one!

finn's first birthday was on saturday!

i mentioned before (in the post about his invitations) that we aren't into the whole big first birthday party trend, so we kept it low key.  the grandparents came over, finn's great grandma nan, and billy's two sisters with some of their family.  we wrote firm "no gift" instructions on his invitations, and everyone brought him a present.  tsk tsk!

we had a little lunch time party and decide to lay out a spread of finn approved foods.  we had mini peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, mini chicken salad sandwiches, fruit salad, chips, deviled eggs, and a veggie tray.  finn loves all of these foods.  i also made cupcakes, but finn didn't care too much about his.  we had birch beer for the cousins and bloodys and mimosas for the grown ups.  they seemed to be a hit.

finn was extremely disinterested and slightly overwhelmed with all of the food and family.   for this reason i'm glad we didn't have more friends over.  he was pretty glassy eyed throughout much of his party, and spent half the time playing by himself in the great room, away from the crowd, while i chatted with his cousin christopher.  it was only after everyone left that he seemed to come around.  he opened exactly one present, and ate exactly one bite of cupcake, each while looking at me like "can i be done now?" something tells me he'll get better at this birthday thing with practice ;)

i think i aided to his birthday distaste by not blowing his birthday candle out for him in time, so he took matters into his own hands.  literally.  i think the collective gasp surrounded by everyone's look of horror was just as terrifying to him as his burning finger, but regardless it put a little damper on his spirits.  (his finger was fine, and after a little breather outside he was too).  once most everyone left and he was feeling better, he did grace us with his first steps.  a fun milestone for a first birthday party.  he took three or four steps on his own a few times.  the first time he did it on accident, walking from his grandma towards me.  i don't think he realized what he was doing.  after that he did it with prompting.  both sets of grandparents got to see it, and they were just tickled.

our friends dave and lauren came by to wish finn a happy birthday too, and fortunately for us dave is an excellent photographer.  he snapped some great shots of finn's special day. i can't wait to share those later this week.  in the meantime, here are some iphone shots for you to enjoy.

the obligatory homemade birthday banner.

book balloon weights.

lay one on me!

carnations, mums, and pom poms.  inexpensive, underrated.

proud.

fun colors.

sleepy.

kitchen.

favors.

birthday boy.

we love you, sweet finn baby.  happy birthday!