penny's first birthday party: food & decor

Penny's first birthday party was one of the most fun parties I've ever planned. We didn't want to do something outrageous, and lets be real, Penny isn't at the age where she really plays with other kids and will remember the party so it was really for us. BUT, all the same, we wanted to have a celebration. So we had originally planned a picnic with family and close Atlanta friends, but unfortunately the weather did NOT cooperate. So, we were nimble and hosted the party in our apartment. It was tight, but fun. We didn't have a real "theme" just wanted to go along with the bright colors that we had picked for her room/style (or at least what I think her style is, hah).

so, without further adeau -- Penny's bright, fun and festive first birthday! 

thanks to the amazing Aliya Rinaldi  Designs for the invites -- we loved them! (I highly recommend her for any and all of your invite/design needs)

bright colors incorporated into the napkins, straws, etc.

rainbow cake! yes -- I'm insane and made two of them, one for the cake smash/photoshoot and one for her party. in retrospect, I wish I would have made rainbow cupcakes for the party but you live and learn [[many thanks to Penny's amazing Godmother Tiffani for helping me with both cakes, and let's get real, most if not all of the food]]

pink lemonade cupcakes... 

party food! mini sandwiches, fruit kabobs, chocolate dipped pretzel rods, fruity pebbles/rice krispie treats, chips and salsa...

mini fruit kabobs and a mimosa bar (few types of champagnes and juices in pitchers)

beers for the non-mimosa drinking adults and izzies for the kids [and Oliver]...

...and P's favorite -- bubbles as favors! [[fun fact, Penny said "bubbles," her first non mama/dada word AND walked seven steps for the first time on her actual birthday]]

so there you have it! such a blast and I can't wait to plan P's next party... only ten months of planning. ;) I'll post pictures of the birthday girl enjoying her party next (aka soon)!

p's one year photos.

I know, I know.

Insert lame apology about not blogging here. I've decided that I'm just going to blog when I have a chance and not feel anxious about having to "update" since the last blog post... [thanks Julie for the nudge to get back in the saddle, haha].

so let's just say from February to July have been awesome. Hah. But really. I'll try and update a bit here and there (Penny's first birthday, etc).

To start -- I have to share her one year pictures from the fabulous Shannon Leigh Studios.

Enjoy!

I mean.

seriously? 

I die.

more coming soon... promise (hah).

saint valentines...

a glimpse into what my sweetest valentine day yet looked like...

....yup. I'm one lucky gal.

giggles.

i'm annoying.

she's adorable.

school = lots of sickies, boo.

on that note... enjoy.

feb '13 - giggles from annahitaj on Vimeo.

whoopsies.

oops... I.... did it again. fell of the face of the earth that is. whoopsies.

well, I'm done groveling/making false promises of being a better blogger.

truth? I'm swamped.

I don't know when I'm not going to feel like I'm drowning and until then -- blogging is likely to be sporadic. not to say I don't miss my sweet little space on the interwebs. I do. I always think about how I should blog and what I want to blog about (seriously? SO MUCH)... but, alas, time is not on my side.

oh well.

here's to making a conscious effort at getting back at it [who needs sleep?]

with all that being said - here's what's going on....

though life is busy, life is grand.... AND I'm 30. what? 30. seriously? I remember when that seemed so far away and I got anxious about the idea of getting older -- now? I'm thrilled. I am so excited for my thirties and can honestly say I am so content and excited about where I am right now.

I have an amazing family, beautiful daughter, handsome and sweet husband, fulfilling career and a smile on my face.

so what else is going on? well, I don't talk about work/my job a lot on the blog, but I will share that I recently got a promotion! so exciting and just makes me thrilled to know that my hard work did not go unnoticed and all of the hours and effort were worth it. I feel like I'm leaving my mark and my career is taking a turn that is serendipitous and fruitful. BUT, with all that being said -- I am swamped, my plate is full and I feel like I'm constantly going, going, going when it comes to work [hence the lack of blogging].

Ms. Penelope is so fun, so sweet and so interactive - she brightens up our days more than words could ever describe. I feel like it's so cliche and something that we always say but she just keeps getting more and more fun. She truly is a little person now and I love the time I get to spend with her. I feel so blessed that she goes to school the building over from my office and that I am so close. We've been going strong with nursing for the past nine months [another area where I feel so blessed, I know that we've been so lucky to have such an easy time with it and I do NOT take it for granted]. I love the time that I get to spend with her during the day nursing her and I'm so proud of us and our journey [another thing I WANT to blog about, hopefully eventually].

What else? DJ -- oh DJ, where do I begin. I love that man. He drives me crazy, but I love him. We're settling into our roles as parents and this new part of our partnership. I love having him as a husband and I love watching him as a dad - Penny is definitely a daddy's girl in the making. Her eyes light up for him and I love their interactions. I am also so proud of DJ and his work, he has been definitely putting the hours in as well and it is paying off - he continues to grow and thrive in his career and I am so inspired by his drive, creativity and intellect [cheesy, but SO true].


why do I feel like I'm writing one of those Christmas letters to family? barf. with that - I'll stop here. more soon. I promise to post seven & eight month Penelope updates [aka picture dumps] soon and maybe I'll finally finish my 2012 in review post -- considering we're a month and half into 2013. oops.

anyways, I'll leave you with a few adorable pictures of my almost NINE month old (?!)...

until next time - goodnight poodles....