Lombardo Girls: 1st Birthday Extravaganza!

My little baby is now one year old. Our family has so much to celebrate. Lia's birth was quite different from Ava's. When I was about 30 weeks pregnant, my OBGYN discovered that I had very low amniotic fluid levels. It was so low that I even had to spend a couple of nights in the hospital for observation- and to receive IV fluids. I was sent home, but given orders to stay on bed rest for the rest of my pregnancy. The only way we were able to get through the next 5-6 weeks was with the help of my mom, mother-in-law, and grandmother. They took shifts helping out at the house - cooking/cleaning/watching 2-year-old Ava. On November 26, 2008, we drove to the hospital for a cesarean delivery (Lia was still in a breech position since there was not enough fluid for her to turn around). Although I had a very difficult time dealing with the anesthesia and c-section recovery, I was so thankful to have my healthy baby girl - 5 pounds, 4 ounces - even though she was 22 days early.
This year has been incredible. Not only is there the joy of watching my newborn turn into a fun, curious, happy one-year-old, but there is also the joy of watching both girls learn to love each other. Lia has added an entirely new dimension to our little family. I can't imagine what life was like without her. Happy Birthday to my lovely little Lia.

Here are some pictures of the Birthday Extravaganza. It was a fall-festival theme in our backyard - including a bounce house, popcorn, caramel apples, face painting, crafts, hot dogs, chili, and lots of friends to help celebrate.

The bounce house has arrived!

Here is the craft station (where kids made fall-themed magnets with foam cut-outs)

Amanda was the official face-painter

Colin pitched in by monitoring the bean bag toss and handing out prizes.

Ava and Lia inside the bounce house

Anthony checking on his delicious chili

Amy and Jimmy ran the popcorn machine and handed out the caramel apples

Lindsey and daughter Samantha getting her face painted (they traveled all the way from Naples and we were so glad that they did)

Ren, Conor and Nicole (all the way from Lakeland). Just a little trivia - Conor and Lia were due only 2 days apart. Its been a lot of fun for Nicole and I to see them go through the same milestones during their first year)