A NICU Reunion and a First Birthday Party

Like all Saturdays, it was a busy Saturday. It started with us being ripped from sleep while it was still dark by the simultaneous efforts of Turtle (bellowing: MOMMY! DADDY! MONKEY!) and Oscar (whimpering to go out and/or get breakfast, because we obviously starve him as a form of torture).

After breakfast, DH took Turtle to go get an oil change (where Turtle got to engage in the awesome activity of roll-the-tire) and I stayed home to finish up a smash cake for C's first birthday party.

I was really pleased with the end result. This is the best picture, but the cake is missing the anchor that I added on at the party. It's an 8" layer cake (one chocolate, one vanilla) with buttercream and fondant trim.



After that, I got ready for Turtle's NICU Reunion. I was a little hesitant about going. He wasn't in the hospital THAT long and he was there for condition that turned out to be pretty minor. Of course, at the time, it was an eternity and it was devastating, and I'm really ready to move on from all of it.

The invitation requested we bring some photos of the time our child spent there, and it broke my heart to do it. I never really wanted to take pics of him in the NICU - it's not how I wanted to think of my son (hooked up to wires and machines). However, as the days passed, I broke down. Regardless of where he was, this was my child and I needed to capture as many of those important firsts as I could.

So anyway, after lots of internal back and forth, we went.



I didn't get a lot of pics.



Our neighbor came with her DD, who was another 2009 graduate. Like Turtle, she's big and beautiful and 100% healthy now. And the other nice thing was that we did run into the baby who had occupied the bassinet next to Turtle during his time. That little boy, J, is now 2 years old. He is definitely smaller than Turtle, but he looked great, and had the most beautiful smile. His mom said that he was doing great now, and that was wonderful news.

We took a deep breath, and headed back home to pick up the smash cake and then off to C's first birthday party.

We were early, so Turtle and C took some time to play outside.

C's parents did an AMAZING job with their nautical theme. It was such an awesomely cute party and everyone had a fantastic time.



I love this picture. This little boy is absolutely angelic.



I love this little boy too. :)



Family photo!



Close up.



Turtle got a hold of a beach ball and was in heaven. He was kicking and pushing it all over the yard, and then chasing it. If he doesn't sleep til 8 tomorrow morning, we've got problems.



Adorable picture of Turtle loving on his daddy.



There was also a bounce house. A took his son B, and Turtle in for some bouncy time. Wheeee!









Someone is getting veeeeerrrrrry sleepy.



But not too sleepy for cake!



Smashing the smash cake! The best part!



Thanks for a great time, B, C & M! We had a blast and were so glad you shared this special day with us!