When did I become that parent?

I used to think that parents were insane, before I became one.  Then I used to think that I wouldn’t become “that” parent, and then I became one.
My son’s birthday party is in t-minus 39 hours.  The house has been decorated, the cake ordered, the outfit determined, the house cleaned (sort of), the menu set, the guests finalized.  All I need is for the next 39 hours to happen in relative quiet so when 40 people bombard my house I am ready. I do still have some last minute things to do, blow up the balloons (balloon themed party), do a better clean job, make some apps.
The nice things about a kids party is there is a start and end time, at 2 pm, I want you all out of my house.  No offense, I love to visit but with 40 people and 7 children, plus my own, I’ll be happy when its over and I don’t have to look at balloons for a while longer.
I have tried to make this a great birthday.  Because he’ll only ever have 1 first birthday.  His first year, which was wrought with uncertainty and first time parent phobias.  Now I’m totally over it and feel much more confident … NO!
But I do feel like I know what I’m doing a bit more and I’m not plagued with the uncertainty and self doubt that I was during his first year.
Back to the party … jeez … I’ve got it all over here, we are ballooned out to the max.  I mean I am sewing balloons together to form flowers to hang on the walls.  Its gone to another level and I love it!  I do I love all of it.  Its a ton of work but its great.  I’m so happy to do it.  That’s how I know that I have gone over to the dark side.
I’m “that” parent. I’m that parent because there are water balloons freezing in my deep freezer to be the ice in the soda/water cooler.  I’m that parent because his invitations were printed on balloons.  I’m that parent because there is a giant photo collage of my son on a wall in our house in the shape of a 1.
I’m that parent that totally blows up a first birthday into this huge event not because my son has any idea about what’s going on.  I’m that parent because this party is to celebrate my husband and I as much as it is to celebrate my son’s life for 365 days.  My husband and I did it.  We made it, we got through year one. With all the adjustments and changes, the sleepless nights (still have those sometimes).  We did it, we did it well and I’m celebrating!  With balloons where there should be wine but still I’m celebrating.  All that this year was, is and could be.
Celebrate your children’s birthday’s they are the day they joined you and the world.  They are important, I will be celebrating in huge “that” parent fashion whenever I can.