A year ago, I was folding up tiny pink things and taking scary self-portraits:
Time is funny. With Maddie’s death and my pregnancy with Annie, each day felt like an eternity. And yet, here I am 360 days after Annie’s birth, and I can’t believe it’s been a year. It feels longer, and it feels much, much shorter.
We’ve been working on Annie’s birthday party plans. It’s hard for me not to go overboard. I want her to look back at the pictures and video and think, “WOW! Look at that celebration for me!” And of course, the rational part of me knows that it doesn’t matter how many people sing her happy birthday or eat cake, but I can’t help it.
Selfishly, it’s more than just a celebration for Annie’s birthday. It’s a celebration that our little family made it through a year. We’ve managed to live and go on even if we aren’t intact.
Annabel has given us more smiles and laughs in a year than I thought I’d have in my lifetime. And we are giving her…a party.
So yeah…it’s hard for me to not go overboard.
Megan says:
Best belly shot ever!
Enjoy Annie’s birthday celebration, she looks like a party animal, I’m sure she’ll love it.
xxx
Vic says:
And in turn, you guys have given the world some meaning and humanity. Sending you all lots of love and hugs from a rather wet and soggy land of Australia
Gayathri says:
A very happy birthday to your little princess.And many many ..many hugs to all of you
Audra says:
You deserve to go as overboard as you want to. A first birthday party is as much of a party for Mama and Daddy as it is for the birthday girl. But I am curious…what’s the theme?
Jenn says:
You know what Sweetue? You should absolutedly have a double party to celebrate Annie’s year but also your year. You’re right…you DID make it thru the worse year of your life! You and Mike (plus the people who were also in the room, I’m not sure who) survived living through the horrors that had unfolded that day in PERSON when you describe it to us, a munch of stranger friends break down.
Yes, you go and celebrate my friend. If I have an invite and the $ to join you, you KNOW, I WOULD.
My Best!!!
Love to all,
Jenn xo
Jennifer says:
Oh, I think you’ve given her a wee bit more than a party.
Jenny says:
I also throw big birthday parties. I love the planning, the excitement in my son’s face, the whole shebang. Party shamelessly. Let that overboard flag fly high.
edenland says:
I would *NEVER* say that the belly shot above is seriously freaky, because that would be rude.
I WILL say, that your family is a testament of resilience, honesty, and truth.
In the American way.
And I love you.
xox
Mary Ann says:
You deserve to have the best 1st bithday party ever. I can’t believe a year has flown by. Annie Spohr I hope you feel the love we all feel for you – I can’t wait to hear about the party.
Lynn from For Love or Funny says:
Go crazy! This is worth celebrating!
Karen D says:
Your ending lines made me think of Billy Collins’ poem “The Lanyard”. You might enjoy it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EjB7rB3sWc&NR=1
The gist:
Don’t worry. You’re giving Annie more than a party.
Sue says:
You most certainly deserve to go overboard as much as you want to, Heather!!!! It really isn’t just a celebration of Annie’s first year,,,,like you said,,,,,,,,,,,,,it’s a celebration of all that you have become as a family this past year!!!! May Annie bring you even more smiles and laughs, in her second year, than she did in her first year! But, I have a feeling that your going to have to lace up your running shoes, Mama!
Heather says:
Go overboard, go way, way overboard.
She’s only one once and you guys have made it through some incredibly difficult days. You all deserve this celebration.
keri says:
Happy Birthday Annie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Leigh Elliott says:
another vote for “go overboard!” Have FUN and ENJOY this wonderful milestone.
catherine lucas says:
Man, the eye…. the eye. Relax, it’s her first birthday… It’s not like she will remember it. Grin. You can go overboard when she hits 16 or 18…
One year old babies don’t in fact need the party, it’s the parents… Which is OK, grin, go slow and steady. There will be a lot more to come! ;o))))
Lisa says:
Wow, that belly shot!
Go over board, you are entitled to it. Like you said, you guys made it. This party is about Annie and for Annie, but also for you guys.
maggie says:
GO OVERBOARD!!!!!!!! You will never regret going overboard so just do it.
Oh and that belly shot, is that for real? I love it!
Beth says:
That belly shot is a crazy, amazing photo. Weird to think one year ago, that was Annie.
