Lulu's first birthday

January 9, the day our baby was born.  I look at her and think about how blessed we are.  Lulu has brought so much happiness in our home.  When I was pregnant with Hannah, someone gave me a card (I wish I still had it) that said something like this:  You are a lucky woman- God chose you to be this precious child's mother.  The thought that God knows you before you were born is just amazing.  He not only did He knoww that Lulu was going to be born way before I got pregnant, but chose me to be her mother is incredible.  Whenever I see Hannah playing with her baby sister, hear them laugh and the sweet love Hannah has for her I think about I prayer I once said.  I prayed that God would bless Hannah with a sister.  I felt like God ran out of blessings for me 2 1/2-3 years ago.  We tried and tried for a second baby and with lots disappointments and tears I no longer was asking for a baby.  But, whenever I saw Hannah look at her friends with siblings and to see her examine the relationships these siblings had hurt me.  It made me so sad to hear her wish she had a sister or brother.  It made me sad to see her play by herself and think about how lonely she will be in the future.  I would pray every night to bless my little girl with a sibling- "Lord, please don't let her grow up alone, I want her to have a forever best friend, just as you blessed me with Michelle."  It is true that one of the greatest blessings from God is a child, but it is also a true blessing to have a brother or sister.  

Years from now, Lulu can thank her sister for her name! When we found out I was having a girl we asked Hannah what we should name her.  She didn't come up with anything for days, but one random day, she said her baby sister's name is going to be Lulu.  Lulu, huh?  Why Lulu, I have no idea.  There were no shows she was watching with a character named Lulu.  I still wonder how she came up with that.  So, through out my entire pregnancy Gabe & I referred to the baby as "Lulu". When we moved to Texas and lived with my parents for a couple of months they to were calling her Lulu!  We even contemplated leaving Lulu as her actual name, but couldn't find a good middle name and Lulu is cute now, but how about when she's in her late 20's pursuing her career?  Gabe liked the names Madeline and Madison and I liked Quinn & Samantha.  Too many Madisons so we ruled that one out and he wasn't sold on Samantha.  So Madeline & Quinn were the names that we liked so we kept them both!!!  However, when our little 6 pound baby was born, Madeline Quinn was just too formal and lady like sounding that Lulu rolled off my tongue so much easier.  It never occurred to me to call her Maddy because she is my little Lulu.  **Funny story I have- I got stopped in the hallway at Hannah's school by the assistant director and my little baby was only 3 weeks old.  She's congratulated me about my new arrival and asked me what my baby's name is.  I had this blank stare- I seriously could not remember, baby brain fart I guess, but the only names coming to mind was of course Lulu and then oddly it was Madison.  I knew damn right her name wasn't Madison, but I was trying to dig as far back in my memory for her name.  I was asked again, but now with this concerning look as umm, you don't know your baby's name????  I had to give her answer, so I said "Lulu".  She hesitantly smiles and says, Oh that's cute!  As soon as I got Hannah from her classroom, I asked her, "Hannah what's your sister's name?"  She gives me a crazy look and laughs and says, my sister's name is LULU!  About an hour later after I got home is when I remembered that my baby's name is Madeline Quinn, lol. 

12 months ago Lulu was a newborn.  I miss that stage- the baby smell, the noises she made and how tiny she was once.  Now, she's this big baby following her sister's growth curve to the "t"- 90% in height and weight.  My grandma was still in town to celebrate her first birthday so we  had a little party for her- just family.

Ice cream birthday cake for everyone else to enjoy



Lulu had her own cake to dig in!

Her little finger marks

She didn't wait for us to give her the green light- she went straight to it!

So, we quickly ate lunch and sang her happy birthday.  She didn't know why everyone was singing to her.  She gives this cute puzzled look to her papa!

Gabe with his girls!

 Made a HUGE mess, but didn't eat any of it!

Lulu was just looking up at my grandma

Cousins!

 Presents!!!!

 She did pretty good ripping the paper apart.  She had practice from Christmas ;)

It's a car swing from her cousins

 A phone from her sister

A fun toy from Aubilita & Papa

Love these two photos of Lulu kissing Mama Paquita

Cheese!!! Take on her actual birthday.

My present for Lulu. I made this for her room.   The frame on the right is smaller so it's harder to see the details- they yellow wording above the hippo says: Precious