Countdown to One
You guys, I think this time I've really lost it. Wombat's birthday is in less than a month (and Christmas just after that, in case I haven't mentioned this unfortunate proximity about two hundred times), and I've gone and painted myself into a corner with glitter glue by deciding I need to handcraft the invitations and decorations and maybe a gift or two, as well as whip up some Christmas stockings for all three of us (so we don't have to use the Betsys (Betsies?) again). And don't forget all the regular party prep that never fails to stir me like a whirlpool until my eyes cross and I fall down, oh, and we'll be having houseguests as well, and we all know how I feel about that.
Then, let's add to all of this the derangement of deciding that most of these projects need to be Top Secret, meaning I can only work on them when Wombat is sleeping and Simon's out of house, which only leaves me about three hours on Thursday nights, while Simon's at band practice and the baby's asleep, subtract next Thursday because it's Thanksgiving and the Thursday after that because it's the BlogHer holiday party and the Thursday after that because it's two days before Wombat's birthday (observed) and I've scheduled that evening for lying prostrate on a pile of polkadot fabric mumbling awful things about jingle bells and avocado pie. On second thought, maybe I need Simon's help after all.
And speaking of avocado pie and Simon, please help me remember how much I hate food preparation, and then let's hope that serves as reason for me avoid it entirely and just buy all the food pre-made (yes, even the birthday cake) because, man, I may be crazy, but I'm not sick. Anyway, I think a straightjacket might compromise my ability to enjoy the festivities, although now that I think about it, at least it would mean I didn't have to stress out over the perfect party outfit, which I hadn't though about at all until right this second and now I think I have to go breathe into a paper sack.
[Yes, I know Wombat won't care about the food and the decorations and even most of the gifts, but even though it's his birthday, this year it's not really about him. Now, I'm certainly not going all out because I feel I have to or because I need to impress anyone (no, not even myself) but because, gah, you guys, my baby is turning ONE, and if I don't spend the weeks leading up to it planning and crafting and worrying, I'm afraid all that pent-up emotion (joy, pride, nostalgia, disbelief) will collapse inward on itself and give me a rash. Besides, shouldn't a first birthday be about celebrating the parents too? And so shouldn't we throw a party that's as much for us as it is for him (especially considering that as each day passes it looks less and less like I'll ever have a wedding*)? Come to think of it, maybe I will take the time to handmake some edibles after all--some bathtub whiskey for Simon and a pan of brownies for myself.]
*We'll still get married, of course, just maybe not have a wedding (in part because I spent waaaay too much at the craft store this week; did I really sell away my wedding for five yards of red ribbon and a basket of seashells?).
I for one think you should celebrate Wombat's birthday with lots of kisses and an empty cardboard box for him to play with and channel all the crazy into creating the perfect low-key wedding for you and Simon, which you could have all last-minute on the VERY SAME DAY, and awww, anniversaries and birthdays and Christmas, every year!
Oh, did that not help?
I feel ya on the birthday-too-close-to-Thanksgiving-AND-Christmas hysteria (ya for late March/early April procreation!). I've gone back and forth and back on whether or not to have a first birthday party for Rowan and have ultimately decided against it, instead opting for some mini-celebrations with family over the course of the next month. Still, a small part of me would very much like to throw a party specifically in his honor, complete with balloons and cake and present-opening, but I just don't think it's possible unless I a.) come across a bucket of gold, b.) remodel our 775-sq-foot house to accommodate more than 10 people at a time, and c.) conjure up en eighth day of the week.
Oh, and I want to make him a video slideshow, too. I can do that in my sleep, yes?
Damn December babies!
i'm just very intrigued by the avocado pie. and i second the cardboard box.
I second Linda.
But seriously? My kids' first birthdays consisted of (store-bought) cake for them to plant their faces into, and the "invitations" were made via phone call.
Don't get TOO crazy. Or, you know, more crazy than you already are.
Cardboard box. My 3-year-old, husband, baby, and cat all love it. It's the gift that keeps on giving (especially since Amazon keeps on delivering!).
Oh, I understand the lure of the craft store all too well. Also, the ALLURE of the craft store. Ha! Wordplay humor! Anyway, please let me know if I can help: I have a Martha Stewart doily-edger and I'm not afraid to use it.
PS: Wedding in the back garden! Wedding in the back garden! On New Year's Eve! Reception in the hot tub!
We are still celebrating Amy's birthdays - for us, if you know what I mean. This year for her third birthday she did have a preference for a fairy castle princess pink cake so I made it for her, the rest of the day was about grown-up food and drink. I figure she has many years ahead of her to ask request stuff for her birthday, until then, we choose!
Dude, if we can come I'll make the cake. Or cupcakes. Or whatever. Fingers crossed for getting-better kitty, not super-sick kitty or dead kitty.
I spent my first's first birthday giving her a cupcake, and then surprising my husband with a babysitter and going out to sushi to celebrate. It was awesome! Highly recommend.
This is one of those sicknesses I wish I had! I just might be the least crafty female west of the might Mississip.
And I say, celebrate the occasions you want and in your way. There are no rules on these things.
I too went a little nutty for my baby's first birthday...I went from no party, giving him a cupcake to smash to an uber coordinated blue and green polka dot festival (down to the custom-color m&ms in the cookies) with (yes!) a pinata. And oh yeah, I totally bought him an outfit that just happened to match the theme colors.
And I don't regret it at all. He may not have cared but I loved it-I felt so proud of how it all came together. So I'm going to go against the crowd here and say knock yourself out. He's only turning 1 once!
...of course, I held my party in mid July, not sandwiched b/t the year's two biggest holidays, so that's kind of easy for me to say.
I actually looooveeee Sundry's idea of a surprise wedding at the end of Wombat's party. Not that you need EVEN MORE things to plan, but, seriously? Assuming all your family will be there for the birthday anyways, how INCREDIBLE would that be?
Good grief ... he's about to turn 1? My own children aren't even aging that quickly. My oldest son will turn 7 on Dec. 26, just about getting to that age where he might start resenting his parents for poor planning.
I hope you guys don't get so busy preparing that you can't simply breathe and enjoy the party.
As for the wedding, if it's at sometime in the future (and not this weekend), I know a photographer who would work for the cost of a round trip plane ticket from Texas.
This really, REALLY may not help, but I have made LOTS of first birthday cakes if you feel like outsourcing! :)
Gah! I'm right there with you. December 14th *sigh* What a day to have a baby, right? But Dahlia's turning 2 this year, so I'm not...oh who am I kidding? I'm knee deep in hand-made Elmo invites and lists a mile long figuring out what is for the birthday & what is from Santa. Thank goodness baby #2 is coming in the spring! (my luck, it will land on Easter...) GOOD LUCK! and have fun. Why not??
I can help you eat those brownies, if that lightens the load any.
The first birthday is All About You and for people to gush over your baby and tell You what a Great Job You've Done.
That said, we got a keg for my son's first birthday and toasted his amazing life (he was born 3 1/2 months early, so not only was there *that* but his due date was the springy, warm end of April and he came early January (cold and everyone's still in xmas-hangover)
Don't knock the seashells and ribbon until you know how the marriage pans out over a few years ;)