On Saturday, July 14th, he ate...

Cake! The birthday post is finally here! Because I am printing this blog each year to use as Cayden's scrapbook, I haven't been able to post any updates until I could get the birthday one out of the way!

The party went really well. There was plenty of food, plenty of cake, too many presents, and a whole bunch of memories. Be patient, there are tons of pictures, and I want to make sure I give credit where credit is due, and no it won't all go to Pinterest. HA!

I guess the idea of A Very Hungry Caterpillar birthday came from a picture on Pinterest. Melissa at Pink Pistachio created a wonderful party for her son's 1st Birthday. Once I saw what she did, I knew I wanted to use it has a jumping off point. After many searches on Pinterest, I found the cake I wanted. I usually go to a well known cake store a few miles down the road, but I knew that it was going to cost me a pretty penny. A friend suggested Bizzy B's, so I went and showed them what I wanted, and they said no problem. And by the way, because it is a 1st Birthday, the smash cake is Free! Sign Me Up! They did a FANTASTIC job!

Cayden's Smash Cake

Close up of the Caterpillar

This was after the party...when it gets wild!

 As far as decorations went, I made them myself. And let me tell you. Pinterest can be the death of you, when party planning. Everything looks soo good on there. And so easy to make. And sure! Why can't I do that too? Spoken by a crazy person.

Food Table. Cayden's board included 11 months worth pictures.

Full Cake Shot.

 Melissa at Pink Pistachio sold me the labels she used for her son's birthday. They were so cute! And I think it added just enough Hungry Caterpillar, so it wasn't total overkill.

Cayden is One banner!

Tissue Paper Poms. Easier to make than I thought, but a little time consuming.

Flag Banner.

 We invited several of our family and friends, and thankfully almost everyone was able to show up. To say that Cayden is Mr. Social, is an understatement. He was running around, playing with Millie, and in general entertaining his guests.

 Then came time for the cake. We assumed he would like the cake. I like cake, Heath likes cake; it's in the genes.

We gathered around our dining room table, which was covered with a table cloth, as was the floor. When everyone started singing Happy Birthday, Cayden had a look on his face that was a cross between "What the Hell is going on?" and "Why is everyone staring at me?" It was pretty funny.

Once he played with the cake for a minute, and then tried a piece he was hooked!

 I think he ate more icing than cake. Isn't that what you are supposed to do?!

 Cayden was spoiled by everyone's generosity. It was definitely a birthday to remember.

 My brother has been DYING to buy Cayden a motorized toy since birth. Literally. I have a feeling this is just the first of many to come.

 He's one. In case you were wondering.

 It's hard to believe that he is one, and we are in year TWO. Even though I stressed out about the party, it really was worth it. If stress and decorations are a measurement for love, then I love this kid to the moon and back. And I do. I've said it before, but he's the best part of me and Heath. I don't think we could love him any more, but we can always try.

There was one thing about Cayden's party that I splurged on. We hired a photographer. I even poked fun at other people for doing this, but when it came down to it, I wanted to enjoy the party, not rush around trying to get it all on film. Sue Lee did a GREAT job. All of the photos in this blog are hers. She was so sweet and was well worth it!

July 14th - Part One

I've been avoiding this blog. Not because the passing of my son's first birthday has left a small void in my heart. Nah. It's really because I am waiting for some birthday photos to come back! I could post the one or two I took, but I'm sure that they are sub-par compared to the others.

It just so happened that Cayden's first birthday party was on his actual birthday! So, I'm going to wait to talk about it, and for now talk about his milestones!

12 Month Stats:

* He officially walks. He started walking more than crawling about two weeks before his birthday. And as of today, he hardly ever crawls!

* We think he is around 26 pounds. We don't have our doctor's appt. until the 31st! UGH...there are TONS of questions I want to ask!

* Still in size 4 diapers during the day, and 5's at night

* Clothes are hit and miss. Gap he generally wears 12-18 months, but I have been buying 18-24 just so he can wear them longer. Carter's are 18 months

* His eating habits are as varied and quirky as ever. Case-in-point: He will eat massive quantities of the spaghetti I make. He WILL NOT eat "baby food" spaghetti. weirdo. He is trying lots of new things, and I'm not quite so strict about what I will or will not let him eat. I draw the line at fast food, and anything with caffeine or lots of sugar.

*  He is "talking" quite a bit. He can definitely say Cat. Most of the time he just points at stuff as says, "Dat? Dat!"

Likes:

* Spaghetti (see story above)

* His new birthday toys

* Playing with Millie

* Going outside...all the time.

* His new quilt

* Turning the water on and off in the tub

* Searching for the cat in the closet

* Balloons

Dislikes:

* Being told No

* Baby food being disguised as real food

Aunt Julie and Uncle Wes sent Cayden books for his birthday! He loved the books (of course) but really enjoyed the box they came in! He is holding up the Number One because he is ONE!

His birthday Jammies.

We asked him how old he was....Genius!

He got a Cozy Truck from us for his birthday.

He likes to hang out the window and pick up chicks

 For months I have been working on Cayden's quilt. It hasn't been a continuous process because I have taken breaks along the way, but my goal was to finish by July 14th. I finished the night of the 15th...Good Enough!

