The First of Many

We made it, we did it! We successfully planned and survived Presley Ann's first birthday party. After much planning and then re-planning we finally settled on a new location (Doling Family Center) because of the never ending rain!

 Presley arrive fashionably late in her new blue sports car, honking the horn and cruising in her adorable 50's outfit (Etsy).  The little onesie and bloomers were a simple solution to not wanting to overdo the theme with her outfit.

We had fantastic chefs and bakers for this event. Vickie Gilmore from Sweet Moments Custom Cakes brought us fantastic milkshake cup-cakes. We enjoyed vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate all garnished with a paperstraw and cherry on top! 

My friend Jennifer Campbell created these delicious cake pops in chocolate, vanilla, and red velvet flavor.  These were a huge hit and I highly recommend them for dessert or party favors at any party.

Then we had Chef Todd Bennett who cooked and served up 100 hot dogs.  Later that day, Todd and a family friend were discussing that he finally feels like a dad since he cooked up a large quantity of hot dogs!  I picture in the future many more ocassions when we will be serving hot dogs to the masses.

The kids made their own candy goody bags from vinyl record bowls filled with bubble gum, twizzlers, swirl suckers (personalized with Happy Birthday Presley from Oriental Trading company) and my personal favorite Starburst jelly beans.  These treats then filled their gift bags with pinwheels, sidewalk chalk, plastic swirl straw, and a thank you note.  I loved putting together these treat bags!

Everyone made their way into the room to make their own cherry soda, hot dog, and chips.  I consider these a staple of any party. 

I was so excited for everyone to sing Happy Birthday to Presley! When we lit the candle she was more interested in the flame than the icing.  It took a moment or two and little encouraging, but it didn't take long and she was diving into the icing eating handfuls---eek! Sugar Rush!

Presley was joined by all of her friends who were glad to help her open her presents.  That lil' girl was spoiled rotten!  She got a car for her first birthday from nana (which she was wheeled into the party with--sooo cute), a drum and music set, clothes and more clothes, a water table from my sister (Max was so excited for Presley to open it!) and one of everything from Toys-R-Us.  We could seriously go into business renting toys for the day there are so many of them.

We ended the festivities with a bow and Presley thanked everyone for coming and celebrating with her.

Though this party was a party and I had a blast planning and preparing, I don't want to forget that this day was more about celebrating with close family and friends the miracle that is Presley.  I look at her and I think about my kids at school and I have to just say "Wow!"  It is amazing that they are even here and that they grow up to be big, strong, and smart.  How did I ever get so lucky to have it all?  This day was absolutely magical and we would have never made it this far if it weren't for our family and friends.

Presley Ann, I know you won't remember this party, but I hope that one day you see all these photos and watch the video to know that you were crazy loved by everyone!

You lil' stinker!

Seven come ELEVEN, it's a winner!

We are four days shy of Presley's first birthday! Say it ain't so!  I felt like the months of my pregnancy had gone by extremely fast, I only had the best gift waiting for my at the end of April.  However, this first year with Presley has escaped me.  I wonder if I really took it all in?  Will I forget some of the most precious moments I have had with her?

I remember going to the hospital on Wednesday night around 8:45 and having to wait...wait?  I've been doing that for nine months!  I was thrilled to get this show on the road and I am not lying when I say I was excited to experience labor.  It was not all I thought it would be (the needle poked in my back three times I could have done without), but it was wonderful nonetheless and I was blessed to be able birth my healthy perfect daughter.  On the other hand I think Todd has been shaking in his boots since the night we went to the hospital.

It has been a learning curve for us both, but we have got this down.  She wants me in the mornings to sing and dance with her and daddy in the middle of the night (wink wink) to snuggle and bury down deep into his chest.  I know that she feels she is safe and protected in his arms and I hope that she always knows she will be.  A binky in the mouth does not make you a bad momma, it makes you compassionate enough to know when she has had enough and needs to soothe.  Safety 1st products only attract the baby to the unsafe place in your house, they would never now the edge of the credenza was sharp if you didn't plaster foam all around it.  The best toys are the ones in the kitchen drawer.  Grandparents are the best babysitter/nurse/playmates.  No amount of sanitizer and wipes will keep your baby from catching a virus, that's what insurance is for.  No matter how much of a fool you may feel like, she loves when you preform.  If your gut was a real person it would be a publisher, editor-in-chief, and be an MD, because the books, magazines and doctors don't know squat when it comes to "your" baby.  You'll loose the weight when you loose the weight.  No drop, pill, or DVD is going to make it come off; except your "new self." 

Yes, this year was a learning experience.  Todd and I never realized that our patience would be tested to all outer limits, that sleep deprivation actually gives you some crazy energy, that middle of the night cries mean big trouble with a baby that has slept through the night since two months (don't grumble we set out to have that baby sleep trained as soon as possible), that a dog was meant to mop the floor of a self-feeding infant, that bedtime routine is something to rock-paper-scissors for, and learning that your heart can double in capacity.  It takes a lot of love to get through the first year.  Love for your family, love for your baby, and love for your spouse.  There is not another man or lil' girl that I would rather love than these two.

Presley Ann, as your first birthday quickly approaches take it easy on momma and daddy.  Slow down just a little bit so that we can remember all the wonderful things you are today, let me look at you a little bit longer with avocado all over your face and banana in your hair, let me brush your golden strands of hair just one more time, and let me tell you for the 101th time today that you are my precious baby and I love you the most.

