Kate Chastain Celebrates Her Son’s 1st Birthday: “I Thought I’d Be a Cool Mom…”

The Below Deck alum reflected on her first year of motherhood in the most adorable way.

Kate Chastain’s little boy has reached another big milestone.

On Friday, May 3, the Below Deck alum took to Instagram to celebrate baby Sullivan Cay’s first birthday. That’s right, Kate’s bundle of joy has officially entered the toddler stage.

The first-time mom posted a series of photos of her son rocking a tiny white tuxedo shirt and a pair of black pants. Although the outfit was almost too cute for words, it didn’t take long for Sullivan Cay to get a bit dirty. OK, OK, he got pretty dirty, but what else do you expect from a 12-month-old?

“Baby 1 year old birthday tuxedo for sale. Slightly used,” Kate captioned the May 3 carousel, which showed her son munching on a birthday treat.

Kate Chastain looks back at her first year as a mom

Kate also took a walk down memory lane and posted a video montage of her first year as a single parent. The opening clip captured Sullivan Cay sitting on his mommy’s lap while he was presented with a scrumptious-looking birthday cupcake. Kate then leaned into the treat and assisted her boy in blowing out the candle.

The post also included memorable moments from Sullivan Cay’s first year at home. It was adorable; heartwarming; and, at times, very funny.

“My debut album titled ‘First year as a mom’ includes the hit songs: ‘what’s the matter with the baby’ ‘shut your eyes and shut your mouth’ and ‘I thought I’d be a cool mom…’” Kate captioned the video.

Bravolebs send birthday wishes to Kate Chastain’s son, Sullivan Cay

The posts collectively received thousands of “likes” and comments, including some from Kate’s fellow Bravolebrities. Below Deck’s Fraser Olender, Josiah Carter, and Tanner Sterback were among those who gushed over baby Sullivan and sent him birthday wishes, along with Below Deck Sailing Yacht’s Daisy Kelliher and The Real Housewives of Miami friend Marysol Patton.

“Happy birthday beautiful baby Sullivan!!” Marysol commented. “You have my Daddy’s birthday and my best friend [Alexia Nepola’s] birthday!! Watch out Kate that’s trouble right there!!”

Kate Chastain admits motherhood was “more difficult” than she expected

Kate Chastain posts an image of herself with her newborn son on Instagram. Photo: Kate Chastain/Instagram

 

Kate announced her pregnancy in late 2022 when she posted a photo of her baby bump. She went on to confirm she was not in a relationship and would be a single mom. Although the former chief stew said she was confident in her ability to raise a child solo, she later admitted that motherhood was much harder than she expected.

“You have to teach them literally everything,” she told Entertainment Tonight in August 2023. “It is so much different than I expected, so much more difficult, so I think that was healthy for me. I love a challenge. But a lot of moms would DM me on social media over the years and be like, ‘I’m the chief stew in my house! I’m chief stew at my home! I’ve got three kids, I cook dinner, I’ve got to do their laundry and all their rooms and, you know, picnics…’ I said, yeah, I guess it’s kind of similar. Good for you, but now I’m like, I wish I could tell all of those moms you had it so much harder!”