I am thinking, wow, as a reader I remember when Annie was born. Time does fly.
Enjoy each moment and she and you deserve a perfect birthday party!!
Tamara says:
GO OVERBOARD. You all deserve it.
Jeannine says:
Go overboard! Celebrate your beautiful little girl and the fact that you’ve made it. You guys are amazing =)
Happy Birthday Annie!
Jen says:
Go as over board as you want! You deserve to celebrate! I can’t wait to see all the pictures
Shirley L says:
You deserve to go big!!!! So do it and enjoy and be happy
LisaJ says:
1. That belly shot is wiiiiiiiiiiild!
2. There is just no such thing as “overboard” for a first birthday. Especially Annie Spohr’s.
Seriously…1st birthdays are something to be overboard on for sure.
kbreints says:
Go as overboard as you please. 1st birthday is such a huge celebration… and you have a beautiful family to celebrate!
Sarah R says:
That pic is all kinds of cool.
Happy first birthday, Annie! Go all out and celebrate.
Elizabeth says:
I can’t believe she’s going to be one soon! And go overboard, you guys deserve it!
amourningmom says:
Birthdays should definitely be celebrated – I vote for overboard too!
It is not selfish at all that you are celebrating for your family making it through a year. Take care and have fun!
P.S. You are so right about time being tricky.
MyBabyBeluga says:
Happy Birthday Annie! Go Bananas!
Rachel says:
I now know what my six year old saw whenever I walked towards her while pregnant.
Scary.
Michele Wallace says:
1 already good god! You deserve to give the Bash of the Century if you wish! Your family has had a
L
O
N
G
year!
Enjoy your planning – can’t wait to see pics.
Liz says:
Happy Birthday, Annie! And congratulations to you all. I think you should take every possible opportunity to celebrate.
AngieM says:
can’t believe how fast a year has gone by. i’ve enjoyed so much watching little miss annie grow.
Glenda says:
Go overboard! You all deserve it! Can’t wait to see pictures. Happy birthday Annabel.
Elle says:
I can’t believe Binky will be a year old.
Tara. says:
OK, that belly pic. Wow! I don’t remember seeing that before!
I can’t believe it’s been a year either. Live it up! You all deserve a party and a celebration! Can’t wait to see pictures!
Miss MVK says:
I’m laughing because I just wrote a blog entry about the very same. I threw Piglet’s 3rd birthday party last weekend and I always, always go overboard. But I do it for the same reason as you — so when they look back, they can say “our mom threw the BEST birthday parties!” Happy Birthday to Annie!
From Your Friends in Portland
Jen says:
Not only did you make it through the year, you made it through the year with a super cute baby to show for it! Enjoy the celebrations!
Jamie says:
Oy, that belly.
I think if a huge birthday party makes you happy, you should go for it! Can’t wait to see pictures!
Karen says:
You have at least 360 reasons to really whoop it up Spohr style! Which means we can’t wait to see the pictures and the video reports from Annie, Bampa, and Rigby :0)
Bouncehouse all the way, yo!
Kelly says:
Birthday parties have always been a big deal to me! But I know my life experiences have incredibly influenced that… my brother died at the age of nine due to leukemia. We always celebrated birthdays and to think he never saw a 10th birthday is terrible. Then my own dear son was born with a lung mass and subsequently had lung surgery to remove his lower left lobe. In the beginning I always felt we were living on borrowed time… waiting for that shoe to drop. At six and a half he’s doing beautifully. He does get sick a bit more often than his peers, has had pneumonia more than I’d like him to have, but each year is a gift and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE celebrating another year!
This year however, I’ve vowed to not have a huge party to appease my husband. Instead we’re already carving out really fun plans for our little family for a memorable weekend together. We’ll be exhausted, but we will have a great time! Following his birthday we’ll still have a small get togehter for him with some of his friends…
Happy Planning!!! I’m sure you have the most wonderful ideas already underway, but I recently saw on a blog about a Uno themed first birthday party… it was too cute!
Kelly in St. Louis
Neeroc says:
Birthday parties require celebration. Girlie parties are big celebrations. 1st year parties need to be a bash, and for Annie? You all deserve over the top. And don’t forget sparkles.
