Birthday Celebrations

Yesterday was Shane's 3rd birthday!

We celebrated him throughout the day, and last night we had a shared celebration for his and Norah's birthdays.  

I am normally a throw-a-big-birthday-party kind of mom.  Not because I think that every kid NEEDS a big party every year, but because I enjoy planning parties and I enjoy celebrating my kids in fun and creative ways.  I admittedly feel a smidge guilty that my main responsibility on Shane's 3rd birthday was his big brother's classroom party. 

I also feel some guilt over the fact that my 4th-born sweetie did not get a BIG bash this year, since 1st birthday parties in our family have always been a pretty significant deal.  But I just couldn't manage it this year with everything else going on (I know...excuses, excuses).  Everyone keeps telling me that "she won't remember it anyway", that 1st birthday parties are "for the parents anyway", but part of me still fears she will look back at her (lack of) 1st-birthday photographs and need therapy.  No theme, no handmade invitations, no games/crafts to speak of.  I know, I know, I am being a bit VERY dramatic.  But it's my blog and I'll cry if I want to.

Anyway, now that that's off my chest...on to a few pictures of what we DID manage to accomplish.

After we dropped Meredith off at preschool, Shane and Norah and I went to DD for a treat.  Shane enjoyed the donut I bought him as well as the "bonus" donut that a worker brought to him after he heard it was his birthday.  He was so excited it was his birthday, and told everyone everywhere we went.  When asked how old he was, he would reply "December 20." I think we've finally got it through to him that December 20 is his birthday, but he is THREE years old!   He chose Panera for lunch, but I didn't get any pictures there.

Both sets of grandparents came over, along with one of our favorite families, and we celebrated with pizza, cake, and some gifts.

He was so excited about his chocolate construction cake!

 

Norah was very unsure about the candle thing.  In fact, as the candle was blown out, she started crying...

...however, after we calmed her down, and gave her the cupcake, she got right down to business.  She didn't actually get to messy, but it's fair to say that she enjoyed her treat!

 While our celebrations today were scaled back from what is typical for us, we were blessed to have people who love our kids celebrate with us.  And I'm confident that Shane and Norah know that they are loved and celebrated, not just today but every day.  And that's obviously a lot more important than coordinating plates and crafts, right? ;)

Norah Jane - 1 Year Old

 Baby Girl is 1 year old today!  We love her so much and are blessed by her every single day.

Singing to her at breakfast...

Yummy cinnamon roll

Daddy's birthday also!

 And...a slideshow of her 1st year:

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Shane's 1st Year

Don't forget to turn on the volume!

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His Little Strawberry

When Shane was born, he had a very small and pale mark on his belly.  Soon after birth, it became bright red and raised.  Our doctor confirmed that it was a "strawberry hemangioma" which is basically just a rough, raised, red spot caused by blood vessels at the top of the skin. Nothing to be concerned about, and we should expect for it to become less raised and less bright as the months passed.  We were told that it would probably disappear by the time his 1st birthday arrived.

Shane was 3 months old in this picture.  

I remember taking this for the sole purpose of having photographic documentation of his strawberry!

Daily I've noticed this mark.  For the past 12 months, I've watched it get redder and redder, only to eventually get lighter and lighter.  I've told Kris (on multiple occasions) that it makes me sad to see it getting smaller and lighter.  I've grown accustomed to noticing this striking red mark on his belly. During diaper changes, bath times, and moments that I've spent tickling and kissing his naked tummy.

As it's lightened over the past weeks, I've been reminded of how quickly the time is passing.  Yes, of course there are other signs that Shane is getting older.  As he grows out of clothes that once fit him loosely, or learns a new "trick", of course those things remind me of the passing of time as well.  But there is just something about that little red (or no-longer-so-red) spot that makes me long for the past, the time when Shane was this little...

Well, as we all know, time does continue on, whether we are ready or not.
And, it's official!  Today, Shane is ONE.  Just like his birth came a bit earlier than expected, so has this special day come very quickly.  While every year with little ones seems to fly by so fast, this past year - at least in my mind - has been the fastest yet.

Thankfully, I know there is a lot to look forward to.  While I do miss the days of itty-bitty Baby Shane, I am incredibly excited for all that's ahead.

