Ramblings from CaliLand

Thankful

2011-11-30T15:35:00.000-05:00

11/25- Today Im thankful that my grandparents are around to know and love their great granddaughters.

11/26- Today Im thankful that life lead me to all the places I was supposed to be to bring me to meet my husband and start our journey together on this day 9 years ago.

11/27- Today Im thankful for a safe and large suv that is fuel efficient and gets us where we need to or want to go.

11/28-Today Im thankful for a pregnancy that was so easy, a labor that I felt honored to have experienced and a child that was and is a dream.

11/29- Today Im thankful that while we are sad that my in-laws moved to Florida Im thankful that we are able to go visit on a 10 day vacation. We will be there on our 3 year wedding anniversary (and its where we spent our honeymoon when I was 4 months pregnant) so its a full circle trip and should be a hella lot of fun!

11/30-Today Im thankful that I started this blog. I often think its silly and that I never talk about anything entertaining or worth reading but looking back its a nice little journal and it has brought me some lovely e-friends and some awesome opportunities.

Thankful!

2011-11-24T12:02:00.000-05:00

11/19 Thankful that we have enough to be able to donate to those who don't.

11/20 Thankful that I was raised in a way that always reinforced helping others and being thankful.

11/21 Thankful for the families that welcome me into their lives and give me the honor of photographing their precious babies.

11/22 Thankful that my boss is not only a wonderful, understanding person but a fabulous friend.

11/23 Thankful for parents that not only offer but are as excited as we are to have us move in with them.

11/24 Thankful that on Thanksgiving we get to spend it with an amazing, loving family and eat lots of food while keeping those who aren't as lucky in our hearts.

Have a GORGEOUS Thanksgiving and count your blessings!

Miniture Food Porn from ME to YOU!

2011-11-22T11:54:00.000-05:00

I caved..I joined Pinterest and it was a fattening mistake! I am addicted, just as predicted, but my waist expanding addiction is your food porn. Im on a "mini-kick" (thanks to this and this) and when I saw these I had to make them!

LASAGNA CUPCAKES!

You can go to that link to get the recipe but I didn't follow it completely. I thawed a frozen meat sauce I had made and used that instead of the sauce and ground beef. I also didnt measure anything--I just took pinches out of the bag for the mozz and used an entire 14oz container of ricotta as well as a full pack (48) wonton wrappers because I wanted to make more than the recipe makes since I figure we could freeze them since they are perfectly portioned for my girl.

I found won ton wrappers that were cut into squares (vs making circles like the recipe suggests)--this worked great and cut out some cookie cutting time!

I used a melon baller to "measure the ricotta--I used about half a ball of ricotta for each layer and a full ball of meat sauce.

You just put it in..flatten it with the back of the spoon or your fingers.

pinches of mozz sprinkled over ricotta.

oooo yea...its commin together now!

repeat the process for a second, and final, layer.

top with mozz and throw in a 375 degree oven for about 18 mins!

so done and so good!

they look fabulous and thanks to cooking spray they just come right out when you pull on a side of the wonton!


My hubby and I eventually nixed the utensils and started eating them like finger foods..a FANTASTIC, self-contained appetizer!!

SO good, so easy and fun to make! Its also a fun thing for the kids to help make since its just their size and they can spring the cheese or drop the sauce!

ENJOY!!!

I also made these for Haydens Thanksgiving class party!

MINI APPLE PIES!

I was so excited to make another mini food and I am SO glad I only made a few extra than what H's class needs because I wouldn't have been able to stop eating these!

Instead of the pastry topping I did a super simple streusel and..O.M.G..ridiculous.

For Streusel
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
5 tbsp (2.5 oz) unsalted butter, chilled

Combine the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon in the work bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Cut the butter into small pieces and add to the dry ingredients. Pulse until the butter is cut into very small pieces, 30 seconds to 1 minute.

This is also another super fantastic and easy recipe and a great one to make with the kids--mixing the apples and spooning the filling into the cups is such a kid friendly activity!

