Oh what fun, Beckett turned 1!

I still can't believe we have a 1 year old! We love him more and more everyday!

I started planning his party a month or so before his birthday (seriously, don't plan out much more than that or you'll drive yourself batty!) We knew we wanted to do something 'Curious George-y' but we didn't want to go overboard. Tiny Prints (my fav!) had an invitation that was my inspiration for the party. 

please excuse the awful 'photoshopping'. my laptop with my PhotoShop crashed and im having to supplement!

We used the Main Event: Bright Red Birthday Invitation suite (no longer available.. but check out all their other awesome 1st birthday designs here!).. including the invitations, thank you cards, and return labels and the Birthday Breakdown: Blue Moon personalized stamps. The colors of the invitations were the bread and butter to his party decor. It was a modern touch to primary colors.. a Bright Red, a Bold Yellow, and a Turquoise Blue! I loved how simple it was, but how big of an impact it made!

Since it was his 1st birthday, I went a little overboard. But then again, it's the 1st party he had and I was really thrifty, so whatever! I utilized the Dollar Tree and dollar section at Target, which was really helpful since they had all their red and white stuff for Valentine's Day! We did rent tables and chairs from Big D Party Rentals since we just moved in and don't have a house full of furniture. It was totally worth it!

We ordered Beckett's adorable Curious George Shirt from Monogram4Me on Etsy and Curious George plates, hats, balloons, and cups from Party City. 

I made the tissue paper garland (from Dollar Tree tissue paper!) and made his hat, Happy Birthday Beckett banner, cake banner, and used all my monthly instagram photos of him for a cute little banner to show everyone how much he's grown (we may still have this up because it's so damn cute!). Market Street did the smash cake, cake, cupcakes and food.. and it was SO GOOD. Plus, I didn't have to cook which was a plus! We had crostini, croissant sandwiches, veggies, fruit, hummus with pita and olives, chocolate dipped rice krispie treats that I made. Having all cold food was super helpful too. No making sure that everything was warm all day!

Instead of having a sign in book, we had everyone sign and leave little notes in a copy of 'Curious George and the Birthday Surprise' It'll be a great memento of his first birthday for years to come! I hope he keeps it forever! (wishful thinking, right?)

It was so emotional singing 'Happy Birthday!' to Beckett. I literally choked up as we were on either side of him singing. He's the best thing in the world and we are so happy he chose us! He definitely went to town on his smash cake.. like I said, he definitely has his mother's sweet tooth!

 

Beckett was showered with lots of love and gifts! He was such a trooper and even sat with us as 'he' opened his presents!

For favors, we gave out copies of Curious George Books, bubbles, with some candy. It was so hard to figure out what to give out! I hope they were a hit!

It was such a fun, beautiful day. Beckett is one lucky kid! I can't thank my Mom and Grandparents enough for helping out with everything too! We literally couldn't have done it without you! We love you guys and are SO thankful for you!

We spent his actual birthday doing what Beckett loves best.. eating pancakes, and swinging and sliding at the park! I can't wait to celebrate next year and every year after with this cutie!

...and as a bonus, here's us singing 'Happy Birthday' and Beckett smashing his cake! Thanks to my brother Nic for the video!!

Beckett's 1 Year Portraits and Cake Smash

A couple weeks before Beckett's 1st Birthday, we hooked up with Kristen of Kristen Hafner Photography to get some 1 year shots of Beckett! It was so hard finding a photographer since we had grown to love Jessie back in California (She took Beckett's Newborn and 6 Month Photos!), so when we found Kristen we knew we were in great hands!

We started off with a few family photos and shots of Beckett before letting him get into his cake! We LOVE all the pics and had such a great time watching him taste cake and icing for the 1st time!

 Kristen has 2 boys of her own, so she was SO great with Beckett. He was such a great little model! He had just started walking, so it was so cute to watch him explore his new independence!

 And let me tell ya.. he was a little apprehensive at first, but this kiddo definately has his Momma's sweet tooth!

If you are in the DFW area, I highly recommend Kristen! You can visit her website HERE and like her on Facebook, too!

And in case anyone is wondering.. I made the cake banner and his hat for this photoshoot and the one for his birthday party! 

Married, Moving, and Multiplying.

They say that the 3 of the most stressful things in life are getting married, having a baby and moving.

I'm never one to do things the easy way, so of course I did all of them in 2 years. We got married in May of 2012. Moved to California in December 2012. Celebrated our 1 year anniversary in May 2013 and welcomed our sweet baby boy in February 2014. 

WHEW.

While it hasn't been easy, it's been totally worth it.

Since CL and I lived together for a couple years prior to getting married starting our married life was not much different. Yes, there were new rings on our fingers, and a marriage certificate, and lots of new gifts, but other than that (and the fact that when we fought, we had to get over it asap) nothing changed. We became husband and wife, an even playing team. We learned to compromise, but luckily we got most of that out of the way before we tied the knot. 

We supported each other when things got rough (try getting laid off when you're 4 months pregnant...). We celebrated the good things (like a Hawaiian getaway for our 1st anniversary and Vegas for CL's 30th).  And we attempted to take advantage of living as a young married couple in the Bay Area--although since we moved back to Texas I don't think we seized the opportunity as much as we could have. Isn't hindsight always 20/20? 

I am still stumbling with the idea that we are parents. I still smile when I introduce CL as my 'husband' and now he's DaDa too? When did we grow up? And why are we adults all of a sudden? 

And moving? We have lived in 2 apartments and 1 house since Beckett was born (actually before he was 1!!)..I can't even positively say that this will be 'home' for a few years, but i've got my fingers crossed! 

I've learned a lot in the last couple of years. Life is a journey. Not a destination. We are all learning as we go. NOTHING is perfect no matter how you make your life appear on Instagram, Facebook, or your blog. NOTHING. I'd be damned to give anyone marriage or parenting advice, either.. except that whole 'You aren't alone and you aren't the first or last to experience something.. someone, somewhere has been in your shoes too!' You'll cry and laugh and question your life a lot. 

I can't think of a more stressful, eventful, un-perfect, or fun time in my life. It's been one big adventure and Im glad to have put down some roots! It's crazy how quickly time flies when you're having fun. 

So here's to my crazy life.. being married, moving a lot, and having one sweet baby boy.