Mae's Garden Themed First Birthday Party

I already feel emotional writing this post. I LOVE planning my children’s first birthday parties. Like, I’ve-considered-planning-parties-as-my-job level love it. I enjoy the challenge of choosing a unique theme and finding a way to tell a story to create a world of wonder and joy where we can celebrate with our nearest and dearest.

Note: Mae’s party was in November 2019, it’s just being shared a year later!

I start the planning process months in advance because I enjoy it and because it helps me emotionally and mentally prepare for the milestone. Every Momma is different, this is just part of how I’m wired to do it.

Developing a Theme

Early on, a garden party idea inspired me for Mae, all sprouting (see what I did there?) from the classic rhyme I personalized for her: April showers bring Mae flowers, Join us as we celebrate Twelve Months of Mae.” (insert my giddy smile here). I loved it.

My first iteration was a very colorful and classic take on a garden including clay pots and white picket fences. But as I got further into the process, I was drawn to a whimsical, fairytale approach. Once I landed here, the floodgates opened and I was off to the races.

I knew I wanted to work with an illustrator to create an invitation and a few printable pieces for the party to make the theme really shine. My friend Kayla, who also did Fox’s first birthday invitation, created the sweetest “Twelve Months of Mae” design for the special day. It featured happy flowers, a pretty pink bow, and a few sweet little butterflies!

In addition to the invitation (which is still hanging in Mae’s room because I love it so much) she designed a display for me to share Mae’s monthly photos. Since the party theme was based on the twelve months of her life, I wanted to give it a grand display!

Party Decor

I enjoy setting the tone for a party and creating a special experience for guests as soon as possible. This starts with the invitation, and at Mae’s party guests were welcomed with a heart-shaped balloon-lined walkway and paper lantern porch. I loved how special and celebratory it felt. And most of all, Mae was a fan, which is enough for me!

Fox helped Woody secure the balloons along the walkway. He was such a happy helper, and I love this sweet photo of him.

The runner on this table was from our wedding reception! I love reusing pieces that are beautiful and meaningful.

The inside felt like walking into a colorful, oversized garden, and I was pretty touched when one friend got misty-eyed upon entering! For me, a celebration is an opportunity to transport guests to a memorable place that we share together. By breaking up our everyday life, a party gives us a moment in time to experience and remember collectively.

I started creating paper flowers in the summer, and I was captivated by the art of it. Before I knew it, I was special ordering tissue paper from Etsy and clearing out space in our small historic home to store all my creations! I followed a video tutorial, and made my own tweaks as I learned the technique. Friends and family jumped in on the fun when they could, and Mae’s garden really started to take shape!

I have a thing for making birthday hats, and these were surprisingly easy to do! I used a mix of white, ivory, and blush cardstock paper and painted them with watercolors. Then, I rolled them, hot glued the edges, and later added the elastic band. They were a darling touch!

A “Mae”mosa bar? I couldn’t resist.

I saw the idea on Pinterest to add butterflies to a paper lantern, and I knew I had to incorporate it. I love the light and airy, fanciful touch they give to the dining room. I found two floral garlands on major sale at Michael’s (I guess that’s one perk of buying springy florals for a party happening in a fall month!) and ended up winding them around our chandelier, which turned out really pretty. I was also thrilled to find two Land of Nod butterflies at a clothing consignment sale. The colors were perfect and added a nice three-dimensional element!

the cake + Treats

I used my favorite local baker, Bec’s Cakes, for the cake, and since we were doing such a springy party in the middle of fall, I decided to give a slight nod to the actual season we were in and do a pumpkin flavored cake. It was DIVINE. I chose to do a cupcake for Mae instead of a larger smash cake, and I’m so glad I did. She enjoyed it, and I didn’t have to stop her from eating the whole thing—which she did quite happily! I also splurged on some gorgeous cookies by Rea Bakes, and she did a stunning job using the invitation as inspiration for these sweet treats!

I’ve seen so many cute high chair banners like this, and while I was feeling crafty, I decided to try my hand at it! Turned out really sweet!

Mae sharing her cupcake with Daddy melts my heart every time.

The Experience

My friend Rachel is a pro at thinking through the practical ways people experience a party. Things like, “does everyone have a seat?” and “is the food easy for children to eat?” and so on. I often stop at “is it pretty?” and go from there! ha! But she has taught be that an event can (and should!) be pretty and functional. So for Mae’s celebration, I cleared out some of our living room furniture and added bistro tables to accommodate more guests. I also put the food on a long folding table in the kitchen (I usually display it in the dining room) to allow guests to sit at our dining table. Additionally, I had a ball pit for the kids to play in as well as the most precious picnic basket lunches for the children, which were inspired by an adorable party I found online!

