1st Birthdays Don't Always Go the Way You Want, So Don't Panic

Today, on the actual day of Ethan's birthday, we had a more intimate party at home. In preparation for this day, I scoured the internet looking for vegan cake recipes (coming across some handy websites <--- see left column). I was all prepared to get some rice flour or tapioca flour thing with almond milk something or other. But managed to come across this: 

Score! I baked it last night after dinner. It wasn't too much work. Then I frosted it today after work. In my mind, Ethan was going to get all excited, smoosh his chubby fingers into the cupcake, giggle with delight at the texture, jam it into his mouth, and then do his signature happy dance (whilst saying to me "thanks mom! You're the greatest!" Ok maybe not this part). But instead panic started to set in when my husband had to stay later at work, delaying dinner, and so, delaying his cupcake birthday moment! The little guy rubbed his eyes in weariness and I'm thinking, "daaaaamnnnnit! Leave it up to his father to ruin the most important day of my...Ethan's life!!!" 

Admittedly, I was somewhat bothered and disappointed that this wasn't going to go as well as I hoped. But I had to go with it and just accept whatever it's outcome. 

After clearing the dinner dishes, both sets of grandparents, my husband and I sang happy birthday to him. The baby just sits there staring....at us...at the cupcake glowing before him....then back at us. But what are we supposed to expect? To him, we're all staring and screaming at him in unison. How would you feel if 4 people 10x bigger than you were jabbing on to your face, loud and in sync, in darkness, with this hot glowing thing sitting on front of you? 

But he's a good sport at least. He didn't cry out in terror. Then, when we blew out the candle, and pushed it toward him, he stared at it in bewilderment and refused to touch it. At least I got this shot screenshotted from my iPhone video:

But I also got this shot:

At least I can proudly say that he has standards. Would I want to eat a gluten free/egg free/dairy free/...taste free cake? Probably not. The poor baby...for next year, mommy promises to make you a tastier cake!! Happy birthday, my mighty Ethan!!!