Owen's First Birthday Party

I have to admit that I've been avoiding this post.
I don't want to believe that Owen is one.


I'm actually in denial that he's not a baby anymore. I totally notice that I treat him more like a baby than other mommas of one year olds. At school I think, I should let him figure it out himself, but instead I pick him up and snuggle his little neck. Or I should be more stern when he throws his food off his high chair tray and not laugh- but I smile and secretly giggle. I, of all people, should know better than this. I work in early childhood for crying out loud. But I still do it. I'm guilty as charged. I promise to only do it for a little bit longer. Really. 


But I had to pretend it was okay because it was time to celebrate, and he needed a birthday party or two. What kind of momma would I be if I didn't allow a little celebratory mayhem at 12 months past the day he was born?


Here I am at step one: confronting the issue. I am facing my denial. 13 months into Owen's life.
So I'm a bit late. Sue me.


Owen turned 1 on January 4th, 365 days after we spent a bitter cold morning laboring through the hardest and best 3 hours of 2011. It's been an amazing journey, and when you look at it from that perspective it certainly is worth celebrating. Last year at this time I was barely able to make it through the day, wondering from moment to moment how I had gotten myself on such a roller coaster of intense highs and ridiculous depressing moments of utter overwhelming craziness. We're here. We've arrived, as a healthy and happy family of four. So let's celebrate that, at least. (And I'll keep reminding myself that Owen is still a baby, a tiny little baby I can cradle and hold and cuddle and swaddle into a little blanket. He'll remain my Wittle Tiny Baby for as long as I can hold on to him. Can you tell I like to indulge in my delusions).

So while we were away on holiday Owen had not one but two birthday parties. One in Michigan and one in Wisconsin with both sides of the family drawing around in a lovely circle of love and support. They were tremendous fun. Owen's little party was a jungle safari. Lions, Tigers and Bears! Oh My! Mostly lions though, and fun balloons. I swear that we could just buy each boy one mylar balloon on their birthdays and they would be incredibly happy.

In Michigan we celebrated on the eve of Christmas eve with a birthday breakfast brunch. We had a warm and inviting party with great grandma Ruth, Nana, Papa, Cha Cha, Great Aunt Chris, Uncle Pete, Erik, Auntie Andrea, Uncle Nathan, Faya and Jayla. Its rather strange to celebrate a holiday birthday. I wonder how it will pan out over the years as it seems like entirely too much to have loads of holiday gifts and then an additional birthday party. I'm already thinking that maybe a "half birthday" might be a better fit for Owen so he doesn't get slighted (although his half birthday falls on the fourth of July, but thats a whole other issue). Owen was showered with many fun gifts, that for the most part, Collin opened. The whole toy piece made it incredibly clear that we have too much material stuff. Next time we have a birthday we are asking for books and clothes. No more toys. Good gravy, my house might as well be labeled "Toys R Us."

Its been an amazing journey for us, and its hard to put into words what Owen means to our lives and how this first year has changed us so much, these photos illustrate a taste of the happiness he brings to our lives. 

Then there was round two. When we arrived in Milwaukee we had another birthday party, this time with 20 or so of the closest family members from Drew's side (and Owen's). It was another great party (besides the oddly dry stuffed pork chops- not to self don't use Sendik's for catering in Milwaukee), and even on his second try, Owen was still not very interested in the cake. Neither of my boys had any sugar before the age of one, and we still limit it fairly heavily, so its not really a surprise to us that he didn't like it. He'll take fruit and veggies over cake any day.

It was great to see all of the family and friends from the Hollman/Montgomery clan. Owen reveled in all the attention and was again, showered, (more like poured on) with gifts that improved his wardrobe tremendously and made me smile that he has so many people in his lives that love him so much.