Happy Birthday Dear Sadie-Kat.....

.....Happy Birthday to You!!!

Yesterday we celebrated Sadie's 1st Birthday. Since we don't have any family in the greater London area, we decided against having a party, and instead thought it would be fun to spend the day at the beach. Although it's been quite hot here the past couple of weeks (in the low 80s without air-conditioning is HOT), in true English weather fashion, if the sun doesn't shine, or if the wind blows the slightest bit, or worse yet, it rains - it can become quite chilly. Yesterday, we experienced no sunshine, rain, and wind! It was just far too cold to stay by the sea, so we posed for one quick picture and quickly made our way into the beach cafe to warm up with coffees and hot chocolate, before driving an hour and a half home. I shouldn't be surprised that the weather didn't cooperate. Everyone warned me about the awful English weather, but yesterday was really the first time in two months that it has let me down.  

On August 2, 2007 Sadie Katherine joined our family, and shortly after her homecoming adopted the nickname "Sadie-Kat," created by her father. (I think Chris drew his inspiration from the star studded uber-annoying couple, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, aka - TomKat, but he denies it...) As all babies do, Sadie has changed so much in the past year, and while it sounds completely cliche - I really can't believe my baby is one already! (sniff sniff)

So, I'm dedicating this blog and shout-out to our precious Sadie.  Your personality is really taking form, and I can tell that you are going to be a spunky little thing.  (God save the person who tries to take a toy out of YOUR hands!)  And, when you are ready to get up from a nap, you certainly let us know!  You mastered crawling months ago, and quite frankly I'm shocked you aren't walking yet...any day now.  You are babbling up a storm, and I think once you get the hang of forming "real" words, and associating them with an object, we will have a proper little chatterbox on our hands!  You have a special relationship with Caroline, and my hope is that you always will.  I tell her daily, when she is just hoping for a reprieve from her baby sis, that she is your very favorite person in the world and she should take it as a compliment when you follow her around!  (For the most part, she does enjoy your company...)  You have eight teeth already, and gave-up on mushed baby food weeks ago.  You are a fabulous eater, which makes my life so easy at dinner time...you have not met a food you have not liked!   

Happy Happy 1st Birthday, sweet Sades.  I love you with all of my heart, and feel so blessed to have you as my daughter.