Baby A's Big Day

I remember when she was born.

She was so beautiful and peaceful. She came out and just snuggled right into me. I remember she smelled of sweet grass and blinked in slow motion. I swear she would have slept through the night...but she had a lot of goo in her lungs because she came out so fast. Guess she couldn't wait to meet the world and us.

Me, Mr.Man and little E.

Did I mention she came out FAST.
Like in 2 pushes fast.
Like the nurses caught her because my midwife wasn't there yet fast.

Now she is 1.

Time moves quickly. I must remember to embrace it. Hold onto it tight yet at the same time...not be afraid to let it go.

So I had this huge, amazing 1st birthday party planned...lots of creative ideas were flowing. I fed off all this creative energy and let my mind wander, visualize and imagine all the possibilities of throwing a truly beautiful girly girl party.

Then I went back to work.

Life soon got very busy and my time needed more managing.

It was tough...I wanted her party to be perfect.

Now hold on...not perfect in that crazy Martha way...I just wanted it to be what I had invisioned it to be. I wanted to make it special. For her. For us...all of us. Very whimsical, girly and vintagy. Not that she would even have a clue...ever... nor be concerned if it never happened at all, but I really wanted it to be magical.

I guess I had done all my planning and dreaming when I was off work and then being thrust back into the vortex threw off my creative engery (hense the lack of posting here as well).

I became overwhelmed with the idea of the party to which I was perviously energized  by. Thank-fully I decided to JUST DO IT and make the best possible effort. Follow through and make it happen. Mr. Man helped a ton too. He always does.

Everything I had envisioned came through...well except maybe for this...

Yes...Avery's first birthday was a house wrecker! 

Where to begin...

Not sure where I stole this idea...but it just came together so easily

I tried to chronicle her first year as best as I could and was so pleased at how it turned out

Mr.Man and I made this banner. He is more of a perfectionist than me so he expertly trimmed the triangles and I strung them all together. The puffs were from Michael's. They were a little time consuming, but easy to do. 

There were lots of flowers and two bird cages that I am going to put in her room when I do the big girl transformation. Or sooner...don't think I can wait that long. 

"tweet tweet"

Balloons of course! 

I am not gonna lie...it was a mad house...lots of kids and lots of mommies, daddies, Aunties, Uncles, Grandmas, Poppas, Nanas, Cousins, friends and neighbours. Lots of toys...

This was E's room about 1 hr. into the party...you can imagine what it looked like at the end. 

The bedding was astray, Playmobile everywhere, books, socks, every stuffy, cd, puzzle and lego.

 Out. 

I am still finding toys. 

There was just enough food, drinks (thanks again Carolyn!) and paper plates (yes I caved) to make it through the few hours that was a baby girls first Birthday. In the end it was an epic gathering of feasting and celebrating amoungst family and friends. 

                                                                     Lots of fun!!

The cake was AMAZING. If I don't say so myself. I am however disappointed in the pictures...my colour temperature was too hot on my camera setting so it looks very orange. Boo. Oh well...tis life. 

I wanted to get more pics...do the whole BLOG thing...but I forgot. Plus I wanted to do this more...

Thanks to Alex for capturing this special moment for us! 

The cake tasted even as good as it looked. At least that is what people told me and I have been eating the left overs for about...oh three days!! Yes, I made to much. 

Then we took the cake in the kitchen and it fell off the plate all over the floor...splat.  Kidding. Seriously! That didn't happen...almost did though with all the kids underfoot following me everywhere with it...I felt like the pied piper! Still with me? So while Uncle Jordan and Christie cut the 50++ pieces...

We move onto the photos and the event of the day that everyone is waiting for...

{grab a coffee...there are lots of photos}. The first bite...

"Hmmm...that looks interesting"

"Wonder what it is"

"Dam...this is good. Is this all for me?"

"well then, I am gonna take it"

"Shudder"

"I likey"

"squishy..."

"Yum."

Thanks again Alex!

"I dance...I sing...in my chocolate high...oh me oh me oh my!"

"I am tired now...this eating and dancing and playing is making me sleepy."

The aftermath...

Oh ya.

Thanks for cleaning me Amy! 

Christie cleaning the floor...what a good friend. 

So while baby A got bathed upstairs the little kiddies sat and waited for their cake and goodie bags.

Who wants cake???

"I do!"

{Can you see who wants it a little more than the others?

And look at the good little students...their hands up for cake}

Goodie bags assembled by the kids. I just supplied the goodies and they built their own bags. So easy...so fun and yes...so chaotic! Wee wee! 

Good times

Then it was present time. So many wonderful gifts and cards...

The Moms pitching in! Thanks ladies...

Looking back as I write this, I really could have done none of the decore and none of the prep and it still would have filled us all up emotionally and spiritually. The faces and the laughter of all our friends and family is all that we really needed and I now see that it was THEM that made it such a magical day. 

The baby whisperer...Jacob

Baby A is one fortunate little girl to have all of that love and support in her life already from so many wonderful people. She may not know it yet...but I do and I will do my darndest to instill the unmeasurable value of family and friends upon her and her brother as they make their way through this thing we call life.

Soon it was time to say goodbye and pack the kids in the van...but not before a dog pile on the front lawn.

Avery wanted in on the action too...Mr. Man had to literally hold her back! 

Loaded and ready to go. Easton...time to say goodbye...come on out of there!! 

"But Mommy I want a sleepover!!!"

After all the kiddies were snug in there beds and Mommy and Daddy cleared a path to the TV...we got take out sushi and watched The Tourist. It was a good movie...I was honestly too tired to care. Then I caught a few moments of the Royal Wedding, fell into bed and awoke to this...

A Royal tea party with little E and a crap load of clean up. In the end the party left me filled up. Good food, good family....missed Nanny, Grandpa, Auntie, Uncle and baby T though ):... lots of good friends and so many memories to fill up a lifetime. 

Thank-you again to all the people who came and made her party what it was...it would have been nothing without you.

E.