Cupcakes + coffee shops, win-win, am I right? Well, when Jen and I talked about planning Rylan's official 1st birthday portraits, we had the downtown Wilmington area in mind because of all of the location options you can find there. But what wasn't in the plans was the 40 degree weather and what I'd like to call the "frozen tundra wind tunnel" effect we experienced every time we walked between buildings! We were troopers for a few minutes, just enough time to get a bunch of cute pics of the little birthday boy :)

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BRRRRR! -------->

Even with lots of Mom cuddles and his thick hoodie, we knew it was time to get this little guy indoors.

Luckily, we were just steps away from one of my favorite coffee shops, Java Dog Coffee on Front Street in the Cotton Exchange building. Delicious coffee, hot chocolate for the kids, great atmosphere, and dog-friendly! Love this place, if you're in the area do yourself a favor and stop in :)

Once inside, we found a comfy spot next to the window overlooking the downtown area and grabbed a hot chocolate for Rylan along with coffee for the grownups. Mmm! Add a birthday cupcake and VOILA! Is it wrong that I can totally relate to the 1 year old's urge to smash my face into a cupcake first thing in the morning?

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Rylan, you are so lovely, you little charmer! Happiest of birthdays to you from your favorite paparazzi!