Sentimental Touches

I am about as sentimental as they come, and there are a few extra-special details from Mae’s party that still make my heart pitter-patter! First of all—Y’all. She wore the same dress I wore to my first birthday party! I cannot even get over this! Props to my Mom who thought to save it and who preserved it so well (wonder where I get my sentimental side from?!). Mae looked absolutely precious in it, and it just happened to fit her party theme to perfection.

One of my favorite elements from Mae’s nursery is her custom curtains from Fireflies & Fairytales. When I chose the garden theme for her party, I soon decided to incorporate the same fabric from her curtains into the decor. I worked with the precious team of Fireflies & Fairytales to have a runner made, and it even had the same pink-check ruffles as the curtains. It’s a beautiful keepsake, and I love that it’s connected to her nursery, where we spent so much time her first year.

As I did for Fox, I created a birthday plate for Mae with her hand print on the back and thumbprints as part of the design. I plan to use their birthday plates to serve them a special birthday meal every year, and I just love it!

Photography

As with any party, it’s the people you get to share it with that make it mean the most. I’m so thankful for our family and friends that love us well and celebrate these special milestones with us. As I look at the photos and see the happy faces and moments of conversation and interaction, my heart lights up.

One of the best decisions I’ve made for both my children’s first birthday parties is to invest in photography. My dear friend Mary Margaret is the QUEEN of capturing the details of an environment, and she helps preserve the sights and memories of a party with excellence. I can’t sing her praises loud enough!

These three babies were all born just weeks apart! We shared our pregnancies and their first year together, and it’s really special to see them all together here.

Toward the end of the party, we made the impromptu decision to let Mae open gifts on a quilt outside. The day was ideal with the warm sunshine and cool fall temps. As she opened, it was also the perfect spot to tell our guests goodbye as they began to depart (nap time was calling for many!). Mae was delighted and the kids loved playing outside. It’s one of my favorite memories from the day.

Thanks for sharing in these special memories! Whether large or small, I hope you gained some sort of idea or inspiration to help you enjoy your next celebration to the fullest. I love getting to share party fun, and I’m happy to answer any questions I may not have covered in the post!

xoxo!

A Mother’s Lullaby

We have our bedtime routine
And I wonder if you’ve waited for this moment all day.

You’re talkative and engaging—you laugh and cry and whine and cheer
All day long it’s a give-and-take figuring out exactly what you want or need.
But in our quiet nighttime moment, you give in, and it all ceases
And I think to myself that you’ve waited for this moment all day.

We put on your lotion which you try to eat.
We change your diaper, a process which you despise.
We put on pj’s—always struggling to get your little arms and hands through the sleeves.
We brush your hair and your mouth full of teeth
Signaling we’re almost to the moment for which you’ve waited all day.

You get a kiss and energetic hug from brother
An embrace and prayer from Daddy
And then into my arms for the moment you’ve waited for all day.

We walk into your room, the steady roar of the sound machine welcoming us
I hold you upright, just how you like, your head help up, very aware
And sometimes even still a little fussy as you give your last bit of energy to the day.
The door is pulled to
Your pacie is in your mouth
And I walk over to turn out the light.
The moment is now.

Your body melts as you relax heavily into my arms
You lay your head in your favorite spot just under my chin
Resting in that place near my neck and collarbone.
You breathe easily and hum with me as I sway and sing,

“You are my sunshine
You’re Momma’s sunshine
You make me happy in every way
You’ll never know, Mae,
How much I love you
Please don’t take my sunshine girl away.”

I feel the warmth of you,
The tender way you’ve let the day go and embraced the night
I hold you and sway
hold you and sway
hold you and sway
and in that quiet, dark moment—our moment—I realize
that I, too, have waited for this moment all day.

Boy Mom

They didn’t have to tell me you were a boy. I knew. I mean, I could see. Right there on the ultrasound screen, before the tech could get the words out of her mouth, I exclaimed,

“It’s a boy!”

Perhaps even before seeing I already knew. A boy. It felt both unfamiliar and completely right all at the same time.

You are the adventure I never knew I needed. Even before that “it’s a boy” moment, I felt God prompting me, preparing me, telling me that YOU were exactly what I needed.

All I felt like I knew were girls. I am one for starters. My only sibling is a girl, and I’ve always had a majority of girl friends. Girl seemed familiar. Girl seemed known.

There would come a time that the familiarity of a girl would be right. But right then, it was only you, my boy.

I felt a tug—a silent voice whispering that the unknown was best. That the adventure you’d bring was just right for me. For us. You, Daddy, and me.

