Be sure to also check out
http://nealfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/
(you may need to copy this link and paste it into your browser)
for more updates and video! I am using both these sites in conjunction because one is great for photos and the other great for video so together you get the best Lea coverage available!

So its already been one year. It seems to have gone so fast. Dan and I were watching the photo slideshow that is now our computer's screen saver and were in awe that she was ever as small as she was. The now famous and ubiquitous halloween photo gives the illusion she was a big kid at the time, but when you see a photo of her in daddy's arms she was so tiny back then. But now she's a toddler. A one year old. A crumb crusher, curtain climber... not yet a tricycle motor ... but on her way.
So the Birthday event was fantastic. On Saturday, July 29 we had 8 kids total. Ranging ages from 3.5 months (Molly), 9 months (Wilder), 1 year (Lea), two kids 2.5 yrs (Anna & Cross), 3 yrs (Dillon), 4 yrs (Leo), 5 yrs (Mitchell), No six year old, but a 7 yr old (Mia). And everyone had a great time it seemed. All the kids got sailor hats and buckets with boats, duck and bubble to play in the backyard where we had set up barrels cut in half (from grandma's new property - Hooray) We floated boats, splashed and played in sand. It seemed perfect for all the ages. Wilder even got into splashing and made for some very cute photos too.

Then came the present opening and Lea made out like a bandit. She got the best presents ever. For a little girl with so much she has played with ever single one of her presents every day this week. She got stuff that really keeps her attention and engages her! Thanks to everyone who came, so very generous! Lea did a good job opening presents too. she stayed interested as we unwrapped things. You can see in the group photos at the party that we had a semi-circle of kids watching the gift opening. Those in the back said that line of kids got closer and closer to Lea and I as we opened more presents. It was very cute. Somehow, Able was able to sleep though much of present opening. I think that's signs of a well seasoned parent (father to Mia 7 and Leo 4). But we had to wake him to get the piece d' resistance... the Cadillac of Wagons for our little Lea. A gift from Grandpa & Linda with so many special touches it was amazing. The wagon has Lea's name on the side and came with a seat pad for laying down or sitting up and a pillow in a special sailboat printed bag with toy boats in side! So many details it was just wonderful! Lea can't wait to get pulled around in it. We're going to try to get together over the upcoming weekend and find someplace to test drive Lea's Wagon!

So next came cake. Lea got her own cupcake with a cursive "L." We lit her candle, but then were afraid she'd hurt herself so we sang fast and blew it out for her. Although Dad and I had tried very hard to teach her to "blow like the wind" but no luck in front of all those people. She got cake as "naked baby" because her dress was so wet from playing in the water (and who wants blue frosting all over their party dress). Aunt Teresa helped Lea learn she could get it all over herself but a little touch to the nose with the cupcake - but once Lea got a taste it was all over. She tried to get the whole cupcake in those little chipmunk cheeks at one time. Big handfuls of cakes. After the party was over, at dinner time Lea got some chocolate cake and we got some video of that (which is up on http://nealfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/)

It was just a perfect day. Lea seemed a bit overwhelmed, understandably, but took it all in stride and we didn't have a melt down at any point. She would stand aside and watch what was going on and then join in whole heartedly. The kid has little fear!

On her actual birthday, Tuesday July 25, I got to take the whole day off work and spend it all with my little one year old. We swung in the back yard in the morning before our nap and then after lunch, Dad and I took her to a "spray ground." The city of Dallas has created several new parks with water features that spray out of the ground or dump water out of a pipe and you get really wet, but without a pool. I thought it would be perfect for Lea since she could walk, but not swim. Well she was more overwhelmed there than anywhere else. There were several kids and some of the water features dumped a bit too much water for her liking. But we found a little geyser and had a good time with our bucket and our duck. As Godmother Sherry pointed out it may be the first in a tradition of doing something with Lea that we've never done before (I try to do that on my birthday - its a lot easier to think of thins for a one yr old than a 35 yr old, but the spray park was new for me too!) Then, Grandma Lynn came into Dallas and we went shopping for a baby doll and shoes. (there is also video of Lea clomping around in her new birthday shoes on http://nealfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/) She kind of walks like Frankenstein in shoes, but is getting more and more comfortable in them. Then we all went to dinner at Applebee's where Lea got a balloon, but wasn't too impressed with it. In fact we forgot it at the restaurant. It was a big day. We had a wonderful time and I was glad I could spend all day with my birthday girl.

As for a general update we're doing great. The Doctor said she is growing perfectly at her check up. She's walking/running like a pro and keeps us on our toes keeping up with her. She loves to run into her room and throw laundry about and then run to our bedroom and get hoisted onto the bed and pull kleenex out of the box. She's got two teeth on the bottom, no signs of any others coming soon. There is a photo of Lea in the bath with a giant tooth grin where you can see the two tooth buds. She's got soap in her hair for a perfect curl and a beautiful bright smile. That is my current favorite photo and I have it above my computer so I can see it all day long.

We got Lea's portrait taken again by the Advocate photographer, Robert. It didn't go quite as well as the Easter photos, because she is so much more mobile. Lea knew she didn't want to stand where we put her so there was a second and a half to get a shot. The good part, though is that we got shots of her walking which I love. I love the movement and capturing this "moment in time" of her first steps. Some are up in the photo album here, but there is also a link in "links" to a walgreens site where all are viewable.

So we've had a wonderful first year and a wonderful celebration of that year. Its hard for me, mom, to adjust to toddlerhood from babyhood... but Lea doesn't seem to mind that I still call her my little baby! I guess no matter how big she gets she'll still be mama's baby, hmmm?

We are suffering some separation anxiety. When I go off to work in the morning or after lunch there is some clinging and crying, but Dad takes her outside and they wave to me as I leave and it seems to go over a little better. I am luck that I get to see her at lunch and when I get home. I don't miss much more than naps unless its my busy week. I'd feel guilty over Lea's cries as I leave if a) I didn't come home every 3 hours or so and b) she cries the same amount if I just go into my bedroom without her! It's nice to feel loved though!

So we're looking forward to the next year. I'm sure it won't slow down, but a mom can dream! I'll just have to try to savor every minute as it whizzes by in a blur of first words and more independence.

Kindest Regards,
The Neal Family