Whose birthday is it anyway?

Today my baby Elliot turned one! It really seems unfathomable to me. I feel like more of a neglectful parent with my second. With Dottie, I poured over "What to Expect During the First Year," making sure I was doing everything right, and that she was developing at the correct pace.

However, with Elliot, I don't even know where that book is. I just do it. The parenting, I mean. Hopefully he'll turn out okay? On Dottie's first birthday, it was the first time she had had refined sugar. For Elliot, cake and ice cream was old hat. Nothing new. I just feed him what I'm eating to keep him happy.

But we love our little guy. We kept the birthday party very low-key. Em and Craig came down on the weekend, and I just got him a few very simple gifts (since it was just Christmas. Plus, all of the stores are wiped out of the good toys because of Christmas). I think Dottie was more excited about the gifts than he was. Hence the title: "Whose birthday is it anyway?" Em and Craig got him this fun Little People farm toy, and Dottie was yelling at him any time he attempted to come near it. That little boy sure is patient with his big sister. I'm hoping it will stay that way.

The cake. Since he's only one and doesn't really care, I decided to make something I've always wanted to try: Baked Alaska. It was really a soupy mess, but it tasted good.

Still holding the spoon. He was pretty excited we gave him one.

See? Dottie taking over the gift already.