Job does not like his birthday crown (what one year old does?) nor does he like pumpkin pie. Of course I baked fresh pumpkins and borrowed a secret family recipe from a friend. He’s a November baby! I also spent a ridiculous amount of time creating that crown, knowing full well that Job would cast it off his head as quickly as he could. Actually, I wanted to do a bunch of decorating too, but there just wasn’t time. It was all I could do to make our house “company ready.” Jonny questioned why I was wanting everything to be so perfect. Well, Job might be our last baby (though you never know.) This may have been our last time celebrating the first birthday of one of our children. I built it up a little too much in my head. But thank goodness for reality. Birthdays are a celebration of life. And that is what we did.
What I really wanted most, more than a clean house and pretty decorations, was to celebrate Job’s birthday with our family and his godparents. His godmother is my friend, and the midwife who attended his birth. His birth was such a traumatic experience for both of us, and to celebrate his first year together, I think we needed that. And that is the part of the day that Job enjoyed most, being the center of attention, though at times he almost didn’t know what to think. The look on his face as we all sang, “Happy Birthday” was kind of hilarious. He almost looked alarmed! “Why are you all staring at me and singing? Aaaah!” But mostly he had such a great time, even though we partied past his bedtime.
I came across some copies the boys must have made of Job’s hands and feet. Despite the fact that my kids have made numerous copies of their hands over the years, there is something special about these. I guess it’s remembering the intensity of those early days with Job. Jonny and I were a little shocked, and we never got around to making tiny newborn prints of his hands and feet like we have with all of our other babies. For Job, I will tuck these copies in his file. His hands and feet at age 1. Still small and precious. Always a miracle.
p.s. Do you want to know about the gifts? I got rid of most of our toys a few years ago and have hardly anything for older babies/toddlers, and I am so picky now about what we buy. At first I was only going to make a sweater, ball, and quilt. Well, the sweater and ball were finished, but not the quilt! I’ll work on it soon. I did end up buying a few gifts, and his godparents, Parveen and Andy, bought Job a couple of wonderful things as well! Job really enjoys music so I bought him wooden shaker eggs
Oh–and the crown. I like the simple pattern in The Creative Family
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Happy birthday to Job! We celebrated what was likely the last first birthday around here this year as well. ~sigh~
I have never thought of photocopying little hands and feet! GREAT idea! I will have to do this with my kiddos.
Great focus on the photos. Job looks like he had a fab bday, despite not liking his crown/pie too much!
Happy birthday to Job! He is just two weeks older than my little guy, so I am in full party-planning mode, too. Thanks for sharing the gift ideas; I may have to steal some for Christmas. 🙂
happy birthday!! That first photo is the best 🙂
Happy Birthday, Job! It looks like a really swell party, Ginny. His little knit ball is perfect! And I love that hedgehog–his godparents have good taste in cool toys for little ones! xx
Ginny, did you ever post about his birth, I cannot remember. I cannot believe he is 1. And I am so happy to see you in more of the pictures. You are encouraging me to get in front of the camera. I’m not there yet, but I will be.
I mentioned the fact that he had severe shoulder dystocia, but never wrote a birth story. I’ve only actually written down one of my birth stories! It’s just not my thing, I guess. Job’s birth was so terrifying that I try not to think of it, because I just get upset. 🙁
I remember about his shoulder. I’ve written my children’s stories down in a journal. We actually read one of my daughter’s a month ago on her 13th birthday. I cannot describe the feelings I had as I read it and the look on her face…I’m so sorry to hear the memory of his birth causes you so much upset. Those deep, scary memories can be so hard to bear. I wonder if you could ask your Guardian Angel and/or his, to take the troubling memories, to relieve you of them? I have prayed for forgetfulness before 😉
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JOB! May he have a hundred more. You have a beautiful family and it is good to see you step from behind the camera also. Bless you one and all and thank you again for sharing your lives with us.
I love the family photos. Please, never stop posting.
You have a real family.
BLessings
Lisa
Happy Birthday dear Job! A year already – oh my!
Thinking of all of you
Happy Birthday to your dear little one, Job!
love this!! the crown is lovely! I know the feeling of wanting everything just right for the party…. God bless you and Job and all of you!
Happy birthday to Job!
Looks a wonderful 1st birthday! Love the hedgehog toy.
I love that crown! Beautiful celebration.
Oh my!! Happy birthday to Job!!…how time flies!
It seems as though you just gave birth to him yesterday and look
at him standing and walking around! He is so adorable! It looks
like you all had a good time and I just LOVE the hedgehog on wheels!!
Corinne
Adorable! Do you use a certain pattern/tutorial for your crowns? I’m wanting to make some for my kids….I’ve been talking about it for a couple years now and need to just sit down and do it! I have Amanda Blake Soule’s book that has one in it, but curious to know what you use. And, that hedgehog is just too cute! Happy birthday to Job!!
I use Amanda’s pattern too!
Happy birthday to Job! I love the photos – you capture such great expressions on your kids.
omigosh! the hedgehog is such a great fit hehe!
That hedgehog!
Happy birthday to Job!
Sorrel has a wheely bug too…a lady bug one! We found it at a discount store that has a whole bunch or random wooden/high quality toys up here last Christmas. Everyone loves that thing! I am sure that Bea and Silas are going to enjoy spinning around on it too! One year does mark a huge step of recovery from traumatic birth. It will get better. Happy birthday little Job!
:)Lisa
The hedgehog is ridiculously adorable. Love it!!
Those first birthdays are so special. The crown looks great!
Happy birthday to cute little Job! Already one year- how time flies… Love the toys he got. I am very picky too when it comes to toys. Our kids don’t have too many toys, but what they have is usually carefully chosen.
Love the prints of the feet and hands- such a cute idea. I used to do it myself when I was a teenager, but never thought to do it with the kids…. Will do so as soon as I will get a chance.
Have a wonderful day!
He has Bea’s hair!!!! Happy birth day to you Ginny, especially with all you went through <3
The crown is adorable, and well that hedgehog is in a class of it’s own. I’m sure he’ll love it in the years to come!
(the crown that is)
Such a sweet family celebration. 🙂 After losing her two younger siblings, I think Catherine will be our last and her first birthday (only 11 days ago!) took on a weightier meaning to me than the other children’s first birthdays did. Like Job’s birthday, it wound up being just a nice family birthday party and I was able to put aside my melancholy.
(P.S. I LOVE the hedgehog!)
I love those photos of you playing with him on the floor! I find myself in that position a lot with my littlest, too. 🙂
What a lovely, lovely family. There is an abundance of Thanksgiving blessings in your home. And especially for the precious birthday boy!
Happy birthday to Job! November is a great month to be born (ask me how I know. :))