It’s been over a month now, but my little one turned one! I can’t believe I’ve had a whole year with her sweet face! It’s been incredible. Now she’s walking and even talking a little and things just keep getting better.

We celebrated with family and friends and cake at Elsie’s music themed birthday party. And it was so much fun. That’s the short version.

The long version: About halfway through planning I wished we hadn’t decided to have a party. I wished we had been sensible and planned to spend the day in the park, just the three of us. I wished we hadn’t bought an expensive cake or paid a stranger to come into our home to photograph the festivities. I felt silly hanging the custom banner I got for the occasion. I felt guilty that Elsie’s music teacher was coming to the party because I got the sense he wasn’t comfortable “doing birthday parties.”

But there was a moment, with the delicious food Eric had cooked set out on the table, the banner making the room seem festive, and the music teacher leading everyone in one of Elsie’s favorite songs. All our favorite people were there and I thought, “yeah, this is right.” And also “I hope the photographer gets a shot of this moment.” He did. And so many more. We are grateful that we were able to capture the day in such a beautiful way.

The truth: The party was perfect and one of my favorite parts about being a parent so far. But I also think a day in the park, just the three of us and some homemade cake, would have been perfect, too. All photos in this post by Nelson Rietzke Photography.