Finished Product!

 Heath still thinks it's ugly, but he does commend me on my technique. I actually LOVE this quilt. It's funky and quirky, and has that wrinkled look that makes me think of a quilt and not a comforter.

 It has it's flaws, don't get me wrong. I can pick them out quickly, but I think most people won't notice. Now that it is over, I think I have found a hobby I love and that I'm pretty good at. Not to brag. I am now working on a new quilt, and have two more in the hopper.

Cayden's electric ride. My brother has been DYING to get him a motorized vehicle since birth. Cayden loves it! He can go by himself, but he can't steer.

The Cozy Truck: Chick Magnet

Dear Cayden,

A year ago you were this little baby that we loved so much we could barely contain ourselves. We were nervous, excited, and anxious. You were small and sweet, and not a good sleeper, but we didn't care. You were ours and we couldn't be happier. Now you are one. You walk, babble, and point at things. You are curious, social, persistent, sweet, funny, happy, proud, and ambitious. You always have a smile ready for everyone. We have taken thousands of pictures, hundreds of videos, gone through tons of clothes, and probably maxed out a landfill somewhere with diapers. You have laughed, cried, smiled, slept, ate, tummy-timed, scooted, crawled, and walked a permanent ring into our hearts. How our world has changed? You have made your Dad and I better people, and given us hope that we will be good parents. Thank you for being the best gift, the best fit, the best addition that has made our family complete. We love you, Cayden Rhys! We can't wait for all the adventures you have in store for us!

We love you!
Mom and Dad

First Hair Cut

Heath has been off for a few days, so we decided to go and get Cayden's first haircut. I have been a little anxious about it because I didn't really want to cut his hair for fear that they would chop it all off. But I knew that it really needed it, he was looking a little shaggy.

We went down there thinking that Cayden would do pretty good because he's pretty social and doesn't get too nervous around different people or situations. It ended up way better than we even thought it would!

Once he was in the airplane he just let the lady do her job! He would smile at us, and never once flinched or got upset!

His hair makes the perfect faux hawk...even the hairdresser said so! She was amazed at how well it stood up!

 Once he got his hands out from under the cape, he grabbed the wheel!

 Such a dapper guy! After the haircut we ran a few errands and people commented how much he looked like the both of us! Ha...I think he is looking more and more like Heath everyday!

I'll leave you with this picture! Earlier this week we were trying to change his diaper, and he wouldn't let us put his jammers back on. So we let him walk around with them like a cape.

And the award goes to...

Me! For being an awesome parent. Note: This is said with a heavy dose of sarcasm. Here are the events that have warranted my nomination, and then obvious win of Top Parenting Award.

1. My blog updates are few and far between. I can blame this on a lot of things, but will choose to place all fault on THE birthday party. 

2. Last week we had two PJ toe blowouts. This really speaks volumes as to why my parenting skills failed me. The wardrobe malfunction could have been caused by the following: a) I let my child hang out in the jammies until at least 11. b) I failed to cut his toenails. c) His jammies are skin tight, and need to be increased by at least one size. d) He crawls all over the place, and is really not my fault at all. e) He is wearing footie pj's and its 113 degrees outside.

 3. The one good thing I did this week. I took Cayden to the park to meet Millie. He loved it, and even wore is sunglasses for a bit. After swinging, he and Millie played in the mulch, and possibly sampled a few bits.

 4. I LET my child do this to the kitchen. When I sent this picture to my husband, he wanted to know why I wasn't watching him. Well, I was. I was watching him destroy the kitchen. There needs to be some serious child proofing in our house...pronto.

 5. Ah, yes. Another good deed for me! Millie got a sweet ride for her b-day, so of course Cayden had to go check it out! It was blazing hot, every one's armpits were sweaty, but we rode in the swag-wagon. I thought the fact that they hung on for dear life was hilarious.

 6. I let my child manhandle other children. This picture doesn't really tell the whole story, but basically Cayden sat on Millie. This wasn't the first, and I assure you won't be the last time. He has pulled Millie's hair, pulled her down, etc. She gets in a few punches too, don't worry.

7. My child ate a bug. A BIG one. It was black. I believe it was a beetle. It seems that everyday, at least 20 times I say, "What are you eating??!?!" Well, I didn't catch him fast enough. In hind-sight the tell-tale signs were there. Cayden was playing behind the couch. He was quiet. Too quiet. He came around the corner with a look on his face. I asked the question, to which there was no reply. I grabbed him up, opened his mouth, and saw a leg. UGH. AACK. I pulled it out. I opened his mouth again, and saw the body....eeech. I only got half of it out. HALF. Which means the other half he ate. GROSS.

As the mother of a boy I understand that this is just the beginning, but I am no less grossed out by the act of digging bug bodies out of his mouth!

Sigh. On a another note.. We officially have a walker. He still chooses to crawl sometimes, but he is definitely a walker. Millie's birthday party is this weekend, and GASP, I have one week to get ready for Cayden's. It's going to be so great, that it will cancel out all of the past weeks' parenting slip-ups.