We are going on six months of therapy and our little Gracie is growing and developing well. I have learned so much in the past few months from all her therapist and they are just amazing. My goal is to have her up and walking for her birthday...I know I'm pushing it but I would love to see her take her first steps before then.

I will say she is crawling now only after eight months and she has started to eat better. Feeding therapy has done wonders for her and hopefully she will be able to actually enjoy her cake.

We are trying to decide on the theme for her first birthday. Anthony wants all the princesses on the cake but I feel that she is still too young for that. She loves Elmo and I think that is what we should get. "Fine...whatever. You know...we could have her pick after all it is her birthday." I roll my eyes at him.

"Like she is going to tell you...she is barely getting out momma and daddy." Anthony argues back.

"Well we could show her pictures and whichever one she grabs that's what we will do." I walk over to the counter and pull down the book with all the pictures. They said we were starting a little early with the PIC's program...but I want her to learn as much as possible and to me it's never too early. I search through the notebook and pull out Elmo and then one with a book of the princesses. "Ok...Gracie...do you want Elmo or Princesses?" I hold out the two for her to look at.

She is so freaking cute. She looks at them and looks up at me with her big round blue eyes. "Go on get one." She tries to reach for both but I slide the Elmo picture a little closer to her and she grabs it. "Elmo it is." I gleam.

Anthony just shakes his head with a roll of his eyes but doesn't say another word. We go shopping and get everything to match...plates, cups, napkins...things in red and Anthony even bought several balloons. We order the cake to be picked up the next day for her party. I invite family and a few friends even some from the group because they have all been so kind to check on me off and on.

We decided to have the party at the park that way there will be room for everyone...it's just that our apartment is only so big and nowhere to park for all the guest. I am shocked to all the people that arrive and come out to celebrate. I love showing off Gracie...Anthony loves showing her off even more.

I sit back and watch as he carries her around to talk with everyone. I will say she is more of a daddy's girl and I know it has something to do with those first few days of her being born and he held her so much. "I see you guys are still together," says Evelyn. "You guys look so happy together."

"We are actually. I will say he has really stepped up." I look past her and watch Anthony holding Gracie and smiling ear to ear.

"I wish you two all the best and that Gracie...she is growing so fast."

"She sure is...I feel like it was just yesterday and look a whole year has passed by just like that." I snap my fingers. "And who is this guy you are with? He is really nice looking girl."

"Oh...that is Ari...and that is his little boy James. The kids have really warmed up to him."

"He seems to be a nice guy...glad you found a really good guy. Do you think you guys will end up together...like married?"

"I'm not ready for that just yet...speaking of which...when are you guys going to get married? Anthony seems to have changed so much over the year with having little Gracie and all."

"That he has." I look back up and he is staring right at me. He motions me over to him. "Excuse me guys...I'm being summoned." I laugh. I get up and walk over to him and he places his hand around my waist, then kisses my cheek lightly.

"You ready for cake?" He whispers in my ear and then kisses the side of my cheek.

"Of course..." I get the cake out that has a huge print of Elmo and one candle for her to blow. I know she can do it we have been practicing in speech and feeding therapy.

Anthony makes his little speech."Family...friends...I...I mean Sadie and I want to thank all of you for coming out and celebrating our Gracie's first birthday. Will everyone please gather around and sing happy birthday."

I stand beside Anthony and Gracie is in front of us sitting on the picnic table right in front of the cake. Everyone starts to sing and she wails out in tears. I watch as Anthony squats down on her level and hugs her close to him. Of course she calms down by the sound of his voice singing softly in her ear. Afterwards he pushes the small cake in front of her and she tries to blow and after encouraging her even more she tries again and gets it. She digs right in making the biggest mess ever and everyone is laughing and taking lots of pictures.

After we let her play with the presents and trying to get her to pull the paper off there is one small box left, however it has my name on it instead of Gracie's. I hold it up and admire the glittery box and lavish silver bow. I look up at Anthony and he gives me this crooked smile. "Go on...open it."

"But it's not my birthday." I say with a slight smile. I can feel my cheeks turning red.

He leans in and kisses my cheek. "I know...but I want you to have this...go on open it."

I pull on the ribbon and the bow comes all undone. I open the small box only to reveal another box. I slowly pull it out and then gradually open it only to reveal this amazing sparkling diamond shining back at me. "What is this?" I ask looking up at him with tear filled eyes but he is down on one knee and I have to look down at him.

His watery eyes look back into mine. "Marry me...marry me Sadie. I will never ever let you or Gracie down...I will do everything in my power to make you two the happiest girls on Earth." He takes my hand into both of his and he kisses the top softly. "Sadie..."

There is this little lump forming in the back of my throat and tears stream down my cheeks...happy tears. Anthony has been here for everything in the past year. He has really out done himself and does everything to make sure that I am happy. He has been the greatest father a little girl could ever ask for. A year ago I would have never seen this coming but here he is waiting on me to say one word.

"Yes..." He slides the ring on and jumps up to pick me up into his arms, swinging me around and then kissing me again before putting me down...and then he hugs Gracie and gives her a quick kiss on the forehead.

Funny how things can change so much in the past year...