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And, boy oh boy, did I need you. Even from the time my body was your only home, I felt it—new things starting to sprout. As I was preparing to give birth to you, you were birthing something in me. It’s hard to exactly pinpoint what it was, but I felt it—new parts of my heart opening up, new curiosities surfacing, and a new kind of love starting to form. A love for a baby, yes, but even more than that, a love for you, my son.

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Now you’re here, and oh the sense of wonder you bring. Your boyish grunts and heavy-as-lead footsteps. Your love for balls and outside. Your sweaty head and ruddy cheeks. There are so many classic boy things about you. These things feel both new and oh-so-precious to me.

And beyond the things that make you a boy, there is the intricate design, the intentional weaving together of the things that make you you. These are the things that are becoming “classic Fox.” Your sensitivity, your kindness, your desire to be with us. Your curiosity and hunger to learn. Your love for books. Your focus on people. Your memory! Your sensitive heart and spirit.

I’m so glad you were chosen for me and I was chosen for you, and that being a boy mom is part of my story in spite of how unfamiliar it seemed or all the experience I felt I was lacking.

So here we are beyond reason and planning, a perfectly suited pair handpicked for each other, and it’s crystal clear that we were meant to be, my boy, you and me.

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Photos by Rachel Coffey Photography | Fox at 2 years old

15 Minute Family Beach Photo Session

One of my focuses for the year is to embrace my role as our Family Storyteller. I have informally occupied this role for a while now, but making it my official title (given to me by myself!) reminds me of the importance and value this job holds.

One of the ways I love telling the story of our family is through photos. It’s something Woody and I have valued spending time and money on since we were engaged. We’ve done big shoots, small shoots, planned-out shoots, and spur-the-moment shoots. We’ve worked with photographers we’ve hired and photographers who are friends (let’s be real, they all end up being our friends!). No matter how we’ve done it, I’m always glad we did.

Despite what you might think (and what I often think), you don’t have to plan perfectly to get photos you love.

Today I’m sharing one of my favorite family shoots we’ve had. It happened this summer at the beach. We were there with two other couples, including one of my best friends, Rachel, who is a very talented photographer. Obviously already being with a photographer was super helpful, but even so, all the rest came together with little to no planning. So, hire yourself a photographer and don’t overthink the rest!

We decided that day we’d all do photos. I didn’t know what we’d all wear until that day, and I did my own hair and makeup (as I usually do any time we get photos taken). Fox was 18 months old, cute as can be, but not 100% cooperative. I was 30 weeks pregnant with Mae and easily winded walking in the sand. We didn’t plan poses, pin inspiration, or find the perfect location. We simply got cleaned up, walked down to the beach access closest to our rental house, and spent 15 minutes laughing with our toes in the sand.

But what a precious story these photos tell. They remind us of the changing season as we were preparing to add another little life to our crew. They celebrate chubby baby legs, summer heat, and sun-kissed skin. They tell our story as young parents, a couple in love, and Fox’s first beach vacation. This little moment in time is one worth preserving. And I know I’m biased, but the result is pretty near perfect to me.

He did not want to let go of my hand…

…as you can see.

Photos by Rachel Coffey Photography

How do you preserve your family’s story? What matters most to you? Do you have any favorite photo shoot experiences? I’d love to hear!

Welcome Mae Elizabeth Woodcock

Three days past her due date, we were filled with joy and excitement to welcome our daughter, Mae Elizabeth Woodcock, on October 30.

Fox came early, so reaching and surpassing my due date and knowing the “baby could come any day” was new territory for me. Everyone kept asking if I was so ready for her to come, and honestly, I was patient. I was excited to meet her for sure and ready to have some of my pregnancy discomforts subside, but I knew she was coming soon, and I felt patient for the right timing. Honestly, I was mostly concerned about what her actual birth day would be. Expecting an October baby for months, I was hoping she would be born in October, but not on Halloween. I had a feeling she would be born in the 20’s (and actually had guessed the 26th), but she came just out of the 20’s and just before Halloween, with a perfectly round numbered 10/30 birth date. It was perfect.

With my Dad hanging with Fox, Woody and I went to what would be my final pre-baby appointment at 40 weeks, 2 days, on Monday, October 29. I was 3 cm dilated, and we made a plan for me to come in for a stress test November 1 if she hadn’t made her appearance yet. In addition to Halloween, I was also hoping she wouldn’t be born on our anniversary (November 3), but both were certainly possibilities at this point. I went to sleep that night and woke up at 3:55am, repositioned in bed, pulled my knees up to get cozy, and there came the gush. About three to four gushes to be exact. I turned on the light and sat up, went to the bathroom, and confirmed that my water had broken.

