Happy Birthday, Arlo!

As the cliche goes, time flies when you're having fun. Arlo is officially 1-year old. Ryan and I can't believe it.

I don't know why it seems like time evaporates as we get older. Apparently, the phenomenon of feeling like time goes by faster as we age is a common belief shared by humans regardless of culture or nationality. One theory is that when you are experiencing a "first" of something, then your memory of those new experiences goes in slow motion.

While this theory probably has more nuances, I don't think the memories of my first year as a parent, which has been chock-full of new experiences, can honestly be described as "slow motion." On the contrary, they seem more like a series of flashes much like a strobe light: Arlo's birth, the first week (a.k.a. hell week), his first bath, sitting up, eating solid food for the first time, laughing and crying, crawling, soccer practice, my first day back at work, his first Halloween and Christmas, his first plane ride, long road trips, meeting friends and family for the first time.

I wish I could remember every detail forever, but I guess that's why living in the present is the only way to reach enlightenment.

We didn't want to do much for his first birthday for a couple of reasons: 1. we're lazy, 2. Arlo will have no recollection of his first birthday, and 3. we didn't want to set a high bar for future birthday parties. How lame would it be if your first birthday was you best birthday?

So we bypassed much of the fuss and had a small group of friends and family over for dinner. Since we weren't going nuts with balloons, a petting zoo, or a bouncy castle thing, we decided to have some good food. We made grilled pizzas, a fresh salad, and homemade S'mores cupcakes.

S'mores Cupcake
Yeah, that is my A-game.

Graham cracker crust, thin layer of dark chocolate, chocolate cupcake and marshmallow frosting.

I think the cupcakes were a hit. At least Xander liked them...

... and Ava too!

Arlo didn't really know what to do with the cupcake at first.

But he quickly figured it out.

Arlo has a sweet tooth like his Mama.

Although he wanted to shove the entire thing in his mouth at once, Arlo quickly learned the benefits of taking your time and making a mess.

The party scene.

I can't believe how much has changed this year, and I'm sure there will just as many, if not more, changes in the year to come. As always, we will keep you (blog) posted!