HAVE FUN!

Thankful Days 17 & 18

2011-11-18T08:02:00.000-05:00

Today (11/17) I am Thankful for TV and the quality/age appropriate shows it offers. I appreciate the much needed break it offers when my patience and creativity is wearing thin.

Today (11/18) I am Thankful for technology! My phone that allows me to stay connected to friends and family and not just by calling but by text and the internet! My ipad that entertains me/allows me to get work done at random times and places as well as helps teach my daughter her letters and their sounds in a fantastic way!!

Thankful Days 13, 14, 15 & 16

2011-11-16T09:49:00.000-05:00

Today (11/13) I am Thankful for: the short 3 years I got to spend with our amazing dog Charmin. We rescued her but she definitely helped us just as much. She was our first baby and she was the sweetest, silliest baby. Her life was cut terribly short but she is always in our hearts!!

Today (11/14) I am Thankful for: having had the opportunity to breed, birth, train and care for these amazing animals.

Today (11/15) I am Thankful for: the amazingly fun (and sometimes wild & irresponsible times) I was able to have before becoming a mama!

and sometimes stupid times = polar bear plunge

Today (11/16) I am Thankful for: the amazing blogs that provide me with entertainment, education, e-friends and inspiration

Young House Love

The Paro Post

Cleared for Takeoff

Rachel Vanoven Photography

Prudent Baby

Thankful 10, 11 & 12

2011-11-12T20:03:00.000-05:00

Today (11/10) I am Thankful for: knowing how blessed and lucky I/We are.

Today (11/11) I am Thankful for: my independent nature.

Today (11/12) I am Thankful: that we didn't get a new couch before we had a child. Its crappy and we don't care if we get paint, markers and food on it--and good thing because they are all on it..plentifully.

Thankful 7, 8 & 9

2011-11-12T19:54:00.000-05:00

Today (11/7) I am Thankful for: a Daughter who loves animals as much as her Mama does.

Today (11/8) I am Thankful for: Friends entering motherhood

Today (11/9) I am Thankful for: Side jobs that provide beautifully for my family!

Thankful Day 6

2011-11-06T12:24:00.000-05:00

Today I am Thankful for:

A husband who is the silliest, most loving & hard working father a little girl could ask for--who teaches her things I wouldn't even think of and shows her things I never could. She is the luckiest girl in the world!

Thankful Day 4 & 5

2011-11-06T12:03:00.001-05:00

Today (11/4) I am THANKFUL for:
amazing friends

whose children not only genuinely love my child but who my child loves just as much.

It is a blessing to be able to watch 3 kids find such beautiful friendships so early in life. I love friendships that have a very natural "it takes a village" feeling--I care for your kids and you care for mine.

I love this chosen family of mine.

Today (11/5) I am THANKFUL for:
Family that could eat Hayden up with a spoon just as often as I could (and do)

We are so lucky!

A month of Thankful-ness

2011-11-03T10:52:00.000-04:00

I'm jumping on a little late but November is apparently the month of 30 Days of Things to be Thankful For.

I never like to turn down an opportunity to share all of the blessings in my life so here we go:

Thankful Day 1- I'm thankful for a job that let's me do this

and this:

All the while wearing pajamas if I damn well please!

Thankful Day 2- I'm thankful for the video cameras in my daughters school that allow me to watch her all day (its totally addicting)

Thankful Day 3- I am thankful for movies, a comfy bed, a snuggle-lovin daughter and popcorn w/m&ms!

ok, now that Im all caught up keep checking back!

Dropping in..

