Bubblegum Betty

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Princess Seiden's First Birthday Party!!!

My precious princess had her very first birthday party on October 18, 2014!!!  When I began thinking about her first birthday (back when she was 2 months old...no lie!), I knew that I wanted to do a princess themed birthday party.  We have called her our little princess long before she was born.  And, it is no lie that she reigns our house!  I wanted her first birthday party to be so special and so completely perfect, so I started planning after I decided on a theme and Cody agreed that a princess party was ever so perfect for Seiden.  I knew that I wanted to do pink, but pink with what?!?  I had seen some beautiful color palettes on Pinterest.  I did countless searches for pink princess parties, pink party decor, and pink first birthday parties.  And then one day, it just hit me.  Pink and gold!  A perfectly soft pink with a beautiful, regal gold would be the perfect color palette for a very special little girl.  Everything, down to the very last detail, was pink and gold.  My very talented, and so amazingly wonderful momma helped me plan and craft this entire party.  We had several things that weren't gold; candlesticks, picture frames, a 3 tiered serving piece, papercraft letters that spelled out "SEIDEN," "ONE," and "1" that my mom spray painted gold with a gold glitter overlay.  She made two beautiful pink peony nosegays that went on top of the gold candlesticks, a mesh pink and gold wreath with pink and gold glitter swirly picks, a "1," and a sign that said, "princess of everything," she also found an adorable pink and gold carriage that she adorned with sweet little pink flowers that set on the sofa table.  We decorated the entire front porch, entry way, living room, and kitchen for the party.  The wreath went on the front door and I ordered a personalized birthday banner from Embroi De Les Designs on Etsy that went on the little flag stake I keep in the flower bed outside.  The entry table and sofa tables were dedicated to picture tables of our beautiful birthday princess.  I had pictures printed out from a sonogram pics all the way up to the beautiful one year photos the amazing Megan Gibbs took of MDG Photography (check her out on Facebook!).  The mantle was decorated with 30...yes 30...pink and gold tissue poms hanging from the ceiling (my sweet daddy hung them all the night before her party...it only took an hour and a half!), her name in gold glitter on the mantle along with the two nosegay arrangements, a sign that said, "Your birthday is the happiest day of my life," and an 8X10 canvas print of her during her cake smash photo shoot.  I also had a birth to one year photo banner made that hung on the mantel as well.  I had a pink and gold tablecloth made for the kitchen table where her big cake, pink thumbprint cookies, red velvet, vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry cupcakes frosted in pink with gold sprinkles (all from Creative Cakes and were simply amazing!), and milk bottle glasses (from Starbucks frapuccinos) with gold damask straws were displayed.  I found a recipe for a pink drink that was sprite and raspberry sherbet mixed together that we put in our drink vase.  The buffet was turned into the candy buffet for favors.  We used our fish bowl containers that we also used for the candy buffet at our wedding for the candy.  All the candy was in gold wrappers!  I found pink damask party favor bags at Michaels and mom had a random container that we spray painted gold that we used for the container for the favor bags.  And, then we put the "ONE" in gold glitter spray paint on that table too.  Above the buffet were banners that said, "Happy 1st Birthday Seiden."  Her highchair, we borrowed from my parents house (it was actually mine and Michael's old high chair from when we were babies), it had a banner on it that said, "I Am One" and that's where she did her cake smash...so cute!  All the banners, I had made off an Etsy shop called, A Sweet Celebration, that just turned out so perfect and beautiful.  I also had printables made from two different shops on Etsy.  The birthday sign and birthday poster were from The Prettiest Print Shop.  And the invitations, thank you notes, and water bottle labels all came from Amy's Simple Designs.  We just wanted to have finger foods at the party.  So I just made a ham, turkey, and cheese tray, a veggie tray, a fruit tray, chips and queso, and then my dad made sausage balls, and cocktail weenies.  The food was a hit and we hardly had any left!!!  And...let me tell you about her birthday party outfit!  I ordered if off Etsy...shocker!  It is from an amazing shop called Lil Abbe.  This amazing lady named, Wendy, makes every single item by hand and the designs and quality of her work is flawless.  We messaged back and forth a billion times and she was always so fast to answer my messages and so willing to help make Seiden's birthday outfit more perfect than I could ever imagine.  She is simply wonderful!  If you have anything coming up that you need a special outfit for...go check her out!  She also made a romper for her to wear for her actual birthday that was monogrammed and appliqued to perfection!  And...she made me, Cody, and my mom matching shirts to wear for the party!  Megan came and took pics of her party so that we could have the whole day captured, but still be able to enjoy it and be in the moment at the party.  Megan is amazing...you should hire her for everything...seriously!  Everything turned out perfect and beautiful and was just so much fun!

And Seiden...she was just a perfect, happy, excited, little birthday girl!  She laughed and played and ate cake...lots of cake!  She was so excited when everyone sang happy birthday to her and just giggled and clapped her hands.  She was in the BEST mood and seriously had a ball the entire time.  All her best friends were there to make her day extra special.  She is just so amazing.  I can't believe I'm her mommy.  I can't believe that when I look into those big blue eyes of hers, I am staring into the most perfect miracle God could ever give me.  I just love her so much.  Cody and I both just talk about how wonderful and perfect and funny and sweet and strong she is every. single. day.  We didn't know that our family was missing anything until we had her.  And now, we are celebrating her turning one.  One year of our lives that have included many firsts.  Lots of scares, concerns, worries, praises, rejoicing, laughing, embracing, unforgettable moments all rolled up into 365 of the best days of our lives and it's all because of one little girl.  One little birthday princess that we celebrate everyday, but on this day, we rejoiced more and relished in the fact that we are here.  We are at home, with a ridiculously decorated house, a beautiful birthday outfit, and one perfect little girl who's giggle, smile, eyes, and entire being have changed our lives and shown us what a miracle really looks like, how the power of prayer truly works, and how God's unfailing love have brought us to celebrating our angel turning one.  ONE.  I can't believe she's one and I'm writing this post about her first birthday.  I can't tell you how emotional it is to be able to celebrate this day and wrap our arms around our perfect daughter who's smile lights up a room.  Our little birthday princess...I hope you know just how very special you are.  I hope that you will always know and feel the love we have for you.  I hope you know that we celebrate your beautiful life everyday, and that on your birthday, we are completely rejoicing and thanking God for giving us the biggest blessing and most amazing miracle in you.  I pray that you grow into a beautiful woman of God who will do great things for His Kingdom and bring light into this world.  We love you so much Princess Seiden Grace!  Happy FIRST Birthday!!!