So, last Sunday we watched an old family video of Jordan's first birthday. Aside from laughing at my ridiculous sense of fashion and groaning at how truly horrible my hair was nine years ago, I spent a good bit of time marveling at the elaborateness of that first birthday celebration.
I decorated. I made invitations. I filled my tiny apartment so full of people, I'm surprised there was enough air to breathe. I made a big fancy cake, served dinner to everyone, had a stack of presents, beautifully wrapped. For fifteen minutes, the video focused on Jordan and I, sitting on the floor while I gently coaxed him into opening his presents. When he managed to rip off one little shred of wrapping paper, everyone cheered.
Now, I can see why everything was such a big deal. Jordan was the first grandchild on both sides of the family. And he was 1! He was alive! I was alive! Let's have a party!
Fast forward to the first birthday of my fourth child... Um, I'm sure we did something. Let me think... Was it Henry's first birthday that I stuck a candle on top of a blueberry muffin and called it a day? I can't remember. I think I probably bought him a new toy while we were at Walmart. I might have even let him carry it the whole way up to the check out line.
Okay, so yes. It SOUNDS completely lame, but really. The kid won't remember a single thing about his first birthday. And since I hardly have any pictures to document the poor child's existence as it is, photos of a big, elaborate first birthday party would really just seem out of place.
Birthdays weren't the only thing done differently back in single child land. Back then, I used a baby monitor.
In our two bedroom, 600 square foot apartment.
Did I really think I wouldn't hear the kid if he cried? Fifteen feet away from me? I mean, we slept with our doors open, for Pete's sake. I could hear him breathing WITHOUT the monitor. And yet, I still used it. Heaven forbid, I might have to walk to the living room while baby slept!
Nowadays, I have four different baby monitors for Ivy. They all yell, in varying degrees of loud, "MOMMY! THE BABY IS CRYING!!"
Life was certainly different back then. Sometimes I miss all the time I had to sit around and watch Jordan just being a baby. It's a luxury not often allowed with baby number 4 or 5. But then, baby number 4 and 5 get a Mommy with much better hair, so it all must balance out in the end.
*I checked my files. This picture is the only one taken on April 24, 2008, on Henry's first birthday. Apparently, all I gave the poor child was a tube of Neosporin. Happy Birthday, kid. Don't use it all in one place.
18 Comments:
Neosporin rocks. Look how happy he is. He's going to be a doctor. Start saving.
That is hilarious.
Also
very true.
LOL! Cindy Lynn didn't get an elaborate first birthday because we were impoverished students. But everything else is so true!
I've often said that it is a good thing my last 3 came as a set, because that way I was sure to take pictures again!
Our first daughter had three cakes for her first birthday. I think I may have managed a cupcake for the other two.
True that! LOL, I love it!
Although, the fist time I ever really through a party for any of my kids that involved people outside of family was when my oldest turned five.
Yea, cause I'm awesome like that... or not. :D
too true, too true... our first birthdays usually consist of a large cake which we videotape them eating with their hands, face, and feet...
one son actually received presents for his birthday that he'd gotten from g'ma for Christmas... just so there'd be a picture to take, because Heaven knows he doesn't actually remember those trucks from EITHER of the times he opened them.
To this DAY, that is one of my bigest regrets. The youngest certainly sees the amount of photos that were taken between him and the first born. I know it stings a little.
Although, my third child also got a mom with better hair, but also a much more reaxed (and bettr) mom.
That is classic! I mean, at least you got him a gift he can use. To heck with all those cheap, plastic toys.
Oh I love you - you're so hilarious and so real! Same thing's happened in our fam.
that is hilarious and so true, thanks for posting such insight - as always!
I only have 2 and I totally get this post. If I have more, I'll probably totally forget all their birthdays. Just saying.
"things were different back in single baby land." Amen to that. And you are right--what they don't know wont' hurt them.
When my mom came to help after Caleb was born, she told me that she only remembers holding two of her six babies -- me (I'm the oldest), and my baby sister (the youngest). And then she told me how much she regretted that life and other children got in the way of her spending precious time with her other newborns. And then she gave me some advice: to not do what she did. To make sure that while each baby couldn't possibly get the same amount of attention as my first, each baby should be held onto as if it was my last. It was priceless advice, and I've tried to follow it. I know it'll get harder as I have more children, but I'm still going to try.
So funny. Yet true. Except for the hair part. I can only wish that my bad hair was a thing of the past.
Love this post! I always told my parents I was adopted because there are tons of pictures of my older sis and all the sudden there I am in pictures too...Where did I come from? :)
What loving mother *wouldn't* give her son ointment for his birthday? Honestly, everyone else is just a slacker.
Around here, first birthdays are enough to keep me from planning another party until they hit 16.
I've decided, now that I'm kidlet #3, that my new policy is no birthday parties until the kids are old enough to ask for them, and even then, only every other year.
Very funny post!! I'm certain your stylish new hair will comfort your children a lot. =)
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