2011-10-18T17:19:00.000-04:00

I've been disgustingly busy lately between school, work, photoshoots, trying to get in shape (yes..I have started kickboxing!),dealing with tantrums, being a wife and raising a person...just to name a few things that have stolen my time. I have some posts in mind that I want to write so hopefully I'll get to those ASAP and share some great photos too. Until then I wanted to share that I have a ton to do currently. I have a filthy house, over 3 loads of laundry that need to be put away, photos to edit (sorry Loryn!), friends to visit, working out to do, school work to finish, food to buy and things to put away. Knowing all of this I parked my car at home, walked down the street to Haydens school and we spent a good hour walking home stopping along the way to watch deer, throw sticks & leaves in a stream, watch school buses go by and look at acorns. I didn't look at my phone or think about all the stuff I have to do. I just soaked up her explorative self, all of Her questions and 'i have an idea!' statements. I ate up every request to hold my hand and every idea she had that turned the 5 minute walk (if you have adult sized legs)into a hour long adventure.

I couldn't have accomplished more or spent my time better in that hour if I tried :)

Once my baby, Always my baby.

2011-09-08T21:12:00.001-04:00

The legs that once barely reached my naval now dangle well below my hips.

I can no longer cradle her in one arm.

Her eyes that once burned through mine while she sleepily drank a 2oz bottle now rarely meet mine while she eats pizza.

The feet that once kicked my ribs and bladder now tap dance on my kitchen floor.

I no longer need to rock her to sleep in a dark bathroom with the exhaust fan running.

The hair that once only skimmed her scalp actually had to be trimmed.

....and I'm ok with it.

I'm ok with it because the arms that once cradled her small newborn body are now what she runs into when she's happy or scared.

I'm ok with it because even though we may not lock eyes while she eats, her little hand rubbing my arm while we watch TV makes me realize how small she still is.

I'm ok with it because she can now fall asleep on her own because we taught her how.

I'm ok with it because she asks to hold my hand.

I'm ok with it because every now and then she tries to pull her legs up into that squishy newborn position while I hold her.

I'm ok with it because she needs me as much as I need her.

They're Creepy & They're Cooky

2011-09-07T18:16:00.000-04:00

no no, not Cookie Monster..

(although I did meet him and I'm 99% sure he thought I was pregnant which is slightly devastating)

I'm referring to The Addams Family!

I was contacted to see if I would be interested in getting free tickets to The Addams Family play on Broadway in return for a review on my "mom blog." I am so not a musical lover..I like Glee and LOVE Rent (the play. not the movie) but that's about it. I have seen several Broadway shows (its a given when you have gay men for parents) and am always waiting for them to be over because its just so...break-out-into-song-for-no-reason.

I accepted the tickets because I knew my (non-bio) dad, Tom, would love to go and thought it would be a nice day out together while my Dad had an adorable day alone with Hayden. I had zero expectations to like the play and figured I'd probably sit in my seat trying to pick out things I could write about. I worried that I would have nothing good to say and since I refuse to bullshit you guys I was, in all honesty, kinda worried about what to write.

Luckily, I didn't think about any of this during the play because it was really great!

From the moment that Addams Family music started (you know.."bud duh duh duh- snap snap")

and everyone chimed in with the snapping I started thinking maybe this wouldn't be so bad.

Our seats were amazing! Close, center..not near any horribly smelling people or kids with kicking feet and with a perfect view of everything.

The first actor that caught my attention was the actress playing Wednesday Addams, played by Rachel Potter. umm..how to explain her performance...BRILLIANT!

Brad Oscar, who played Uncle Fester, was an amazing dead ringer and hilarious! Roger Rees played Gomez and he felt like he stepped right out of the tv and onto stage. He rocked it.

Jackie Hoffman, playing Grandma, was so amazingly hilarious and brilliant that every time she came on stage laughter immediately followed. Between her awesomely inappropriate innuendos and fart jokes she had young and old cracking up! There were also "ancestors" that were dressed in all white (ya know..because they were ghosts and all) but their intricate outfits were from all different time periods and I loved it so hard!!

