Happy 1st Birthday Alivia

Happy birthday to my little princess! Alivia has turned one and I don't know where the time has gone. I have a hard time believing that they grow up this fast. Over the past year a lot has happened. Below is a look back at everything the Varleys have done!



Who would have thought Alivia would have arrived 10 days early. I still remember coming home from work and being in the bathroom and thinking, was that my water that just broke. I called Clint and I just starting crying because I had nothing packed for the hospital yet. We headed to the hospital so they could make sure it was my water that broke. While waiting Clint was determined that it wasn't and trying to decide where we should go eat at. Little did we know he was eating good old hospital food and I was not allowed to eat a thing....

No one can tell you how it feels to hold your own child for the first time. I remember looking at her going how did we create such a perfect little girl. These days I hold her going how did we create this little girl with SO much personality. Clint would probably say she gets it all from him.

Not only did Alivia come almost two weeks early, but we had to move less than a month after she was born. When she arrived we still were not sure about our big move up to MN. Exactly a week after she was born we headed up to MN and found our wonderful home!!!

Throughout this past year Alivia has had many firsts. From the first cold, smile and babble talk to rolling over, sitting up and eating solid foods. You seem to get so excited for such simple tasks that last forever. Above is one of my favorites, Alivia's first Christmas.

Here is Alivia's first tooth that came in without anyone knowing till Grandma Joyce got bit. Who would of thought at four months her chompers would start to come in.

The day we found out if we were having a boy or a girl I can remember thinking it has to be a boy for Clint's sake. When the doctor said do you want to know, we said YES. She then proceeded to say it's a girl! Clint put his hand on my shoulder (since I was laying down) and said wow which then turned into can you check one more time. Ever since that day (once it sank in) he couldn't have been more excited. The minute she was born (sorry Clint) he cried and at that moment she was daddy's little girl!

People that are lucky to be around Alivia or meet her you will know she is a pretty happy girl. The day she started smiling was so exciting. She smiles at anyone which makes it fun to go to the grocery or mall. It's fun to here people say "oh she smiled at me". These days Alivia likes to laugh at herself a lot so let's hope this contiues throughout life.

This past year we have traveled to many different places with Alivia. From the week after she was born we were trucking her up to MN so she has traveled many miles in her year of life. Above is one of her many trips down to IA to visit all her family on the Varley side. We are lucky that Clint travels for work down there weekly so we can tag along.

This trip we took a train ride down or over to IN to see her second cousin's wedding. Grandma Joyce, Paul, Auntie Steph, Jack and Presley were all there for this ride. Thank goodness for our own room on the train so the kids could at least play. It was a long and crazy trip which we will never forget.

This adorable picture is of my little bathing beauty down in FL. This trip we go one every year after the holiday's. Papa Kevin and Nana Paige get to enjoy a week of craziness with all three grand kids.

Alivia has been lucky to attend three weddings this past year. She has the wedding scene down pretty good now. Lot's of waiting, crying and crazy people dancing.

Eating has had it's many phases. Let me tell you the awesome baby food was not a favorite for mom. We quickly moved onto finger food which is much better on all of us.

A huge milestone is mastering crawling. When Alivia did it I was right there and thank goodness the video camera was too. The video above is her very first time crawling. I have never been so proud of my little girl.

It's crazy when your child reaches a certain stage you say "I love THIS stage the best". I think I have said that every time we move to something new. I would have to say as soon as we could get outside and go to the park I truly loved watching Alivia swing and slide down the slide. Being able to see her enjoy something that I loved as a child was pretty awesome.

As Alivia has grown up into this little person, I try to look back and remember what it was like when she just sat there or cried for no reason. I have a hard time remembering those times because all the new ones are so exciting and fun. I have promised myself to never say "I can't wait till" because I never want the moment happening right now pass by while waiting for the future.

Alivia has brought so much to our lives and we can't even imagine what life was like without her here. Watching Clint as a dad has given me a new found respect for him. We have grown closer this past year learning from each other on how to parent our little girl. So today Clint and I want to wish Alivia a Happy 1st Birthday! We are so lucky to have her as a daughter and could not ask for a more memorable year. Happy Birthday Alivia!!!