We celebrated Madison’s first birthday a week early. We were already down in south Florida to celebrate our best friend’s wedding so I went ahead and planned her first birthday party to be that Sunday. That way Gary could be there to celebrate as he was flying out Sunday night to head back home. Michelle, Madison, Jax and I plan on staying a little bit longer before heading back.

Madison officially turns ONE this Sunday!

I still can’t believe she is one. It feels just like yesterday I was on the way to the hospital filled with excitement and some nerves.

She was once just 6lbs 12oz now  she is over 20 pounds and growing.

I loved every moment this past year watching her grow up.

Celebrating daughter’s first birthday

Sunday morning came and we left the wedding celebration to come back home to get things ready for the party.  My oldest sister and mom already put up all the decorations. All that was left to do was make a few quiches and desserts. We made 3 different kinds of quiches.

Desserts were our flourless peanut butter chocolate chip blondies, gluten-free sugar cookies (a recipe that we got off pinterest and our favorite vanilla cupcakes (we used tigernut flour instead of nut meal).

We used those cupcakes to also make Madison’s smash cake.

It wasn’t your traditional smash cake with a lot of frosting. Instead it was more cake with a little frosting. I knew I wanted a cake that was simple to make and had a few ingredients. Yes, I kept it gluten and grain free as that is what I wanted.

Madison having a snack before getting changed into her birthday outfit.

Silly girl.

After breakfast it was time to get ready for the party.

Everyone got dressed.

Within a few minutes of wearing her headband she wanted it off. But after a few times of going back and forth with taking it off she eventually left it on.  A little big but I loved it.

I ordered her first birthday outfit from the shop off Etsy – BespokedCo.

I got her the baby girls first birthday outfit with knotted headbead, pink tutu, gold ONE onesie.

I loved the whole outfit. It took about 2 weeks to arrive after purchasing and it fit her perfectly.

I really loved the pink tutu. It was so soft and well made.

I got this idea off pinterest and loved it. I made a number ONE out of Madison’s first year of photos.

Family photo.

It was a little hard taking pictures of her as she always wants to be moving.

She is still a little unsure of this whole birthday outfit and birthday party thing 😉  xo

Time to sing happy birthday to Madison.

Madison just stared at the candle and cake.

Mommy helped out with blowing out the candle.

Love her face.

Time to smash into the cake!

It didn’t take her too long to start realizing it’s food.

At first Madison stuck her fingers into frosting. Playing with it a little.

Then she took her hands covered in frosting to taste it.

Her facial expression after having some of the frosting. Madison thinking “Mom what is this?”

We took her 6 inch cake and cut one slice  out for her cake to eat.

Once we did that she started to really enjoy the cake.

Madison enjoying her first birthday cake.

Oh I like this whole birthday cake thing.

She took her time with eating her cake slice (just like her daddy).

She was all smiles and giggles.

Also my mom, Gary, Michelle and I made the decorations for Madison’s chair. We used tissue paper. I got the idea off pinterest.

She did such a great job with getting messy but didn’t get anything on her outfit!! Yay!

Aunty Michelle tried to take the cake away from Madison to start opening presents but Madison cried. She wanted to keep playing in her cake. It was too cute. So while Madison finished her cake slice I started to open her gifts.  Thank you again to everyone who came to the party.

I can’t wait to make more birthday memories with her.

Now for Madison’s “smash” cake.

We took our vanilla cupcakes and used tigernut flour instead of a nut meal. We made one round of the cupcakes to make one 6 inch cake to be Madison’s smash cake. Why tigernut? Because it is allergy friendly. I haven’t tested nuts out on Madison so I wanted to make sure the cake was safe for her to eat. She has enjoyed tigernut before several times, so I knew it was safe for her.

For the frosting I did a mix of coconut butter and ghee blended with a little confectioner sugar. Yes, I know I gave Madison sugar and I am not a fan of it. But I am also a fan of having a little fun in life so yes I gave her a little sugar on her first birthday.  The cake was mostly cake with a little frosting.

Gluten-free, grain-free smash cake made with tigernut flour

The cupcakes were done the same way. We made 4 rounds of cupcakes as the original recipe only makes 6 cupcakes. We had a total of 24 cupcakes and one 6 inch cake for Madison.

I hope you enjoy the video of Madison enjoying her first birthday.

Overall, it was a VERY successful first birthday party.

I was so happy with how everything turned out.

Another main highlight of the day was my second older sister (Madison’s other aunty) surprised us that morning!!! She didn’t tell anyone that she was coming.  Thanks sis for coming and celebrating with us. Madison loved spending time with you.

Madison did great.

No crying. No fussiness.

She was all smiles and laughter.

I had so many emotions running through me that day. A day that I will never forget. I know Madison won’t remember her first birthday but I will. It was everything I wanted and more.

Happy early first birthday to my little sweetheart. You are the best gift I could ever ask for.

Madison, I am so blessed to be your mom. I can’t imagine my life without you.

xo

Lori

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