ONE

Dear Spencer,

Today you are one making this, hands down, the quickest year I have ever experienced. The days flew by, the weeks vanished and somehow in the last few months you have grown a little each day to become more boy than baby.

You arrived in this world on Mother's Day last year at 6:46pm and I will never forget the moment Daddy said, "It's a boy," and we both cried. I was scared for your birth but it was so joyful and as soon as I held you the only feelings I had were love and excitement at this opportunity to be your mama. This year was a hectic one for me as I learned what it was to be a mom and business owner at the same time and I can't help but feel that the universe delivered you to us for a reason. You are an angel baby. Your calm, easy going nature and happy disposition from day one made the transition to a family of four so much easier. You slept, you ate, you made life more joyful.

Spency, you have brought so much happiness to Daddy and I, but even more to your sister. Eloise wished for you long before you were born and every single day it makes me smile to see the love between you. Thank you for choosing our family, we love you very much, sweet boy.

xo Mama

Real Parents

It's one year later and I really feel like Chris and I are parents now. It's true we became parents the moment Eloise entered the world - in utero at that - but a years worth of parenting 'tests' and I'm certain we're official inductees to the parenthood club.

We've conquered sleeplessness and literal mountains of laundry, ended Eloise's strike against solids, dealt with miles of poop, and taught skills like clapping, blowing kisses and the word 'wow', among others. In the arena of infant parenting I feel like we earned Gold and have managed to do so without an uncommon amount of tears (from any of us). If badges were awarded we'd have a sash full.

Chris and I managed to come out of this first year no worse off either. In fact, I love my husband even more and although I miss uninterrupted adult conversations, nice dinners out and eating food while it's hot (with both hands!), I couldn't have chosen a better partner to pass the 'first year' test with.

As a reward for our year of hard work, in less than three weeks Chris and I will be travelling to the sunny skies and sandy beaches of Puerto Vallarta. Eloise will be camping out at home with Gaga & Papa (as my mom and dad are now commonly known) while we enjoy the wedding of a good friend and a weeks worth of relaxation on the beach.

Just what we need to kick off year number two.

Party Planning

{image: Pinterest}

Eloise's first birthday is just seven weeks away and I am hoping to throw her a very special Ballerina party (naturally). Pink, tulle, tutus and pretty treats, it's going to be a girly dream!

I realize that this is a birthday she will only remember from photos, but the planner in me is making it awfully hard not to go over the top in planning the details. I want this party to be fun for Eloise as well as a special way for Chris and me to celebrate our little girl, so we need to make some important decisions. Do we invite all of our friends for a big to-do or just host a small party for family? Do you plan activities for a one year old's birthday or is it just a free for all?

I have been looking to Sweet Designs, Kara's Party Ideas and of course, Pinterest for inspiration. Coincidentally, one of Eloise's little friends from will also be having a ballerina first birthday so it's been fun collaborating with her mom on craft ideas. I can't wait to make the tutu wreath below!

{images: Pinterest}