When my daughter turned 1, it was a strange day. In many ways, she was still a baby. Yet in many ways, she was becoming a little girl. While she was entertained by the spectacle of the birthday cake (decorated with Care Bear toys) and she clapped when we sang to her. The first birthday party is far for you, the parents rather than your child.
After all, your baby enjoys new sights, sounds and experiences every day. But they are hardly marking time. In fact, when Cassidy received her first presents, she walked around with the pretty wrapped boxes and played with them. She had no idea that if you opened the paper, she would find something inside.
So if the party is for us, why do we go to so much trouble?
Because in just one, solitary year our lives have changed radically. When it is your first child, it is definitely a year of massive change. You have watched your baby focus for the first time, reach out and explore the world and you have seen them respond to your voice.
You have survived long nights of sleeplessness. You have likely gone through at least one teeth cycle. You have lost count of the number of diapers you have changed. You may have seen them take their first steps. You have more than likely seen them sit up.
So when you celebrate the first birthday, you are celebrating the first year in the life of your child and in the life of your family. After all, when your first child is born, your marriage or couple hood blossoms from a pair to a family unit. With each additional child, your family grows and each first birthday that comes after is another year that celebrates the family.
So Happy First Birthday to all of you who have celebrated one recently or will celebrate it soon!