First Birthday Party

Tyler's First Birthday PartyDo I have to have a hat?

I don't need a hat!

Last Saturday we celebrated Tyler's first birthday with a party. What a great celebration we had. The theme was barnyard/farm. We chose this because it what his nursery has been decorated as since he was born and it just seemed appropriate. We ordered 25 barnyard invitations and sent them all out. I never thought I would have had a guest list pushing 50 people for a first birthday, but it happened! We ended up having 26 family and friends here for the celebration!

Grandma Betsy
Grandpa John
Grandpa Jerry and Grandma Judy
Great-Grandpa Elton and Mongo (Great-Grandma Elaine was there in spirit! We miss you!)
Rose, Tom, Mongo and Grandpa Jerry
Great-Grandpa Ocky and Lila
Kisses from Great-Aunt Mollie
Uncle Matt
Cousin Chance

Showing Emma where the toys are! Follow me!!!
More play time with Emma! We're playing with my new phone!
My buddy Keaton and Ashlea

About two weeks before the party I went to a local bakery to order a barnyard/farm cake. Upon walking in I was asked what date we needed the cake for and was told that they were booked. I was shocked! All I wanted was a cake. I was referred to another bakery and got the same answer there. I went to a third bakery in town and was quoted $285 for a two tiered round cake for 30 people. WHAT? That's more than our wedding cake was! So I began searching for other bakeries nearby that might be able to create something special for a reasonable price. I ended up ordering a cake from Becker's Bakery in Manhattan Beach. Yes, I drove an hour each way for my child's first birthday cake and I wouldn't change a thing! Like I said, I went crazy with his first birthday.

The cake I drove an hour for!

Another look!

So my parents, Tyler and I drove down on Friday. We had a nice lunch at a little cafe that looked out at the ocean and then picked up the cake. We gave Tyler a mini cupcake in his stroller as a preview of what's to come. He loved it!

Trial mini-cupcake on Friday

Smash cake before
Even Mongo wanted a part of that cake!
Look Mom - a cake!!!
Ready to attack!
Diving in!
Yum!
Delicious!
Too much fun!
Sharing with cousin Chance.
Smash cake after!

Back to the party - we decided to have Mexican food since it is Tyler's favorite. You've never seen a child eat black beans the way Tyler does! We ordered them from his favorite place, Chronic Tacos. Collin cooked 16 lbs. of carne asada from Vallarta market. We had a TON of food, but it was all very tasty! (I'll have to find some pictures of the table. I'm sure someone took some!)

We also had a bounce house in the backyard thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Schoenfeld! What a fun birthday gift. (Again, I know we have video but do we have pictures? I'll have to ask around!)

Tyler was so lucky to celebrate his day with so many friends and family. He even got to meet his Great-Grandfather Ocky for the first time. All in all, a great, great day celebrating the joy he has brought to our lives!

Four generations of Schoenfeld boys!

Everyone crashed that night. The next morning Tyler, Collin, my parents, and Collin's parents were headed to Disneyland. Here is how we looked that next morning!

The morning after - Tyler and Aunt Emily

Trying to get both boys to take a picture together the morning after. The best we got!

12 Month Update

We visited the pediatrician today and got the latest stats! Dr. Yen says we have our hands full with our little man. He was showing off his ability to not sit still for long in the office. He did well with his shots too! Here are the latest stats:

Height - 29 inches - 23rd percentile
Weight - 20 pounds - 10th percentile
Head - 18 inches - 66th percentile

So we have the perfect little man - big head, little body and doesn't take after his parents other than their height!

Tyler Turns One! (Updated version)

Birthday boy!
On Wednesday, Tyler turned one! It is so amazing that a year ago I was lying in that hospital preparing for his arrival! Collin took the day off and we had a wonderful day together.

We started the morning in the typical Dodds fashion - lemon cake for breakfast! He LOVED the lemon cake. Daddy then gave him two shamrock sugar cookies! Talk about sugar overload!

Hurry Mommy!

Yum!

Please don't bother me, I'm eating!

Oh, Mommy!
Daddy's nose! Honk, honk!
Sugar, sugar, sugar!

Tyler then opened his first present for the day! It was a fun phone from Patti and Doug (family friends)! He loved it and already pulls it all over the house.
We then got dressed in our birthday outfit and headed to Mission Viejo to meet Collin's best friend Jeff, his wife Abby and their one year old Wes for lunch and play time at an indoor playground. What a great way to spend the day!

The toddler section! Fun with giant blocks!!!
The boys at the bead table!

Climbing the steps to be with Daddy and Wes!
Birthday boy found some balls to play with! Of course!!!
Big slide with Daddy!

His birthday lunch was at Islands which is kind of appropriate since that is where Collin and I went on our first date! He had his favorite black beans, some yogurt, cheese, lil crunchies and then finished off with an ice cream sundae! He and Wes had fun watching each other eat and stealing from one another's placemats!

Wes and Tyler - watching each other eat!

Ice cream sundae!

Ergo Baby Carrier Update

We love our Ergo Baby!
I know how much Collin loves opening new things, so I saved it until he got home from his business trip all week. He immediately pulled it out and decided it was time to take it for a spin. They both seem so comfortable.
Tyler had fun riding on Daddy's back! I used the Ergo the next day at the Kids Consignment Sale. Tyler loved cuddling and enjoyed playing with my necklace the whole time I shopped!