On Saturday 4/8/2012, we got up as early as 6.00pm. I cleaned the inside of the house, prepare her food and Ivan was cleaning the outside of the house. As I was cleaning, I reminded Ivan that last year at 6.27am, that was the time Annabelle was born and welcome to this world. Isn't it great to see our daughter grow in the last one year. We both gave each other a smile and continue our tasks. :)
After breakfast, he started with the balloon decoration. Annabelle was very excited seeing the house decorated with balloon and half the time she wanted to go outside of the house to see what is going on. All the necessary preparation was done at around 6.45pm while I got ready the birthday girl in her dress by 6.30pm. She seems excited with her dress but sleepy because she normally takes her nap at about 6pm. Guests started arriving at about 7.00pm.
At about 8.00pm (oh yes we had a delay as we all are Malaysian -"Malaysian's time") we started the birthday celebration with a short and meaningful prayer as well as thanksgiving to God for His gift of Annabelle to us. Then food are served. We catered some food and we had Uncle Shah and Auntie Liza prepared simple food for the children. At about 9pm, we had cake cutting ceremony. Being a traditional mummy as me, I had asked our friend, Kiren, to bake a cake with pattern "1" instead of ordering some fancy looking cake. Isn't it I am old fashion! Hahaha... Annabelle looked so shock to see everyone sang to her, everyone clapped. She was looking at the candle. We blown the candle together and cut the cake. She tasted her 1st year cake. :) Children were very happy because all of them received a party bag each which sponsored by Annabelle's Godparents, Priscilla and Daniel. 
Thank God that Annabelle was well behaved throughout the night, she was quite "sticky" towards me initially when the crowd got into the house. When she saw some of her daycare friends and her cousin were playing, she joint them. She was also okay when some other carried her so that I can have my dinner too.
The night went on well. Everyone enjoyed the food and left home. Few of our dearest friends and relatives left behind chit chatting away and catching up time with others. Thank God for blessing us a wonderful weather, though it was a bit warm it was not raining.
In memory, Annabelle was just like born yesterday. She has grown so much in the past one year. Ivan and I can't recall that she was a very difficult baby to take care, in fact she is a very good baby. We have God to thank and we are truly blessed. Seeing a child grow also seeing myself growing with her. I become much patient and becoming more aware that being a parent is no easy but it is worthwhile invest my love, my care, my time for her.
My last note to this post, I make a wish at the cake cutting moment, "I wish Annabelle grow well and we stay together well as a family!". God, you had heard our prayer a year ago and answered our prayer with Annabelle baby; I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Lord, continue to protect this child, be with her when she plays, she learns, she eats, she grows and she explores. Keep your arm around her at all time! Thank you Lord! Amen!
