Birthday Parties & Cake Diving

Dear Tatum,

In honor of your first birthday we had two parties. The first was a celebration at home on the day you were born. I spent a couple of days decorating the house as you were sleeping with balloons, streamers and other birthday decorations. This day was such a special day, I could not imagine not treating it as such.


Many family members joined us as we sang "Happy Birthday" for the first time. At the end of the song, we applauded. You then discovered when we were done applauding that if you applauded, we would then applaud again. This continued a few times and brought laughter to all of your guests. You were so much fun at your own party.

Then for the long awaited first piece of cake. Wow... We were all surprised to see how you dove face first into your cake once you discovered its sugary goodness. Oh my, there was no stopping you then. You were coated in the butter cream frosting up to your shoulders and had plenty in your nose as well. I had never seen this approach to eating cake before. We were rolling with laughter as you continued to finish your cake.

After cake and ice cream, you were allowed to open your gifts. You received so many great gifts, we are very lucky to have such a wonderful family. Daddy and I had a custom cloth doll made for you – a preemie doll designed to your actual birth measurements. It also has a personalized ID bracelet that has all of your birth information on it. We thought it would make a great keepsake.


You fill Daddy and I with so much gushy happiness that we wanted to celebrate your first birthday with friends and family so we had a bigger party on Sunday as well. Since your first party was a traditional birthday party, we decided to go with a princess theme for your second party so that all the little girls could dress up for fun. It was fun to watch all of the princesses as they arrived. We weren't able to get pictures of all the girls and really wish we had thought to take a group picture.

This time you had your very own smash cake. Again, the sugary goodness did not stand a chance of surviving. You dove in face first devouring every last morsel providing entertainment for all your guests.


We asked your birthday guests to write you a special message to be kept in your time capsule until you turn twenty-one. We also included a few other items so that you can someday enjoy the special moments that Daddy and I will always remember about your first birthday.

Celebrating your first year with family and friends was wonderful. I want you to know that you are celebrated every minute of every day in my heart.

Happy first birthday my beautiful girl.

I love you.

Love,
Mommy