Ava’s 1st Birthday Cake Smash and Favorite Things Giveaway!

Tips for taking cake smash pictures at home:

1. Take pictures in a place with lots of light! Outside is great or inside near a window. I used Ava’s nursery because it has a large window with lots of natural light. I also used the overhead light and my flash.
2. Use a large quilt or blanket and sit your baby on that. This was a lifesaver for me! Every crumb and frosting smear stayed on the quilt and after we were done I stripped her down and folded everything in the quilt and took it straight to the laundry room! A few sprays of Dreft stain remover and a wash and the quilt was stain free! It doesn’t get any easier than that.
3. A tip from my photographer sister in law Chelsey:  do not refrigerate the cupcakes or cake the day of the pictures. This way the frosting with be soft and easier for baby to eat and make a mess with (makes for cute pictures, trust me!).
4. Speaking of cakes, as I said above, I chose a cupcake instead of a traditional 6 inch smash cake. I think the cupcake was the perfect size. Messy but not too messy and just as fun! 
5. Also whether you order the cupcake or make it yourself remember to stick with traditional frosting. Fondant can be pretty but this is a SMASH cake. It won;t stay pretty for long and you want frosting that is tasty and easy to smush in baby’s little fingers. I recommend traditional buttercream frosting or whipped frosting.
6. Some babies are shy or timid and won’t dig right in to the cake. I didn’t have this problem with Ava she just dove right in (literally). But consider a test run before the big picture day. Or help baby out and smear some cake on her face and give her a couple tastes of frosting until she gets the hang of it. 
7. Consider the flavors. When my baker asked what flavor I wanted I knew right away Chocolate! Ava had never had chocolate so this was an easy decision. But then what flavor icing to use? She mentioned cream cheese but I nixed that idea. Just my opinion, but if your baby has not had sweets ever, like mine, you don’t want to overload her with too many new flavors and foods in one sitting. Baby’s sensitive tummy may not handle that too well. So I opted for Chocolate Cupcakes with fluffy White Chocolate icing. And it took just a few seconds for me to see that Ava is a chocolate lover just like her Daddy and me!
8. Don’t forget the cute outfit! Some people use tutus, dresses, hats, sashes, bows, bow ties, suspenders, rompers, or heck just a cute pair of bloomers or a diapers cover and nothing else! Your choice but do realize it WILL get frosting and cake on it. But I just shook the crumbs off in the trash and washed Ava’s clothes right after and they were mess free and like new!
9. Have fun! It may not go as planned but have fun! This is for baby and as long as they’re happy that’s all that matters! You’re making memories. Enjoy it!

Ava’s Birthday Giftbag includes:

1. Ava loves her Mama and Dada the most so we are giving away the picture board book: “I’m Here For You Now”. You can insert your own pictures into the book! Ava loves looking at pictures of her Dada in this book!                                                                                            
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3. A custom made tag blanket like the one pictured above donated from the wonderful Kraftie Kristina. Check out her Facebook page here <<<<
4. Plum Organics baby food pouches and snacks. I love using my Baby Bullet to make Ava food but the convenience of there pouches and the unique flavor combos are awesome! I love that Ava can hold them on her own now too.
   
5. Ava loves doggies, especially her 2 pups Charlie and Dylan. So we are giving away a pink polka dot stuffed dog!
6. Ava almost always has a fun headband or clip in her hair. Most of them I buy handmade from different ladies online including Kraftie Kristina! We are giving away two handmade hair clips- a Despicable Me Minion Clip and a Yellow Ribbon Patriotic Clip.
7. Ava has 6 teeth now and 2 more coming in so she loves her teethers especially this strawberry shapped Fresh Food Teether by Fisher-Price. We like to put frozen mango pieces in it and I love that it is rubber not mesh and super easy to clean!                 
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9. Every night before bedtime Ava chooses a book for me to read to her. One of her favorites is “If You Give A Mouse A Cookie” so we are giving away a copy!
10. Ava loves music and she enjoys attending her weekly music class by Music Together of Leesville. We are giving away a fun shaker music egg! I always keep one of these in the diaper bag for Ava to play with when she is bored or fussy!
11. Ava’s favorite movie is Despicable Me so we are giving away a Despicable Me tote bag and a Minion Surprise pack!