Heaven's Calling (An Ashley Purdy/OC Love Story) (REVAMPING BOOK)

Chapter 28: Ryder's 1st Birthday

Heaven's Calling

Chapter 28: Ryder's 1st Birthday

(Lana's POV)

I can't believe it's my little boy's 1st birthday today. He's been in the world for a full year, and he is the most beautiful little boy to ever walk this planet. Ashley is setting up the streamers and banner in the dining room, while I am wrapping his present up. We bought him a new bouncy seat, along with some new building blocks and some teething rings. Ashley comes into the living room and tells me everything is set up and ready for his party.

Not too long after that, Ryder begins cooing from his crib in his nursery, so Ashley goes to get him up for the day. Half an hour later or so, Ashley and Ryder are coming down the stairs. The doorbell rings, signaling that our friends and guests are here for his birthday celebration. I go and open the door; CC, Tam, Jake, Ella, Jinxx, Alice (Jinxx's girlfriend), Andy, and Juliet are all standing there with presents for Ryder. I let them in, and they all head to the dining room where the party is set up. After a few minutes or so, Ashley comes in with the guest of honor (a.k.a. Ryder), and sets him down in his high chair. I bring his cake we had ordered a little over a month ago.

The cake has three layers; the first has a green color fondant on top with polka dots, the 2nd layer is zebra print fondant, and the 3rd is baby blue fondant topping with polka dots. Adorning the cake are vines with leaves, a tiger made of out fondant, as well as an elephant, lion, and giraffe with a giant "1" on the very top layer. The girls and guys all coo over how excited Ryder looks over his birthday cake. We set it down in front of him and his eyes widen in excitement. We all simultaneously begin singing him happy birthday, and he claps his hands and giggles.

We all then dig into his cake, and cut him a small piece, setting it front of him. He grabs it in his hand, and slowly takes a bite; cooing and giggling the whole time. We take a whole bunch of pictures, and then move the party to the living room. I sit down on the floor, as Ash hands me Ryder. He sits in my lap, and squeals excitedly as presents are handed down and Ashley and I open them for him, as he is too small and doesn't have much grip power in his hands yet.

Soon, we begin opening his birthday gifts. The first to give their gift are Andy and Juliet; they give him some new blankets, along with teething rings. CC and Tam are the next ones to hand over their gift: an assortment of stuffed animals ranging from lions, leopards, tigers, cheetahs, elephants, rhinos, monkeys, and other wild animals. Ryder reaches out for an elephant stuffed animal, so I had him one of the stuffed animals. He holds onto it tightly, refusing to let go.

Everyone "awe's" at him, and then continue handing over their gifts. Jinxx and Alice give him a handmade baby blanket made of turquoise blue, lime green, and brown yarn crocheted beautifully. We thank Alice for her crafty handiwork she made so lovingly. She tells us it was nothing; but we tell her it means the world to us to have something homemade by a great family friend. Jake and Avril are the last to give their gift, which is a handmade mobile with Avril's voice singing "Rock-A-Bye Baby" gently with music playing in the background. She pushes the button on the top and it turns off and on with just one push each; showing us how to use it.

We thank everyone for their generous gifts, and hug them all as they leave out the front door. Tam and CC stay for a little bit longer, as they don't have any rush to be home as the kids are with her brother for the day. We all sit in the living room and talk about what we've been up to since the guys are taking a small break while Andy does his "Andy Black" Tour. When he finishes this second round of tour dates, the guys are heading to the studio to work on their new record. Tam and CC tell us of their upcoming travels to Austria and Czechoslovakia. We tell them that is seems really fun, and we hope they have a safe journey.