Your Baby Week 48
Can you believe your baby's first birthday is only four weeks away? The past year has been an incredible journey. Not only has your baby most likely tripled his birth weight, he is probably walking and speaking a few words. He can tell you what he needs and wants, if not verbally, then by pointing or grunting, which is a far cry from the beginning. He has formed an attachment to you and his other caregivers and his personality is becoming more and more defined each day.
Planning your baby's first birthday party!
As your child's first birthday approaches, remember he probably isn't going to even remember being there when you show him the pictures years later. And as your baby doesn't understand everything that is going on around him at this point, a loud, stranger-filled event may overwhelm him. When planning the party, try to keep his schedule in mind. If he naps at a certain time of the day, don't expect him to be awake and eager to show off his pat-a-cake skills just because friends and relatives are over at that time. Try to plan for a time of day when he is alert and happy.
And even though everyone may be very excited about your little one's big day, you may want to consider keeping the guest list down to a select few, if you can. For some families, this is just impossible, but it may be likely in those cases that your child is used to being around a lot of people, so big crowds at his first birthday may not even phase him. Most one year olds, however, aren't big fans of party entertainers, like clowns and other costumed performers, so you may want to hold off for a year or two for that.
You may also want to consider having two cakes; one for your one-year old to destroy and another for your guests!
Feeling blue?
As your child approaches his first birthday, you may find yourself reflecting on how fast the year has gone and feeling a little sad about the big day. You certainly aren't alone in this feeling, and it may be a good idea to reach out to other parents and discuss how you are feeling. They may be going through the same thing, or if their children are older, they probably have gone through it. Having that opportunity to share your feelings with someone who really understands can be truly valuable!
