Anyway, April 14th, 2009, we woke up bright and early at my in-law's house (5 a.m. early) and bundled Stella into her carseat without waking her up. (Go me!) We drove into Baton Rouge to the Brass Surgery Center, and a short while later surrendered our most prized possession into the hands of doctors and nurses who promised to help her hear better and have fewer ear infections. About 30 minutes later we were invited into the recovery room to the ear-splitting, frantic screams of our offspring. As Stella freaked out while coming down off the anesthesia, Damon and I gazed lovingly into each other's eyes and thought, "How romantic! From the sound of these screams, I am so glad that we chose tubes! Stella is acting like it was a truly enjoyable experience." After about 15 minutes of this wailing and gnashing of teeth, we decided to brave the car ride home, but were only willing to go as far as Damon's parents house. Once in the car, Stella fell fast asleep. She woke up bright eyed and bushy tailed at her Grandmere and Grandpa's house. We all played for a couple of hours and then Stella and I had a glorious, 3 hour nap/cuddle. Poor Damon spent that part of the celebration holed up in his parents' office working. That night we returned home. So that was it for our big anniversary. We can only imagine what excitement awaits us next year!
Now that you have suffered through my sappy, romantic anniversary tale, (just to clarify, that part was meant to be sarcastic)I will reward you with some pictures.
In our home, cleanliness is next to Godliness. Stella LOVES to brush her teeth. Here is our little dental hygiene nut in action. 
It is no longer enough for us to go outside and feed the ducks daily....they now peck on the patio doors to get to Stella. 
Chatting on mommy's phone. Stella really prefers a blackberry, but as Grandma Crane would say, "Beggars can't be choosers."
My little senorita in her dress from Mexico. Don't worry. We washed the swine flu germs off of it. 
These next pictures make me happy and sad. Tabitha and Angie visited us last weekend so that Tab could take her senior pictures in City Park. It was so great to spend the weekend with my other mother and sister! We had a marvelous time taking pictures (Thanks, Dara and Matt for being so patient! You made it such an awesome day!) I was filled with joy to see Tab and Angie, and I'm also super proud of Tab and all that she has accomplished to make it to her graduation, but at the same time, I am sad to see my first baby all grown up! I remember sitting in my living room wearing a neon bandana around my neck and kissing Tab's soft little baby head and now she is a grown woman....too grown, from the looks of some of these pictures...but enough boohooing. Tab and I kept Dara and Matt an extra hour with all our outfit changes, so we ran out of time to take any streetcar pics. Tab and I decided to stop at the end of Canal and hop on a car for some quick pics with my lowly camera. Angie and I love this first shot, but Tab hates it. I think she looks like a model. Don't you love the wind blowing her hair?
Damon made this one artsy fartsy because the original accidentally got saved over. Oops! It's still cool...
Looking way too grown up for my taste...
Same artsy shot, just farther back and with no effects.
I allowed Tab to pose for some pictures with my Rolls Royce. Haha! 
Hope you enjoyed the story and the pictures. I have not posted nearly enough in April. I will try to give you more Stella in May.
Grandmere and Stella playing in the tent.
I think Sadie thought the party was getting too noisy...
This shot was LITERALLY taken 2 seconds later...that kid is like lightning!
