Just in case you are in the dark about zeppoles, they are magical and you must make them immediately if you have access to a deep fryer, which was one of my birthday gifts from Ryan this year! (Healthy living blogger, what?)
I’m sure you can find great recipes online with a quick Google search, but we’re going to try our hand at making them using our friend Pete’s recipe this evening. Assuming all goes well, I’ll report back and share the details soon because Pete’s zeppoles are in my top five favorite foods EVER. It’s zeppoles over cake for the birthday girl this year!
And now, because my mind is all over the place today, I’m rollin’ with it and embracing the randomness with a “Birthday Randomness” themed post. Heeere we go!
Random Thoughts On A Wednesday
- Chase Has TWO Teeth… And I Had No Idea
Sooo Chase has two teeth! And I had NO idea. Talk about a major Mom Fail. Early last week, I noticed Chase seemed to be drooling quite a bit. Since he’s never been a drooler, I figured that the excessive drooling coupled with some other odd behavior (skipping afternoon naps and an unusual amount of fussiness/desire to be held all the time) might mean he was teething. I kept checking his lower gums and didn’t see anything but then on Saturday, my mom said, “Julie! Did you know Chase has two teeth!?” I was totally shocked! I completely missed my baby’s first teeth!
Chase’s upper lateral incisors already broke through his gums and I totally missed it because I was so darn adamant about checking his lower gums since that seems to be where appear first for many babies. Note to other first-time mamas: Be sure to check your baby’s upper gums if you think they might be teething!
- Yesterday’s At Home Workout
Yesterday’s at home workout was a good one, so I wanted to share it with you guys! I began with the quick 20-minute treadmill run/incline walking workout featured above and followed it up with Tone It Up’s HIITy Bitty HIIT Workout. My friend Julie shared the HIIT workout on her personal Facebook page on Monday and I immediately saved it since it sounded awesome. I loved the combination of high-intensity cardio with total-body strength exercises and thought it passed by in a flash.
- My Breastfeeding Hunger Is Raging
One thing I didn’t really anticipate regarding breastfeeding was how my body would respond to my baby’s growth spurts. When Chase eats more, I eat more. When he’s hungrier than usual, I become ravenous. It’s totally different for me than pregnancy hunger, too, which is kind of crazy. When I was pregnant, I was hungry all the time, but for me eating was what helped prevent nausea. If I ever went too long without eating when I was pregnant, I would feel nauseated, so snacks happened all day every day.
Breastfeeding hunger during a growth spurt loosely reminds me of half marathon training hunger. It’s almost like my appetite is insatiable and I find myself needing to snack constantly to keep hunger pangs at bay. Gimme ALL the food ALL the time! I’ve honestly found myself polishing off the next day’s overnight oats breakfast I have prepped in the fridge a number of times after dinner because I just need to eat! Give the body what it wants, right?
- Thinking About A First Birthday Party
Truth be told, I didn’t really think I wanted to plan a first birthday party for Chase. I figured he won’t remember his first birthday anyway and we don’t have family living close by to celebrate with (and let’s be honest, they’re the ones who care most about a baby’s first birthday), but after my mom and sister seemed really excited about the idea of coming in town for a small celebration for Chase, I started to let my mind wander a little too much and now I’m way too psyched for a low key first birthday party celebration.
I still want to keep it very intimate but I am never one to shy away from planning a fun themed party and already have a theme in mind. I waffled back and forth between Dinosaurs (because we call Chase our pterodactyl dino-baby due to his crazy noises) or a “You Are My Sunshine” themed party since that’s the song I sing to him regularly (and I can often barely make it through without tears filling my eyes).
After coming up with the sunshine theme, I was all proud of myself for thinking of what I thought was a unique party theme, but after a quick Google and Pinterest search, of course I found that it’s been done a bunch of times before. Even still, I think that’s the way we’re going to go because I know that future birthday parties for Chase will likely be overrun with dinosaurs and other things of that sort, so the year I’m in control, we’re going with a sappy You Are My Sunshine theme since that song makes this mama cry and reminds me of some of my favorite moments with my little guy. Plus, it seems appropriate for a summertime party theme!
And yes, Chase is not even nine months old yet and I’m already thinking about his birthday party. Crazy lady.
Question of the Day
- What is the most creative theme you’ve seen for a child’s birthday party?
