Before you know it, your little baby will be turning one and well on his or her way to toddlerhood.
Many moms (and dads alike) stress out over throwing a first birthday party.
Since it's such a momentous occasion, there's a lot of pressure to make everything perfect.
However, it's sometimes best to keep things simple and enjoyable for you and everyone else.
For a first birthday, simple is the name of game.
Leave the 30-person parties at Chuck-E-Cheese for future birthdays.
A few close friends and family members and a party at home are all a one-year old needs to enjoy his or her special day.
Start your planning by making the guest list.
Besides you and your spouse, you should include any other people that are particularly important in your child's life.
Grandparents and other caregivers should be invited, of course.
Beyond that, it's up to you how many people you want to include.
You may decide to limit it to just a handful of people, or include a few special friends.
Because everyone will want to hold and see the child during the birthday party, keeping things small will allow your child to see everyone without getting too overwhelmed.
Another added benefit of keeping it small is that there is less food to prepare and fewer people to entertain.
The next thing to decide on is your theme.
For a first birthday party, most people like to keep things simple.
You can stick to a blue if your child is a boy and pink if your child is a girl, and easily get your party supplies for cheap.
There's no need to make your child's birthday an advertisement for a character that they will barely recognized.
Colored paper plates, napkins and cups are a lot cheaper than the commercial variety, too! The time that you hold your child's first birthday party is very important.
Most one year olds take naps twice a day.
Plan your party for in between these two times.
Unless your child has unusual schedule, sometime around lunch should work just fine.
Serve food that your one-year-old will enjoy, and then serve grown up versions for everyone else.
For example, make fruit kabobs for the party guests, and then serve your child cut up fruit pieces.
You can serve a sandwich platter with rolls for the guests, and give your child bits of the different types of food.
Finally, your child's first birthday wouldn't be complete without the birthday cake.
If you want to get some great shots of your child digging into the cake, consider baking a smaller, low-sugar cake for them and then having a sheet cake for the guests.
This way your child can have a relatively healthy treat, without putting fingerprints in everyone else's dessert.
You can buy a sheet cake from your local bakery or make one yourself the day before the party.
By keeping things simple, you'll be able to give your child a first birthday party that is enjoyable for you and everyone involved.