Elijah's "pre" 1st birthday parties!

We were SO BLESSED to have both of our families throw Elijah 1st birthday parties before we left! It is such a big day in a kids life (and in the family's life), one that should be spent with lots of loved ones. And what a lucky kid, he started celebrating his birthday more than a month before it got here, and had a total of 3 birthday parties! I think he's loved, just a little bit ;)

The first party was thrown my dear SIL Shawnie and my Bubba (and I can't forget to mention that Kayleigh made beautiful placecards for everyone attending, in the shape of party hats!) I also have to tell some background to this party, because it just almost didn't happen. Daniel, Elijah and I were staying with my parents, and earlier that week a monster of a stomach bug attacked the house. First it got Elijah, and then a couple of days later it got my Dad and Daniel. It was a horribly contagious bug, but somehow Mom and I managed to stay healthy. At the time though, we didn't know if we were going to get it, so we had thought it best not to have the party so as not to spread the yuckiness, but then I asked if we could still have it if only the healthy ones came. OH, I FORGOT TO TELL YOU...I didn't know it was a party for Elijah. I thought it was just a family get together, which was still very very important to me because we were leaving the next day to go to Austin, and then were leaving the country the next week! So this was the last family get together I was going to be a part of for a while, and I wasn't going to let this stinkin' stomach bug stop it. So, all the healthy ones came, and I was so blessed when I showed up and it was a birthday party for my baby!

The table. Shawn is SUCH an incredible hostess. She throws the best parties. She made Awesome Punch and a birthday cake that looked like an oreo cookie. I sure wish I had that in the picture!

Elijah's birthday bib and hat. I love it!!!!! That hat stayed on for about 1/5 of a second, good job to whoever took the picture

Elijah riding on cousin Ethans toy. Looks like he's having fun! I could just squeeze him he's so cute.

Attempting the cake...it was a no go. My kid will eat broccoli but not cake. That is a good thing everytime except for birthdays! :)

Bubba, Shawnie, Elijah and me


These next pictures are from Elijah's birthday party with Daniel's family in Austin. We first went to eat at Fish Daddy's, where Kristen helped give Elijah his first taste of lemon...

...not sure exactly what that face means, but he went back for more!

David and Kristen gave Elijah his first ball (his daddy was so glad it was a basketball!)

Blowing out the candle in the banana pudding...

The first taste...and the banana pudding was also a no-go.

***UPDATE*** Elijah tried banana pudding again just last night and he LOVED it!! So next time we see you Jerry Lynn he will gobble up your banana pudding!

Family photo. I sure do love those boys with all my heart.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to our families for blessing us so much!!

Ok, don't fear, there is still more birthday posting to come! I've got to go clean the kitchen now, but later will come a post about yesterday!!