Can you believe my little bug is already one year old?! It feels like yesterday when I brought them home for the first time. Looking back on the past year, I can’t believe how fast it went. People are not kidding when they say time flies when you’re a parent.
But you know what? I’m so grateful for all the memories and experiences that my bug has brought into my life. Seeing him grow and learn has been one wild and fun journey. As much as it can be a little bittersweet watching him grow up so quickly, each new stage of growth brings its own set of joys and challenges. I’m excited to see what the future has in store for him.
Sprouting to One First Birthday Theme
We celebrated Bug’s first birthday last Friday with some friends and family! It was an absolute blast, and he had so much fun. I organized a quick and easy DIY party to celebrate him, “Sprouting to One.” I thought it would be adorable to do a balloon arch on the trellis and dress him up in a veggie outfit. I wanted to go with the garden theme, and it’s super fitting for spring.
To add to the theme, my friend let me borrow her vintage highchair for some adorable photo ops, which turned out precious. I crafted a cute high chair garland out of material and felt veggies, and to top it off, I found this huge wooden carrot on sale for only $7 at Michaels in the Easter section. I flipped it around and painted it to match the theme perfectly. I know he won’t remember much of his first birthday, so I wanted to keep everything inexpensive.
Since we did the balloons early in the morning, they kept popping all day. I think I’ll splurge for a professional next time! But they did the trick and looked cute. 
He woke up from his nap 30 minutes before the party. He is always hungry when he wakes up, so I had a feeling he’d be going straight for the cake.
I had been going in and out of the house to get all the food ready before guests came over, so I forgot to change out of my house slippers. His little overalls are from Zara, and his shirt is from Old Navy. Anytime I see a garden-themed outfit, I have to get it for him.
I put together a table of food for my friends and neighbors.
The SPROUTING TO ONE menu!
Vegetable tray with hummus, garlic hummus, and avocado.
Colorful Bean Chips with Salsa
Crackers
Fruit Platter
Fruit Snacks
Carrot Cake
Baby Smash Cake
Lemon Mint Blackberry Cucumber Water
Turkey Bacon Club Sandwiches on Homemade Sourdough Bread
Iced Carrot Sugar Cookies!
I did some baking and preparation for the party the night before, including making the cookies, cakes, and sourdough dough. I made a healthier option for the smash cake recipe using bananas, carrots, oats, almond flour, coconut oil, peanut butter, cinnamon, and eggs. I topped it off with a frosting of coconut whipped cream and plain organic cream cheese. If you’re interested, I can even write a recipe blog for it! I will share my carrot cake recipe soon because it was to die for.
I love that Trader Joe’s has colorful veggies! It made the platter so pretty and colorful.
The sandwiches were made with my freshly baked sourdough bread, cucumber, lettuce, tomatoes, bell peppers, red onion, white cheddar cheese, bacon, maple turkey, mayonnaise, and guacamole.
I loved that the little smash cake was a replica of the big cake. I used the colorful carrots from Trader Joe’s to decorate the top and added some chopped pecans to the bottom.
The little carrot cookies turned out pretty cute! Those were easy to make the night before. I found that cookie cutter for fifty cents at Michaels in the Eater section.
No one can convince me that Annie’s doesn’t make the BEST fruit snacks. 
I’ll be drinking infused water all summer long!
These cuties!
He was SO READY for that cake!
We sang happy birthday, and then he went to town on the cake.
He was so cute. He kept laughing and clapping the entire time. He was a big fan of the frosting. 
He did try to pick it up!
We honestly had the best day, and it was so lovely that our friends and family were there to celebrate!
On my first birthday, my parents surprised me with a delicious carrot cake. I have a photo of me with cake smeared all over my face! I have a feeling my dad might have been the one who picked it out, as carrot cake happens to be his favorite. And you know what? Now it’s my favorite cake flavor too! Not only did it perfectly match the party’s theme, but it’s just hands down the most delicious cake flavor ever! Maybe it will be Buggy’s favorite when he’s older.
