Happy 1st Birthday Brady Ryan

Our sweet little Rainbow baby turns 1 today! 

Time has gone too fast.  Seriously.

We have treasured this little boy like no other.  I don't know if it's because he's a rainbow or if it's because it's a completely different dynamic with older kids.  Likely...it's a combination of both.  But we all pitched in to make his party EXTRA special.

 

Here's his special day in a few pics (I took 387)...

 

 

Very first time having sugar

(not even a lick of ANYTHING sweet before this)

 

He licked slowly and deliberately...

A family pic via my tripod before the party started.

Seriously grateful for good weather

(the only sunny day in the past week)

 

 

Cakes & treats

 

I put together a "1 in a Flash" photo collage...my fave

 

 

My sweet bday boy - oh how I love him :)

 

 

First time opening presents...

 

He LOVED his jump house

 

Party favors

"Brady's 1st birthday" Lolly's for the kids

 

A "Joy" ornament for the adults (LOVE)

 

Overall it was a good day.  I held Brady in my arms the entire time and just focused on him.  It was actually very surreal.  I was just in my own little world with him.  I was polite to the guests but I felt disengaged - can't really describe it other than I was in my own little world and tried to tune out everything else. 

 

We invited a few special people that helped us heal after Nate.  Sadly, only 1 was able to make it so the party was almost all family.  There was no "drama".  It was just weird.  They are the same.  We are different.  We don't fit together. 

I don't even want to fit.

 

My mom seemed to be more excited that my in laws were at the party then she was to see Brady.  She was literally "giddy".  I can't imagine being excited to see people that were so disrespectful and hurt my daughter so badly.  But then again, she thinks that I was the problem...at least that's what she told my oldest daughter.  Thanks, Mom.  Maybe someday you will understand and be supportive.

 

One thing that was bizarre was that they kept taking pictures of us.  No one ever took pictures at my other kids birthdays.  Everyone was taking pictures at Brady's. 

Of him.  Of me.  Of us.  Weird.  Made it really uncomfortable. 

 

All in all, it was a day that I will treasure.  Today is even MORE SPECIAL.  Today, we get to celebrate Brady all by ourselves.  We don't have to share him with anyone.  We are skipping sports tonight and taking Brady out for a special birthday dinner.  Just the 7 of us!

 

YAY for 1st Birthday's -  I will never take them for granted again!