With the breaking of my water, my adrenaline quickly kicked into gear. I felt excited and energized that this moment we had waited for was here! I woke Woody up in the process, and after we talked about what was happening, he asked if he could go back to bed. Ha! I think he was remembering the lengthy labor process with Fox (about 30 hours total) so it was an understandable question. With Fox, we had both slept after my water partially broke in the middle of the night, but this time my body was moving along much faster. I could already tell a slow morning to labor at home was not in the cards, and going back to sleep certainly wasn’t for either of us.

Contractions picked up quickly, already averaging about five minutes apart by 4:30am. My excitement turned to focus as labor was intensifying and I was trying to breath through it. I told Woody to go ahead and call my Dad so he could be at the house with Fox. Then he called the doctor on call who told us to head to labor and delivery. My plan had been to labor at home as long as possible, but as my labor quickly progressed and I got more uncomfortable, I was ready to be settled wherever I was going to be to give birth to our girl.

It felt like it took forever to gather my few remaining hospital items between contractions. It was hard to focus on anything but labor, and I kept having to stop to breathe through a contraction. My Dad arrived at some point in this process, and at 6am, we left for the hospital.

My Dad wanted to take our photo as we left for the hospital because he knows me well and knew I’d want it later. I was smiling here, but I remember at the time this was the last thing I wanted to do! I was just focused on what was happening in my body.

Upon arrival, they sent me to the OB Emergency Department to examine me and confirm that I was in labor (a fact I very easily could’ve confirmed for them, but I know, I know, it’s part of the process). Once the doctor checked, it was confirmed that my water had definitely broken and I was 6 cm dilated. Yay! Finally my nurse, Amber, came to get me and take us to our room where I would labor and deliver sweet Mae.

As I had with Fox, my hope was to have a “natural birth” (no epidural) with Mae as long as my body and my baby would cooperate. Having done it before wasn’t as comforting as I thought it would be, and instead I felt intimidated and unsure. It was hard to focus on getting through the moment because I was thinking about what was to come and fear crept in. Also, with this labor moving more quickly, it got intense faster, which was a new experience. There were times I looked at Amber and Woody and said, “I can’t do this,” but they were so supportive and encouraging to help me push through.

I also took advantage of some medicine they offered to help dull some of the pain. I could still feel it all, but kind of like laughing gas at the dentist, it helped calm me and ease me through the contractions. It only lasts about an hour and half, but it provided some very welcome relief.

I’ve learned that when I am in labor, I do not like to move around. I like to get in one position and stay there. I was most comfortable with my legs stretched out and my back leaned against the elevated bed. There were times I tried to stand or walk, but that it made it more painful. I even labored on the heated toilet seat, but overall couldn’t stay there long. One time they rolled my bed over to the bathroom so I wouldn’t have to walk across the room, and that was wonderful.

The hospital had a doula on staff, and she came to help with my labor, too, and I was so grateful for her experience and guidance. She suggested different positions and breathing that I did my best to try, but I just wanted to sit in my same position. With the sitting position I preferred, she helped me tilt my hips to better open up the path for Mae to come, and I feel like it made a difference.

The contractions started to really be one on top of the other with little to no break in between. I can remember the nurses and doctor trying to ask me things or talk to me, but it was difficult to do anything but focus with eyes closed as I breathed through each wave, the intensity signaling that my baby was coming soon. I finally got enough of a break for my doctor to check my dilation, and she said “I can’t feel any cervix at all, she is fully at a 10.” I was glad, but the pushing was one of the hardest parts for me with Fox, so I knew there was still some work ahead of me to get baby girl here.

I did not want to deliver on my back if possible because that position was challenging for me when I delivered Fox. The process of turning from my back though was one of the hardest parts of labor. Being on my side was excruciating and I just kept crying “Help me” to everyone in the room. I could feel the pressure of her coming and it was the most desperate I felt throughout the entire process.

I finally gathered my strength and hoisted myself up on my knees, gripping the sides of the hospital bed. From here, I pushed as my team encouraged me. I remember thinking surely her head was almost out, but they said to keep going because they could see a little of her head. I think I audibly asked, “Just a little?!?”

At this point, I was very vocal as I used all my strength to push. They were having trouble getting the monitor to read her heartbeat because she was so low in the birth canal. At one point I knew it was getting serious and time sensitive when they put an oxygen mask on me and said that if she didn’t come soon, we were going to have to try another way because her heart rate was dropping (which was due to her umbilical chord being wrapped around her neck, which they saw once she arrived). My sweet doctor even asked if I could turn over and I remember emphatically saying, “NO!” (Those are the things that after the intensity of labor is over you think, “Oh my, did I really talk to my doctor like that?!”)

Knowing this was my final chance to get my little girl here without medical intervention, I dug as deep inside as I possibly could, mustered every bit of will and physical strength and pushed a few more times and delivered Mae. I so clearly remember the mix of pain and relief as I felt the smooth, but stretching sensation of her head coming out and then the wobbly feeling of her shoulders and body to follow. It was a miracle, and she and I had worked together to do this. She was here!

