Nimble to Nurture: A Hop from 0 to 1

A year has passed, and our little squirt, Jesse, is one-year-old! I spent so much time trying to make his first birthday party celebration exceptionally cute and appropriately special that by the end of it all I think my feet were swollen. They gave out on me. It was all worth it! He got to be a frog prince for a day (2 hours... 1 1/2 of which he slept, to be precise) and giggle and smile with other sweet, little, familiar faces. During the last 3-4 weeks, my brain had transformed into a seemingly infinite checklist: cupcake toppers - salad bar - birthday banner - personalized cookies for little guests - pinata - center pieces - 36 cupcakes - wishlist .... and on... and on.

To say that I was relieved when it was all over is a mere understatement. I lived through it and learned a good deal about planning small events from it! I honestly can't wait for another opportunity to plan another event! I think I've found my niche.

Some tend to think that a first birthday isn't worthy of so much time and effort, and might deem my actions extraneous and even silly, but to me it meant more than fun colorful ribbons and color coordinating banners and table cloths. It meant just what a birthday celebration implies. I feel such an inexplicable depth of gratitude for my little one's health. I'm touched by his smiles. I'm moved by a simple reach for a toy. We're exuberant anytime he makes a small leap forward (no pun intended: "leap") I feel like a cheerleader for the most important event of the year... everyday! At some point we were unsure if Jesse would even be able to hold on to a rattle or roll over, so it isn't often we take the little things for granted.

In short, Jesse's first birthday was especially momentous because of the nature of his health over the past year. So hours of cutting out frog-prince circles and sewing party favors as I sobbed in remembrance of his accomplishments was worth every moment.

He (Jesse) works hard every day! Actually, we work HIM hard everyday. So he deserved the attention, toys, and company of everyone!

Not that I'd do it again when he's two. I think I'll go all out every four years or so.

Thank you Steve, Steven P, Karen, Ron, and Jesse for helping me make it happen (doing most of the physical labor).