Now..you may be wondering about Morticia. For children of the 80's & 90's, like myself, who grew up on The Addams Family and Addams Family Values movies Angelica Hueston will always be our Morticia..but believe it or not 20+ years later I was open to a new one. Brooke Shields was currently playing Morticia Addams and I wanted to like her. I really really wanted to like her. I have generally always liked her and was fully on her side with that whole ~~closeted gay man~~ Tom Cruise-Postpartum Depression thing but she was less than. Ok..that was generous. She was awful. Aside from her disappointing acting/portrayal and her even worse dancing (seriously..Brooke-don't ever go on DWTS..really, its for your own good) her Morticia walk was too slow and her singing...well, luckily she had few singing numbers but I wouldn't kick you in the shin if you suggested she lip sang during group numbers.

side bar: I was totally Morticia for one halloween! I also had very long hair and would flip it over my face and be "Cousin Itt" so imagine my dismay when Itt (and Thing) only appeared for moments during a curtain opening.

Since I do not want to end with a Brooke Shields bashing I will end by saying that this play was fantastic! I loved it, my dad loved it and more importantly it was a wonderful day spent together. We went and spent far too much money at the M&M store (he has an addiction..that he has now passed to Hayden--she has "emmy em" everything) and even got to see some fun street performers!

AND finally: what I want to know at the end of posts like these (where the blogger got free swag) is "In the end would you have spent the money on this had you not been given it?" and to my surprise my answer is "YUP!"

Great Play. Great Day!

(did I really just end with a rhyme??)

I Surrender.

2011-09-06T13:09:00.000-04:00

Its not easy to realize, let alone admit, that your child may need more than just you.

H stopped going to school in May because I was done with work. When I got my current job as a nanny I was excited to be able to keep her with me for the time being figuring she would eventually go back to school if for no other reason than the interaction and structure (and the fact that my boss was having another baby in the fall.)

I had October in mind as a possible -yet flexible- go back date but October has turned into NOW.

I have started to see signs of my little monkey turning into an ape...ok that might be a slight over exaggeration. I take responsibility for a lot of her acting out. She is not doing anything abnormal for her age (though I refuse to refer to anything as "the terrible twos") but I know my child and I know that I am not giving her what she needs and wants. I KNOW what she is craving and it was easier than I thought it'd be -while still feeling like a kick in the gut- to admit what it was. She is craving the things school provided her with that I don't. Unforgiving yet gentle structure, peer interaction, well planned educational activities, a unique environment and experience- just to name a few.

You may be asking "Why cant you provide this for your own child asshole!?" Thats the same question I've been asking myself all summer. "Why can you manage a classroom of 30 kids without issue yet not do the same for your child?" Don't worry-I've beaten myself up enough over these questions and still come up short on answers. Maybe its different when its your kid? Honestly, I wish I had a definitive answer but I don't. What I do know is that I have surrendered. I have accepted what my child needs and while most of the time its me right now its not. In the end I think this time apart (Im planning on putting her in school 2 days a week) will make me a better mom...and if that makes me a bad mom to some people oh well. I know what is going to work best for my family and Im very confident that this will be it.

Side bar: When Sept 1 hits I think of summer as being over. (I wonder at what age you stop thinking of 'the year' in terms of sept-may? Wait..am I the only one who does that??) Im kind of devestated that I didnt get to do all the fun outings I had planned for H and I because I got this job unexpectedly and rarely had free time. In an attempt to ease the pain I took her to the Safari at Six Flags on Friday! She is def taking after my love of animals.

and dancing..

(sorry its sideways)

What We've Been Up To in Pictures

2011-09-05T20:37:00.000-04:00

H on the bench we got engaged on. Our initials and e-date are carved into it but you cant see in the picture :-(

Operation Paci

2011-08-24T21:15:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow will be day 4 of "Operation Paci is only for sleeping" (i really wish I could come up with a better title.) Hayden is extremely attached to her paci and her blankie. I dont care about blankie-its cute when she rubs "taggie" (the tag on the blanket) on her boo boos or nose and I still have my blankie and Im relatively well adjusted....hmmm..

Anyway, I never cared about paci until I started feeling that it was stopping her from talking because she was too busy sucking away..and the thought of the future dental bills gives me heart palpitations so tha's why OPIOFS came to be. Don't get me wrong, Hayden has plenty to say but without paci she has a whole lot more to say and there is nothing stopping her from saying it. Loudly.

