' and is a drawing of Maci "as a big kid because she has long hair" wearing a crown and holding a balloon.

The birthday girl mingling in her "jeggings"

"Maci"  "opening" her presents while Ellis "helps"

First cupcake and frosting ever:

 A slow start, but...

 Girlfriend managed to polish off the entire cupcake, minus the drips of frosting that escapes to her chest and belly.

  I feared there would be lots of crying thanks to going into the party without a nap, but this moment was the only unhappy face I saw on M all morning.  She had a great time!

The Butterfly Pavilion (and a few randoms of Maci)

This is in Amy's (an adult's) hand, to give you an idea of size:

First bath together

Macia

*added more pictures

Last Thursday Maci decide it was time to start pulling herself up to standing. This girl loves to be part of the action---always grabbing whatever is in reach, "talking" to those nearest to her, crawling or standing to get a better view, and always smiling.  Last night she was repeating Gabe's prompts of "Dadadadadada" which was fun for Gabe.  She eats anything we give her with no apparent preferences yet.  Lately she loves to twist her tongue.

Here are some older pictures I never got up on the blog:

SO BIG!

Grandpa Duffy

My Dad came out for a visit and these three had a great time together (Gabe and I had fun, too).  Ellis was calling his "Grampy" a lot.  We'll see if it sticks :)