Three

What???!!!

Baby Girl, how did you go from this...

to this?

Tomorrow she turns 3 and I know this is so cliche but the youngest seems to get older the fastest.

She is independent, happy, determined, loving, and stubborn.
She loves clothes and refuses to let me get her dressed in the morning.
She cannot get enough of her brothers and absolutely loves to be with with them.  
She is as tall as a 5 year old and tells people that is how old she is turning.
She walks around in my heels and carries as many dolls as she can.
She brings the spunk to this family and we all love her to pieces.

Happy 3rd Birthday Baby Girl!
XOXO

Birthday Cheers for the Hubby

Happy 35th to the best...

hubby

daddy

friend

a girl could know!

I also love that he is willing to stop mid-dance to get a great over-exposed camera photo.  

That is pretty important in a relationship.

Love you babe!

Eight

He's eight!

I cannot believe it!

It continues to amaze me how fast life can go.

I blinked and my first born become a boy.  

Not a little boy, but a boy.

And he is right on his way to being a young man.

He is OBSESSED with ESPN and EVERY sport imaginable.

He lets his little brother win when they play football outside.

He does the sign of the cross on his little sister's forehead before she goes to bed.

He tells me that he is going to go to college at Alabama and play in the NBA.

He tells me he loves me when I least expect it.

He truly is a blessing to me and the hubby.

Happy 8th Birthday Oldest!

Five

Happy 5th Birthday Middle Man!

I am still in shock that this little guy is turning five.  It is crazy town to me.  He has grown up in so many ways this past year and has overcome struggles that many young children do not have to face.  He is such a sweet boy and I hope I can keep this "mommy is my favorite" thing going for just a little bit longer (sorry hubby).  I know that they say life just keeps going faster and faster but it would be nice to put it on hold for just a little bit, right?

And though I am will always deem this day a celebration day for my Middle Man, I am very much aware that this is also a day that brings horrific memories and sadness for our country.  Today, all those who lost loves ones are also in my thoughts and prayers.  

Two

Baby Girl is two today.  TWO!  I cannot believe it.  I know they say time goes faster with each child, but the third has flown.  I still remember when we decided to go to three.  Our middle man had just turned two and we felt that someone was missing.  Nine months later (literally, nine months later....she came fast) Baby Girl arrived and I was SHOCKED.  We did not find out the sex and I was SURE that it was Boy #3.  Now here we are, two years later, and I cannot remember what it was like to not have her in our life.  


Who is this girl?  Well......
1. She is STUBBORN and STRONG WILLED, just like her mommy.  Good for all the men that try to come into her life (watch out boys) but bad for me at times.  She believes her way is the only way.
2.  Mickey Mouse is King.  She adores the guy.
3. She has expensive taste in shoes and handbags.  There will be a lock on my closet one day.
4. She adores her brothers and they adore her.
5. Her favorite foods are chicken and black beans.
6. She is not fond of others saying no but it is her favorite word.
7. She has a major sweet tooth, just like her mommy.
8. She already knows that if she wants something, she needs to go to daddy.
9. She knows the words to the chorus of "Rock Party Anthem".  Totally inappropriate, I know.
10. She LOVES the beach and will run as far into the water as you will let her.  Complete hazard.

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

7 years and I am still trying to figure out Mommyhood

The birthday boy enjoying his birthday cake

Seven years ago today my oldest was born.  I was 26 years old, I had a baby and then the hospital, unbeknownst to them, sent two people home with a newborn who had no clue what they were supposed to be doing.  I remember crying the first two days because I was worried that I would be a terrible mother.  This emotion was probably due to the fact that I did not sleep the first two nights home for fear that he would stop breathing.  And I am not even going to go into the amount of stress I had about not being sure how much he was getting when nursing.  Being a first time mother was HARD!  I remember when my second was born I thought to myself, why did I think this newborn thing was so hard?  They don't do anything but eat and sleep!  What was I so worried about?

There is something to be said about the oldest child.  They hold a special place in your heart, not because you love them more than your other children, but because they are the ones that teach you how to be a parent.  Unlike my other two children, who simply entered our "been there, done that" world, the oldest continues to introduce me to things that I have never experienced before.  Sleeping through the night, baby food, school, athletics, talking back, sleepovers, homework.  The list goes on and on.  He is not only my first child but continues to be my first at everything that involves being a parent.  

Happy 7th Birthday Oldest!  I still cannot believe how fast that went.  You are an incredible little man and I cannot wait to see you continue to grow, though I am REALLY not looking forward to the day you learn how to drive (insert panic attack here). 


Don't forget!  Ceek Jewelry giveaway is still going on!  Enter here!

Happy Birthday To Me!

It's my birthday!  Yea!  I absolutely love my birthday.  It is one of my most favorite days of the year and I have no problem making the entire day about me.  Completely selfish but whatever.  This year I am turning 33 and I am celebrating in style in Beaune, France (note picture above).  As you are reading this, I am riding a bike through wine country with the hubby, drinking to my hearts content, with a fabulous dinner lined up for tonight.  I cannot imagine a better way to celebrate!  WELCOME 33! 

Happy First Birthday Baby Girl!

Happy First Birthday Baby Girl!  I cannot believe it has already been a year.  It seems like just yesterday you arrived and SHOCKED us all with being a little girl.  I was most certain that you were going to be Baby Boy #3!  Having you has been such a joy and you bring such a new dynamic to our family.  Your brothers adore you and I know you will always be protected by them.  And it is pretty obvious that you are "daddy's little girl".  Over the last few months that little baby I brought home as left and a little toddler is forming in her place, who has learned to already hold her own and is quite stubborn (your daddy says you get this from me).  It is so fun to watch.  You and your brothers make me smile everyday.
Love,
Mommy

The party was a SUCCESS!!

After a week of running around like a crazy lady, I am happy to report that the 1st birthday party was a success!  Everyone had a great time and I always love when family and friends can get together to celebrate.  Here are a few of my favorite details of the party.....

The guest frame - love this and it is going up in her room today!

The Baby Cake: Before

The Baby Cake: After (she has a sweet tooth like her mommy!)

The party bags - It took a lot of saving and gathering to get all these!

The bounce house and slide - HUGE hit for the bigger kids

The center pieces, done by Ladera Flower Shoppe, who always does an amazing job!

The garden tables and chairs done by Signature Party Rentals

 I am still exhausted but it was all worth it.  Happy 1st Birthday Baby Girl!  XOXO

The Countdown Is On!

In 5 days I am throwing my Baby Girl a 1st Birthday party.  In actuality, it is probably more a party for me than for her but don't tell her that.  Oh, I just love to throw parties.  Not just love it.  I actually have issues with it.  I get an idea in my head and it gets bigger and bigger.  I cannot seem to control it.  My husband does not seem to share in this love for party planning and I am constantly told I need to tone it down.  I feel as if with this party I have met him in the middle.  Here is why:

1. Yes we got a bounce house but there are no face painters
2. Yes I have rentals coming but I have agreed to plastic plates and silverware
3. Yes the cake and cake balls were more than he would have spent but I am not catering the rest
4. Yes I have flowers coming but only the bare minimum
5. There will be alcohol - we both agree!

See, half way!

Here is the invitation for the event (I mean party).....

This was created by Pad and Paper, whom I adore and use for everything we mail from this house (more to come on them later).

I am still shocked that my little one is turning 1 and cannot wait to celebrate!

Side note: Can anyone guess my two favorites movies (hint: my daughter's name and theme of the party)