I basically hide paci as soon as she wakes up and it reappears for nap time and bedtime. When she asks for it (only about every 4 seconds) I tell her about how shes a big girl and can have it for night night. Its going much better than anticipated and my willpower is shocking. I don't know why I am letting her keep it at night but I think because shes so attached to it I don't want to rip off the band-aid too fast. Probably because Im not ready to hear her crying for it or waking up during the night to soothe her.

I got some books at the library about getting rid of paci and going potty but they all kinda suck so I dont blame her for requesting her other books when I try to read them. She is not ready for potty yet but hopefully I can dedicate a weekend to put her in undies (we have the Gerber kind) and see how she feels about that. One thing at a time though and paci is def more important right now.

In the spirit of randomly changing topics I often see moms post little updates about what their kids are doing and liking so heres mine..

Hayden is wickedly funny and has a fantastic sense of humor.She loves tv just like her parents (unfortunately) and she always asks for Astro Boy, Barney (the show and cd), Yo Gabba Gabba (aka “Gabba Gabba”The show and cd) and Curious George (she prefers the movies.) I love to listen to her sing all the songs in the car and we even have a little dance we do and she says "GO MOMMY" and then I say "GO HAYDEN"--its disgustingly adorable and gives me glimpeses of how cute we will be when she is a little older. She loves milk, sweets (cake, cupcakes, chocolate, ice cream), drawing with a pen (so particular), her vitamins, bikes, shoes, walking in moms high heels and dads sneakers, watching videos of herself (and other kids), night night books, touch and feel books, her uncle jarry, being outside, bubbles, blankie and paci (ugh).

She uses varying intonations when she answers questions-she likes to say “yyyyeeeessss” or “nnooooooo” with a silly smile she also answers with 'of course!', 'oh boy, yes!' We love to ask her to make "the face” and she pouts her lips, furrows her brow and looks at you with her head down a little (all while trying not to smile.) She loves to stand in the open fridge while tapping chin and saying “hmmmmmm” (and its adorable--obv) and oddly enough she likes to look through dress up clothes but does not want to dress up--dont even suggest it.

She is 36" tall and wears 24 month clothes but can still fit in 12/18 months and is in size 5 diapers (4s were getting short on her and since she rarely sits still/lays down for a diaper change the 4s weren't fitting properly since I have not perfected my diapering a standing/moving toddler skills yet.)

and Ill leave you with some cuteness:

Hayden Birthday Part II

2011-07-29T21:40:00.000-04:00

As promised here are the deets of Haydens 2nd Birthday party!!


My BFF/H's godmother designed the invite and I printed it via VistaPrint. I could not have been happier with the results. I ordered 40 invites (they come with envelopes) and 50 Thank you cards (also with envelopes) for about .56 a piece. Not bad in my opinion..especially considering the quality :-)

Figuring that cake plus kids would equal the need for wipes and wanting to keep with the owl theme I made this! It was on the gift table along with the adorably arranged party favors and this sign:


This sign was on the drinks cooler while a sign by the food table read "Whhooooo's Hungry??"

So Sew Lovely on ETSY

I spent a little more on favors than I wanted to but I really wanted to give the kids (and parents) something that they would all love, use and not just throw away like a lot of the common stuff found in goodie bags. I contacted several Etsy shops and Wendi from So Sew Lovely was SO SO wonderful (yup..that just happened.) She made me these pre-filled crayon wallets which are normally super inexpensive at $8.50 for $6! I also sent her a picture of a fabric I loved but she didn't have in her shop and she got it and made them no problem. The quality rocks, everyone loved them and they come in mighty handy when you spot a meltdown on the horizon.

Next I went to Oriental Trading for my decor since none of the owl stuff in stores was cute enough..especially since I knew we would be using these owls throughout the party (invites, signs etc.)

