HIghlights from Cody's birthday/first joint birthday party

Carrots!

Happy Easter!

Or, as Cody said to our priest this morning, "Hello! Happy Resurrection Day!"

It was Cordelia's first Easter. Last year, she was born on Easter Monday. I will say, it was a lot easier doing the Easter egg hunt with Cody this year, what with not being one day away from childbirth.

They had a wonderful day. Made it all the way through Mass, and then spent the whole day outside, planting trees and playing in the water.

We are all sunburned and happy. And as you can tell, Cordelia looooved the hose and water table.

Catching up to Cody

Just got back from their annual checkups. Cody is 39 1/2 inches tall -- which makes him a mere 22 inches behind me -- and 34 pounds. Cordelia is 31 1/4 inches tall and 24 pounds. The nurses were delighted with her.

Until she let loose and peed all over the scale.

Happy Birthday, Little Bird!

Cordelia had a truly wonderful first birthday. It was low-key but lovely, and couldn't have started in a better way, as far as she was concerned: Cody burst into her room, where she was waiting eagerly, and sang "Happy Birthday" at the top of his lungs. She loved it. (Check out the insane bedhead on this child.)

He showered her with affection the rest of the day.

Here's their new wagon!

In the afternoon, we trekked out to Fairfax to the Merrifield Garden Center, which was enormous and awesome. There was a whole section just of wind chimes, and Cordelia and I stayed there for about 20 minutes, touching and listening. There was so much to see we didn't get even halfway through, but got lots of seeds for our garden.

All hail the minivan.

After a dinner at California Pizza Kitchen, we headed home for presents and cupcakes. Cody was an extremely good helper. He got to play with all her toys right away--she's sweet like that. And thanks to Uncle John, Aunt Kim, and Campbell, he had a little something special--and awesome--himself...

She didn't really want much to do with her cupcake, though she liked the fire. There, too, Cody was a great helper.

And--poor JVL--she didn't quite take to her special comic books the way Cody did on his first birthday (if you'll remember, he grinned, then started chewing on the frame).

Can you blame her? She was thirsty.

Our little Scarlet Witch will grow into them, no doubt! In the meantime, there's a duck book to be chewed on read.

Happy, happy birthday, darling little bird! You have made the last year so wonderful. We love you and we can't wait for all this year will bring.