It marks the biggest "first" for your son: his first birthday. It's (possibly) your first year of parenthood, his first year of life, and your first year as a new family. It's an occasion worthy of celebration. And for so many, it's a reason to completely indulge in an over-the-top custom-made birthday cake.
Yes, he may just want to smash into it, likely won't recognize it as an expensive purchase, and may get fondant so far up his nose that you're making a quickie call to the pediatrician. But so many parents choose intensely-decorated cakes for their sons' first birthdays that this is a bona fide trend!
And these are just a few of the biggest and baddest of them all.
OMG! #13 is seriously excessive, but which one is your favorite?
Image via flavour_and_grace/Instagram
Towering Elmo
All of Sesame Street has come out to celebrate Ethan's birthday. And what looks like a life-sized Elmo's head will top it all off, literally.
Under the Sea
No first birthday cake is complete without an exquisite fondant-created octopus, right?
Ready, Set, Go!
First birthday and he's off to a great start. (Get it? Get it?)
Hungry Caterpillar
The famous caterpillar wasn't enough. The ice cream and snacks on the side of the cake really make the creation.
The Engine That Could
Chug-a-chug! Chug-a-chug! Little Arsalan is in for a long ride with this party.
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Royalty
Seriously, is this cake for that Prince Harry? Because maybe then (maybe) it'd make more sense.
Spinning Carousel
Can someone please confirm or deny that that carousel actually spins. Anyone? Anyone?
An Entire Petting Zoo
All of Noah's Ark showed up for this party. Plus, some twigs/fireworks/sticks?
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Disney Star
Kenneth is destined to be a future Disney Channel star. With a cake like this, there's no other option.
Dapper Dude
I mustache you a question. Is Emmet one dapper little gentleman? Clearly.
Cookie Monster Explosion
The only way this cake can possibly redeem itself is if it's stuffed only with chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream.
The Whole Shebang!
Lions, and tigers, and bears! Oh my!
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Topsy Turvy Mickey
Why is Mickey having a little trouble standing? What's in that punch?
Building Away
Is that bulldozer edible? Because something tells us Dawid would try to eat it!
Animal Love
Those little creatures look too precious to eat. Shall we save them for the second birthday?
Thinking Ahead
Typically reserved for graduations, this little man is getting a head start on his competition. Already planning his upcoming adventures, it seems.
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King of the Jungle
He's a safari master and of course, the king of the jungle, so it's only right that the lion gets the top tier.
Crazy Circus
Wildin' out with elephants, circuses, and whimsy. Were there fire breathers and lion tamers in attendance at the party, too?
Next Level
The cake alone is intense. The whole decor/set-up/ensemble? Pure insanity.
Ball Pit
Chances are, the backyard bash featured a ball pit, a bouncy castle, and a balloon animal maker. And we're so into it.
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Horsing Around
The circus, safari, and general animal theme seems to be strong with the little guys, doesn't it? We're seeing a trend here…
Cake on a Cake
Seriously, more animals! But this one is even crazier. It's a cake… on top of another cake. Did you catch that? Giraffe cake with a giraffe holding a cake. Meta!
Easter-Themed
If it's an Easter baby, it's only right to incroporate the Easter Bunny into the whole festive weekend.
Soccer Star
Will he be the next David Beckham? We won't know until he can actually stand on his own without falling on that diapered behind.
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Wild West
The little cowboy rules the wild west… and this party.