Our Stella Star is one year old! I can hardly believe it -- didn't I just get home with her from the hospital?!
Before we ventured forth with #2, I always swore that that I would treat my kids the same (being the oldest of two myself, and harbouring a life-long grudge that the "baby" always got special treatment). The reality is, it's impossible , because they are two different people, and the family dynamic is also different. (This is even setting aside Stella's DX). So, I guess I owe you an apology, Mom.
Anyway, what brought this musing on (and of course, the associated guilt oh guilt) was my rememberance of Francis' first birthday -- I made two different kinds of cupcakes (the chocolate ones with Scharenberger chocolate, naturally) and we invited *all* our friends over for cake and coffee. Really, the celebration was for us -- we were parents! Honestly, it was a bit much for Francis -Bear.
For Stella's first, we just invited family (and my girlfriend Maria and her poppet Diego, who is Francis' closest friend). So, Grandma, Grandpa, Granny, Auntie Michelle and her three boys came to celebrate with cake and coffee. And I made two different versions of a lemon poppyseed cake, one vegan and one full-on dairy (guess which one tasted better?) I think that the second child you hold closer, because it is less about *you* and more about *them*.
Stella got lots of wrapping paper, which is what she really wanted most of all.