It was a delicate turn to get me from my knees to my back since the umbilical chord was still attached, but we did it, and within seconds, I laid my eyes on my daughter for the first time. The first thing I thought was, “you’re so beautiful!” She was feminine in her features and sounds, and meeting her is still one of the most awe-inspiring things I’ve ever experienced.

I feel like I want to give a speech like an award winner and thank all the people that helped me. But first, I want to honor and thank Woody. He was incredible throughout the entire labor and delivery. I know that what I did was hard, but I think his job is hard too. He stayed by my side, helped communicate on my behalf, and kindly coached me as I labored. He felt so close to me, and him by my side is one of my most vivid memories from that day.

I also am so grateful for my nurse, Amber, the doula, and my doctor as well. I know they experience babies being born all the time, but as a Momma, there is something about the people who help you bring your child into the world that makes them extra special people in your life and memory forever. From the beginning, it truly does take a village.

Brother and sister meet for the first time

If you’ve made it this far, thanks for reading! And, if you’re an expecting mom, let me just encourage you—you can do it. Birthing a baby is both one of the hardest and most cherished things I’ve ever done and probably ever will do. There are so many ways to safely bring a baby into the world, and as you read other people’s stories, remember to make your choices based on what matters to you and what is best for your family. There is no prize for delivering a baby this way or that, and every story—every mom, every baby, every pregnancy, every birth—is unique. You can read more about how I made decisions for birth in this post, but most of all, do what is right for you and your baby. As always, I’m cheering you on!

Do you have a birth story you’ve shared somewhere? If so, I’d love to read it, so share in the comments!

Photos by Rachel Coffey

Dear Momma,

I recently saw a pregnant Momma ask on Instagram for advice as she becomes a first-time Mom, and as I went to write her a response, I realized I had a lot on my heart to share. I’ve been thinking about the transition of welcoming a new baby myself as we’re about to have our second little one, and in the midst of that I’ve felt an almost gravitational pull toward new Mommas. It’s not because I think I’m an expert or have some magic secret to share, but it’s because my heart is so tender toward this season of a woman’s life. I want to give the Moms I see a hug, invite them to take a deep breath, look them in the eye, tell them what an incredible job they’re doing, and encourage them to let go of all the pressure they’re putting on themselves.

I expect that much of this comes from the fact that it’s what I needed more than I ever realized in my first months of motherhood. I’ve learned so much since Fox was born, and I can only imagine all there is yet to learn.

Let me paint a little picture of myself for some context.

I’m a creative, an idealist, and a hopeful romantic. I love when this all comes together for dreaming big dreams, making things special, and loving people well. I don’t love it when this all comes together in the form of unrealistic expectations, pressure to be perfect, and focus on things that aren’t what matter most.

As you might imagine, with these qualities, approaching the birth of my first child I was really feeling the pressure (from myself) to live up to this grand life experience. I felt like I needed to know all the things, do all the things, and prepare all the things so I could be the perfect Mom for my perfect baby.

Perhaps this true story paints the picture even a little more clearly: on February 1, 2017, when I was most definitely in labor, but in total denial (my due date was February 21), I sat with two of my closest friends (who were far more aware of how close I was to giving birth than I was), and I just kept saying “but I haven’t finished reading BabyWise!”

Like. that. matters. Lord, help me.

Half of you may be thinking, “oh friend, that’s not healthy,” while the other half may be thinking, “yes! I get you—this is me!”

In my attempt to control everything to be “just so” I came undone. This is why my heart is so tender, and part of why I’ve felt such a conviction to speak life and truth to other women in this season.

After feeling all of this for months, reading that gal’s Instagram post finally pushed me over the edge to sit down and type out what is on my heart to say to you (to us), sweet Mommas.

Dear Momma,

Take a deep breath.
It’s true, you’re not in control,
But someone is—remember God’s got this.
He goes before you, and He has created you to do this.

He chose you to be this baby’s Momma.
This baby.
This baby whom He loves more than you ever could (which will seem incomprehensible most of the time), and He has entrusted His little loved one to you, for a purpose.
You will doubt that at times, but it won’t make it any less true.

The world is full of information, directions, and formulas.
Don’t let all the rules and opinions rob you of enjoying your child and of being the Momma you’re called to be.
Your heart can tell you how to calm their cry better than any book.
Your prayers can be tailored to them better than any sleep schedule.
And you will be loving them longer than any parenting method’s popularity lasts.

You’re learning to be a parent just as they are learning to be a baby.
You won’t do it perfectly, and that’s part of the beauty.
Loving and learning require great doses of grace,
And great doses of grace are good for us.

