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Parenting

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When pregnant I wanted to do everything right for my son. I read every book. I watched what I ate, took my vitamins, slept, drank water, and exercised.

I promised myself that my son wouldn’t watch television until he was three, that I would read to him every night, I’d cloth diaper, I’d potty train early, I would provide routine for him, I would do baby sign,  and I would feed him all natural, organic, homemade food.

 

 
Yep, I was that pregnant woman. I didn’t live up to most of my hopes for parenting. Reality quickly settled in. I know some parents can do it. I’m amazed by them and I admire them. But, hell, I admire most parents nowadays. I’m in awe that we as a people can do this job and not screw up entirely.
 
Anyways, we tried baby sign. We felt entirely silly signing to a baby who was unresponsive, and often screaming. We stopped being consistent. We never saw any sign that he was getting it. So we gave it up. 
 
Then, I kept seeing babies do it. I saw them everywhere. They were signing please when they wanted something. Sorry when they did something wrong. Thank you when you gave them something. It was unreal how many babies were getting it. 
 
So, we tried it again. We decided to keep it with two signs because we knew our inability to be consistent. We worked on “All Done” and “More.”
 
And, after about a month… he got it. Suddenly he was repeating us and saying “All Done” or “More” with his hands. They aren’t perfect signs. His “All Done” is usually a certain movement with one of his hands instead of both of his hands. But, he is communicating to us and we understand. He is still learning to do it all the time. He mostly repeats us. But, occasionally he will do it all on his own when he wants more food or when he is all done with some activity. And, I’m in love with it. It is so nice that he doesn’t have to be frustrated with us for not understanding him.
 
Next on our list of signs to work on? Please and Thank You. 
 
Did you do baby sign? What are your tips on making it work?
 

One of the things I really, really want to do as a mom (that I feel my parents did for me) is make each and every birthday extra special. It doesn’t need to be anything crazy, like a huge party. It needs to be something special though.

X’s First Birthday was on a different day than his party. We didn’t know what to do for him, because honestly he won’t remember much and not a whole lot of stuff leaves a huge impact on him. We decided to have a big family breakfast and then go to the beach during the day that day. (X loves the beach.)
We had decided to not purchase him a gift from us, and instead throw his birthday party. At ten in the evening, the night before his birthday, I got really sad that he wouldn’t have a gift to open on his actual birthday. I wanted something for him to open, that would not sit around the house and collect dust, and that would engage him. Thus came this idea…

First Birthday Surprise

Our little man felt like he needed to climb in the box rather than open it the traditional way.

But, he was still pretty surprised!

DIRECTIONS:
1. Inflate balloons with helium. I used a disposable helium tank that I had already and “Happy Birthday” balloons.
2. Pack balloons into a large box. Tape box shut— I used painters tape and only on the edges so that my son would have an easier time getting the box open.
3. Wrap box. (Do not use a lot of tape so that the wrapping is easy to get open.)
4. Let the kiddo wake up and have a blast opening his/her surprise!

“Where did all the balloons go!?”

Yes, we are THAT family. You know, the one with matching shirts. Got our shirts via Etsy

My son is nearly fourteen months already. I can’t believe it! A couple months ago we celebrated his 1st birthday in true “A Well Crafted Party” style.

Today I posted some of the awesome photos that Macey of Motormouth Studio took of the party. I’ll be posting party details, projects, and free printables throughout the week.

But, I wanted to post some of my favorite photos of the party that aren’t related to the decor or food. THE PEOPLE! Thanks to all the lovely people that made it out to X’s first birthday.

The Bost Men

There were five adorable babies in attendance at the party. Afton and Ruthie (The Boho Mama’s twin girls); Jaxson; Jack (The Garden of Edlen‘s son); and X!

X loves his Uncle Jonny to pieces 

He dug right into his presents!

X’s GoGo flew up from Oklahoma to spend his birthday with him. He was so happy to see her!

X’s party was a ton of fun. Check back tomorrow to see what we did on his ACTUAL birthday.