OT: Am I making too much of this? (MIL related)

 We are driving 23 hours out there next Friday to spend 2 weeks with them.  So we'll see what they do :)

A LOT of people of the older generation are also from a time when not quite so much fuss was made about a 1st birthday, I think it's something that has become a lot more of an occasion that it used to be. I wouldn't take it personally.

 See, I'd agree with that if I considered her an "OLDER" generation.  She's only just turned 60.  I'm not taking it personally, I realize that my inlaws have a different set of priorities than my family does.  I've gotten used to it over the last 12 years.  I just feel like Alex is being gypped because of her.  

 I'm pretty sure he won't care, even when he is old enough to do so. I've never even seen pictures of my first birthday, I'm not even sure pictures were taken, and we lived in Germany at the time, so NO ONE was able to come, and I turned out just fine anyway. Do you look back at pictures of your first birthday and wonder where anyone was?  

 Actually... I never saw my paternal grandparents in any of my younger year photos and always asked why they were never around.. sooo.. yeah :)  LOL

I know this is probably all over by now but I just thought Id weigh in .. I have 3 kids, 8 10 and 13. My husband is from Ireland. His family is all in ireland and although My son was once their only grandson it wasnt feasable for them to come to his 1st birthday. THey called and they loved seeing photos, and I am sure they wished they could have come . They were not  here for any on my kids first birthdays, and he met them after being born after spending a week in the NICU in Kingston, and they too him as they came when he was born. THe other two kids didnt meet them until they were older inf act my youngest never met her Grandma in Ireland because she passed away when meaghan was a few months old. I wish I had gone to my sisters in laws wedding we were invited and didnt think we could affor dit but had I come Id have had a chance to celebrate with her one more time. And the family pics etc., but my husband moved away across the world as an adult and he married and had children here knowing that there would be some tough days  ahead that they would miss some special moments in our kids lives. But they have never wondered hwo their grandparents were or whether they were loved. My dad died the same year as my MIL he lived right here and spent some time with my kids before he was gone. THey remeber him through our stories and photos. Dont feel badly , when I had my first child I wanted everything to be perfect for him, I now have three and perfection is a big bill to foot. I strive for getting them through the day without an argument and sometimes that too is too much to ask!Lol ! Enjoy your sons bday. Your mil was prob trying to be frugal (generation thing) and  also may feel a little guilty at not attending herself which would prob make her feel more guilty getting the invite. Keep one in his scrap book so you can share it when you see her. Dont worry about him so much the first born breaks the second one bounces. (fav saying we r often wanting to wrap our first born up in cotton wool so they wont get hurt but you cant live life without getting hurt and neither can they. you are more upset about it then he will be on the day.