One whole year!

Last week marked the first birthday of my daughter Molly. I find myself in a state of disbelief at how quickly that year has gone by. Where on earth did the time go?! She is no longer my teeny tiny baby, but well and truly a toddler, and one with a whole lot of personality.

The bunting my grandmother and I made.

I had such a party planned for wee Molly. I made birthday bunting with my grandmother out of gorgeous materials which can be used every year. I made traditional Yugoslav shortbread and slices with my grandma. My mother and I bought a load of food including party pies and sausage rolls and we even made mini hot dogs. But the pièce de résistance was the birthday cake. I had talked it up so much and the pressure of having to deliver was weighing deeply on me. I made Molly a Little Miss Giggles cake with a velvet cake inside but instead of being red it was rainbow...and it turned out beautifully! I was so proud of myself. So Molly had a brilliant birthday party, however she was intent on not enjoying it.

Little Miss Giggles cake.

A combination of teething, still being unwell, separation anxiety and too many people made my little cherub a very upset 1 year old. She couldn't bear to be apart from me and cried every time I tried to put her down. She fell asleep on her daddy when we were going to do cake, and as my nieces and nephew had another party to attend we had to take photos with the cake whilst she slept peacefully in daddy's arms, completely oblivious (she'll never live this down hahaha).

Rainbow cake!

So the party ended and later some friends dropped by as they were not able to make it earlier. Molly had changed back to her normal bubbly and happy self and was having loads of fun playing and giving away loads of smiles. I couldn't believe it! Where was this happy child just a couple of hours beforehand? She certainly keeps me on my feet.

The birthday girl.

After being completely spoiled and having some really awful tantrums, my little girl had her first birthday party. I organized a time capsule and asked all our guests to write Molly a letter. This will be opened on her 18th birthday, so we are in for a very interesting birthday party in 2028, but that's a world away for now.