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First Birthday

Colette’s Garden Party

April 26, 2016

Saturday was Colette’s first birthday, and we celebrated with a garden party with our closest friends and family.

There were flowers everywhere, our favorite brunch foods, cupcakes, and macarons. We ate, played and talked with our guests, and opened gifts. I put out chalk and bubbles for the older kids, and they of course pulled out all of Cullen’s outside toys too, so I think everyone had a great time!

Colette showed very little interest in the actual cake. She was happy to eat the flowers off the top, but even after a taste of buttercream, she only ate a few tiny bites. She was happy to share with others though.

Colette’s favorite thing about opening presents was the cards. Who would have thought? But she held onto one card while we opened all of the other gifts and kept the biggest smile on her face the whole time.

Happy Birthday sweet little Colette! We love you so much!!!

Cullen’s Bow Tie Bash

January 29, 2014

We had Cullen’s birthday party the Sunday after his birthday party. I had been planning his party for months. I went back and forth countless times on theme, colors, decor, and food. In the end, I think it turned out pretty great.

Disclaimer: This post has enough pictures to make you feel like you were actually at the party. I couldn’t pick just a few, so there are about 40. Enjoy!

We had a house full of friends and family. We were cramped, but it was so worth it. Cullen had a great time! He is one loved little boy.

I decided to go with a Bow Tie Bash theme. We had bow ties for guests to put on as they came in to match the birthday boy. I made most of the decor and food, which would have been a lot easier if I had made decisions a lot sooner. Most of this was done the week before the party. I’ll do better next time.

We had an area for guests to write Cullen a note. My plan is so do this every year and save them to give to Cullen when he is older. Just a little way to remember everyone who came to celebrate with him.

After Cullen had his fill of cheerios, goldfish, apples, and cheese, it was time for cake. He was a little hesitant at first, but after the first taste, Cullen went at the cake with reckless abandon. After, of course, he realized he couldn’t pick up the whole cake, he settled on fistfuls he could barely fit in his mouth.

He opened maybe two gifts before deciding a friend’s goldfish were way more interesting. So he snacked some more while Corey and I oohed and awed over all of the cute clothes and fun toys. Cullen had no problem playing with the toys after everyone left though!

It turned out to be a pretty great day. We all had a blast celebrating a whole year of our sweet little boy! Thanks to everyone who made Cullen’s first birthday terrific!

First Birthday Monthly Update

Twelve Months

January 24, 2014

We officially have a one year old. My little baby is now a toddler. Excuse me a moment while I wipe away a few tears. OK. I’m better now, so let’s talk about this ball of personality living with us.

Cullen took his very first step the Saturday before Christmas. It was only one step though. a couple of days later he started taking two and three steps throughout the day. By the first of the year, he was taking five or six steps at a time, but was still a little unsure of himself. By his first birthday, walking was his default mode. He is still a little unsteady and falls a good bit, but he almost always starts off walking. He is now chasing Macey in circles around the kitchen table.

Mealtime has become a little more difficult lately. Cullen loves yogurt, grapes, quinoa, and snacks. Everything else has become a struggle. We are trying mostly finger foods, and at dinner are giving Cullen what we eat. Most of the time he will try what we give him once and then play with it, but he usually eats well at breakfast and lunch and he does well at dinner on occasion. I’m hoping that if we just keep offering, he will eventually eat better. But I hear most little ones are picky eaters at this age. Plus, Cullen seems to be growing right on track. He is in the 58% for weight (21 pounds, 12.5 ounces) and the 93% for height (31.25 inches.) Not sure where that height is coming from!

Cullen now has eight teeth. And he shows them off with the best cheesy grin I have ever seen. His whole face wrinkles up so much that his eyes close. It is my absolute favorite!

For the past month, at least, Cullen has been saying ‘dis’ (this.) He points at everything and says ‘dis.’ It could be something he wants, something he is just noticing, or something he has seen a hundred times and just wants to point at. It is super cute!

Cullen’s favorite things to do these days are playing peek-a-boo behind the curtains, chasing Macey around (I’m glad she is so good with him!), clicking pens (not sure how he learned that, but it’s so cute!), getting chased by adults, and reading books by himself. He loves to sit with a pile of books and flip through page by page; seriously the sweetest thing ever! We are having so much fun with this little boy!

Side note: this kid can throw a temper tantrum. Every single time he doesn’t get his way. Have the terrible twos started super early? (But most of the time he is awesome!)

First Birthday

One Year Ago

January 17, 2014

My baby is going to be one tomorrow. Honestly, I am dealing with it a lot better than I thought I would. Instead of being sad because a whole year has gone by and because we now have a wide-open toddler instead of a snuggly little baby, I am excited for what’s ahead. I am excited about Cullen’s first birthday party, more steps, more words, and everything else that comes when you leave the baby stage and enter toddlerville. I am excited about learning more and more about this little boy and who he is growing up to be.

As much as I love the little person that Cullen is now, I’m not being completely honest with you if I don’t admit that sometimes I do miss that super cuddly newborn we brought home from the hospital. I absolutely loved that newborn stage; when Cullen fell asleep on my chest, that sweet newborn smell, not having to chase him around the house. But every stage seems to be better than the last, so while trying to soak up every minute and enjoy the now, I can’t wait to see what this little boy does next!

Exactly one year ago today, Corey and I were busy packing our hospital bags and going out for one last dinner just the two of us (without having to get a babysitter.) We were so excited about the next day and finally getting to hold our precious little boy.

As I think back to where we were this time last year, I want to take a minute and look back at some of Cullen’s newborn pictures. I was waiting to share these until I had mailed Cullen’s birth announcements, but that never happened. Oops! So I am sharing them with you now.

These first few pictures were taken in the hospital. I love that we had the opportunity to capture these moments when Cullen was just a day old.

These pictures were taken when Cullen was about a week old by the same person who took my maternity pictures. I am in love with every single one of these pictures!