Family Forum / Pregnancy / Pregnancy / June 2004

We had the grandparents, great-grandparents, and some of the aunts/uncles
over for an informal lunch and party, with cake and ice cream.  Plus
balloons and streamers.  We took lots of pictures, including one of DD with
each attendee, and I had each attendee write a little note to DD.  That was
really neat, since everyone's personality got reflected in the notes.  ISTR
that my sister drew a picture for her, her grandmothers wrote about how she
enjoyed the candle and cake and all, and my SIL (an English major at the
time) created an original poem about how special DD was.  They'll be fun for
her to read later.  It was a very low-key party, with about a dozen people,
and that was perfect.  DD loved the attention but didn't get overwhelmed.
No specific activities or games, just food, cake (which I made), and
visiting. :)  For her actual birthday (a few days before the party), I made
cupcakes and DH and I sang to her, let her eat cake and ice cream, and we
helped her open the presents.  Lots of pictures and video too.  Earlier that
day, I had taken her to Sears for a Mommy-Daughter portrait and a portrait
of her with the big #1, and then to the playground.  And I spent a bunch of
time reading through her baby book, sticker calendar, photo albums, etc. and
re-reading her birth story.

For my daughter's first birthday we invited all of the people that loved her
the best to come over for cake.  We also had her pictures taken and I also
got her a semi-heirloom quality doll that she could play with but sturdy
enough that if she wanted she let her kids play with it if she chose to
(American Girl Bitty Baby).  We stripped Maggie and let her dive into some
homemade birthday cake (I made special recipe cakes for her from scratch
that made it feel more special, at least for me).
Kat
mama to Maggie 11/03/01
and Will 02/10/04

DD's great-grandmother is in a nursing home, so we took a picnic out and ate
with her.  The other old ladies in the home thought it was wonderful, and
the nurses appreciated it too!

Cathy

We had a dinner party, invited over the grandparents, and my daughter
sat at the head of the table and held court. She loved it.

Zannah.

I know they say that the first birthday party should be small, so as not to
overwhelm the child, but we ignore that advice. :-)  We have a tradition of
having a dinner party (baked ziti, salad, and homemade Italian bread) for the
first birthday, followed by birthday cake.  We invite all the family and close
friends.  I think there were about 35 people here for William's party.

Leslie

Emily (2/4/91)
Jake (1/27/94)
Teddy (2/15/95)
William (3/5/01 -- VBA3C, 13 lbs. 5 oz.)
and Lorelei, expected 11/2/04

"Children come trailing clouds of glory from God, which is their home."
                   ~ William Wordsworth

We invited 25 people to Bonnies first birthday, 4 people came.  We ate cake
for a week and a half after that and ended up throwing some away.  She had a
princess theme party with a cinderella dress and cake.
For Bonnies second birthday we invited 9 people I think and everyone showed
up!  She had a Dora Theme party with a yellow Dora Dress and a cake with
Dora and the monkey on top.. We dont watch the show so I have no idea what
the monkeys name is I just think Dora is adorable;)
next year I told my friend Deb I may invite her and her Family but leave my
SIL out of it as she tends to take over and it annoys the snot out of me.  I
wanted the party at my house with my stuff and she wanted to go to her
parents house even though they where in Mexico at the time.  Since she
talked to my DH he just said fine lets have it there I was SO angry that
things got changed behind my back that I did not have a good time at Bonnies
Birthday.. When I said to her "hey I am angry that you changed the party I
planned." She said "Yeah I was like that before i started taking my
depression meds to."  Do depression meds make you lose all emotion or
something?  I could not see me calling her and telling her that she had to
move her daughters birthday party to suit my needs especialy if it was only
Me and Bonnie going and not 5 kids and a husband and myself.. it was just
stupid... oops did not mean to rant;)
I guess what I am saying is sometimes you plan smaller as they grow
larger.;)
Tori

"> I have seen quite a few happy first birthdays around here and since DS's

I just read this article, http://www.parents.com/other/birthday_planner.jsp
about planning the birthday parties.  Eerie to suddenly see your post.

Hope it helps.

~Carol Ann
Mom to Morgan born 3.24.04
http://tinyurl.com/3ycdq <---Pictures!