Also? Feel free to adopt my family’s birthday week tradition. I’m currently trying to stretch it to a birthday month affair…
Nancy Smego says:
Heather/Mike/Maddie and Annie:
Your family is most definitely intact. Maybe not in the traditional sense, or the way it absolutely should be, but it is in the most important way, and that’s in your heart. Maddie will be cheering Annie on as she blows out that candle and she will live forever in all of your hearts. CELEBRATE! And congrats on getting through what I can only imagine has been the most bitter sweet year. Hang in there – Maddie wouldn’t want it any other way!
Rebecca says:
Oohhh Maybe you can put up a linky and everyone who has a birthday party for Annie on their website can submit a photo of the party through the linky?
Happy Birthday Annie!!!
Anna says:
I love, love, LOVE that picture of your belly. I have never seen a more perfect looking pregnant belly.
I can’t even begin to fathom what the last year has been like for you and Mike. You have had the most extreme sadness and extreme happiness. What a roller coaster.
Happy Birthday Annabel:)
Amy M says:
My thought too on the belly! So perfectly round
I look forward to hearing about the Birthday Extravaganza!!
gemini-Girl says:
how i wish i could be there to celebrate. go overboard. have yummy cake and dance. love you all.
gillian says:
Go Big or Go Home..hahahaha
Sally says:
I absolutely understand, and did exactly the same thing for our son’s first birthday in November. It was a celebration that we’d made it through and a huge party to make up for the fact we never got to throw a party for our daughter who is no longer with us.
xo
Mommy Boots says:
I cannot believe it’s almost been a year. Annie’s birthday is two days after my Nellie’s. I’m having a hard time wrapping my brain around the fact that my daughter’s birthday is a mere 3 days away. Even though Nellie isn’t walking yet, I am the parent of a toddler.
And you have every right & reason to go overboard. Go nuts! I can’t wait to see pictures. Happy 1 year to our babes!
Kristin says:
I completely understand your urge to celebrate in a grand fashion! Happy 1st Birthday to your beautiful Annie.
Alison says:
I love that belly shot. I took so many, especially with my surrogate pregnancies. I wish I had taken even more with my own babies, though.
Happy 1st Birthday (on the 22nd), Annie! Happy BIRTHday to you, Heather.
Kate The Great says:
I’m so glad you’re taking this attitude. Live with no regrets!
Dianna says:
Party on!
Dianna in Austin
Andrea says:
Go BIG!!! Do it. Hell, hire a private chef to cater the dang thing with a huge name rock band playing in your living room. Your family has earned it! I hope that your sweet baby girl has a great day no matter how to celebrate.
Charlane says:
GO BIG! YOU ALL DESERVE IT!!
Kristin (MamaKK922) says:
Like I said on the picture I am SO excited for Annie’s birthday week!!! But wow I can not believe how time has flown. I remember last year this time waiting with baited breath for Binky’s arrival. And now it’s 360 days later and she is so gorgeous. And she has brought so many smiles to my face I can’t even imagine the joy and smiles she has brought to yours.
Kristin (MamaKK922) says:
OH yeah and Go BIG! You all deserve this party. Go ALL out!!
Jean says:
Happy Birthday to sweet Annie!!!
Nikki says:
I feel like I’m just as excited about Annie’s birthday as I am for my own! Wowsers. You Spohrs make some special babies, that’s for sure!
Go for the party. It’s more than a party for you and it’s more than a party for her. Celebrate, enjoy and go overboard!!!!
XOXO from GA,
Nikki
Dawn @ What's Around the Next Bend? says:
I *LOVE* that belly pic!
Yes! Party on Spohrs! Party on!
sherene says:
Happy Birthday Baby girl!!. Let’s celebrate.:))
AmazingGreis says:
Well, you know, she’ll only turn 1 ONCE!!! Can’t believe it’s been a year, wow. Also, that belly shot is priceless!!
Kellee R Pigeon says:
I’m very proud to share a birth date with such a sweet little thing that has brought everyone such laughter and joy.
monica says:
Go all out! It’s been a great year of ups/downs and I say why not celebrate that gorgeous little doll of yours. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching that little face grow and blossom. Seeing her face puts a smile on mine.
Alicia says:
That belly scares and confuses me.
Heather B. says:
I totally forgot about that belly shot. So, you know, thanks for the birth control, my dear!
Lisa says:
She’ll only have a first birthday once — go all out!