Avery's FIRST Birthday!!

I cannot believe my little angel is now ONE! It is just crazy for me to think about. She is doing so much these days, and she fills my life with such joy and excitement. She is just such a blessing, and I couldn't imagine my life any different than it is now. Jake and I were looking through some pics of my pregnancy (eek!) and of Avery's birth tonight. It was all so surreal. Jake was frantically snapping pictures in the delivery room, and had held the camera up over the sheet to get the shot of Avery actually coming out of my cut open tummy- CRAZY! We kind of laugh about that now, because we don't think they were quite ready when they said, "Daddy, get your camera ready!" The most awesome picture to me, however, was the one of the first time I ever saw Avery- I have it posted on my blog. That moment cannot be expressed in words. There are so many things I remember so vividly about that time- waiting to get the feeling back in my legs in the recovery room, hearing the phone ring when the doctor called to tell us about her heart and transport, feeling faint the first time I held her in the NICU before she was transported, the edge of the plastic side of her bed in NICU at UMC as I stood over her for hours at a time, the smell of her as she lay there....its all still there as if it happened yesterday. Now, she is one, and I am filled with more love and appreciation for her now than ever before. It's funny, some people say, I loved my child more than life from the moment I saw him or her. I have always loved Avery, but the longer I held her and got to know her...brought her home finally feeling like she is mine from the hospital....the more and more I have loved her. As a matter of fact, every day, my love for her grows stronger.
I had been thinking about her first birthday for some time, and knew I wanted it to be just Jake and I with her on the actual day- June 9. That turned out fine, because it was on a Wednesday any how. I made her a pink, strawberry cake- which turned out a little lop-sided, but that is ok- there is perfection in imperfection, lol. I topped it with the clay figurine I had made of a little red head next to a #1 to hold her candle. We filmed her high-stepping down the hall holding my hands in her cupcake onesie and tutu. She opened presents from us, and then went on the cake. She was actually ready for a nap at the time, but was too hard-headed to take one, so we went with it. I think she enjoyed getting messy with the cake. Afterwards, it was bath and nap time!
It's so funny, but first birthdays are more about us than they are about the child- they certainly won't remember it! What she will see is the pictures, and I have plenty of those! I wanted to be crafty and take time to make things special so she'll look back and say, "my mommy did that for me." I'm not too much on themes, or don't like to go overboard with them. At the time I began planning, I thought I'd just do a cupcake theme. Once I decided to do it at our pool, I wished I had done lady bugs because of all the cute stuff I began to find, but it worked out. I ordered a cute cupcake banner from etsy.com along with personalized cupcake toppers to match. I just used shades of pink for the colors. I read some things online that other people did, and stole a few ideas...I used silicone cupcake cups to put flowers in on the table, put just light and dark pink party cloths on the underneath, I used some fabric that had a sprinkle pattern to put under the cupcake stand, and then I bought some cupcake cups and filled them with Mike and Ikes (someone said they look like sprinkles) and cupcake stickers, then put them in a clear bag with a small container of bubbles and tied them off with ribbon for favors. I also made some sugar cookie sandwiches with icing and rolled them in sprinkles, then put then in cupcake cups and bagged them. For the little ones, I found some rubber duckies holding cupcakes at Wal-Mart, and put them atop a cupcake cup filled with Goldfish crackers. It was fun looking for ideas and making the favors- I thought they were more unique. The cupcakes Mrs. Judy made were beautiful- different shades of pink (and a few chocolate) with different textures of icing. I didn't plan to do much food because it was from 10-12. I had a fruit tray with some dip I made from a Paula Dean recipe. I cut a watermelon, and attempter melon balls- they weren't the prettiest, but the melon was good no less. Then, my mom made some little spiral and a few cucumber sandwiches. We just had lemonade, water, and a few apple juice boxes for drinks. I also set up a table by the gate with a picture of Avery as a newborn in a frame I had decorated. I also made a clip frame from a few things I found on clearance at Hobby Lobby, and put her birthday announcement in that. I made a scrapbook page of Avery in her birthday tutu for everyone to sign. I decided I'd start this tradition, so she can look back on who was at her party each year with a few pics from the day. One of the gifts we gave her was a scrapbook to start this tradition in. I also wanted to give something as a reminder for prayers, because heaven knows, we still need them. I had the idea to make bracelets with a small cross and a small heart on them to signify who we pray to and what we pray for. It took some time, and I made different variations, but I think everyone liked them. I just figured if there was something tangible, people could look at it and remember to pray for her regularly- even if they just stick the bracelet on their dresser or in their vehicle. I bought a few cheap pool toys and threw them in for everyone to float on and play with.
Besides begin EXTREMELY HOT and HUMID- it was a great party. The whole point is, we celebrated one life-altering year that has been a sweet success. I wanted it to be special for Jake, Avery, and me, and it was...hopefully it was for others too. I am so thankful for all the people that love us and truly care about what goes on in our lives. So many people sent well wishes and came to celebrate with us- it's an awesome thing. I have amazing friends who traveled from Monroe and even Atlanta just to be there. We have just been blessed beyond measure when it comes to love and support. Kind of like Jeremy Camp's song lyrics..."I know that I've been given more than beyond measure, I come alive when I see beyond my fears, I know that I've been given more than earthly treasure, I come alive when I've broken down and given you control." I totally relate to that, and realize it more and more each day that passes.