Bundle's first birthday!

Baby Stephanie celebrated her first birthday today! It is amazing to us that one year ago we were experiencing the profound beauty of her home birth. We are so thankful that we embraced that new experience; it is one of our most treasured memories as a couple, working together to help baby Stephanie into the world. Today, even more amazing is the idea that it was only a year ago! It seems she has been with us so much longer! Happy Birthday, you happy wonderful beautiful little girl! We love you so much!



As you can see, the mutant hot pink koala-head cake was received as expected. She gleefully tasted, smashed and smeared it around! She is currently obsessed with using utensils to eat, which made the birthday cake a whole new challenge. Apparently, she found it worked best when her foot blocked it from the table edge. Actually, her little foot frequently makes its way to the tabletop; we've learned that it's a sign she's enjoying her mealtime.

We were happy to celebrate her birthday with our new friends. Thanks to my gorgeous redhead girlfriend for taking the birthday video! It's so nice to have pictures and video clips of us all together as a family! We also find it fun that we have her Aussie well wishes recorded at the end of the birthday song, just in case we ever need proof for our girls of the many continents they've inhabited.

And yes, baby Stephanie is STILL "baby Stephanie". It is her name, and it's here to stay. She'll probably still be "baby Stephanie" at her 20th birthday. We hope she won't mind.