Best Intentions

When Baby Zog was four months old, the planner in me started having elaborate thoughts about his first birthday party. In the months that followed, those thoughts became grander, bigger, and quite exciting. First there was to be a pumpkin theme with a pumpkin carving table and pumpkin flavored food and all things pumpkin, including my homemade pumpkin muffins. Then there was going to be the "nicknames of Baby Zog" theme complete with games and food and decorations that would reflect the various nicknames we've had for him in the last 12 months - BITO, Buddy, Turtle, Doodlebug, Nugget, etc.

Fast forward to October. If there is one thing this mommy has learned in the last 12 months, it's that some plans just aren't realistic for a working, traveling mommy -- and that is okay. As the birthday party is now a few days away, it is quite obvious to me that there will be a very subtle "cupcake theme," some food, some beer and soda, and a birthday boy. Oh, and cake. Of course there will be cake. I'll probably run out that morning and buy some balloons and voila! we have a party.

I've heard from friends that the parties do indeed get grander as the child gets older, so I'm enjoying this simple first birthday. In the end, I'm just excited that our families are traveling from far away to visit my son on his special day. My mommy heart wishes he'll somehow remember feeling loved and adored on his first birthday. My mommy head knows all that will remain for him is a photo with cake all over his face. But I will always tell him stories of his first year of life and how we marked it with cake and a song and plenty of love.