Preparing (really early) for a First Birthday!

I have customized and ordered the invitations for Wyatt's first birthday celebration. I know I still have just under three months left, but this is the one thing in my life I don't want to procrastinate on.


It's been really tough trying to decide exactly what we wanted to do for Wyatt's birthday. I've been worried that I am going to put all this effort into planning a nice day to remember Wyatt, only for nobody to show up. I'm willing to take that risk however, because I can't just let this special day pass by forgotten like I feel his life has been so far (Not by my bloggy friends but by most of our IRL friends and family). I want to celebrate the day my son lived and claimed his place here on earth for two minutes and then his eternal place in heaven. I want to rejoice that my son has spent an entire year in the presence of our Lord in heaven.

To celebrate, Joseph and I (after a lot of disagreeing and tears) decided to do a memorial walk for Wyatt where we would walk one mile in honor of his first birthday in heaven. Why are we walking? It will symbolize the steps we are taking for him that he should have been here to take. Because we hold him in our hearts, he will be taking those steps with each and every one of us that walks for him in love.

The walk will then be followed by the reading of a poem I plan on writing to Wyatt and a balloon release.

Of course food will be served afterwards. After all, this IS a birthday party of sorts!

I really wanted to make Wyatt a cake and sing "happy birthday in heaven", but my husband isn't entirely comfortable doing that with everyone. We will be doing this portion of Wyatt's birthday in the privacy of our own home. I have an adorable little cake idea but you'll have to wait until his birthday post to see it. I will let you know however that the design I'm doing involves an elephant of course!

Again, I know it's still a few months away, but I want to invite anyone who would like to that is around the area to join us. If not physically, in thought. You are all invited! I'd also like to ask you to consider sending me pictures of a balloon you might release for Wyatt on June 1st or even just a picture of his name written somewhere. Anything to keep the day from passing without his life being remembered. I remember Wyatt everyday... his birthday is a day I hope I'll get to see that others haven't forgotten what a special boy he is to them as well. (Again, I'm referring more to IRL people than my bloggy friends... your support is cherished and I know your always here!)

Now that you know what I have planned, can I get some ideas from you? What are some other things I can do to make his birthday special? I've thought about shirts, buttons, custom water bottle labels...but I haven't decided on any of those things yet. We are naming a star after Wyatt in the hercules constellation where my husband already has one named after him in honor of his first father's day! I thought it would be neat for their stars to be close to one another. Other than tat, I'm at a loss. Any ideas are welcomed!