Happy 1st Birthday Connor!

I'm shamefully late in posting this - almost a whole month late.  Connor turned 1 on March 28, and I couldn't be more proud to be his mommy!  

Before I really dive into this, I want to establish something.  In our home we celebrate birthdays. I mean we CELEBRATE birthdays.  They're not always huge blowouts, not always big cakes or lots of presents.  But we spend the day gratefully celebrating and enjoying the birthday person.  Surviving another year is no small thing.  In this world we have NO guarantees for our next breath let alone our next year.  I hope that whatever your style, you truly celebrate birthdays - it doesn't matter if it's 1 or 5 or 86.  Each one is priceless and each person should feel, (every day, but especially) one day a year, how very cherished, treasured, valued and loved they are.

Connor's 1st birthday was on a Saturday, and I woke up extra exhausted.  So the massive to do list I had (which included decorating the cake and making some of the food) got put off in favor of a nap at about noon.  The party started at 5.  Thanks to help from friends and family it all got done on time and we had a wonderful party!  

As you can see below, the cake and cupcakes got finished in time. (It was a good thing I picked a simple design!)

We didn't get a family picture that day, but we did get a Mommy, Connor, Daddy picture.

Having seen how much cake I made, you probably realized that the party was big.  Like 30+ people big.  That's a little absurd, considering a 1 year old will have NO memory of this party, and who really has that many people to celebrate with anyway?  

Well, the answer is, we do.  First birthdays are big for me.  It's not about the 1 year old (although it is).  For me, this party was about thanking all of the people who made the first year of Connor's life possible, survivable, and even enjoyable.  Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends who support our family in a million ways came to celebrate with us.  Without these people's time, attention, care, and love of Connor, Lily, Chase, and I, Connor would not be the healthy, delightful, jolly, curious, marvelous, brilliant little boy that he is.  These people have poured into us, especially in this last year, and this was our chance to say "thanks."

Lily and cousin Ella.  That Ella was there was the best part of the party for Lily, I think!

These handsome cousins helped us set up and tear down. They are also fantastic gentlemen that I'm excited for Connor to watch as he grows.

*sigh*  Oh that little darling.  I just love him!

Connor had lots of help opening presents.  This year he actually needed the help, so all was well!

One candle for the handsome one year old.

He liked the candle and knows how to blow, so he *almost* got it blown out by himself.  Sister helped just to be sure it was totally blown out. :)

Digging in.  He didn't get too terribly messy.

But he did love the experience.  :)

Connor Bear, you're our favorite Connor in the whole world.  You've taught this mama a lot about patience, discipline, growth, and development.  You've also reminded me how valuable a whole night's uninterrupted sleep is. (Thank you for FINALLY sleeping through the night!!!)  Our family is much brighter because of you, and the days are more joyful.  May you grow in curiosity, health, gratitude, patience, and wisdom in the coming year.  WE LOVE YOU!!!!