Melanie was sleeping when everyone arrived. After a lunch that I had prepared was eaten, Matt and I went back and woke her up. Melanie is used to being around a lot of people... but waking up from a nap and being set in the middle of a room of people all watching her proved to be too much. Melanie promptly broke out into a cry... something we had never seen her do before. After some hugs and kisses from us (along with some encouragement) she lightened up for everyone. Next, we went to presents.
The following pictures are not in a specific order. It is more of a gathering of our favorites from the many that were taken. Bill (Melanie's grandpa Jones) and Colleen (Melanie's aunt - my sister) took some pictures. Between our camera and theirs we pulled our favorites.
Melanie's aunt Colleen made her a set of Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls.
My sister, Colleen, holding Melanie. The hat is Daryl's... Colleen's husband and Melanie's uncle.
Ah..... yes. The traditional face in the cake picture. I guess at some point all babies think it will get to them faster if their face is in it.
This picture was taken at the tail end of all the birthday hoopla. Grandma Jones (Nancy) held Melanie while she washed down the birthday cake with some milk.
Vroom Vroom!!! Melanie loves to walk around behind her car-walker.
Grandpa Yoder (Marvin) holding Melanie after reading her a book. You will see in this picture (and some others following) that her energy was at the tail end of its life. She loves to have books read to her.
Smile for the camera little baby girl! Here she was standing up with a little support from Grandma Jones.
The "Puppies" book was a gift from Grandpa and Grandma Yoder. It is another Usborne book that Melanie just loves. In fact, we haven't purchased a book from there that she doesn't like. If you're interested in buying any, I highly recommend the following consultant's website: www.firedup4books.com.
This is when Melanie first opened her Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls. Andy has a removeable hat. She sat there for a couple minutes putting it on and off him.
And... she also put the hat on herself. :)
Walking around the room with daddy.
Melanie's birthday cake... Hello Kitty.
Another traditional birthday cake-on-the-face picture. Melanie took to the cake like she has eaten it many times... when it was truly her first time eating cake. Can you believe she ate the whole piece? Wow!
MMMMmmmmmm...... frosting.
From left to right... Daryl, Colleen, Melanie in Matt's lap, and Cameron.
That's me in the background taking some pictures..... Marvin (Grandpa Yoder) to the right.
Melanie enjoying the wrapping paper and bag stuffings.
Melanie also loved all the birthday cards. Sometimes she would ignore the present and keep looking at the cards as if they were books.
In front... Robbie, Sara, and Katie. Matt is holding Melanie. Cousin Cameron in the background.
Katie and Melanie.
Wood puzzle that Great-Grandma (Holsomback) bought for Melanie.
Aunt Debbie and Grandma Yoder (Rachel).
Nancy and Bill Jones (Grandma and Grandpa)
Oh boy! Another card! Yippee!!
What? Did you say "cake"?
Just another shot of her enjoying the great variety of wrappings.