You’re a good Momma.
You are.
Allow yourself heaps of grace, extra long snuggles, and tears when they come.
Cherish the moments for they only last a season.
The changing seasons aren’t something to fear; they’re something to embrace.
The growing, changing, and loving becomes more rewarding with time.

Sit back and receive the gift of your little one.
Take another deep breath.
You’ve got this because God’s got you.
I’m cheering you on, Momma.

Photos by Mary Margaret Smith Photography

We're having a baby!

Children are a gift from the Lord -Psalm 127:3

We're so excited to be adding another little Woodcock to our crew this October! Some of my friends laugh that I was basically ready to have another baby the moment Fox came out of the womb. While I wasn't actually ready, the desire for another baby was already planted in my heart. And in his 16 months, there have been days I've looked at Fox and said aloud, "you make me want to have a million babies!"

I'm not one of those women who has felt her entire life that she was put on this earth solely to be a mother, yet I have always imagined and dreamed of children. Woody and I weren't in a rush to have babies when we got married. Although we were somewhat "older,", me in my late twenties and him in his early thirties, we figured the days of having kids super young had already passed so we might as well enjoy our first few years of marriage before adding little ones.

This ended up being a great path for us, and we're so thankful for the 4+ years we had growing just the two of us. And now that we're in baby mode, I have the attitude of embracing it fully and keeping those babies coming! 

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The Road to Baby Two

We talked regularly about taking steps toward Baby two once Fox turned one. Of course we would have to see how we felt once we reached that point, but that was where we both felt comfortable. 

His birthday is in February, but come November, I was starting to feel antsy to be pregnant again. I tried to be patient, feeling as though Fox's first birthday was really the right plan. I not only felt it was "our plan," but it's what I had a peace about from God up to that point as well. In a sense, I didn't feel fully "released" to take steps towards getting pregnant yet, I just wanted it. 

Then, in January something surprising happened. When my body let me know I was not pregnant that month, I felt disappointed. Knowing we hadn't really been "trying" I was surprised to feel this way. I prayed about it trying to be honest with God about my feelings. Even though I was disappointed, deep down, I didn't feel like the timing was right. And, there was a sense of knowing God had the right child at the right time for our family. God often speaks to me through giving me a peace in my spirit, and as I prayed, I felt in my heart Him give me a peace of "Fox's first birthday." This confirmed for me what I had been sensing all along, that we could pursue another baby when Fox turned one.

What is so beautiful about this story (and I'll share it without TMI--afterall, we all know how babies get here!), is that over the next several weeks I would not only learn that I was pregnant, but that our baby was likely conceived on Fox's first birthday. 

I know, that might've still been TMI, but it's an important part of the story!

When I realized this, I sat in awe. God had told me "Fox's first birthday," and in my human understanding, I took that as when we could start "trying," when in fact He was telling me when our baby would be conceived. This brought so much peace to my heart. After a very hard year in my faith walking through postpartum depression and anxiety, experiences like this with God mean even more to me than before. 

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Rarely does a day go by that I don't think about how precious the gift of life is. I love being pregnant because I feel so close to creation, and more importantly to the Creator. Pregnancy also keeps me very aware of how BIG God is, how beautiful His design for life is, and how little control I have.

There are so many different paths and stories of motherhood, and I often feel conflicted trying to make sense of it all as I pray for my own babies, believe with friends for babies, and mourn when things don't go the way we all wanted. This makes it hard for me to talk about pregnancy and babies without acknowledging that we all have our own stories, and that there is space here for every story.

 If it comes to your mind, we welcome your prayers for our baby girl to be healthy and strong. I pray often that she would be whole, complete, lacking nothing, and we welcome anyone to join us in that prayer. 

If you're pregnant or at any point in your journey of motherhood (a journey that begins long before having a child in your arms) I'd be happy to pray for you, too. Just leave a comment or send me a message. 

Thanks for sharing in this exciting announcement with us, friends.

All photos by Rachel Coffey (love her!)

Fox's Blueberry themed First Birthday party

I started thinking about Fox' first birthday months in advance. I love planning thoughtful celebrations, and I was extra excited to celebrate our little boy. 

Looking back, I think focusing on planning his first birthday also helped me process my baby turning one. It's a wonderful thing to see your baby grow, but I'm especially sentimental, and so having fun planning this event was a great way for me to slowly take in this milestone.

I have also loved arts and crafts since childhood, but I don't do it as much now, so the chance to get my hands into some creative projects was really fun.

