Celebrating Margaret's First Birthday

Margaret turns one year old in a few days! We celebrated on St. Patrick's day this Saturday while Chris is in between business trips. Also, this is our first Lenten baby and it's not really the "Catholic thing to do" to throw parties during Lent: I think what we'll likely do with Margaret's birthday in general is to celebrate on the nearby Feast of St. Patrick (for which the local bishops usually lift the Lenten penances), the Solemnity of St. Joseph, or the nearest Sunday (always a feast day).

Our gift to Margaret was a baby swing to add to the swing set. Clearly, she likes it and so does her big sister!

For dinner I served Corned Beef and Cabbage (cooked in the slow cooker) in honor of St. Patrick's day, fettuccine Alfredo (for me and John who like meatless white foods!), salad, and wonderful Irish soda bread baked by Chris' aunt.

Receiving her first brown scapular, a rosary, and a precious antique children's missal 

Receiving a doll stroller and baby doll, which Big Sister is still certain are actually hers

I know it's obvious (right?), but that is a green shamrock on the cake

Very perplexed by all the singing

We're so blessed to be celebrating the first birthday of our third child! I am increasingly and tearfully aware that not a small number of women I know do not get to be granted this gift that they desire. My cup runneth over. I enjoyed a trip down memory lane to John's first birthday and Mary's first birthday. My traditional photographic first year in the review is to come!