We've got a winner! I'm not sure if it's because this cake looked just so delicious, or if Eliza's sweet tooth finally came in, but she actually took some bites, smeared some frosting on her face, and gave us a couple smiles before meltdown #3 went into effect. Nice work, Liza! Now you do realize that you don't get another birthday cake for almost a whole year, right? Mommy says that three birthday parties for one birthday is definitely not the norm around here. Of course, I'm up for throwing that back on the table for renegotiations next year around, say, June-ish? If you ask me, four years old is a pretty important age, and should be celebrated accordingly.

So my Mommy finally got us the obligatory Little Tikes car for us to drive around in. I think she finally realized that if she wants to avoid having us follow in her driving footsteps (can you say 12 (minor) accidents before the age of 20?) she may want to start teaching us while we're young. Now we just have to work on Eliza and the whole drinking and driving thing. Not cool, Eliza. Ever heard of the Zero Tolerance law?

Tomorrow night marks Eliza's third, and last, birthday party to celebrate her turning one year old. (Yes, a bit excessive in my opinion as well. If there weren't presents that needed to be opened by yours truly I might have had to put my foot down.) So far she has been oh-for-two as far as partaking in the stereotypical shoveling cake in her mouth with a look of joyous rapture that her Mommy can catch on film for posterity's sake. My Mommy's hoping that the third time is the charm. We'll keep you posted......

Indy or Bust!!! Aunt Emily, when can we come back? I had so much fun visiting you, and PK, and Birdie, and my sorta-kinda-sometimes-scary-but-lots-of-fun Uncle Michael this weekend. The State Fair was sweet, the pool was awesome, the ice cream cones were delicious, and staying up yelling about "Baby Alligators!" with PK until eleven at night and then continuing again at six in the morning was the best time ever. (What? You guys didn't like that part? You all must be OLD.) I'm still catching up on lost sleep, as is Eliza. Who knew a one year old could stay up until midnight, and then still be more wide awake then her parents on the way home the next day? Anyway, I'm already planning our next trip down. Tell PK to make some room in that twin bed of hers again!

I realize that there are alot of good Daddy's in this world, but I must say that I'm pretty sure one of the best belongs to me. Last week my Daddy took me for my very first camping trip, just him and me! He went the whole nine yards, with hobo pies and S'mores, sleeping bags and flashlights, and worm-digging and fishing. We had so much fun, and I made him promise to take me again before the summer is over. We may have to take Mommy this time though, I have a feeling that leaving her home alone at night is never a good idea. (Was that a pop bottle I knocked over when we came in the door?)

It's my party, and I'll sleep if I want to.

Disclaimer from Dana: The following entry was written by my Mommy. While I am grateful for Eliza, I don't get into all that sappy stuff. Now where'd that birthday cake go.

My dearest Eliza,
Happy First Birthday, AngelFace! Have 365 days really gone by already? It is so hard to believe that one year ago today I was in that hospital room, gazing into those beautiful blue eyes, wondering at the miracle that God had allowed us to bring into His world. What joy you have filled our lives with since that very first moment.
I stand here amazed at all the lessons you have taught to me in this first year of your life, both about raising two daughters, and about understanding myself. While I always tell Dana that it was she who first showed me how to be a mother, it has been you that has shown me how to be an even better mother, by teaching me to embrace the qualities that make me unique as a child of God. Raising such a different soul from your sister has taught me the differences that exist between children, the wonderful eccentricities that make you both so original, and all the complimenting parts that can come together to perfect the design that God has chosen to shape you in. Every day I marvel at the creation that is you. I laugh at the mischief that has taken up permanent residence behind your eyes, I treasure the curiousity that fuels every impulsive, yet deliberate move that is part of your quest to discover this world, I ponder the places those first steps are going to ultimately take you in this lifetime, and I am overcome with thankfulness to God every night when you lay your head onto my shoulder, seemingly unable to nestle in quite close enough.
Our pledge to you is to continue to love you with no bounds, to allow you to become the person God has intended for you to be, and to pray everyday for the wisdom and the guidance to do so.
Sweet Liza, when God chose us to show you the world, He also gave us one of the best parts of it. (Thank you, Jesus, for entrusting us with this precious child.)
Happy Birthday Baby, we pray wholeheartedly for many more.
XOXOXOXO, Mommy and Daddy

Wow, has it been a busy week!!! In an effort to save time, I will try to condense all of my activities into one sentence.In the last seven days I have been to the beach three times, the fair twice, my Nana's pool twice, and the splashpark at Millenium Park once. My Mommy would verify this madness, but she's still regrouping after having to pack and unpack our bags, load and unload the car, and making eighteen million snacks, lunches, and on the go munchies. Did I mention that tomorrow I'm going to my Nana's again, and then the next day I'm off to the zoo? I'll bet my Mommy is counting her lucky stars that I'm not one of those kids who ever get tired, worn out, and/or crabby from too much activity and not enough naptime. Wait, what's that Mommy? That sounded suspiciously like a snort....

What's up Liza? Now that Eliza's cruising around furniture like it's nobody's business, we've gotten quite used to seeing this mysterious pair of peering eyeballs showing up at every turn.

Playmates Wanted!!! Since Eliza has been down with some unknown illness for the last three days, and Dixie was spayed on Friday, and my Mommy is worn out from tending to the both of them, things are getting pretty lonely and boring around here. Is there anyone out there who will play with me? Age, race, and gender are not an issue. As long as you can play princess, and run from the monsters in my bedroom, we'll get along great. Applicants please leave name, phone number, and a brief list of your pantry contents below.

Nothing much is going on in my life right now, so I thought I'd catch you up on Eliza's. This is a picture of my little sister. Or what used to be my little sister. She has since morphed into a monkey. In the last few days my Mommy has found her on my bed, on the top of the couch, on my toybox, and sitting in the top of the stroller. We keep looking for the pair of stilts and the step stool that she must be carting around with her, but haven't found them yet.

In her eternal quest to emulate all that I do, Eliza has started "wearing" my shoes all around the house, the only difference is that she wears them on her hands. I would find this imitation flattering, if I wasn't so busy trying to keep the matching pairs together. (She's even worse then I am when it comes to putting things back where she got them.)

Eliza is finally starting to eat some regular food for my Mommy. You would never know it by looking at her, but Eliza does not like to eat. Anything. Baby food and table food included. (This doesn't leave alot of options.) My Mommy has been trying everything, and has figured out that Eliza likes to eat the same way she does.... the more carbs the better. So we've got her eating crackers, Cheerios, bread, and more crackers. If anyone knows how to cram some fruits and veggies into this mix please let my Mommy know, she's starting to fell a little guilty for passing on her less than nutritious eating habits.

Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday! No, you're not seeing triple, it was a big birthday celebration for my little sister Eliza, and her cousins "Birdie" and Chloe, who are all turning one years old within two months of each other. They were subjected to all kinds of their Mommy's whims, including matching tutu's, matching bibs, and matching cakes. I thought it was all pretty funny, and was even feeling a little sorry for them, until I saw the huge pile of matching presents they all received. Hey Roxy and PK, what do you say we talk our Mommy's into doing this for us next year? (Minus the tutu's and bibs!)