Wednesday, November 2, 2011

(2 Karats and a Kid) The Baby Sesame Street non-Halloween Costume Birthday Party Super Fiesta...

Mommy-ism #16:  One day, you may find yourself rueing the day that Sesame Street party favors were invented. 

I swore it wouldn't be me. 

Pizza.  Soda.  One cupcake and a candle.  That's how we were supposed to celebrate Roman's 1st birthday.

Don't get me wrong.  I love my child and I certainly feel that he is worth the celebration.  Yet, I recognized that since he doesn't distinguish one day over the next, orchestrating a large party to commemorate his 1st year of life would be more for me than for him.

I swore that I would never have an elaborate "Toy Story" or "Happy Feet" party where there would be Toy Story/Happy Feet balloons, forks, top hats, bubble makers, and harmonicas.

But that was before I began planning the party.  Our "no theme" party quickly turned into a Baby Sesame Street non-Halloween costume party super fiesta.  Sesame street plates, napkins, forks, and table clothes were a must.  Baby Sesame Street balloons were a dire necessity.  The five foot inflatable Elmo and super-sized Elmo birthday bib?  Add them to the cart. Oh, don't forget the Tiger Woods future-golfer outfit. I couldn't believe how quickly it all spiraled out of control.

My typically rational mind was replaced with the irritation fantasy of the birthday party that I think that I would have wanted as an infant.  It was insane.

It wasn't until I told my husband that I was on my way to purchase a disposable helium tank that I realized that I was out of control.  It's not that he told me that I couldn't...but his eyes simply said, "if you buy it, I will think you are nuts."

Hours later, the decorations were up, the menu was set, and the playroom was prepared.

But would anyone come?

Again, my mind knew that Roman wouldn't know if his birthday party was considered an epic failure.  I imagined him sitting on the window seal looking out onto the street, waiting for people to show up.   

Luckily, the party went on without a hitch.  He had plenty of friends there.  He ate his first cupcake. And eventually partied himself out and feel asleep in my mother's arms.

By the end of the day, when the last balloon was popped and the cupcakes were all given away, I wouldn't have changed a thing about his party.  The way I figure it, it's a parent's job to make their children feel extraordinary, and loved, and special in every way -- no matter how corny and ridiculously outlandish the methods may be.

(2 Karats and a Kid) 365 Days of Awesomeness...

Mommy-ism #15:  First birthdays are the most exciting because you realize that you've made it an entire year without breaking your child.  Celebrate all that you, your child, and your family have learned together!

Okay, so it hasn't been all awesome.  It's been great and difficult and joyful and 'effin insane all at the same time.  Kind of like when you are training for a marathon I suppose.  It's challenging but exhilarating and you curse and cry and feel proud simultaneously.  Your knees buckle and you don't know if you can go on but pushing yourself to put one foot in front of the other somehow makes the challenge worth while. 

This is how I feel as I celebrate my baby turning the big "0-1".
At the end of his first year I feel a mixture of emotions but I mostly feel grateful for being sustained for 365 days by people outside of myself.




I am thankful for 365 days with a child who is better than anything that I could have ever dreamed. I am thankful that in his first year of life, God gave him his own testimony to share one day. I am thankful for a partner who sacrifices to make this great insanity known as our life work. I am thankful for family who support us and lift us up when we grow weary. I am thankful for the countless hours of free mental healthcare, homemade cupcakes, and party planning assistance provided by my sister. I am thankful for friends who continue to love us more than we will ever deserve. I am thankful for confidants who offer unsolicited advice. I am thankful for drinking buddies who are always willing to share in alcohol when needed. I am thankful for those who encourage me. I am thankful for people who don't disown me when it takes me four months to call them back. I am thankful for the fried chicken my dad is cooking tomorrow. I am thankful for knowing ten different versions of "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" (ie.the r&b version, the acapella version, the rap version, etc).  I am thankful for a knowing how to change a dirty diaper in the dark.  And I am thankful to know that God is pretty awesome.
 
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