The kids all got these plates but everyone else got plain white ones from BJS :-)

JMB Three Designs on ETSY

And finally, the birthday girls attire! I found this dress after a long search on Etsy. While I love the construction, colors and fit of the dress we did run into some issues. I asked Valerie to make the dress with the cap-like sleeves she offers in her shop but by mistake she sent me the halter. No biggie, I just put 2 buttons on the inside of the back and made it like a tank. Valerie wanted to make it up to me so she sent me the matching ruffled bloomers but they were huge. To make up for that she sent me another pair but they were even bigger lol Valerie tried and it was very appreciated but if I order from her again (which is possible since she has such cute dresses!) I will definitely take the size issue into consideration.

Regardless of what we had, who wore what and what was served the day was fabulous. Aside from wishing I took detail pictures instead of ripping them off the websites I loved all the details and can't wait to do it again next year!!

1..2..3.."AWWWW"

2011-07-24T21:31:00.000-04:00

Want to see more of this beautiful princess?

Click the link below..and make sure you follow so you can check back to get your newborn fix!

Ryanne | 2 weeks old

TGFI Part 3

2011-07-20T09:44:00.030-04:00

Even though I no longer have an iPhone the title of Thank Goodness for iPhone remains because lets be serious, apple lover or not,they rock!

On to the phone pics and video

I love this video because H is acting like such a big girl when she yells to her friends "Guys-where are you? I'M COMING!!"

street performers my dad and I saw on a trip to the city

Rear facing, apple pastry and "eyes"...shes just too cool for you!

by H's request, blue toes.

having some adorable conversation with her friend Griffin

totally as good as it looks!

I dont imagine its on DYFUS' good parenting list to let your toddler play Call of Duty but what are ya gunna do..

so in love with her Uncle Jarry

great grandfather-Papi

Piano Lessons from Papa Tom

grandfather- Papa Alex


Best uncle ever reading The Tushy Book!

Too Much To-Do

2011-07-14T13:25:00.001-04:00

As you may know Im currently finishing up an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education. Why an associates? Thats a fantabulous question-I started college in 2002 and aside from a 2 yr break for back surgery Ive been in school since. Ive attended 4 different schools, have earned well over a bachelors degree amount of credits and still have no idea what I want to do with myself. How crazy is that? Ive had 3 majors-business,animal science and ece. I truly feel that this is a circumstance where education and community have failed. I know way too many people (actually the majority of people I know) who have no idea what they want to really "be when they grow up." There is nothing wrong with that except for the fact that we are grown up. I dont ever remember being presented with information about different jobs in the world and how to become any of those things. I only remember hearing that I could be anything I wanted...which would be super had I been given examples and ideas of things I could be. Aside from the obvious jobs I observed as a child in the world I was never talked to about the less obvious. Kids need this! We need to know that there are people who do every and anything and we need to be given the tools to learn about what we could do in life to be our best,most happy selves.

So that was a full on ramble but it brings me back to my frustration with still being in school. I am taking a biology class..and not because I want to. I had to take a lab class nd this was the "easiest"--HA. I previously failed bio at Rutgers University and refuse to do so again so I am taking bio in the summer where its a little easier and all by its lonesome. No other classes to distract me or take time away from the ridiculousness that is me + bio. My current sched looks like this:
m-w: up at 5:45am. Get ready,get lunches,get H up and get to work by 7am. Mommy 2 kids until hubby picks up H around 4:30 then go straight to class. Get home around 8pm and do dishes/make dinner/clean up/edit pictures/be a wife/make lunches for everyone for the next day etc.. go to bed by 10:30pm if Im lucky.
Thurs: starts the same but no class so get home with H around 6:30/7pm and be a mommy and wife until bed.
Fri: my "day off"..and that is in quotes because any mom reading this knows there is no such thing when you are home with your child.

