![\"Hailey's](\"https:\/\/www.ahealthysliceoflife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/Haileys-1st-birthday-prep.jpg\" "\\"Hailey's")
<\/a><\/p>\nI seriously wouldn\u2019t have gotten it all done with out my mom\u2019s help. It took a full day of prep work and the whole family pitching in on the day of to get things ready.<\/p>\n
Then, throughout the day, I kept getting messages from people that couldn\u2019t make it for one reason or another. My heart sank a bit. My party shrunk to half it\u2019s original size. At first I was disappointed. I really wanted Hailey\u2019s first birthday to be special.<\/p>\n Then, with David\u2019s help, I got a reality check. It WAS<\/em> special. All four of Hailey\u2019s grandparents were there, her Uncle Kris and Aunt Cara traveled from afar and any friends that showed up were there to celebrate her big milestone. I put my petty pouting aside, reflected on the wonderful year that had flown by and focused on my baby girl\u2019s big smile.<\/p>\n Sometimes even my optimistic self needs help gaining perspective. Once I focused on what was important, a party ensued!<\/p>\n And what\u2019s a party without food?<\/p>\n I decided on heavy hors d’oeuvres. Shrimp cocktail. Fruit skewers.<\/p>\n BBQ chicken sliders, deviled eggs.<\/p>\n A veggie tray, chips and onion dip.<\/p>\n Mac \u2018n cheese bites. Oh, and cake, of course.<\/p>\n I made vanilla bean cupcakes and vanilla buttercream frosting\u2026 from SCRATCH<\/em>. You guys, I actually scraped a vanilla bean! That was a first for me, if you can’t tell from my proud gleam. I also made Hailey a smash cake. With sprinkles!<\/p>\n One of my best decisions was having Magen<\/a> come take pictures at the party. Her natural light photography is gorgeous. I trusted her skills and it allowed me to relax and enjoy the party, knowing she would capture the moments. I highly recommend her!<\/p>\n She snapped away. She even caught Hailey\u2019s friends on camera, too. Hi Garrett<\/a>!<\/p>\n As people arrived, we ate, mingled, then got right down to presents!<\/p>\n Looking at the above picture, I can\u2019t help but hear Cookie Monster\u2019s voice coming from Hailey saying PRESENTSssss<\/em>!!<\/p>\n Hailey was showered with books, toys, clothes and lots of love.<\/p>\n After every ribbon had been untied and chewed on, it was time for cake.<\/p>\n We all gathered, sang and prepared for cake chaos!<\/p>\n Hailey stuck in a finger, licked it and didn\u2019t seem to get what all the fuss was about. My ferocious eater was rather apathetic about cake.<\/p>\n She explored in gently, but her favorite part was feeding it to me.<\/p>\n I guess the girl doesn\u2019t have much of a sweet tooth. Like mother, like daughter! Everyone else seemed to think the cupcakes were delicious.<\/p>\n The day was gorgeous, so Magen<\/a> snapped some pictures for us outside.<\/p>\n Then, we played around for a bit while the party died down.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n