Also, it's worth mentioning, I realize some might consider this "over-the-top" for a first birthday. Fox may not remember it, but I will. He'll also have the photos to enjoy. A first birthday is about the baby, but it's also about celebrating your family reaching one year of raising your child. That is a big deal to me, and I wanted to celebrate! A celebration should reflect what's important to you, and this party did just that for our family. 

I hope that you'll enjoy the details and find a couple ideas that make your next party even more fun and meaningful for you and your guests.

Theme & invitations

A theme is always the starting point for me, and I began dreaming of this long before Fox was near 12 months. Knowing he probably wouldn't have many specific interests at one, I felt free to select a theme that fit him and that I loved. Somehow, the idea of a blueberry themed party came to me. Next, I thought of the rhyme for the invitation and from there it was a done deal.

I LOVE paper invitations and working with my friend Kayla on this resulted in one of my favorite invitations ever! 

I used a local printer to create poster-sized version of the invitation as a focal point for the party! Then, I framed it in a frame I already had. I love how it turned out.

venue

Fox's birthday is in early February, and while I loved the idea of an outdoor party, I knew indoor was the best choice for the time of year. I chose our home because it cost nothing, and I could start decorating days in advance if I wanted. It was also really special and intimate to celebrate such a special occassion where we live. 

One of the ideas I was most proud of was how we made our home extra kid-friendly that day. We have built in bookshelves in our living room that are normally filled with beautiful and breakable items. For the party, I completely cleared out the bookshelves and loaded them with toys and books. I wanted the kids to come in and feel instantly at home, and from seeing how they all quickly gravitated toward the collection of toys, I think it worked well!

Fox and Ruth are buddies. Ruth's Mom, Rachel, is one of my dearest friends, and I prayed that we would be pregnant at the same time. Long story short, these two nuggets were born two weeks apart to the day. Seeing them grow together makes my heart so full.

Decor

This was the most fun! I quickly discovered that our blueberry theme was very versatile and easy to work with. I decided to use shades of blue with lots of navy and royal blue (with a few bright pops of color here and there) and incorporated gingham, stripes, and a beautiful vintage blueberry runner I found on Etsy (for under $20!). I also found some items that were fun and simple DIYs like party hats, hanging blueberries, and a photo mobile that thankfully turned out really cute! DIY was good for both our budget and my creative side.

I learned a new DIY party trick, too. I had never heard of a "Pom Pom Maker," but they are quite a handy tool. I picked one up at Michael's and used yarn to create pom poms that I turned into garland, party hat toppers, and toothpick toppers for an extra pop of blue on the food table.

I also added some color to the space with inexpensive, easy-to-make paper chains and crepe paper streamers. These make a big impact and are so easy to do! 

I personally think every party looks better with a little fresh greenery. I spent less than $25 on some flowers from the supermarket, clipped a few greens from my own yard, and made arrangements to add life to the decor.

The photo mobile was a DIY project almost gone wrong, but thankfully it came together! I bought three wooden embroidery hoops and some decorative trim and ribbon with hopes of a cute decor piece. After playing around with a few options, I used some Artifact Uprising prints I ordered and some paper blueberries I made to create a mobile for above the kids table. It turned out to be a cute way to share some of our favorite memories from Fox's first year.

I had so much fun making party hats! They were a little more time-consuming than I expected, but they turned out so cute, it was worth it. I looked for some solid color hats to start with, but I couldn't find any so I downloaded a template on Pinterest. I used an acrylic craft paint and pencil eraser to embellish them with dots and stripes. I added the pom poms to the top with hot glue and did elastic chin straps for the kids hats and yarn ties for the adults (to accommodate different sizes). Everyone looked so festive in them!

Food

This is not my specialty, but I really wanted the food to be delicious, kid and adult friendly, and to include some GF options because we had a few GF guests coming. The blueberry themed leant itself to a picnic style lunch, so I decided on a sandwich station for the main item. I got specialty bread at Whole Foods, fresh sliced deli meats and cheeses, and fresh toppings. I must say, it turned out to be so delicious! 

I also had some themed food like "blue potato chips," "blueberry and friends" mixed fruit, chocolate blueberry clusters, and blueberry muffins. I made some specialty items in advance and froze them until the day of the party like the "Fox is One" cookies. It was a good way for me to do something special and sweet that would take no effort on party day.

cake

I originally planned to make the cake and Fox's smash cake, but as the party got closer, I reasoned with myself. I enjoy a lot of party planning elements, but a cake makes me nervous! Outsourcing this was a GREAT decision. I worked with a local baker that specializes in small celebrations, and this cake was AMAZING. Everyone agreed, especially the birthday boy!

