The smell of fall has always given me butterflies! The nostalgia of 'back to school' nervous excitement. Elementary, Jr high, high school, starting my anthropology degree in university... Persuing business marketing in community college..... either way September has always been the month of new beginnings for as long as I can remember - Clears the birthday and New Years.
Nothing beats this year. I walked outside yesterday (September 1st), and the air smelled like pure anticipation. It was this time last year that the Dr. was telling me it was maybe time for a sweep. A-baby was Due September 10th but by the 28th of August all signs were pointing to "Ready". Now for someone wanting to do things Au Natural - shit is stressful! I spent my whole life with general anxiety doubting my possibilities as a human - bringing my girl over to this side of life in the natural way was something I wanted to do to come to terms with my strength. I knew I could do it... but the two and a (almost) half weeks she was over-due was torture.
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| One of our first memories of tummy time. |
After a natural labor everything else seemed to happen naturally too (I think I got lucky) - Breastfeeding, adjusting to motherhood, sleeping in her crib, transitioning to solid foods, she has truly led the way with it all. Baby's self weaning themselves off the boob is real and mine has already started rejecting me. It's amazing that I spent 9 months (ahem, and two weeks....) pregnant wondering if I will be good at this motherhood thing and how I'm going to overcome all the obstacles I read about... and now that I'm here - I know no one in the world is better suited to be her Mom.
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| First cottage trip. |
I'm so proud of what my daughter has brought to the surface for the people close to her. She has been an essential component in how I learn about life and I can't imagine waiting any longer to meet her. I could go on and on... The fall air has a girl emotional. This is all leading up to the point that I have a birthday party to plan! 'Tis a celebration of the most perfect Virgo baby and the survival of my (Another Virgo) hubby and I for a whole year (and the fact we still love each other after what has been witnessed over said year). I wanted to share some of the ideas I have come across for decorations and activities because I can't use them all and nobody likes an idea hog!
We don't want to go too crazy with the party but obviously we want a-couple things to make it special.
Like this balloon improv!
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| designimprovised.com |
The first thing on the shopping list was definitely tule!!! I love the idea of putting some around the base of balloons. And what is a little girls birthday without a tutu.... really. I made one for a marionette doll costume acouple years ago and it is SO... EASY.... (when you do it the easy way).
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| mamabee.com |
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| Etsy.com |
Etsy has lots of birthday onsies and tutus made to buy!!
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| Etsy.com |
I'm trying to be really realistic about throwing a party for a 1 year old. I'm focusing on things that she loves and letting that be the theme... If I was as naïve as I want to be I would have canvases for all the babies to splatter with baby safe paint. Cute right!? What a great memorabilia for any parents to take home and free entertainment for the guests! But lets be real, it's going to be late fall. Unless it was the nicest of summer days this would be a disaster. Paint filled clothes and belly buttons and ears and un-dry paintings that the guests have to worry about getting home.... Not happenin.
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| fromdahliastodoxies.blogsot.ca |
Look... at... this... banner... I'm mellltinggg this is so damn cute!!! Great way to reuse any scrap paper from other decorations and make it bright and personal. This idea is my favorite by a long shot.
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fromdahliastodoxies.blogspot.ca
This Mom blogger used a similar idea as the theme of the Party. This post is full of good ideas you must go look if your planning a party. So organized and well executed, this Mom is a genius. Photos were the theme so a professional photographer was hired and professional 5x7 prints from were offered as favors. I'm not sticking to a theme (maybe not even favors, is that bad?)... But if that was the plan this is THE best theme idea ever.
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Instead of gifts the invitations had request for items that would be put into a Time Capsule to close at the party. This mom pulled off a seriously perfect bash.
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| morgans2day.blogspot.com |
.Sometimes birthday parties call for all kinds of people in one room, possibly forced to socialize. This "Me" chart is a great conversation piece for the party so everyone can talk about how much the Birthday girl/boy has grown and all the things that make them special. Corny, I know... but these essentially all the things we are celebrating and I can't wait to make one!!
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| www.goldmedalflour.com |
Saving the best for last (evil grin)....... Smash cake!!!!!!! That moment when you can let go of the guilt and let a little version of you have the sensory overload of their toddler life by sitting them infront of their very own cake and letting them dive in nose first (or toes which ever). I cant wait for this. Any cake will do, I'm sure.... but here is a recipe for a cake using some stuff I know I have on hand. A-Baby loooooves Bananas so I know this is a safe bet. Her tummy isn't really familiar with some ingredients that a store bought cake would have so this will hopefully avoid any tummy aches or weird poops (yum cake and poops).
Not the worst idea to take a bath right after, these photos will be cherished!!
Maybe I've bored you or grossed you out or made you say aww... either way thanks for reading and I guarantee I'll have some advice come October on what NOT to do for the First Birthday Party ;).
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