Cute kiddos and a happy birthday

R: woo-hoo!! (imagine sound effects for best results)

S: This is my best party ever! (last year it was "celebrated" in the hospital)

A: I'm getting outta here!

C: Uh, this is supposed to be fun...?

J: trying out new moves

Back row babies: also mixed opinions of the "tia clowns"

It was hard to remember that this is S's THIRD birthday. She's had a rough start to life. Later today I'll take her to a check up with the neurologist (and tomorrow the ophthalmologist), but I don't really care what she says. S has BLOOMED the past few months in marvelous ways. If she is happy and has this smile, that's improvement and it's not just a smile for the pictures or party--she is almost always grinning or giggling about something. Even six months ago, she was closed up tight as a snail and was terrified of life. Look at her now!!

The glorious doll cake is courtesy of Glenda's Bakery (that's my Mom!)

Update 11/20: the neurologist couldn't say enough good things about how much S has developed just in the past few months! For one, she wasn't clinging to me in terror. In fact I was holding another baby and never even touched her as she proudly sat in her chair with her legs crossed like a señorita. The diagnosis of FAS still stands, but it's always encouraging to see progress.