And just like that, our Sam Sam is a one year old. It’s hard to believe that he has been ours for an entire year. He has taught us so much since last April.
In a year as a mom, I’ve learned patience, sacrifice and a deeper love than I knew existed. I’ve experienced happiness and joy beyond anything I could have imagined. I’ve learned that sleep is sacred but not necessary, and have developed a whole new appreciation for coffee. But I think the most important lesson from this past year is that God is good and life is beautiful.
Zack and I were talking about this big milestone, and we came to the conclusion that a first birthday isn’t really so much about the baby as it is about all of the ones around him. Sure, it’s amazing that he’s turned one, but it’s just as amazing (or more so?) that we’ve all gotten to this point with him. This birthday was just as much a celebration of a year of his life as it was a congratulations to every one of us for making it here! A whole year as his parents! We survived a year of sleepless nights and millions of beginnings. We survived a year of tears and diapers and pulling our hair out. We survived a year of being Samuel’s parents, and I couldn’t be more proud of us.
We started the day with some birthday pancakes, of course.
And then it was time for a birthday party!
We got our beautiful invitations from Minted. I absolutely adore this company, and have worked with them in the past, and these birthday invitations exceeded my expectations! They turned out perfect! And I love that I got to design them exactly how I wanted. The two photos on the back, along with a little message, were just the personal touch I wanted. I’m so happy with how they turned out!
I framed a photo of Zack, Sam and me all around our 1st birthdays. I’d say he’s a perfect mix of the two of us!
This was super easy to make! Just print out photos and tape each one to a cut-out cardboard “1” then put wherever you want- in this case, our entryway! :)
Green Eggs and Ham served as the guest book for his party. We asked everyone to write a little note to him! Since the main character is Sam-I-Am, this book is kind of “his” book. I hope it’s one he’ll cherish forever!
One more happy birthday to our little prince! I’m so excited to see what this next year has in store, for all of us!
xo
p.s. thanks to my sweet friend, Kara, for the amazing photos. <3 Check out her etsy shop here!
OH MY GOSH. I love all of these photos! Everything is so creative but still simple and not insanely over the top! Such a sweet memory!
Aww thanks so much Natalie!!! That is the biggest compliment! :) Exactly what I was going for!
xo
All of this is so sweet! I love the idea of the 1 made with pictures and I definitely spy guacamole on that table. Perfect birthday celebration for one adorable little guy! :)
YES, that guac was made by my mother-in-law, and it is soooooo good! A must-have at any festivity, for sure. :)
xo
Everything looks great! Love the photo collage! Also love all the happy faces!
Awww thank you so much Lauren! It was really fun to put together! :)
xo
Gosh I just love your dress. I love everything about this sweet party. I REALLY love that photo collage 1 in your entry way! I might steal that for my daughter’s party on Sunday ;)
Awww thank you so much!! Yes, you should make one! It was a big hit :)
xo
Awh everything looks so great!!! Such a sweet celebration! Congrats!
Thanks Amanda!! :)
xo
What a special and sweet way to celebrate his birthday. I love the photos. :)
Aw thanks Jen!!
xo
Seriously he’s so adorable! Love your boho look Katie! Happy first birthday sweet Sam your truly a blessing! Xo
You are so sweet! Thank you Kate! :)
xo
Aaww all these photos are so sweet! Your family is so cute! I love seeing Sam grow because he is only a few weeks apart from my baby boy so I feel like they are reaching similar milestones around the same time :) I totally agree that this celebration should also be for the parents yay to surviving the first year!
Aw thanks so much Ana!! :) Yay for us for making it to a year! It’s such a big accomplishment!
xo
Such sweet photos! I love the way you did his birthday party! And I love the sign-in book idea of Green Eggs and Ham! And I love his little birthday outfit!!
Thanks so much Ann!! It was a blast :)
xo
I have been talking with the hubs about birthday pancakes for my girl’s first and i LOVE the cardboard 1 collage!!! Best idea ever!!
Birthday pancakes were my favorite part ;) He loved them!!
xo
This is so sweet! I can not believe he is one! Oh, and yes to birthday pancakes ;)
Right?! Everyone should have birthday pancakes!
xo
Love the photos! His face is adorable as he’s figuring out what the cupcake is all about! And I totally agree, celebrating a first birthday is just as much about celebrating mom and dad making it through the first year- good job, mama!
Haha yeah, he was quite confused at first! ;) And thank you so much!!
xo
adorable pictures! and i love the book idea. :)
Thanks girl! :)
xo
Happy Birthday Sam!!
He’s so cute, but I always thought he favored his daddy until i saw the 3 baby pics together, you’re right, he’s definitely a good little combo!
I’m going to copy the big photo “1” this summer if you don’t mind, what a cute idea!
It’s crazy looking at our baby pictures all next to each other- totally looks like both of us!! And YES, copy away girl! It was really fun and everyone loved looking at all the photos from his first year!
xo
Happy (late) Birthday, Sam!! I love your photo collage in the shape of a 1! I’ll have to remember that for my little girl next year!
Thanks girl!! :) Yes, you should make the collage, too! It was really simple and fun to make!
xo
This is so cute! Also I totally agree with the fact that it’s just as much a celebration for you and Zack! So CONGRATS to you guys for an awesome first year of parenthood! woo!!!
Awww thanks so much girly!! It definitely feels like quite the accomplishment!
xo