It really does feel like yesterday that she arrived in our arms and we were back to that newborn phase enjoying sleepless nights, baby screams/cries, the joys of cracked nipples and some pretty impressive explosive poo nappies. But I'll give our little girl her due she's been an absolute delight. Yes there have been hard days/nights/weeks well months in fact but overall Lottie is such a contented, happy and intelligent little thing and we couldn't be prouder. This little lady really has made our little family whole and it's hard to imagine life without her now.
Lottie has also made some pretty wonderful baby friends who we feel blessed to have and to have shared all our firsts with. It's been a fun year!
We decided to mark the special occasion with a little afternoon tea party joined my loved ones and a delicious spread of sandwiches, scones and sweet treats not forgetting to mention a big red velvet birthday cake topped with vanilla icing and sugar star sprinkles (thanks Betty Crocker for your help)
We ordered Lottie a fun little Tutu from the very talented Tinky Winks Boutique, it was dusty pink and gold and I picked out a design for a frilled vest top for her to wear to the party. This was printed locally at Spoilt Rotten Workshop (Fareham) , a really quaint little shop tucked away a few doors along from the Aldi store on West Street. I choose a gorgeous custom font called Magnolia Sky and a gold vinyl which matched the tutu really nicely.
We didn't go mad on presents or catering and made everything between us and the family in house. For gifts we picked out a huge beige bashful bunny from the Jellycat range. It's around 50cm in height and about the same size as Lottie herself. Lottie has been attached to her Little Nutbrown Hare since birth (they go everywhere together) so we thought it was quite apt to mark her 1st birthday with a bunny her own size. The bashful bunny actually also comes in a giant size (70 cm in height) too but this will set you back a whopping £80.
Nanny kindly offered to host the party at their house tucked away in the New Forest and made some delicious sandwiches, shortbread and strawberries and cream. We brought along a 85 piece dessert platter from Iceland for a bargain £5, some cheese savouries and the birthday cake, it made for quite a spread.
Nanny and Grandad put up some pretty pink balloons and I made some homemade bunting with some simple pastel card stock.
We finished off the afternoon by stopping in to Ashurst Birth Centre where Lottie was born to say hello to the team. They were very welcoming and pleased to see her. The Ashurst Birth Centre is an amazing facility and we are so fortunate to have a great team of midwives there on top of the labour ward and Broadlands Services at Princess Anne. NFBC holds a special place in our hearts after Oscar and I were cared for there following my accident so close to full term. We are always happy to return and see the team of smiling faces. After a family stroll along Calshot and a second helping of food and cake we were all tuckered out from the days celebrations.
Looking back I was naturally a little anxious about having siblings so close in age and how it might change the family dynamics (I absolutely cherish my son and we have an amazingly close bond) but there was no need to be, Oscar adores his baby sister and words really don't come near to expressing how wonderful having her in our lives is.
How will you be celebrating your baby's milestone 1st birthday? A cake smash? A day out? A meal with family/friends or a children's party at a local hall? Would love to hear your ideas.
Happy birthday little Lottie Florence we all hope you had a beautiful day x