And it's so wonderful to know that Shane is the same child that was born to me one year ago.

While he is changing rapidly, he is still just as sweet and cuddly and loved as the day he was born.  God has blessed us immensely with Shane David.

This morning, we gave Shane his birthday gift from Mom & Dad - his very own chair.

Today, our playgroup came over and we sang "Happy Birthday" to Shane after lunch.  

He thoroughly enjoyed his M&M cookie!

And, here is his official 12-month picture with sock monkey....

Yes, I miss the times when Shane was a newborn.  But I am definitely excited for the months ahead.

Ultimately, though, I am enjoying today with my sweet boy.  With or without the red strawberry.

Our Little Penguin's Winter ONEderland Birthday

Though Shane does not turn 1 until this coming Tuesday, we celebrated his birthday with family and friends yesterday.  We are beyond blessed to have people in our lives who care for our kids and take time out of their own busy lives to help us celebrate them.   I probably say this in every birthday party post, but we are just so grateful to be doing life with such generous and loving people.

Shane was looking quite distinguished today.  Thanks, Lisa, for the perfectly-fitting-the-theme shirt!

Since Shane was born during a very snowy and cold time of year, I decided to fully embrace this and go with a Winter ONEderland theme for his party.  I thought I was pretty clever to come up with this term, but apparently I'm not the first one to use it. =)  As my researching and planning progressed, penguins became the main focus.  And, trust me when I say that if you ever need to to plan a penguin party, there is no shortage of ideas out there!

The invitation:

(In real life, the red line wouldn't be there!)

My mom made some wonderful batches of chili to serve for lunch, and we ordered some chicken as well.  For the rest of the meal, I was determined to go with an all-out penguin theme.  I know, I am a little crazy.

Igloo shaped cheese ball, with snowflake crackers...

Olive & Cream Cheese penguins...

(Igloo and olive penguins inspired by here.)

"Ice Chips" and "Ice Cubes"...

"Penguin Food" and "Tuxedos"...

PB&J "Snow-wiches"...

Penguin fruit snacks...

 Hot chocolate bar...

Penguin cupcakes...though they came out a little "owl-ish" looking...

(Penguin cupcakes inspired by here.)

The birthday boy enjoying some crackers...

Crafts...

 

Our kiddos' finished "Footprint Penguins"...aren't they cute?!

(I'm so proud of Caleb, who cut out his footprints all by himself!)
(Craft found here.)

 Bean Bag Toss...the creation of this was surely a team effort.  Kris built the thing, I painted the penguin, and Nana sewed all the penguin beanbags!

The kids had fun throwing the bean bags back and forth through the hole....

And, a bunch of penguin beach balls were also a hit! I wish I had more pictures of the kids playing with these...

Singing "Happy Birthday"...

Shane loved his cupcake, along with the cookies that were on top.  LOVED it.  

He ate it all.  With no problem.

We asked that guests, instead of bringing a gift, bring a coat, hat, or mittens.  Everything that was brought will be donated to a nearby community that has a need for these items this winter.  We collected a lot of warm and wonderful things....THANK YOU!

Penguin washcloth puppets for all the kiddos to take home...

 

Overall, Shane thought the party was a hit!
 

To top off the day (as if there wasn't enough excitement already), we went to the zoo to see the lights.  As we were leaving, we ran into this guy and just had to take a picture with him.  As you can see, Shane was thrilled.

Today, Shane opened some presents.  He wasn't too interested in this.  He did enjoy playing with some of the paper and some of the gifts, though he mostly just crawled around while his siblings fought over who would open what next.

Caleb and Meredith helping taking over the present-opening process....

Nana made Shane the sweetest present....a knitted penguin.  Shane immediately loved this soft friend.  He hugged it, smiled at it, "talked" to it, and kissed it.  Seriously, this guy is the cutest thing ever.  What a sweet sweet gift, thank you Nana!

 

Thank you so much to everyone who helped us with any and every part of celebrating our sweet baby boy!   I can't believe he will be one in just a couple of short days.  He brings indescribable joy to our lives each and every day.  We love our Shaner-bug so so much!

Stay tuned for a "Shane-is-officially-1" post later on this week!