Little Man's First Birthday - Part 2

I know what you must be thinking. "How many posts can she possibly make about Little Man's first birthday?! And wasn't his birthday, like, three weeks ago?" Yes, I am behind, and I promise this will be the last post. As a proud momma, I need a place where I can come back to reminisce, and this ol' blog is my place for doing that, even if I am a little behind. This post is about his actual first birthday - July 8. Thank you for bearing with me while I record these memories that I never, ever want to forget. 

I think every mom relives the actual birth day, on her child's birthday, don't you?  We watch the clock throughout the day and think about what we were doing at this or that time the day our child was born. I found it to be a little emotional, myself. Especially when 7:33 p.m. rolled around. That is, after all, when my precious baby boy changed my life forever by making his grand entrance into this world.

This year when Little Man woke up, Jerry and I greeted him with the traditional "Happy Birthday to you" serenade. I think Alex thought we were bonkers. He kept hiding behind his crib bumper and peeking at us; he would not stand up like he normally does when we walk into the room.

We took him downstairs where his presents were waiting for him.

The first thing he had spotted was his birthday balloon tied to the Cozy Coupe. Nothing else mattered at the moment. He is a sucker for balloons. I knew that. Which is why I made a trip to the store at 11 p.m. the night before to make sure he had one waiting for him when he woke up.

I made him his favorite breakfast - pancakes. I thought that I'd really make them special since it was his big day and all, and so I made some with fresh blueberries and some with chocolate chips. He'd never had them made that way before. He looked at me like, "Now, why have you gone and ruined a perfectly good plain pancake by adding other stuff in there?" He was a skeptic, but he soon indulged me. And himself!

He wore his "Birthday Boy" t-shirt, looking quite smashing, I might add.

I took Alex to Chick-fil-A for lunch, and some of our friends from bible study joined us there.

I wanted to do something special for dinner. We have a local restaurant called Fork in the Alley. It is a tiny charmer tucked away in a beautiful neighborhood in town. Fork in the Alley was partnering with Bubblecakes, an equally charming cupcake shop that is located next door, for a summertime grilling event called Fork in the Bubble. Sounded like just the kind of special I had in mind. For a mere $6, we got a grilled hot dog, two sides, a drink and a ticket to go design our own cupcakes. We also got a little side of their killer mac 'n cheese for the birthday boy - another of his favorites.

We brought the cupcakes home so that we could Skype with Noni and Pop Pop, and they could join us in serenading Little Man with the Happy Birthday song again. No hiding this time - just smiles.

He devoured his cupcake.

And even smeared a little in his hair for good measure.

It was a full day. A fun day. A special day for a special little guy. Happy first birthday, Little Man. We love you.