Pure Joy: 365 Days of Awesomeness--One Year Photos and Anika's First Birthday Bash

It is amazing to Alicia and I that more than a year ago, Anika came into the world. It has been 365 days of awesomeness, and parenthood still gets better all the time. Due to the absurdly long time between the last post and now, I will be making up for lost time here, with double the pictures. First, we start with a sampling of Anika's one-year photos from our lovely and talented friend, miss Brianna Colleen. She did another knock-out job.

Anika looking stunning and a tad bit old for her age. Does she look like a 14-year old or is it just the over-protective Dad in me? The hot pink pants are pretty awesome. (Alicia should probably get a matching pair.)

Anika goofing around and in a more playful state.

This is one of Anika's new favorite activities--stacking. She gets mighty impressed with herself when she can stack one ball on top of the other. Not exactly the stuff of a baby genius, but we get excited about almost anything.

Anika showing off her lizard-like tongue yet again.

Displaying her inner gymnast, and being mesmerized by the bars.

It's a parade, all for Anika.

This is by far my favorite of the set. She's such a happy little peanut.

Turning one didn't go without a birthday bash. And Anika was in rare form, hamming it up for her family, enjoying the gifts, and devouring her first birthday cake.

Pondering whether the cake or the presents were the best part of the party.

Having learned the drill from Christmas, Anika was ready to unwrap like a big girl.

Anika's first look at her cake (courtesy of Grandma Kim), and right before her first dose of real sugar (and only one since).

Anika approved of the lemony frosting, which she proceeded to scrape off the top with her fingers, skipping the cake entirely. I like the type-A-ness of my daughter. What an orderly way of eating birthday cake!