- For the parents: Did you throw a party for your little one’s first birthday? Did it have a theme?
I think the lumberjack themed party my friend Leah threw for her son last month was so cute! We loved all the plaid and woodland creatures!
P.S. I have no idea what’s going on with the in-text hyperlinked ad words on the blog right now but I’m doing my best to get them removed ASAP. They’re annoying the heck out of me, so believe me I am ON it! Thanks for your patience in the meantime!
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Happy birthday, Julie! I hope you are showered with love and sunshine on your special day 🙂
Thank you, Katie!! It’s off to a good start so far. 🙂
Happy Birthday Julie! I don’t have kids, but love going to themed first birthday parties. The party is more for the adults when they’re that young ; )
Have a great birthday! And these zeppoles sounds delicious!
Happy birthday, Julie! Hope you have a wonderful day! My little guy is only a few months old so I haven’t thought about his birthday yet but I think it would be fun to either have a Lego theme or ninja turtle theme for a birthday party!
Happy Birthday, Julie! Hope it’s a great day! ???? A superhero themed party I went to was a lot of fun. Capes were required!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JULIE! 🙂 I hope you have an amazing day! I remember my little cousin’s 1st birthday party was zoo-themed because he loved animals. It was so cute! And I’m pretty sure one of my kid birthday parties was “Big Comfy Couch” themed so that probably wouldn’t work for Chase 😉
Happy Birthday! My son’s upper teeth came in first too. When I tell people they always look suprised. I could never tell when he was teething either. I would just look one day and new teeth would have appeared.
I love the Hitty Bitty Bikini workout! Intense (tuck jump burpees whaaaat?!) but definitely a good one!
Happy Birthday!!
Happy birthday Julie! Hope its amazing! 🙂 My sister did an under the sea theme for my niece’s 1st birthday and it was soo cute. She found a crocheted mermaid fin and shells and took a picture of my niece wearing it on the invitation–i still have it and its too cute i cant stand it!
Happy birthday! That is the same song I sing to my son every night. I love the theme, great idea mama!!
Happy Birthday!!!! 🙂
Happy birthday to you! I think a sunshine party is an awesome idea! I might have to steal it 😉
Happy birthday!! And I have to admit, I laughed hard when I read about the two teeth. Something like that would totally happen to me. In fact, after reading this…I checked baby Jo (three weeks behind Chase) for upper teeth (still none, just two in the bottom). I hope you have a great day!
Happy, happy birthday!!! Hope you have a lovely day 🙂
We have only done low-key birthday parties for our little guys (currently 3 and 8). We share 50/50 custody of our older kiddo, and his mama threw an amazing party this year by renting out a local elementary school gym. The adults got to hang out and chat while the kids raced around playing floor hockey and basketball, and then we all gathered in the lunch room for cake and ice cream once everyone was tuckered out. It was the perfect venue! Our 8 year old’s favourite present to date is when we gave him gift cards for the movies and pizza, and he took his best friend to both, while my husband sat near-by, but not with them. The boys were so excited and felt so grown up, and our son’s friend, who normally requests masses of children at his parties (which is equally fun, if a bit more hectic!), has now asked for the same thing for his birthday this year. Obviously Chase is a little young to hit up the movies with a buddy, but I’m sure whatever you choose to do for his birthday will be wonderful and he’ll love it.
Have a great day!
Happy Birthday! Have a wonderful day!
That workout looks awesome. I’ve been doing a lot of hot yoga and barre lately, but I’m starting to crave the higher intensity workouts again now.
Happy birthday!
Don’t feel bad about the teeth! My six month old popped a tooth last week and I didn’t know until my best friend was babysitting her and texted me “you never told me Penny got a tooth!” And I was all “… penny has a tooth?!” 😉 as my sister said, no baby ever suffered because their mom didn’t sketch their first tooth into the baby book! Keep on keeping on, lady!
Ha!!! So glad I’m not alone!
Happy Birthday, Julie! Hope it’s a great one especially since it’s your first with Chase! My baby boy just turned 1 (how?????) and we did an animal theme- super original- haha- but he loves animals right now and making animals noises so it felt appropriate. Also I had the same teeth experience and it happened righ around Halloween and my babe had fangs only for the holiday. And finally I skip You Are My Sunshine on Oliver’s Pandora playlist bc I cry whenever I hear it. Enjoy your day!!!
