First Birthday

Hi,
I know this is a frivolous topic compared to many posted here. But the first year was such a fog that I didn't really do many of the things I wish I'd done (such as making foot/hand prints of them when they were newly born). They'll be a year old next week, and we'll be celebrating in many stages as we're traveling to various family members in the coming weeks. I'm sure there will be several ice cream cakes and lots of pictures and I know that the babies won't know what the heck is going on anyway..but wondered if any of you did something especially creative or fun? Or if you wish you'd done something else to mark the day?
Thanks! Looking forward to posting here
Melissa

 

i'm glad i took the opportunity to thank everyone - we specifically invited people to the girls' first birthday who had been essential in helping us survive the first year & then i made a sappy speech about how it takes a village to raise a child but i think it takes a lot more to raise twins! :laughing: it was cheesy, but i'm glad i had the opportunity to formally thank everyone who helped us out so much.

 

The only thing I wish I could have done differently for their 1st birthday is to be able to invite more family and friends...but our house is small and their birthday is around the holidays so it's hard to get everyone together at that time. Other then that, I was pleased with their first birthday party and second too (can't believe I have to think about a third birthday party in 5 months!!!).

 

Hey, this isn't a frivolous topic; 1st birthdays are very momentous events!

I didn't have any regrets (other than that my family is very spread out so not many could make it to their party). I thought about what was important to me, and what would make it enjoyable for the boys, then focused on those things. I wanted lots of pictures to commemorate the occasion, I wanted a cake with the boys' totem animals (alligator and shark), I wanted it small and low-key, and I wanted the boys to get their normal naps so they wouldn't be cranky! :laughing: I got all of these, so in my mind it was a rousing success. :good:

My advice is to try not to go overboard; pick a few things that are important and make sure you do those things. Then enjoy yourself and celebrate a successful 1st year with your LOs! :wub:

 

I think we invited too many people and it overwhelmed the girls. If I could do it again I'd only invite the people they see on a regular basis and are comfortable with.

 

I am so glad that we only had the grandparents over for their birthday. The girls were very comfortable and did not get overwhelmed. I am also very glad that I gave the girls their very own smash cakes. It is was so cute to see them both react differently to their own personal cakes. It was also cute to see them reach over and try a bite of their sister's cake. We also kept them on their regular schedule and that made it so much nicer......not a single meltdown all day. Don't stress yourself over it. In the grand scheme of things just remember that they will never remember this day, and that it is just as much a celebration for you making it through the first year :ibiggrin:

 

We had quite a large party and it was great! We had everyone out on the deck and started the party around 4pm when they were up from their second nap and in good moods. I was glad they each had their own cake and will be continuing that tradition for years to come. No regrets about their party.

 

I wish I had assigned someone else to serve the cakes and cupcakes so I could just sit and watch my kids' reactions. I did assign someone to take pictures, so I have pictures. And I did stop bustling around long enough to sing Happy Birthday and watch them start on their cupcakes. But then I started bustling again, so I didn't get to see them actually eat their cupcakes.

I'm glad we didn't have too many people. We had just DH's siblings and their families and both of our sets of parents, and that was like 15 people right there (which is about as many as our house can comfortably hold) but at least the babies knew everyone. I don't enjoy hosting larger parties and I knew the babies wouldn't enjoy it either, so (for us) there would have been no point.

 

OMGosh me too! I didn't plan on saying anything but at one point after the cake everyone was standing around and It came out...I'm glad I was able to thank everyone for the support, food, drinks, etc!
I was glad that I scheduled the party AFTER their naps (2PM-5PM) and that I kept less than 20 people. But that's me, I wasn't brave enough to mess with their schedule or handle a bigger crowd. :FIFblush:

 

I did not plan a party because we just moved to WA when they were very young and really hadnt met anyone w/ babies or toddlers, only older children. So, I didn't have a "party" but I did do the streamers, happy birthday signs, and got them really cute Tigger and Pooh cakes. I have fantastic photos of the entire thing - opening their first birthday cards, presents, etc, until the bath after cake time and then to bed. Their grandparents were supposed to drive up (they live 6 hours south of here) but both were sick so they missed it. It was someone quiet but they had a great time and we all have wonderful memories!

 

I spent too much, tried to do too much, and don’t regret a bit of it, after all, our first kids, and their first birthday!
I’m especially glad that I ordered customized soda from myjones. It wasn’t cheep, (actually it *was* a bit frivolous) but instant beverages plus keepsakes with pictures of the twins all rolled into one! Also glad we went with multiple cakes, mini cake for each twin and a larger cake for guests. There are plenty of things I would have done if money were not an issue, but when is that ever the case? I do rather wish we had thought more about cutesy outfits for the birthday… we should have planned on two sets. One for pre-cake and the other for post-cake. After all, those are pictures you’ll be looking at and sharing for the rest of your life!

Oh, and very, very, very glad we had a photographer (a friend of ours that volunteered so it didn’t even cost us anything)!