Mabel’s first birthday began as they often do, with a minor head injury. Truly, I think most of my kids have some sort of facial trauma occur right around the first birthday, one of the hazards of early walking. Larkspur was an exception to the rule because as I recall, she waited to walk until she was fifteen months old. Also in keeping with her one year old status, Mabel rejected her birthday crown. It’s okay, I expected this. She’ll love it at two, or at least by age three. I made it with wool felt that I dyed with avocado stones, and embroidered it by roughly following a pattern from this lovely book. The trim at the bottom is some I removed from a vintage collar I’ve had stashed away for years. The website with the pattern I followed is unavailable right not, but here’s a great tutorial, if you need one!
Looking through my photos from the day, there weren’t many smiles! It’s not that Mabel was unhappy (well, she was when she banged her head), she was just so focused, taking everything in. We did the usual things: ate cake with whipped cream and opened gifts. Mabel’s first gift was a simple wooden spoon, which she was quite pleased with. Jonny’s mom, “Mimi,” was visiting with a friend, so there were extra gifts (engraved ones, too!) and even pin the tail on the donkey for the other kids. I worked hard to stay in the moment and not think unhelpful thoughts such as, “She’s not a baby anymore!” (Yes, she is.) After cake, we spent some time sitting on the floor playing with wrapping tissue and gifts. At one, the packaging is always just as fun as the gifts themselves! Then we took her outside to play with her “big” gift, a wooden lawnmower toy, because it was moving way too fast for her on the hardwood floors. She’s not quite steady enough for it yet, but she gave it her best try, complete with her tongue sticking out in concentration. She’ll be ready for it soon! We all know how quickly little ones grow up.
Happy first birthday, Mabel! She really is our sweet little sunshine girl.
Mabel’s birthday dress: pattern here and fabric here
Here’s the recipe for her healthy-ish birthday cake, copied and pasted straight out of an email from my friend, Jaime.
Paleo Lazy Daisy Cake:
Get peace, beauty & goodness delivered to your inbox.
Enter your best email address to start discovering the beauty of small things, PLUS find out when our shop is restocked with naturally dyed yarn, soap, and more...
Happy Birthday Sunshine you are one sweet one year old. Blessings Sandra
So,mine name on the bowl was engraved for someone else? It confused me until I saw your comment above. Happy Birthday sweet Mabel.
the*
I really like your outfit in those photos–cute and also looks really comfortable. 🙂
Happy birthday to your sweet girl.
Beautiful photos creating wonderful memories of family ties and love.
Most lovely seeing the loving interaction between the older and younger children…I see it too when our grandchildren get together as the ages span 19 years to 3 years.
Visiting from Sydney, Australia
happy birthday baby Mabel! She is perfect and such a blessing 🙂
Just the very sweetest age. It is so lovely to see your family grow; the love the older ones have for the littles is priceless. Reminds you that it’s all worth it:)
Aw, happy birthday darling Mabel. You are the sweetest little flower.
What a gift she is! Happy 1st Birthday Mabel! Ginny you are a very Blessed mana!
Happy 1st Birthday Mabel!!
She is such a beautiful little girl and she is so
blessed to have you as parents.
Such a beautiful dress…..just precious..
Looks like Mabel had a truly magical first birthday. Thanks for sharing the cake recipe, I might give it a go.
Happy Birthday, Mabel! It’s hard to believe she’s already a year old.
Aw! Your three girls look so much alike.
You gave her such dear thoughtful gifts. Real gifts.
Oh Happy Birthday Mabel! I can’t believe you are one already! What a sweet blessing and I love the gifts, her outfits and felt crown. All lovely!! 😊
What a beautiful day! Mabel is looking lovely in her dress and her crown is just so lovely! I wish I could taste those cakes, I might have a go!
We had a family over for Sunday dinner. They have a just turned two-year-old which my youngest (10yo) enjoyed entertaining and described as a very funny baby. So, yes, Mabel is still a baby, even though she toddles.
Hard to believe she’s already 1!! She really is just precious and anyone can see why you all just love her up so much!! Blessings for her next year! The crown, dress, shoes, toys, cake…simple and perfect.
How adorable is she?!!! Too cute. And that little tongue sticking out while she was in the grass…perfect. Happy birthday to your littlest one.
Makes me wish we had a one year old in the house!! Your posts always do!
Love the shoes- Have you ever tried soft star shoes? I think you would like them. They are for tiny babies to adults, you can even design and customize them, they last forever, and they are handmade in Washington State. Also they are affordable and last through many children. Also, would you give more information about the metal engraved bowl?
I’ve never had any Soft Stars, but I am sure I would like them! The engraved bowl was a gift from Mimi. She is an antiques dealer, so there’s no telling where it came from! She’s really great about getting all the kids special engraved pieces.
Happy Birthday to you both! Thank you for sharing all of your thoughtful creative work!
I’m looking forward to trying the cake recipe. Thanks. From up here in CT the birthday celebrations seem to have been a success!! Thanks for posting. 😉
Happy Birthday Mabel! You are one beautiful girl , beautiful dress too -that your Mama made for you with all her love!!!