I love the “you are my sunshine” theme and I swear I also choke up every time I sing that song to my daughter.
We threw my (now 15 month) daughter a small intimate first birthday with just immediate family but I still had so much fun with our theme. We went with wildONE because she truly is a wild child – she started walking and racing around before her first birthday. Everything was light pink, silver, and gold with lots of arrows and various sayings printed (“Dream big little ONE”) along with a fun string of photos from each monthlt milestone. It was truly a wonderful, love filled day (and one where we as parents also got to celebrate surviving a year – our daughter had not slept through the night at the point!)
And HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!
So cute!! As a big sucker for puns, I love this!!
Happy Birthday!!!
Girl, my baby is only 2 months old and I’m already dreaming up birthday party themes lol.
Yesterday my Pinterest news feed had your pins for You Are My Sunshine parties and I was like awe someone is gettin started on a 1st birthday party!
Happy Birthday!
When it comes to kid birthdays, I was the same way and I am not really a big “theme” person. For Claire’s first birthday we did a “book” theme because she loved books from the start and instead of books, people brought books to be donated to a charity. We collected over 200 books! For her second birthday it was smaller and it was a “Splash Bash” at the splash pad. Max and Claire have birthdays just one week a part so for his first birthday he got to share a party with his sister. The theme was “Cupcakes & Studmuffins” since it was combined. We also did no gifts and collected toys for the children’s hospital.
Cupcakes and Studmuffins is the cutest theme! I love it!
Happy Birthday!
I totally went overboard with my daughter’s first birthday party (and the two after that!). For her first, we went with a vintage floral theme. We had around 40 people, including her friends from daycare and our Mommy Group people, in addition to our large family. Second birthday was Jake and the Neverland Pirates, this last one was ALL PRINCESS. I love throwing parties (well, planning them… my poor husband does all the work – cooking, cleaning, etc…)
Happy Birthday Julie! I hope you have a great day 🙂
Happy Birthday Julie!! I hope you get lots of love from your boys and Sadie today!!!
It’s never to early to plan a b-day party! 🙂 My daughter will be 1 on July 6th and I already ordered her invites and started DIYing a bunch of decorations – a cupcake theme for our little cupcake!
PS – Happy birthday to you!!!
Cheese and plenty of sugar in one food? Sign me up 🙂 🙂 Happy birthday!
Happy Birthday!
I’m so glad you mentioned breastfeeding hunger because mine has been out of control lately. I thought something was wrong with me until the doctor said that growth spurts could cause her to eat more and then me to eat more. It is so crazy how our bodies work.
I love the Sunshine theme. That song is very sentimental to me because it is one that I remember my great-grandmother singing to me and it has been passed down through the generations. Now I sing it to my little girl. I never really thought about the words until I started singing it to my daughter. Now I know why my mom used to cry!
Hey Julie, first off Happy Birthday!! I hope it’s a great one 🙂 As for birthday themes, I definitely think the 1st year is more for the adults. I felt the same way organizing my daughters 1st, t may sound strange to some, but that is the one year you are in total control of the theme so it’s okay to make it exactly what you want.. I did an extremely super girly and delicate looking pink and gold theme for my daughter and loved it. A quick Pinterest search will give you basically what it looked like (that’s where all my ideas came from). It’s not too early to start thinking about it because it will be here before you know it! Good luck and enjoy your birthday!!
I’ve seen some pink and gold first bday decorations on Pinterest for a little girl’s bday and they’re gorgeous!!
Happy Birthday Julie!! I can’t believe you all are already coming up on Chase’s first birthday! I have loved following your journey and just think you all are the cutest.
Happy birthday!! I love that your husband got you a deep fryer for your birthday!
My son won’t be 1 til August and I’ve been planning his birthday for months now, so you’re not alone! We’re going with a T-Rex theme because at his first ultrasound it looked like he had little stub arms due to the way he was facing, and that’s been his nickname ever since. I’m so excited to do a smash cake! Love the “you are my sunshine” idea also! Happy birthday by the way!
