All I got for my 1st birthday was an allergic reaction. And a trip to the ER.

Charlee's birthday started with fresh bagels. The kid can't get enough carbs, so I stopped on the way home from the gym at Einstein's and brought her warm, doughy carbs. Hopefully, you're thinking right now "Wow, she goes to the gym early. And stops for bagels! She's a great Mom." Remember this later.

Bread = Love

After breakfast, Charlee spent the day at Connie and Laura's as usual. According to Claire, the kids sang Happy Burt-day to her. After work, school, and play, we had our almost-first popsicles of the season. Charlee, too. She alternated eating the popsicle and writing with it on the sidewalk. You're right, I must be a super cool Mom to let my kids make a huge, fun mess with popsicles. Remember this.

Charlee's gift was a water table. Think mini bathtub with legs. Charlee loves baths so much that we thought this was the perfect gift. Charlee did, too. I know my baby well and came up with this gift idea. Yes, I'm that good! Remember this.

We were all enjoying being outside, so I brought a picnic out for the crew. Pasta, blueberries, and fake cheese for Charlee. Salami, tortilla chips, cheese, and blackberries for the rest of us. Charlee wanted some salami, so I let her have it. Five minutes later, hives. All over her hands, chest, and back.

Did you know Salami contains milk? I didn't. And Charlee's allergic to milk. The poor kid was itchy itchy. We gave her Benadryl, a bottle, and put her to bed. She woke up vomiting and with more hives. I called the doctor's exchange to see if we could give her more Benadryl, and the nurse said "Hang up the phone. Drive to the ER immediately." So we did.

And that's how Charlee spent several hours of her birthday in the ER. Doesn't she look peaceful after having some steroids? Mom. Of. The. Year.