It is bittersweet watching your babies grow up. You want to hold them in your arms forever so you can protect them in life. BUT if they remained babies, we would miss out on learning who they are: their likes, dislikes, their giggles and who they would become.
My daughter has grown up faster then my other two children. She learns so much through her brother and sister. Her vocabulary is already extensive and for what she cannot verbalize, she makes up with her fierce personality. She is our little “firecracker” and quite fitting as her due date was on my birthday, a day shy of the 4th. Gabriella came two weeks early. My daughter already claimed that she would be in charge. Gabby speaks her mind even at one years old. She will straighten her entire body and yell to demand attention. With there being two other kids, she thinks if she doesn’t make herself known, she will get left behind. She makes her presence quite known and has the most contagious laugh, love for music and smile that could light a room. Gabby is the happiest little girl.
She wakes up in the morning and from her naps and by smiling. Since 6 months of age, she has bobbed her entire body to music. Now, as soon as a song comes on or even if the phone rings, she dances. All she wants is attention and love. She has an incredible vocabulary and will scream your name to get your attention. She is a lot like her sister with her independence, love for food and fierce attitude and a lot like her brother with her affection, appearance and big heart.
I usually have all of my kids parties planned months in advance. It was much harder for me to plan her birthday. After scrolling through Instagram, it was only fitting that a One Sweet Peach birthday party was the perfect theme for my baby girl. While we kept the party to only immediate family, we had friends line the street to watch her blow out her candles. We did have a welcome and stats sign made by Authentic Love Designs.
We started the day with a family breakfast. We had ice cream emergency come, a local ice cream company that delivers ice cream and toppings. In the afternoon, my good friend came over to take her one year photos. She was all smiles and loved her cake and opening her gifts. We had some time together, just her and I. I showed her all the decorations and told her a million times how lucky I was to be her mom. When she was in her high chair, she actually grabbed one of the peach pies that was on the dessert table. She absolutely loved it. Of course I let her have it and she enjoyed it.
Decor
The One Sweet Peach First Birthday party was designed and implemented by me, Living with Amanda
Photography by Kitti Schwab Photography
Polaroid Photos on Wooden Ladder
Welcome Sign
Peach Picks in Favors
One Sweet Peach Invitations
Birth Stat, Welcome Sign & Gift Table Sign
Peach Pie Favor Labels
Peach Pinata (from the paper mache to the paper peach strands – every inch was made by me)
Peach Flag on the Playhouse: Made by her Great Grandma
All of the decor that was used was from small shops and local companies. I love supporting small businesses as I have one myself and I know how difficult this time is for everyone. I could not have been more happy with how everything turned out. The cookies, from Royally Iced Sweets were absolute perfection as was her peach outfit, both for her one year smash cake and for her first birthday party.
I wanted to put a new twist on using her monthly photos with a wooden ladder collage. I put all her special photos together throughout her first year. She loves looking at photos and pointed to them, which was so special. The photos are from Pro Digital Photos.
Food and Sweets
Sweet Peach Cake
Smash Cake
One Sweet Peach cookies
Mini “Favor” Pies packaged in a pie box with peach ribbon
Cupcakes with Fondant Peach Toppers
Peach Candy
Fizz Drinks
Attire
Cake Smash: One Sweet Peach onesie with Skirt
Felt Peach Headband
First Birthday: Peach dress with bloomers
Bow Moccs
Earrings
My Peach Floral Dress
Drive-by Parade
A drive-by parade is a great way to show support and love to the birthday boy/girl. We loved still having friends present even if they couldn’t be in the same area of our sweet girl. They were still able to see her blow out her candles and wish her a happy birthday.
Birthday Gift
A house completely customized and painted by her mama.
House
Bell
Door Knob
Topiary
Flag (Made by her great-grandma and graphic made by me)
Doormat
Metal Number One
Floor Tiles
Thank you
My little peach really had the best birthday, surrounded around family (near and far). Her big brother and sister couldn’t have been more happy to help her celebrate and blow out her candles. I hope that she dances through life just as she has through her first year. She really has brought so much light and joy into our lives. Happy Birthday Gabby! We love you so much.
We truly want to thank everyone who was a part of her special day. It means so much to me to have my kids surrounded by people that love them on their birthday’s. They may not understand it at the moment, but these photographs will last a lifetime and it definitely makes my heart happy.
