My trio is about to have their 1 year birthday next month, but are only 10 months old adjusted age. They don't even have teeth yet & I am hesitant to give them birthday cake, cupcakes, or anything else they might choke on. I would love to celebrate this milestone in a special way...especially to celebrate how far we've come since bedrest, the NICU, and all the trauma from the previous year.

I can only guess most other triplet mom's had preemies too & am wondering what you did for the first birthday. I think I have this idealistic idea of the whole affair (little birthday hats, single candle in a cake, icing on the face) & would love to hear ideas to make it special & somewhat traditional.

GGB Triplets Born 32 weeks Nov,2010

Janet

My girls turned two this summer and were 8 weeks preemie. We are very fortunate that they are developing typically and have stayed healthy. We celebrated birthdays in the traditional way. Cake, party, presents, etc. Their first birthday was more of a party for us and they got to play at the park (we rented a picnic shelter at a park). I'm not sure we would have done a big party with a winter birthday. You survived a really hard first year and you should celebrate!

Your message eludes to a rough first year. I don't know details, but I would try to make something special for them to eat. They don't need teeth to smear frosting on themselves and eat a little cake! You could even make pudding or jello with whip cream and a candle for their 'cakes' if they can't handle any solids yet. I had special shirts made for both birthdays through etsy.com. The first year was the #1 and their names. The second year was an owl theme (it works for a 1st bday...look whooo's turning one, and for the thank you...hope you had a hoot).

We did a practice birthday a week or two before their birthdays with family that couldn't come to the party. They didn't know what to do with the cakes the first time around, but by the real party they were pros!

Happy Planning!

Brenda
mom to GGGs born 6/29/09 at 32w4d

My GGG were only 8.5 months adjusted on their first birthday, AND it was Christmas Day. We just had a small party with our immediate families and we did it on Christmas. I was worried about the food allergy issue since they weren't "really" a year yet, so I made them cupcakes from a recipe I found on www.wholesomebabyfood.com. They were eggless and low sugar. They didn't even eat them anyway, but had fun feeding them to the dogs. Really the highlight of the birthdays was the mylar balloons they got. And of course all the paper from the presents.

I know they were too young to really know what was happening, but it will still special to commemorate a hard first year. And this year with the 2 year birthday we can have all the messy cake moments.

Lara
Mom to GGG born 25+4 on 12/25/09

Are they eating finger/table food yet? At 10 months adjusted they should be. Do they have any teeth? Kids really tend to gum food anyway when they first start finger/table food because they don't have back teeth yet. Most babies don't really eat too much of the birthday cake anyway. It is more making a mess and tasting for most kids. I personally would give them cake. You only get one first birthday and I would have been crushed if we didn't have the cakes, the messy pictures and those special memories.

ETA: If you are worried about egg allergies you could just make the cakes with only the yokes. If they haven't tried egg yokes yet, let them. If is one of the best finger/table foods to do early on.

Lori

http://yesidohavemyhandsfull.blogspot.com/