Even before Kate was born G told me he didn’t want to have a party for her first birthday–his argument being that she’d never remember it anyway.
“But we’ll remember it!” I pleaded.
“She’ll see the pictures someday!” I added.
“The 1st birthday party is really a celebration of us making it through the first year of parenting,” I tried reasoning.
Nothing I said helped so I backed off thinking, Once she’s here he’ll totally change his mind.
He didn’t.
I brought the topic up again when Kate was about six months old, and again he said he didn’t want to make a fuss out of her first birthday. I tried all my powers of persuasion but the man didn’t budge. “Fine,” I finally huffed. “But I’m still going to make her a cake and put up birthday decorations–even if it is only going to be a party of three!”
When G makes up his mind there’s no changing it, so I didn’t bring it up again.
One afternoon in November, when Kate was almost eleven months old and finally nearing the end of her Horrible Awful Recovery from her cleft palate repair, G turned to me and said, “I’ve changed my mind about Kate’s first birthday. I think we should have a party. After everything she’s been through she deserves a party. We all deserve a party. Kate is such a strong, loving, and incredible little girl, and her life is a precious gift that should be celebrated! What better way than on her very first birthday?! P.S. You’re the most amazing mom ever. Let’s have ten more babies.”
Okay, fine, he didn’t really say that. But I’m pretty sure he was thinking it. What he actually said was this: “I’ve changed my mind about Kate’s first birthday. I think we should have a party.” And then he futilely added:
“Just don’t go overboard.”
HA! Famous last words.
Welcome to the party!
Kate’s first birthday was on a Sunday so we had the party on her actual birthday. I made a video slideshow of photos from Kate’s first year to play at the party, and wanted to add a birthday picture at the end so we had a little photo shoot that morning.
The birthday girl!
I made Kate’s polka-dot highchair cover out of a pillowcase, and used the matching sheet as a tablecloth for the kitchen table.
Large tissue paper poms hung over the kitchen island:
This “K” was a last-minute addition that I decoupaged with leftover scraps of paper:
Kate’s monthly onesies on display:
I made cupcakes for the guests…
…and a matching smash cake for Kate:
A big hit was this “kiddie” snack tray filled with baby puffs, animal crackers, Goldfish crackers, and bunny-shaped graham crackers:
We had juice boxes and water for the kids…
…and wine and champagne cocktails for the adults:
Kate, enjoying a snack:
Kate & Mama:
Kate loved her birthday cake!
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| Party’s over. Bedtime for this tired Mama! |
Check out Kate’s Room Revisited to see how I reused decorations from her birthday party in her bedroom!
Kate’s nursery – updated with decorations from her first birthday party!
Wow I am seriously loving all of the colors and it seems like Kate had a great time!!
With only a month to plan you did a great job!!!! Everything looks like so much fun, and Kate is so adorable.
I love the cake stand (footed bowl thing) in the last picture. Where did you find that one?
You did an amazing job – what a party! Happy birthday to the little miss!
WOW!!! Everything looks amazing!!!
I love the decoration. It’s beautiful.
Great job!
What an adorable party! I love all the colors you used and how you displayed all of her monthly onesies!
Kate looked like she had a blast! Enjoy year #2!
Everything looks awesome! My daughter is only 15 weeks old and I wish time would just slow down for a minute, but sometimes I can’t help but think about how fun planning her first birthday party will be!
Adorable! The onesies are a great idea!
What program did you use to create the sign on the door?
You guys are amazing. Everything is so colorful and happy, I love it. What a cute and loving little family!!! This is what the world needs more of!
What a visual feast of color! Looks like the birthday girl had a great time too!
I love all the colors! And I am SO impressed that you cooked and created everything yourself, while juggling work, childcare, etc. Amazing job!
Super, super adorable. Glad your hubs changed his mind!
What a fun party!! Love the idea of using the sheet and pillowcase for a tablecloth and highchair cover.
This is adorable! I love the onesies display from the first year. Love the colors and the poms on the front door.
Happy Birthday Kate! You did a wonderful job with the party. I’m glad G changed his mind. Everything looked wonderful.
Take care,
Lisa
Thank God he caved! That is just about the sweetest, craftiest, and most thoughtful baby party I have seen in a while. (And I look at all those Ohdeedoh party pics too, so I know what I am talking about!) I LOVED the onesie display, and your careful attention to detail on every portion of the party. Your menu sounds scrumptious too. I am so proud of you, honey! There, I said it, in case G didn’t. (I hope he did!)
Kate DID deserve that party, and she is a very lucky girl to have a mommy who got to unleash her party-planning beast.
jbhat
You are so creative!! Bed sheets for decor?! And is it me or do the sheets match her outfit??
LOVE the onesies hung on the wall and the pom-poms. You should go into party planning
Hapy birthday Kate!
Looks perfectly perfect for a one year old’s party. Glad the husband came around.
That is such a nice party. As you said, although she may not remember the party it’s something that she’ll be able to look back at, and what great pictures she has to look back at. Happy Birthday to her and congratulations to you two
Too sweet and I love that he finally caved!
Love all the decor! Great job!
Lovely! my son’s first birthday is in June. I want it to be low-key, but I’m alreay worried about getting everything ready and together!
New follower and I love your blog! That is one too cute daughter you have! Love the birthday decorations and actually, I have two boys that are two years apart, and their bdays are in about 3 weeks and I sent my sister a picture of those cupcakes you made and asked her to make them for my kids’ party. Love the blog!
Love the party pics! Love the colors and the bright pretty-ness of it all, without the overdone “themey-ness” so many kids parties get. Thank you for sharing!
Stopping by from IHeart Organizing…what a gorgeous job you did decorating for Kate’s party! I LOVE those tissue paper pom poms! What a cute idea!
What fun! I love Kate’s hair. It’s the reverse of my daughter’s! 😉
love the pom poms! were they hard? where did you buy the tissue paper for the large ones?
I’m so glad G changed his mind and you had a party! The first year really needs to be celebrated! Love the poms, I totally want to try making those for my daughters 5 birthday this year. You did an awesome job with everything!
Ive had my fair share of making those pom poms so I must say GO YOU for making so many! The small ones can be so tricky! The poms above the food look huge and a adorable, I love them!
What a cheap fun way to make a pop at a party!
Congrats on your first year
Hello,
I am a long time lurker. This is one of the best parties I have seen. Not overboard, like your husband said.But it shows that you put your love into it. Where did you get the K that you decoupaged? Thanks- shelly
Um, is it mean of me to say you’re an ass?! Sorry! You’re an ass. You put my son’s first birthday party to shame. I am feeling less than competent to plan another party.ever.again! Not to mention a shabby mother. Thanks!
Just kidding (a little bit). The party looked AMAZING! That was just jealousy talking
Great work.
Wow, you did an amazing job! Everything looks beautiful, I bet it was a great first birthday for Kate!
Oh my goodness! Love the wall of onesies! Such a sweet daughter you have, love how she went at the cake! Happy birthday Kate!
you did a wonderful job! love the pictures