Looking Back

Alexa was playing around with Damon's iPad tonight, and after a few rousing games of "Preschool Lunchbox," she started perusing the videos stored on the iPad.  The video that captured her interest tonight was that of her first birthday party.  She was having a blast watching the baby version of herself, asking questions about whether she was talking (her first word was "Alstott" - - no kidding), why she wasn't interested in the stack of presents beside her (a key difference between four and one year-old) and whether we served any other desserts besides cake (no, much to her dismay).  It was cute to watch her watching herself, completely mesmerized at everything she did and said.

However, when the video transitioned to the singing of "Happy Birthday," I couldn't watch the video any longer.  My mind immediately went to thoughts of Granty and his first birthday party that never was.  The video quickly became too sad to watch.  It was impossible to look at Alexa's round, chubby face and big blue eyes and not imagine Granty at one year-old.  However, my sadness was partially diminished as I listened to Alexa laughing hysterically was she watched herself dig into the cake with both hands, making a complete mess of herself and the cake.  Coincidentally, her cake and party decor were designed with a safari theme, featuring a giraffe as the most prominent animal of them all. :)

A chubby little Alexa enjoying her first birthday cake.

The party decor....giraffes on the cake, plates and napkins :)