Dear ohh my dear William, {a note}

Dear William,

You have brought so much unimaginable joy into my life, every smile, point, and chuckle makes my heart warm. As I sit with you on the chair in your nursery and hold you close I remember the times when my big belly would rest on my thighs and I would sit in the same spot and imagine what life would be like with you, I created a sweet room, bought adorable clothing, and all the necessities yet I never knew how much you would change me. Everyone tells you how much your life will change, no more sleep, no more clean house, and yes it does, but nothing compares to the change that took place in my heart once you entered my life, noting matters anymore, nothing except you. I've watched you grow and learn so much William and I feel so lucky and blessed that God picked me to get to keep watching and teaching you. You are a very adventurous little boy, there is not much you are afraid of, and if you are; a close hug with mommy calms all fears. I wake up excited each morning to see what the new day with you will bring, I love you my sweetheart, I love you so very very much. You are mommys little sunshine, now a one year old, I hope you had a wonderful first birthday, I cant wait to see what life has in store for you next!

Williams actual first birthday fell on a Monday, I normally would of taken the day off work to spend with him but were only working three days this week due to Luke's brothers wedding so in we went. It was really hard dropping him off but I knew mama Michelle had a fun day planned for him, with smiley fruit pancakes, a special crown, and I even stopped by to sing an extra round of happy birthday to him on my lunch break. After work we played for a while at home then met daddy out for a hibachi dinner, Will loved the food and gobbled it all up, even the Japanese soup!

 Doing the happy dance about his smiley pancake, he loved it!

 He held onto this balloon all night, I literally thought we were going to put him to bed with it!

 Loving the balloons

Everybody needs a brewsky on their birthday right? Someone got caught getting into the party leftovers!

Will's first hibachi experience

Happy birthday William!

William's First Birthday Party!

Covered in cake and icing,

Your smile stretched ear to ear.

A single candle celebrates,

The joy of your first year.

We sing Happy Birthday,

You play midst wrap and bows.

We marvel at how you touched our lives,

Just one year ago.

I remember the first time I held you,

Kissed your head, whispered your name.

You've changed our lives forever,

Our hearts will never be the same.

As a child you'll love this day,

For all the sweets and presents too.

As parents we'll love your day,

For the gift we got was you.

Each year we'll add another candle,

So proud to see you grow.

But always with the memory,

Of your first day long ago.

Saturday was my sweet Will's first birthday party, I ended up doing the open house from 12-5 with the cake smash around 2. Lots of our guests arrived around 1 but I think it ended up working out great and hopefully convenient for everyone! My lil mr took an hour nap then fell back asleep for another hour, perfect time for me to get ready and finish the final touches! He got up about 12:30 and was ready to party! At first I wasn't going to do a theme but it actually ended up being animal themed, it was cute. For food we had mac & cheese, mostcoli, subway subs, pb&j's, homemade chex mix, apple sauce, animal crackers, teddy ghrams, animal fruit snacks, gummy bears, cupcakes, cookies, brownies, choc m&m pretzels, and of course a lion smash cake. We borrowed a bounce house because the weather was gorgeous out, and I think a fun time was had by all! With the help of a friend that had some extra time all the decorations were made by me, and all the food except the subs was made fresh as well.

Whew these parties are a lot of work, but well worth it, I captured some precious memories of my little family this day and my favorite one was once everyone was gone... somehow a certain momma ended up in a crib with a almost one year old..... such a bittersweet day.

 Our monthly photos displayed

 favor bags full of animal themed treats of course

 food room

 food table

 birthday sign

 Lion smash cake, glad I got a "before" pic!

 Will's birthday plate we made, now every year this is what he will eat his special dinner and cake on.

 the poem that makes me cry every.single.time.  {see top of post}

 sneeking a looksie at his presents

 mama michelle and Eliza

 my sweet sweet family.

 cake time!

 he.... LOVED IT!

 mr popular kept getting "phone calls" during cake time, it was adorable as usual, but this kid is going to have icing in his ear for a week!

 lovse to feed momma

 my crazy kid

 trying to feed meemaw

 such a happy boy, who's gonna break it to him were not doing this at every meal?

 my favorite pic of all time, this picture just sums up my little Will in a nutshelll, soft and sweet with a side of craziness just like momma.

 bounce house fun!

Will got so many new books I love it!

Party Plans...

Okay.Okay. I know he's not even nine months yet (omg this weekend I am going to have a nine month old!) But with Luke's brother getting married out of state just five days after Will's first birthday and mommy and daddy leaving Will for the first time just two days after his first birthday mommy did what she does best when she gets a little stressed... planning! I have been a bit under the weather so what do I do when I'm up in the middle of the night for hours? Start punching away at my phone and creating lists of things for Will's first birthday!
At first I thought I wanted to do a theme, prince or maybe elmo or something but the more I thought about it I think that is more work and will be better for when he is older and has his favorites! So I think I'm going to keep it simple with a color theme, green, blue and brown, and a few favorite jungle friends. We decided an open house type party will be best for the occasion, with some favorite foods, drinks and treats. Whew, don't we all feel better when there is a plan? No. Just me? Ohh okay :)
I know we'll need some of these yummies and of course Will will need a handsome birthday suit or maybe just a themed tee
I would love to be able to create a banner like this but not sure how it will turn out. Going to try and make some things myself to save money on the decorations. And I would love to incorporate this poem I found:
Covered in cake and icing, your smile stretched ear to ear. A single candle celebrates the joy of your first year. We sing Happy Birthday You play midst wrap and bows. We marvel at how you touched our lives, just one year ago. I remember the first time I held you, Kissed your head, whispered your name. You've changed our lives forever, our hearts will never be the same. As a child you'll love this day, for all the sweets and presents too. As parents well love your day, for the gift we got was you. Each year well add another candle, so proud to see you grow. But always with the memory, of your first day long ago.

Okay now I'm crying, Pull it together sister!
I cant believe my baby will be one year old in three months, so so bittersweet.
Here is one creation I have in mind, maybe for the favor bags or a sign for the door. Anyone have any easy crafts I can recreate, or good fun ideas for this little celebration, feel free to send em my way!!!