the boyscout motto

[shaynabelle]

I know I've still got 2 months, but I've been thinking a lot about Keaton's first birthday. What is usual for such a thing? He won't remember it. I don't want sugar-overload, so no matter what we do, even if it's a dinner with just us, I'm using his birthday as an excuse to buy a vegan tres leches from Mr. Natural (sweetened with raisin juice).

Comments

[lasofia]

For both boys' first birthday, we invited people who loved the boy. I'm pretty social so it was a lot of people - 18? including the babies they played with. We met at a park, I discouraged presents, we had some cake (in both cases, the first the kid had), fruit, cheese.

Usually people recommend short and sweet (yes!) and not too many people - if we'd been inside I would have a much smaller crowd so as not to overwhelm the kid. At this point the party is as much for you surviving a year of parenthood, so think about what you want and what K would enjoy. Would he like having the whole family? Would he like having the other babies come?

[shaynabelle]

This was helpful, thank you!

I dislike parks just because I am ridiculously allergic to bugs of all types which seem to find me when I leave the indoors. Keats seems to have the same thing, as he's constantly covered with red bite welts. Blech. So I think it'll be indoors..

Family alone would be 15 people. I think Keats would enjoy bein' loved on by everyone but I worry that already we're at an overwhelming number. hrm. More to think about.
Thank you!

I feel the need to confess that I've already given Keaton cake. Just the vegan, no sugar kind, but omg he loved it.

[sheilagh]

Medha & her baby girl! she's at 4509 on my same street/zip :)

[pasketti]

We let them have ice cream for the very first time.

Moira got brain freeze, which was amusing to watch. She'd eat a spoonful, get this 'BRAIN FREEZE!' look, shudder for a second, then go back for more.

[summernot]

well, here are pics from my birthday and tony's...

me with cake, part 1...
me with CAKE, part 2...
tony, Western tradition (aka cake)
tony, Chinese tradition (set out different objects and see what the baby picks to get a glimpse of what the baby will be interested in as an adult) part 1
tony, Chinese tradition, part 2 - he chose a dictionary

Do whatever feels good to you: lots of family and friends, just close family and friends, just family, just you and Ali, whatever. At home, at a restaurant, park, family member's house, tqm, wherever. You could come up with your own family traditions and/or go with the standard ones. It's up to you! :) Whatever you do, I'm sure it'll be great. Take pics so Keaton can look back and see himself on the day he turned one.

Early congratulations to you, Keats and Ali! You're an amazing mommy, he's a wonderful baby, and you're a beautiful family! hooray!

[merilaine]

My sister has told me about the vegan tres leche from Mr. Natural several, several times in a you-HAVE-to-try-it-now way. Do it.