My final baby turns 1 today! I can’t believe it! One year ago at this very moment (11 a.m.), I was on the phone with my friend Rebecca. “Ugh, these Braxton-Hicks contractions are the worst,” I complained.
“You’ve had, like, three since we got on the phone,” she told me.
“I know, they’re so bad! I must have to poop!”
“Or maybe you’re in labor,” she told me.
“Naah. My due date isn’t for another week!” I scoffed. An hour later, I was feet-in-the-stirrups and screaming for my epidural. Hoo boy, the joke was on me.
I should be preparing for a big first-birthday party for the darling little earthy-eyed love who has so enriched my life, right? Er ... no.
Abby is my fourth kid if you count the steps, and my second if you count ones that came out of me. I missed Max and Eli’s first birthdays, obviously (that would have been awkward). When my first daughter Penelope turned 1, I had a pile of presents that dwarfed her, wrapped in paper that I hand-decorated myself. The following weekend, we rented a picnic table at the local rec center, and a crowd of people showed up -- mostly adults -- and we chatted and drank mimosas while the babies crawled around eating sand.
And that was mild. I have one friend who rented out a whole restaurant for his first kid’s first birthday, and most of his stories about it revolved around how drunk his cousins got. I can’t even guarantee the kid was invited!
In contrast, Abby’s presents are ... the presence of her family? She doesn’t need anything, our apartment is packed to the gills with things that beep and light up in amusing ways, and as Rebecca pointed out this morning, the wrapping paper is more entertaining to her than gifts at this age.
Plus, she doesn’t have any real friends. She has other babies that she makes out with, and that’s awesome, but it’s not like she requests a play date with Pia over Laszlo.
I’m about to post this story and then make her some lemon cupcakes with lemon-curd frosting, then bring them out to a playground and take pictures of her shoving one in her mouth. (I have the same picture of Penelope, with a pumpkin cupcake.) We’ll all sing, “help” blow out the candle, and have a great day, during which I’ll dissolve into tears several times because I’m so grateful for my wonderful family.
In years to come, I’ll organize a weekend shindig with friends, decorations, and elaborate activities. But right now, all a 1-year-old needs is love, and climbing on the slide, and her usual nap time. Her birthday is complete, just like our family is.
Now I just have to plot ways to get my hands on other babies, now that mine’s -- snf! -- barely a baby anymore. Here I go! Get me the festive birthday Kleenex!
Do/will you throw a birthday party for your 1-year-old?
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Comments 70
I really kinda wish I'd done that. I sent out invites, bought food, and I ended up with a house PACKED with people I saw maybe once a year, stressed out beyond belief at the amount of work....and my daughter could not have cared less.
A small get together sounds good for my youngest. My first son we didn't have a big party until he was 3. I wouldn't have any alcohol at any kids parties though. I really don't think it is okay to have kids watch adults drunk and at stupid. Too many of my dh relatives are alcoholics anyways.
We just have local family - grandparents and one great grandma - come over for dinner and cake. It is fun, and quiet! The baby doesn't care about the presents. We usually get them one small ($5) thing, and the grandparents get them stuff. But that is it. My oldest turned five last year and he had two friends over for his birthday dinner and cake. That was the first 'party' we have had.
Not having one for my 3rd coming up this month. I threw big parties for my first two and I wish I would have just skipped the party, made some cupcakes and enjoyed the day. Which is the plan for this baby! :)
We did throw a huge party for our son's 1st birthday last year. It was kind of expected. But it was exhausting. I'd had a hell of a week (1 year anniversary of a relative's death, and a funeral for the death of a family friend) and then my son was overwhelmed by the crowd at his party and ended up projectile vomiting his cake. After cleaning him up and putting him down for a nap, I went and hid in the guest room at my in-laws' house and cried. To this day I cannot look back on that day and smile. Maybe someday I will. Today is not that day. Tomorrow probably won't be either.
This year I think we're just gonna keep it small and simple. It's not like he's going to remember it. So I'm going to milk that as long as possible from here on out!
In fact, that's one of the big reasons I encouraged my husband to start working on his Masters degree NOW. He may not be able to spend as much time with me or the baby, but the baby won't remember it. So let's get it over with! :-)