Baby's First Birthday!

Your baby turning one can definitely feel bittersweet. You've come so far as a parent and your baby has learned so much, but also, now reality is hitting that you're sweet baby is growing up and isn't a little baby anymore. In this post we talk about how we celebrated our baby's first birthday and some of their favorite gifts they received.

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Grace

Parker’s first birthday brought out a lot of emotions for me. I looked back at so many photos from when she was a teeny little newborn and saw how far we had all come. I’m really proud of how Cody and I have adapted to being mom and dad and how we’ve worked together the first year of parenthood. I also thought back to the day she was born and sort of relived the trauma but was also so happy thinking about the first time I held her and got to meet her. Ever since having a baby of my own, I now also think about moms on their baby’s birthday. 

For Parker’s birthday we had her grandparents over for pizza and cupcakes. I printed some pictures to hang up and got a 1 balloon and that was pretty much the extent of our decorations. I fully support parents partyin’ however they want to, but we just kept it simple for her first birthday. I made her a little smash cake that I found on pinterest and she enjoyed scraping the whipped cream off of it. 

She got some pretty cool presents from our family and friends! Here are some of her favorites

Meesh

There is something bittersweet about your baby turning one. It is such a huge milestone and not just one for them, for you as well! A few months before Thea turned one, I kept getting asked what the theme would be and I just had no idea. I really think I was in denial about my sweet little baby turning into a toddler. A couple weeks before her birthday we bought some cute summery decorations and invited all of Thea’s friends! For being one, she is quite the social butterfly.

My friends that already had kids kept telling me, the party is really for you, they won't remember! As parents you deserve to be celebrated as well- you kept your little one alive for a whole year- good job! However, my main focus for this party was obviously about celebrating my daughter but also figuring out fun activities for 1-2 year olds. Little did I know, they don't need much ;). If your baby’s birthday falls in warm months, I highly recommend a shady area with picnic blankets, toys and some water station/splash pad action and some tasty food and drinks for adults! Honestly, the hardest part of planning the party was figuring out what time to have it. Once your life starts revolving around naps, the hours you have free become limited and precious. At a year, half of her friends were at two naps while the other half were at one. Thea was still at two naps, so we did our party from 11-3. I kept over thinking and worried about my friends on one nap, and my friend gave me good advice- it’s your baby’s birthday, do what is best for them, everyone else will adjust! And of course, she was right! 

It was a busy yet blissful day. Being sounded by people we love, showering the person Loren and I love most with love and affection was just perfection. 

Party Decorations:

Mon

The boy's first birthday brought on a lot of emotions for me. I was really proud of how far we had come. There were many times during the first year I questioned if we could do it or not. It was so hard! No one except twin parents will ever really understand how hard that first year is. I think my husband and I were in a sleep-deprived shock for most of it. Our lives changed drastically so quickly and it was SO much harder than we expected. But even with all that I was sad we wouldn’t have babies anymore. We’d be moving into the toddler stage and we’d never get that time back. This was a time I’m really glad I had Meesh and Grace to lean on because they got it and were there to listen and support me. My husband did not get it, haha. He felt no sadness in leaving the baby stage behind. 

With all these emotions, and the fact the holidays had just passed, and I had just started work again, I was not up for throwing a big first birthday. I put myself first and reminded myself that I’d have plenty of time to throw parties in the future. We just made a smash cake and sang happy birthday to them. I don’t regret this decision. It was what was right for me and my family. Although big first birthday parties are the trend, I'm living proof you don’t have to join in if you don’t want to. ✌🏻

Toys the boys loved at 1:

Balance Bikes and water towers!