I’m behind on Dhara’s monthly posts — so before I post her 12 month, here’s 11 months!  Since her birthday was on Christmas Day, we decided to have an early birthday party for her.  So at 11 months and 1 week, we had a three-weeks-early-party.  We invited our local church and some friends and family.

I kept it simple in terms of decorations because, in my opinion, decor is somewhat unnoticed when there are lots of people — at least in the crowds I roll with.  [Plus, I hosted a half-birthday shindig in June for Dhara which was designed exactly the way I wanted it.] On the flip side, her birthday being during the Christmas season also helps because Christmas decorations are already up!

So instead of going all out with party decorations for her 1st year party, we had Josh cut down a 15 foot Christmas tree and prop it up in my parents’ circular atrium and decorate the rest of the house with our Christmas decor, we also purchased a bunch of red star shaped helium balloons, and lastly, had a dessert table decorated with Dhara’s homemade strawberry birthday cake embellished with my handmade cake bunting made of fabric triangles + baker’s twine + 2 skewers, a double layered german chocolate cake designed by Zuma Aunty, a single layered small vanilla cake topped with blackberries, and some homemade cupcakes topped with a myriad of fun and tasty toppings.

diana + shreya

grandpa + grandma smith

dad’s [greg’s dad] mixed grille

And lastly, what can I say about my Dhara Dear?  She’s growing up too quick. Why can’t she stay a baby just a little longer?  Eleven months meant a whole slew of new things for Dhara.  She’s officially begun walking on her own!  Her new found freedom was so exciting for her.  Even when she fell down, she would get right back up.  Crawling has become minimal now.

She loves walking around saying “chuckaree”, an endearing Indian term that her Ammachi [my mom] calls her.  New words also include: “book” [she LOVES to be read to], “baba” [her bottle of milk], “amen” [which she says after anyone prays], and “no, no, no” as she walks around wagging her little finger at people.

She also loves to drink water out of cups, peek-a-boo, dance, cuddle with mama, string cheese, and knocking down blocks that we pile high.

For Dhara’s birthday, her Ammachi, designed a cream + gold salvar made of raw silk.  When she was in India, she had it sewn to Dhara’s measurements.  It was adorable, to say the least!  She looked like a little Indian ranee.  A big thank you to my parents who hosted her birthday party.  Especially to my mama who always does above and beyond for her granddaughter.  Thank you.