Birthday Party #1

This past weekend we held Izzie's first birthday party right here in New York. Here are some of the decorations and food:



Albert and I had a great time. We really realized what a great community of close-knit friends we found here in New York, and we felt so incredibly grateful that we were able to share Izzie's first birthday with them all.

Unfortunately, I did not get good pictures once the party started (although we got a lot of good video). Little Miss Izzie is hitting the peak of her stranger/separation anxiety these days, so she was a little bit overwhelmed with the festivities. I couldn't take any pictures because Izzie was clinging on to me the whole time! Here is one where you can see a teensy bit of her dress (so cute). You can't see it that well, but there is a huge giant tear on her face also:


Some of our guests:


Man, how do I feel now that Izzie is nearing her first birthday? I'll save the elaborate details until her 1 year post, but I can say that the feeling is bittersweet. I'm so happy that she is healthy (minus this nasty cold that is taking over her life right now), happy and such a great little girl and I can not wait to see what the future has in store for her. I'm looking forward to having conversations with her and witnessing what kind of a person she will grow into. However, she is no longer that little newborn that depended on me and Albert for everything. Day by day, she grows more and more independent and she needs us just a little bit less... and that makes me wistful and a teensy bit sad. So there you go - I'll save the total melancholy for later. =]