Family Celebrate Baby's 1st Birthday With Unconventional Twist

Two parents from Orange County California have gone viral for marking their son's first birthday with an unexpected twist.

In a video on TikTok posted by mom Ari Malhiot (@arilynnmay), baby Nolan Chip is enjoying his milestone moment with a tomahawk steak at Old Brea Chop House, complete with a candle on top.

Nolan Chip turned 1 on the day of the video, which begins with the whole family raising a glass (or a sippy cup in his case) to mark the special occasion.

Screenshots of Nolan Chip enjoying his big day (left) and tucking into a mammoth steak (right). Mom of three Ari Malhiot told Newsweek that her son enjoyed "every bit" of his steak, and loves to... @arilynnmay

"He's toasting along with mom, dad and older siblings because he loves to do [a] 'cheers' at every meal—this one included," his mom explained.

Once he'd blown out his birthday candle, the birthday boy even started gnawing on the bone.

"He enjoyed every moment of it, and after dinner he was greeted with a nice dessert. Our baby boy was so happy, and we were glad to be able to capture it all and share it with others," the 35-year-old told Newsweek.

For Malhiot and her husband, the decision to forgo a traditional first birthday party for an intimate steak dinner came naturally: "We wanted a more personal birthday celebration, where it would just be my husband, our baby boy, and his two older brothers. We thought, why not have a steak dinner to celebrate all his accomplishments?"

The family wanted the day to reflect the youngest member's current favorites. Thanks to baby-led weaning, Nolan Chip is enjoying his protein and veggies lately, Malhiot told Newsweek.

"Our baby is the third born, so we know how much of a toll it can take financially and with the time of planning and also, babies tend to get fussy with an all-day party. So we decided a steak dinner would be perfect," said Malhiot.

The video has gone viral, amassing 5.3 million views and over 6,800 comments. Many users commented on Nolan Chip's mature attire for the occasion, joking that he'd come "straight from the office." Others agreed that he looked like a miniature version of American actor Jesse Plemons.

Another wrote that he looked like he was celebrating a promotion. "A promotion from toddlerhood," Malhiot replied in the comments.

The celebration proved to be a hit, especially with Nolan Chip. "He caught the attention of waiters, waitresses, management, and patrons walking past the table. They all smiled and stopped to say hi and wished him a happy birthday," Malhiot said.