Baby Baker Friday - My Baby Turns One

So as you know, I decided that Friday's on the blog would now be dedicated to either my pregnancy stages or my status of being a Mum.

I know it's not something everyone wants to read about but it is something that I really wanted to do - so I'm doing it - after all, being pregnant and having a beautiful new baby is a huge thing to be happening in my life and I really wanted to share bits and pieces of what is going on amongst these pages.

So here we go

~ Baby Baker Friday ~

Here comes that age old saying...are you ready...

"Doesn't time fly when you're having fun"

And do you know what that is so true - this past year has been so amazingly awesome it feels as though it has been and gone in the blink of an eye.

Seriously, sometimes I sit back and can't even comprehend how my tiny little 6lb 12 1/2 oz newborn doll is now a (still tiny!) 18lb 11oz one year old.

It's madness and sometimes I wish I could just pop back and revisit all of the days that have passed, just so I can take another look at her teeny tiny face.

But one...one whole year old...wow.

We decided we wouldn't bother with any kind of party this year - we did have a play-gym party for Charlie's first birthday but there was no point with Willow really - there are no family members or friends with kiddies at a similar age to her at the moment and we know there's going to be plenty of lavish parties in the coming years to enjoy - plus I'm sure she didn't mind (didn't have a clue!) missing this one.

We decided a nice, chilled out day at home was the way to go, and it was, it was brill.

Some family members popped in to see Willow and they all made a bit of a fuss of her, which was lovely...until we sang Happy Birthday of course...and then she cried.

(that's one video clip to be archived for her 18th right there!)

And anyway, who needs a party when you have a cake smash shoot to enjoy...

I decided - after a bit of coaxing from some friends - that I would give the shoot a go myself and I was actually a little bit nervous at first, but we soon got into it and it was so much fun.

I bought all of my birthday bits and pieces from yet more fantastic little Instagram shops - I just love them all far too much.

The fabulous Ginger & Spice made all of the mega bright decorative props that I needed for the shoot.

They really made the photographs work perfectly and then when matched with the amazingly bright cupcake cake the result was really striking and just brilliant (if I do say so myself!)...

I really wanted to keep Willow's actual outfit quite simple, plain and unfussy for the smash shoot to counteract all of the rainbow bright colours everywhere, so I opted for a cream and gold tutu, some pearls, a mini gold crown clip and a gold and pearl wand...

And didn't she look just incredible?!

And the cake - well - how fabulous was that?!

It was actually made by an old high school bestie of mine - she and her sister are amazingly talented - who works at a local to me cake shop, The Cake Emporium

And yes, it tasted as good as it looked too.

(hence my refusal to go to Slimming World that week)

But then for the actual big birthday day, well, we just mooched about in our PJs for most of the morning - which was fabulous - and then Willow donned her birthday outfit...

A peachy, pink and gold themed number.

And obviously her birthday crown had to be bigger than the cake smash one - isn't it just stunning - it sparkles so beautifully and is really well made too.

Pretty Bow Baby made it for me - I decided not to opt for an number on the front of it because now I can use it for all of her other birthdays too...well, the ones she will let me get away with putting it on at least.

I then had a tutu made by TinkyWinks Boutique to match the colours of the crown...

...and the "One" t-shirt was made by the fabulous Primrose and Bear which completed the look perfectly...

Oh...

...and there was another Cake Emporium cake too...

Well you're only one once ya know - what's wrong with having two cakes!?

I've absolutely loved the past year so much - we all have as a family - and I can't wait to see how my cheeky little diva develops and blossoms over the next year.

But no wishing time away - I shall enjoy every passing moment, one day at a time