                    

Perfect Ten

We are almost there, yes we have embarked on our 11th month and we are less than 30 days from Presley Ann's first birthday.  But, I don't want to get ahead of myself there is still so much to celebrate and enjoy in those 30 days... I don't want my baby growing up. 

Presley entered into her 10th month with a double ear infection, something the nurse kept telling me was just a cold.  Call it mother's intuition, but I knew my baby had more than a cold.  We began our rounds with bubble gum flavored amoxicillin which Presley enjoyed very much and within ten days she was feeling much better.  Fast forward 48 hours later and the kick off to my Spring Break and we had a sick baby again!  The ear infection had not healed and I was a sad momma.  That would make two of my extended vacations from work with a sick baby.  With a new medicine in hand we healed over the weekend and began our week of mommy and baby dates.  We bolted out the door the first day of Spring Break to enjoy our newly purchased members of the zoo pass.  Presley loved it!  The zoo was packed with kids enjoying the nice weather and besides people watching, Presley enjoyed looking at all the animals too.  Some of her favorites included the giraffe (Sophie in real life), brightly color frogs of the rain forest, and the hip-hip hop-hip-pop-anonymous (hippopotamus).  At first she didn't know what the large-mud covered animal was, then I recited a line from one of her favorite books When You're Not Looking:

Hippos like to calmly wallow,

Knee-deep in a muddy hollow.

But when they want to feel divine,

they climb the tress to swing from vines.

...when you're not looking!

Right after I said that she looked at me, the hippos, and then pointed!  I said, "Yes Hippos!"

We made our way around the zoo and because she had behaved so well I took her for a ride on the train.  The breeze blowing in through her hair and the tooting of the horn was the best part.  I like to think to myself that she told all of her babies that night about the fun day we had at the zoo.

The rest of Spring Break we continued to get over the ear infection and attempted several play dates and outings that were later canceled because of either a fever or bad weather.  That was okay with us because Presley could find better things to do like hang out in a drawer or the dog crate.  I do not encourage either, she just like small spaces right now.

It was time for me to go back to work and I was sad to leave my baby, we had had such a great week together (though I felt I needed a vacation from my vacation since we dealt with late nights, early mornings and lots of crying from ear pain).  I knew it wouldn't be much longer until I would be home with her for the summer and we would be able to spend several afternoons at the zoo and exploring her new world.

Presley Ann has grown so much over these past few months.  From babbling to actually saying new words (momma, dog, duck, ut-o, dada), playing funny games (in and out), cruising all around the house, sliding to get out of a chair, and even experiencing the cutting of even MORE teeth.  I want to freeze her, keep her just this way forever.

Loving Pop-pa

It's been three years since my dad past away and anyone whoever said it gets easier with time lied.  Sure the day to day is better, but you find yourself at very special moments in your life wishing he was there to celebrate or share the joy with you.

Presley Ann sometime reminds me so much of him.  From the way her deep blue eye just shimmer when the light hits them just so, to the deep cupids bow above her upper lip.  I know that they would have been the best buddies ever and I just hope that for the rest of her life I will be able to show her all the experiences he would have.  I know one of the first things that I will do when she is really able to understand and take her to a Cardinal's game and buy her her first baseball hat!  Then, I will teach her to be a fish in water, I will have to drag her out of the pool.  I'll show her how to cook the biggest breakfast and appreciate classic rock music.  She may never really like football, but she will long for the smell of fallen leaves and cold air; a true indication that fall has arrived (my favorite season).  She will know how to wash and detail her own car, nothing makes your more proud than to drive your freshly washed car.  She will know to be kind to friends, do what is right, and be honorable. 

That'll be Pop-pa's girl!

Loving Pop-pa and missing him today.

Nine Divine Months

It's been a month full of snow days and I have enjoyed all the extra time with my lil' darling.  She is still a busy little girl.  She pulls up on anything and everything that she can, pulls out and down whatever is on the table or in a drawer, and talks all the time.  Todd caught her the other day saying "ball" and whenever she finds her dalmatian puppy she grabs it, gives him a big kiss, and says "dog."  The best might be at bath time when she grabs the duck and says "dddddddduck" She really likes the sound of "d."

We had my nephew's 2nd birthday this month and it was a ton of fun to see the babies together. It is extremely hard to believe that it has been two years since my mom, green grandma, and I blazed the trail to Kansas City in the middle of a rainstorm.  We all wanted to make certain that we were there for the precious arrival of Max!

We get to see each other about once a month, but I wish we could do it more often because the babies are more attuned to each other and love playing together.  It makes me look forward to the days when they can play together and maybe even cause a little trouble.

Presley is on the move and wants to walk, but is lacking the core strength to hold herself upright.  Recently there was a news report on the importance of tummy time, which as a teacher I am more than aware of the need for tummy time.  Therefore, I am perfectly content with her taking her sweet time and building up her upper body strength and leaving walking for when her body is really ready.

Presley had her 9 month check up and though her chubby lil' cheeks and thighs would make you think otherwise she came in at 19 lbs. 5 oz.  28.75 in.  The doctor was glad to hear that she was doing so well eating table food and encouraged us to keep doing what we are doing.  She is not big on meat (unless it is a chicken nugget and I don't want to start that habit) or many vegetables other than carrots, but she sure does l.o.v.e her fruit and waffles.  That girl has ate more waffles in the past month than I have in my entire life!

I am proud, I rejoice, and I am appreciative of the small things....she is the reason I am all these things!

She's Going to be a Beauty Queen