National Day

We have one more reason to celebrate on National Day now... because Ying Ying turns 11th month old on every National Day!! :) Yes, it is exactly one month from her birthday which falls on 9 Sep!

We plan to celebrate Ying Ying's 1st birthday at my in-laws' place. They stay at a condo so we get to use the function room next to the pool. I have never celebrated my birthday as a child so I am looking very much forward to Ying Ying's birthday party!

In fact, I have started early preparation for the party during the National Day holiday. I got reluctant hubby (who hates going down to Orchard area) to drive us to Centrepoint so that I could get some party stuff from Party R'Us.

I bought a pink sparkling Happy Birthday banner, a number one birthday candle and a pink birthday tiara! I wanted to get some birthday printed balloons but decided they were too expensive @ $1 each. Will probably get cheaper ones at Concourse. I noticed they charged $1.50 for helium-filling per balloon. It would be quite costly if there are many balloons to fill. Hubby then recalled helium tanks are available for rental at Tampines. I have asked him to rent a small one for the party. It would be such a lovely sight to see all the balloons floating to the ceiling with ribbons coming down! Oooh... I can almost imagine it now. :)

Chocoholic hubby suggested we get a chocolate fountain for the buffet. I was very keen on the idea but he changed his mind after checking out the $198 price tag at Robinson's. (Chocolate sold separately @ $17-19/pack.) So no chocolate for now. :(

Oh yes, I managed to get a birthday suit for Ying Ying! Yeah!! I have originally bought for her a demin overall dress from Mothercare. Then I went home and remembered she has a similar one hidden somewhere given by a nice colleague. So I went back and did an exchange for another item which I think is even nicer than the original one! Isn't that a blessing in disguise?

It is a pastel green floral dress from last season's collection. (In fact, it was so last season that I think I came across the dress when I was pregnant with Ying Ying!) It was the last piece on the rack and marked down from $67 to $47. Despite the discount, this dress is the most expensive clothing I have spent on her so far! I am reluctant to spend too much since she outgrows them pretty fast.

Being practical, I usually buy for Ying Ying clothes that are slightly bigger so that she can wear them for a longer period of time. But this time round, her birthday dress needs to be be just nice. No-no to over-sized arm-holes and wide necklines! The tag on the dress states 9-12mth and I was worried that the dress might be a tad small for her by next month. So this morning, I let Ying Ying try on the dress. I am so happy that the dress is neither too big nor too small. There is still ample room for her to grow in despite the 9-12mth tag. I guess European babies are much bigger in size than Asian babies.

Hubby (aka Mr Conservative) thinks I am overdoing it, with helium balloons, banner and all. He even reminded me that we are celebrating birthday and not wedding! I brushed his none-the-wiser comments aside since I am only trying my best to make the party fun and memorable for all of us. Afterall, how many times do we get to celebrate 1st birthday right?