What's in my bag?

    Life has been pretty darn great ever since I bagged this one!

Which naturally led to this one...

And this one...

Security to Aisle 9!

Did I mention that, so far this year, the New Year's resolutions are not going particularly well...

Emily's 1st Birthday Bash

We had a wonderful time celebrating this milestone with our little girlie, our family, and our friends.  There were two beautiful centerpieces at the event, drawing the eye and soliciting the "oohs" and "ahhs' of all. The first was, of course, the Birthday Girl herself, splendid and composed, even while covered in chocolate cake.  She was the consummate one-year-old hostess, entertaining, engaging, radiating delight, and basking in all the attention.  The other exquisite centerpiece was the birthday cake itself, made with love and magic in the now powdered-sugar-covered kitchen of dear friend, Nicole O'Brien.  This thoughtful and talented lady remembered the special significance that the dragonfly has for our family, and incorporated this symbol beautifully into the prettiest cake I have ever seen.  Unfortunately, the Birthday Girl had to retire from her party a bit early, post-first cake but pre-present opening, struck by the insurmountable need for a nap.  After the party was over, she did perk up for a modeling session of her new lovely outfits and was willing to pose for a few pictures playing with her new toys.

Big One-Year-Old Girlie!

It is all but impossible for us to wrap our brains around the fact that Emily has only been in our lives for one year!  It seems as if she was always meant to be there, and the first year of her life has brought us the joyful fulfillment of a family life that feels complete.  I am utterly devastated  that she has raced through her babyhood so quickly, and I would relive it all again today if their were some magical way. Perhaps this is why I have been so obsessive about documenting every passing phase and stage. Sentimental sap that I am, I want to revisit her first year any time I like through the magic of photography.

A Birthday Tribute to the First Year of Emily.

Waiting and dreaming.

A pink bundle of joy enters our lives and captures our hearts on January 5th, 2011.

Newborn naked perfection.

The new Hulse family portrait.

2-week-old little dragonfly.

Posing for the camera already at 3 weeks!

Heads-up, a big one-month-old!

An expert bunny wrestler by 2 months!

Heart-shaped hairline at 2 months.

Making her debut in baby blue at 3 months.

Here's looking at 3-month-old you, Kid.

Fluttery and pink at 3 months.

Getting feisty by four months!

Very pleased with her four-month self.

An ocean of pink at 5 months.

A giggly, wiggly little 5-month-old.

6 months old, in her baptism dress.

A little classy, a little sassy at 6 months.

This little six-month-old angel still has her wings!

7 months and showing off her shiny teeth!

Tickled to be 7-months-old.

8 months old and crawling everywhere.

And crawling some more.

9 months old and showing off her serious side.

Purple pillow pose at 9 months old.

Helping Daddy rake the yellow leaves.

There's a 10-month-old crawling up my leg!

A reflective little 10-month-old.

11 months with a toothy smile.

Standing on her own power on her birthday!

Birthday girl with a birthday bunny made just for her.

Happy 1st Birthday, Princess!

Looking back, it's been a great first year of Emily!

Resolutions

  Every year, I revisit the same resolution.  Some years, I pretty much nail it, and other years it takes more resolve, but it is basically always some variation of this theme.

Less of this:

And more of this: 

HAPPY 2012, EVERYONE!!!