Can You Dig It?!? My Baby is Turning One!

Wow. Had to believe that Mason's first birthday party was today. Thank goodness his actually birthday is a couple days away, otherwise I'd be a sobbing mess right now! It feels like just yesterday that Mason was a 4-week-old, sleeping on my chest, as I combed Pinterest for birthday party ideas. (Yes, I was the crazy mama who started planning that early and yes, I'm already thinking about next year!)

I chose a 'construction theme' mostly because it was a cute compromise between the "baby themes" that I loved and the "rough and tough big boy themes" that my husband pushed for. Little did we know that as Mason grew into his own personality, he would discover his love for trucks and tools! (One of his fave toys to haul around is a plastic saw).

Seriously, how cute can one baby be?!?

The great part of planning a party so far in advance, is there was little to no stress in getting everything together. I purchased all of the plates, forks, cups and napkins at Dollar Tree so I think I spent $9.00 total. I made a lot of the decorations myself but also scored $10.00 worth of construction themed birthday decorations (7 pieces) from a Kids Party Swap group on Facebook. (I seriously love the genius mama who came up with the idea of swapping used party decorations to save some dough!) My husband's place of business lent us some caution tape and safety cones (FREE STUFF IS THE BEST!) and I washed up some of Mason's toy trucks and incorporated them into the decorations.

Since Mason was born, I've always taken monthly photos of him to catalog his growth. On one of our glass doors, I posted each month. It was fun to look back at the different months!

I "borrowed" some ideas from Pinterest and renamed a lot of the food I was serving. Carrots turned into traffic cones, onion dip turned into cement, pretzels turned into support beams and grapes turned into wrecking balls. 

 

My favorite part of the party planning was designing his cake! I'm not exactly known as a domestic goddess in my family so everyone was a bit shocked to hear that I made it myself (and by "make" I mean used box cake mix). But I did make my own frosting and decorate it myself! I scored a few tiny tonka trucks on sale at Target months ago and they were perfect for the cake's "construction scene". I also made tiny traffic signs out of card stock and toothpicks. Everything else was edible.

Taddddaaaaaaaaaaa!!!

As much fun as the planning was, it was even more fun to celebrate! I was so proud of Mason for missing out on one of his naps and still partying like a 1-year-old rock star! He laughed and clapped when we sang Happy Birthday and tore into his presents like nobody's business! There were minor "bumps in the road" when Mason decided to bite off a piece of his plastic fork and I almost did the Heimlich on him and another "bump" when Daddy went to do a diaper change and Mason peed all over the both of them... but those will be funny tales to write in his baby book someday. It was a perfect day and I wouldn't change a thing! 

Dear 11 Month Old Mason

Dearest Mason,
Tonight I rocked you a little bit longer than usual before I put you in your crib. As I gave you your bedtime bottle (something you just started calling "bubble" today) I took mental snapshots of my little boy. I watched you stretch your arms and fingers out into the darkness, reaching for my lips and nose. I noticed how you lay across my entire lap so relaxed. It seems like just yesterday that you fit into the crook of my arm. I know our days are numbered where you will fall asleep in my arms. It's more common nowadays that you have your milk, and then smile and chatter at me while I wrestle a burp out of you. We had a long day today, so I wasn't surprised that you fell asleep mid bottle. I was on my way to laying you down to sleep when I stopped myself. I wondered if this would be the last time you would fall asleep in the darkness with me. The last "routine" bedtime bottle. I decided to sit back down with your tiny arms wrapped around my neck and rock with you a bit longer. A couple tears rolled down my cheek as I hugged you close. How did we get here so quickly? How is it possible that you are going to be 11 months old in just a couple of days?

One of the many "sleeping baby pictures" that I have taken of you!

 I feel like I am just figuring out motherhood and now you almost done being a baby! I'm already seeing glimpses of a toddler in you as you maneuver through your day. It makes me sad but mostly excited for what our future brings! You are such a cool little boy! You love to give your Mommy and Daddy hugs and kisses (even though the kisses tend to look like you are trying to eat our face!) You are very studious; I love how you always flip your toys over "to see how they work". Maybe someday you'll be an Engineer. You love to be tickled and thrown up in the air. You scream with joy when I pretend to almost drop you. I can picture us riding roller coasters together some day! You are full of energy and happiness! You have start shaking your head "no" at things and when I tell you "yes", you get a big goofy smile on  your face. It's so hard to be serious with you when you give me that grin! I see your father in you so much when you smile. My heart melts when you say "Muma" or "Dada". And just this week, you started saying "hi" and "bye bye". I love that we taught you that! When you learn new things daily, it reminds me that I'm doing something right. Thank you. Thank you for teaching me that I'm a good Mom.

"No more pictures Mum!"

Paint!

I wish I knew what you were thinking here!

Before you were born, I promised myself that I would revel in each moment of your life. I am so proud that I have kept my word. I've taken in each milestone you've hit, filling your baby book with dates and pictures. As sad as I am that your "baby life" is slipping away from me, I know that I have indulged in every waking moment; never taking your precious life for granted! I  hope that when you read this, you will see how much I truly love you. You will overlook all my crazy Mom moments and just know that everything I did was for your health and happiness.

You are my world, you are my everything. I love you my baby boy.