Sat 7 Apr 2007
Huzzah!
Posted by Jane under Updates
[16] Comments
Simon had his very first birthday party today. Newsflash! He likes sugar.
Okay. So it’s tradition to give your baby cake on their first birthday. I’ve always sworn up and down that I would never pollute my child’s body like that. Yeah, right. I’ll put that on the growing list of things I said I’d never do and now don’t think twice about (like giving my baby Viagra and Methadone).
Did you ever know anybody in college who fed their dog beer? This was kind of like that. We all just kind of stood around waiting to see if he would like it, if he would start acting weird, if he would want more. Yes, yes and yes. It felt kinda naughty to be loading him up with sugar like that, but he really did have a good time.
Andy and I both cried a lot today. I think this milestone in our family made us both think about the stark difference between where we were hoping (and expecting) to be on this day and what our new reality is. Ramona spent most of the time in her room sleeping. This probably would have been the case even if she were healthy, but it still felt weird and sad. So we cried. When she woke up for her 3:00 feed, we set it up and let a few people at a time come in her room to visit her. That felt super weird and almost morbid. And we cried. So I tried to pick her up and bring her into the dining room while her pump was running. She promptly vomitted all over her pretty dress. More tears.
But Simon was not phased. He played with his new toys, had some dinner and went right to sleep. He’s such a super little dude. We love him to tiny pieces. Today’s pics are my two favorites from today. Of course we didn’t get that magical shot with the cake. Does anyone ever get that shot? But these show the before and after of his birthday experience. Brushing his teeth in his pj’s and then looking all grown up and cool in his birthday suit (not that birthday suit!).
Wish you all could have been there, Jane.
We love you people, all four of you. Your tears are so precious. And hooray for Simon! We raise three cheers for him.
Also, another source of tears, our bedtime prayer with Simon each night:
Thank you for the food we eat, thank you for the world so sweet.
Thank you for the birds that sing, thank you God for everything.
Thank you for my family, thank you God for loving me.
For each and every child I pray, and thank you for this special day.
Amen.
It’s been weeks since this prayer has brought us to tears. But tonight the last bit really got us.
Happy
Birthday
Simon!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Birthday Simon!!! You look so RAD in that suit! Send that one in to the modeling agency.
I can’t believe it’s been a year already. I remember bumping into a dazed looking Andy in the neighborhood and he said to me, “I’m going to be a dad tomorrow.” Happy, happy happy birthday.
What a cute little guy!
I must be getting old…Alex, Joseph and Charles all had chocolate cake for there first birthday….But Naomi had a white cup cake. Like it matters…cake is cake right!? We have a long birthday season here so she did get a bit of chocolate for Andy’s birthday and Alex and Joseph. She just cant be fooled with a graham cracker when she sees us all eating cake.
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIMON!
He’s so cute! Happy Birthday to Simon and Congratulations to Mom and Dad for making it through the first year! I’m sorry the day was bittersweet, I wish it could be nothing but happiness for you. I started crying when I read your bedtime prayer so you have an ally in tears with me.
Happy Birthday Simon! We miss and love you all.
Jane, from our experience, we’ve watched our best intentions for diet, sleep and sanity go right down the crapper with each passing year. The best part is that our kids seem to enjoy those moments that send Sara and I over the edge – serves us right I suppose.
Simon is a dude. 1-years old, holy crap. AWESOME.
We love you guys!
i love that suit! i feel like he is holding a mic and about to break out into sinatra or michael buble or something……….
It’s actually a Zwieback toast, but same diff…
What kind of cake did Simon get for his birthday? I totally think he looks like Prince in his suit (in a really good way).
It’s good that we didn’t come by — Lucy had some weird stomach bug last night, but she seems better now. We love you guys!
he can brush his teeth???!!!
Happy first birthday, Simon…you’re the man.
Hello, I hope that this note finds you well.
Belated Happy Birthday to Simon and you!
Hope you both enjoyed your special days.
Keep smiling and God bless!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIMON!!!
I am amazed by the tooth brush. Am I suppose to be doing that?
Yes Janel, you should definitely be brushing your teeth 😉