We went with a blueberry cake (think blueberry muffin with icing!). It was gorgeous and delicious and all the things. Also, one of my favorite aspects of working with local vendors is the special touch you get. Rebecca of Bec's Cakes had some leftover cake from leveling out the cake layers, and knowing our party theme, she turned them into the most adorable blueberry cake pops ever! Y'all, she did this for us as a gift. I was blown away. Also, everyone who ate them was obsessed with how delicious they were. She also told me that she prayed for our family as she baked for us, and well, that just had this Momma in a puddle. 

Party favors

I just love a good party favor. I had the idea to do some sort of oversized stuffed blueberry, and my talented friend Mary and her insane knitting skills quickly came to mind. She knit the most precious collection of blueberries for the kiddos to take home. I bought little berry baskets at Michaels and set up a station for the kids to "Go Berry Picking." It was simple and sweet and the kids really liked it!

sentimental details

One of the elements I knew I wanted to incorporate into Fox's first birthday celebration (probably since before he was born), was a photo garland of his monthly photos. I always enjoy seeing the progression of children growing, and these photos and the memory of taking them, are some of my most special treasures from his first year.

We were also gifted a Kid's Legacy Prayer Journal for Christmas, and I thought this was the perfect place for guests to write a note to Fox.

I've mentioned that I'm sentimental, and you're about to see what I mean. I had the idea to create an item for the party that could be a usable keepsake in our family. I went to our local pottery painting studio, and with the blueberry theme in mind, I decided to do a fruit bowl. We kept the design simple with blueberry clusters on the outside and a simple blue check pattern inside. And, the best part? The blueberries are made of Fox's thumbprints (insert cry face here). It's the sweetest thing, and it turned out better than I could've hoped. The employees at the shop were SO helpful in getting Fox to cooperate with the fingerprinting! It did take a couple trips, but it was totally worth it.

I also got the idea from my friend Emily to create a birthday tradition that returns year after year. I decided to make a special birthday plate at the pottery studio, too, that I imagine him eating pancakes or cake from every year. The polka dots inside the party hat are Fox's thumbprints, and they're just so cute. We also did his full handprint on the back of the plate and on the bottom of the bowl and wrote "Fox's first birthday February 2018."

When I first picked up the pottery, I was so pleased with it, and I still am! I kept looking at Fox saying, "look at the art you and Mommy made together!"

I mentioned earlier I love creating things, but if you're thinking, "I can't draw a thing," not to worry! The employees at DIY pottery studios can be very helpful in bringing your vision to life. At our local studio, they'll hand letter pieces for you with your kids handprints. It's a great option even if you don't feel artistic!

I also selected a "Happy Birthday Banner" made of a good quality felt as an item that can return for Fox's birthday every year. It may not always fit the party theme, but I love the idea of hanging it in our dining room on his birthday morning every year as we prepare to eat pancakes on his birthday plate!

photography

Excuse me while I step up on my soapbox for this one. 

I just can't say enough about the gift of photography. It's an extra investment, but it's so, so worth it to me. When I look back at the photos of Fox's first birthday party, I feel transported back to that day with all our special people. I even get to experience little moments of the party that I wasn't part of that day.

Our friend Mary Margaret took photos at the hospital the day Fox was born, did his newborn photos, his six month/family photos, and his first birthday photos. We love having her with us for these special moments, and she captures our family so perfectly. My mom has even joked at Christmas and other family gatherings, "When is Mary Margaret arriving?" It's an added luxury, I know, but in my opinion, photography is worth saving for, friends! 

This moment with these two is too precious for words.

The birthday boy eating a blueberry. I cannot handle the cuteness!

Thanks for sharing in our boy's first birthday fun! I hope you take away an idea or two that you can use at your next party. 

sources

Photography: Mary Margaret Smith Photography / Food: Whole Foods, Publix, Trader Joe's, and homemade / Cakes: Bec's Cakes / Invitations: illustrated by Kayla Nortune, printed by Printswell / Linens: blueberry runner on Etsy and striped tablecloth and runner handmade by Fox's Grand B / Happy Birthday banner: Amazon / Paper plates, napkins, cups, straws, and metallic "1" balloon: Gygi / Blueberry tissue balls: Amazon (green leaves added were DIY) / Pom Pom Garland: DIY / Party hats: DIY / Berry baskets: Michael's / Knitted blueberries: You Me Serendipity / Fox's overalls: Osh Kosh from Kohls (similar)

First Birthday Party Inspiration

It helped me to view other blogs as I was deciding what was most important for Fox's birthday, and I wanted to share them with you. You'll see from these that there are many different ways to plan a meaningful party, it's all up to what matters most to you and your family and what works for the season you're in.

Nancy Ray- Milly's first birthday
Rhiannon Bosse- Lachlan's first and second birthday
Emily Thomas- June's first birthday
Emily Ley- Brady's first birthday
Lisa Kirk- Charlie's first birthday