Happy birthday!! And you are not crazy, I was thinking about Ellie’s birthday starting when she was 6 months old. I didn’t start planning right away, just started browsing Pinterest for ideas. Same thing is happening now that she’s 18 months – I’m browsing for her 2nd birthday! My friend and I came up with a “milk and cookies” theme, which I thought was unique, but of course it’s not lol.
I’ve never heard of a milk and cookies theme! I give her all the credit! 🙂
Happy Birthday, Julie! Hope it’s a great one especially since it’s your first with Chase! My baby boy just turned 1 (how?????) and we did an animal theme- super original- haha- but he loves animals right now and making animals noises so it felt appropriate.Also I had the same teeth experience and it happened righ around Halloween and my babe had fangs only for the holiday. And finally I skip You Are My Sunshine on Oliver’s Pandora playlist bc I cry whenever I hear it. Enjoy your day!!!
The baby fangs crack me up! He’s our little vampire right now!
Happy, Happy Birthday!!!!! Hope you have a fantastic day!!
Happy Birthday! I hope you have a wonderful day!
Happy Birthday Julie!!! I just want to say I diiiiiie over your snapchat videos of Chase. I cannot handle the cuteness!
You are so sweet! Thank you! He’s my favorite little guy to video/photograph!
Happy Birthday, Julie!
The You Are My Sunshine theme is so cute. My friend just made some awesome cookies for the same theme – https://instagram.com/p/BEqfBEAlG8k/ (She ships! :)).
My son turns 1 in November. I love the lumber jack theme and the dinosaur theme! My husband and I have a random obsession with raccoons so we may do a woodland theme.
Hope you have a great birthday!
Happy Birthday!!! Okay, don’t take this the wrong way because it’s totally a compliment, but I thought you were more like 26/27! Maybe it’s because you always have this youthful smile/look on your face 🙂 And you clearly must take very good care of yourself 🙂 I LOVE that cake, I think I’ve even pinned it myself, but I always wonder….will it really turn out lol? I don’t understand how you get the sprinkles everywhere but the number haha. I love the dinosaur idea. Someday he’d be like, “did I even like dinosaurs?!” And you’d have to be like, “no, you just were a little dinosaur” haha.
xx – MorningApple
I’m officially at the age where I absolutely take that as a compliment! Thank you! 🙂 Also, I actually DID try that cake before and it turned out looking like a hot mess. I may need to practice a few times before the big bday party if I want to use it for his main cake!
Happy Happy Birthday, Julie. My son is almost 8 months old and, like you, I am already starting to think about his first birthday celebration. We are going to do a small get together with family. The “you are my sunshine” theme is really cute, especially for a summer baby. My son already has two bottom teeth and now has three of his top teeth coming in. It definitely explains the constant drooling, fussiness, and skipped naps. 🙂
Happy Birthday!! I hope you have the best day ever!
xo, Kristina
Happy birthday to you!!
Happy Birthday!!
identical cakes, big one for the guests and a small on for the baby. let them dive in face first!
Happy Birthday Julie!!
That pic of Chase on his tummy is sooo cute!
Happy Birthday!!
For my cousin whose name is blake we threw a 4th Blakey party. Locked chests filled with candy kids had to find matching key.
CHocolate key molds. Cute theme!
Also for his brothers 2nd bday we did ocean animals; crabs, lobsters, clams, etc…
Happy Birthday, Julie! I hope you have a fantastic day! My birthday is next weekend (5/7) and I plan on having strawberry shortcake instead of regular cake. It’s your day, do your thing!
And don’t feel crazy about planning Chase’s birthday now. One of my friends started planning for her little boy’s first birthday when he was 6 months old. 😉
Happy birthday Julie! Hope you have an awesome day 🙂
Happy Birthday! We did a music theme for my son’s first birthday party since he loooves “dancing” and listening to music. We got a cake decorated with music notes, some music themed decorations and his grandmother got him some music note shoes. It was very cute!
Happiest of birthdays to you, Julie! We are April birthday twins (mine was the 18th)! My daughter is 18 months old, and we did a You Are My Sunshine themed party for her first birthday. Like you, I have sung that song to her since she was born, and I thought it was the perfect theme. So I am excited that you are doing this theme too, and I cannot wait to see pics on how it turns out! One of my favorite themed kids party I have been too was an airplane/travel theme party that was actually held in a hanger at an airport. It was really cool, and it was something I hadn’t seen before.