I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for helping me navigate my first year as a mom! I’ve never felt more supported by any community before, and it’s amazing how a bunch of strangers you’ve never met can come together to offer words of encouragement and help you keep pushing forward. It just goes to show that it really does take a village. Thank you so much, guys!
Questions for you!
- Do you know which flavor of cake you had on your first birthday?
- What questions do you have for me about my first year of parenthood?
- What is a fun first birthday theme idea you have?
Wonderful pictures! Such a cute theme! My son’s birthday is in November and it’s always too cold to do an outdoor party. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Doraly!
There are so many cute indoor fall themes you could do!
This theme is so unique! I wouldn’t expect anything else, Taralynn! I will be waiting impatiently on that carrot cake recipe.
Thank you, Dana! 🙂
Happy Birthday for your little one! The theme looks very cute 🙂
What was the most challenging thing about your first year of parenthood? And what did you enjoyed the most? 🙂
On my first first birthday I had a typical polish cake which is called karpatka and it´s my favorite cake ever! The name comes from Polish mountains (Karpaty) because of how it looks like – dough tends to rise high in the owen and it kind of looks like mountain ranges 🙂
Kisses! 🙂
Thanks, Milena!
Oh gosh. There were so many challenges but so many incredible moments. I think the first three months of becoming a new mom are the most challenging. The sleepless nights, learning how to be a mom, but also at the same time you’re healing physically and trying to “be ok” mentally. It is all a blur now! Seeing him grow and watching his little personality shine has been my favorite. Gaining this new love for my little human has been the best part.
I now need to try that cake!
Hi Taralynn,
Happy 1st birthday Bugs!!
1. Do you know which flavor of cake you had on your first birthday?
I have absolutely no idea haha. I think I might have been dressed up as Minnie Mouse? Too many years ago!!! (darn near 33 years ago)
2. What questions do you have for me about my first year of parenthood?
What do you think was the biggest challenge? For my daughter, it was the entire first month of having no clue what I was doing, wondering why the hospital actually let me go home with a whole human, and dealing with colic and witching hours alone while my husband worked nights. For my son, it was dealing with a toddler that wanted to be WAY too hands-on with her baby bro lol
3. What is a fun first birthday theme idea you have?
My daughter was born in December so her theme was “Winter One-derland” and my son is OBSESSED with cars so his first birthday was F1 cars and “Fast One”…He turns 2 in three weeks and he will have a Pixar Cars theme. My daughter picked Frozen for her 3rd birthday and Unicorns for her 4th. We didn’t throw a big party for her 2nd because of Covid (Dec 2020) and most of my family tested positive the week before, unfortunately.
Hi, Kat!
Thanks so much 🙂
I agree that the first few months were pretty darn challenging, especially physically and emotionally, while trying to navigate motherhood. Once that all passed, it became a blur, and things did get so much easier.
Those are fun themes!!
Super cute!! And the presentation is lovely! 😀 We just did an UNO (the card game) themed birthday for our son in February!
That is so cute!!
Beautiful party. That cake looks delicious. Carrot cake is also my favourite 🙂
Thank you, Charlotte!
So sweet!🥰 Love. It. All!! 🥕💚🧡 Happy First Birthday!🎈
AWW, thank you!!🥕💚
How do you do it all? You made the cake, the balloons, the decorations, and the food? I would have to hire an entire staff for something like this!
Luckily I have a good napper and I LIVE for this kind of DIY! hahaha
Taralynn,
That is an amazing spread. What beautiful food! You really have a gift for food prep, baking, and decor. Congratulations on navigating the first year of motherhood successfully- thanks for continuing to share the journey here with us 🙂
AWW thank you so much, Jenny!!! this comment is so sweet.
Hi! I love your green top could you share where it is from? Very cute party.
TJMaxx! 🙂
Oh Taralynn, I love every single detail! I feel like this is such a perfect theme for your sweet little guy, and how much his momma loves gardening! I still cannot believe he’s one already – it seems like you just announced your blog you were going to have a little one. Oh my goodness, time really does fly!
Hope you’re having a great start to your week, friend! 🙂
Make Life Marvelous
Thank you so much, Ashley!! Time just goes by way too fast! 🙁