Turning 1...

... when your baby turns 1, it's a big deal. You feel like you've come SO FAR... and they've grown SO MUCH... and it is a big deal... we celebrated Marley all weekend, because I just don't have the energy right now to do it all at once. Her actual birthday, ending up being a "wash out"... we had torrential downpours and cold temperatures, and so we snuggled the day away. The next day, we made our way to the zoo, one of her favorite places. She got to see her favorite animals, and even ended the day with some swinging in the park area. We ended the weekend with a traditional cake smash... there was no doubt in mind that she wouldn't love that... and I sure was right. Daddy has been gone for 2 weeks with work, with 1 more week to go, and so we REALLY needed to document the cupcake part for him (especially). But it'll be so great to look back on these photos when she's older, and see that she had absolutely NO fear of getting herself messy... LOVED her cupcake... and absolutely ADORED the attention (especially when we sang "happy birthday" to her).

... for her birthday, we picked up a couple simple toys for her on our trip down at IKEA... one of them being this darling little wagon... it's awesome. You can adjust the speed that it goes, so it aids in learning how to walk. We filled it with her very favorite things (blanket, monkey, princess and zoo animal toys)... and she just loves it. 

We picked up some cupcakes from one of our favorite shops... and let her go to town... 

the best part... Charlotte wanted to take a picture with the birthday girl, and Marley just EYED down her chocolate cupcake... and wouldn't let her get away without tasting some of hers. We might have another chocolate fan, over vanilla, in this household. 

It was such a simple and sweet celebration... but exactly the perfect way to celebrate our Marley Wren... just wish that Daddy was here...