Now I've, had the time of my life...

And let me assure you that he's never felt that way before.  This I swear. 

Jude had the time of his life at Miller and Sullivan's first birthday party! 

There were six babies at the gala.  Each came in wearing the standard baby party wear.  However, as soon as they had their coats off, the babies were changed into their assigned onesies...each with the number 1 on them! 

Kelly, Miller and Sully's mom, had let us know ahead of time that there was going to be a cake smash and a photographer there.  She took first birthday to a whole new level.  She had cleared out their dining room of all furniture (and, frankly, all items not frosting-friendly).  Each of the babies was set up at his or her station in the room.  The stage was set for chaos.

The birthday boys had already started working on their cakes, each one already wearing their coordinating onesie...and some of the coordinated frosting from their cake.  Then, each of the babies was presented with a cupcake (with either an M or an S on it, of course).  We let them loose.

And yes, that is my son's foot in the cake.

Observing the babies eating cupcakes helped me to understand the concept of nature versus nurture at a whole new level.  For a moment, move your eyes across the picture below from right to left.

First, you see Isabelle.  She wasn't really interested in eating any cupcakes -- maybe the boys were just a little too overwhelming for her.  Then you see Liam.  Liam ate his cupcake, and, using the frosting on the floor as lubricant, turned 180 degrees and started in on Miller's cake.  Liam went fast...and strong.  Then we have Jayden.  Jayden peacefully sat in the corner and neatly ate all of his cupcake.  I don't think that there was any frosting in his hair when he was done.  Amazing.  Then we have Sully.  The cake just wasn't enough for Sully, so he started in on the plate.  Maybe it is a "palette-cleanser" before the next course of cake.  On Sully's right, is Miller.  Miller is doing some jaw stretches before going back in for more.  You may notice that none of them are actively eating cake.

And then, there's Jude.  Not only is the baby on the left disguising a chipmunk-style mouthful of cake, he also has the sneakiest secret eating look ever!  And you can also see that he still has a chunk of cake in his right hand.  This is food "insurance" -- basically, if someone is to say that he is "all done," he knows that he still has this piece of cake in his hand.  As I said, it is extremely obvious that the devious stuffed-cheek one belongs with me!

After the picture above, most of the babies wandered off to go downstairs and play in Miller and Sully's dream playroom.  They've got it all down there...it's basically like baby heaven. 

And then, there's Jude.  He goes in for round 2.  Jude notices that he is the only baby left on the floor, and sees and opportunity to ham it up for the photographer.  Jude never passes up a photo shoot.

Jude loves celebrating birthdays with all of his friends, but Miller and Sully's Cake Smash of 2011 will hold a special place in his heart...and under his fingernails, considering we are just now getting the blue frosting out.