It may just be me but this is a little overwhelming to say the least.
My house is a disaster,my sink over flows with gross dishes,my dishwasher is filled with dishes that need to be put away,my laundry needs to be done even though the laundry I recently did still hasnt been put away, I have piles of baby clothes/toys that need to be organized for consignment,I have pictures that need editing, friends that need phone calls, family that needs visiting, facebook pages that needs "likes" (hint: go to the right and click on 'rambling photographys' fb thingie), cooking that needs to be done and studying that needs to happen. Oh..and Im working with a bff on a special occasion nanny service, MyFairNanny.blogspot.com, so Ive been doing bridal shows and working for that too. Oooh..and Ive been helping another bff on her non-profit, Copingwithlm.com, all on top of my photography business. So,while Im trying to accomplish any of these bagillion things please do me a solid and go to all aforementioned sites and follow them AND like them on Facebook. You will be given a CaliLand golf-clap if you do!

As a mom does it seem like even when there are just 2 things on your list its 2 too many? whats your to-do list look like today? Are you over overwhelmed? Vent baby vent!

Side bar-this was written on my phone so forgive any spelling mistakes..the buttons are small!

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Haydens Birthday-Part I

2011-06-30T20:27:00.000-04:00

yes, you read that right: part I...that means there is MORE!

Its official-- my baby is TWO!

(actually its been official for a few weeks, I just haven't had a chance to blog)

We celebrated on June 4th with a family and friends gymnastics party!

I apologize in advance for the horrific picture quality. The flash blew everything up but without it it was so dark so some are blown out and some are (poorly) lightened up in photoshop.

H was overwhelmed at first so this ~~weirdo~~ instructor tried to do a one man show of Jackass to make her happy..as you can tell she was not impressed.

Aunts, Grandmas and all sorts of relatives and friends came!

One of the reasons I loved this particular place was because all the ~~boring adults~~ non-kid-toting attendees could still watch all the fun from the comfort of the party area.

My brother is essentially the BEST UNCLE EVER. He was set on making sure H had a good time so he went all out into Crazy Uncle Jarry mode..and she ate it up!

eating it up..

Jumping with Aunt Casey!

Jumping with Aunt Jess!

Enter everyones favorite thing: the foam pit!

my parents in the foam pit...i think this is their next holiday card, don't you??

just chattin with some school friends :-)

So I am an asshole and forgot to take detail pictures..but here is the kids picnic area (they didn't have kids chairs so I thought this was a safer plan.)

the adults tables

Naturally we served Haydens favorite food: Pizza

"Happy Birthday"

Its not a kids birthday party until someone has a melt down! :-)

I specifically asked for no flowers...they're lucky it tasted amazing. It was vanilla and chocolate cakes with raspberry preserves!

there were all sorts of picture issues this day as you can see.

H's Godmother :-)

though we were tired we went home for some present opening!

..and some nose picking

thats why we have kids right? To relive our childhoods by playing with their toys??

birthday kisses!

checking out her new Olivia purse while playing Daddys flut-o-fone from the 90s...yup.

she stole my piece of cake off the counter and devoured it...like a ninja!

THEN..it was her actual birthday on June 8

...and I had work then class so Gammy hung with H and got her to sit on the potty using her super cool new potty thing!

She opened her present from Mommy & Daddy (spoiler alert: it was a bunch of books)

she sang and danced while she ate

she practiced being embarrassed of me so she is all set when shes a teenager

again...


yup..this is the best pic we got.. :-(

but I did make Anthony record her eating her birthday cake since I was at class and here is that cuteness:

...and if that wasn't enough there is a part II so stay tuned because that will have all the details of the party (using pictures taken after the fact of course since I totally forgot)

Deep Breaths

2011-06-16T16:13:00.000-04:00

I am a little overwhelmed.

I am done working for a little bit and figured with my time off I would get right into cleaning up, organizing clothes and getting rid of toys H doesn't use anymore. I have done none of this. The toy plan is great...except that I always plan to do it during nap time and then leave all the toys in her room. FAIL!

A simple clean up seems so daunting and impossible right now because I know as soon as I put toys away, clean the table, clean the floor she will wake up and everything will be everywhere again. And even when stuff is put away somehow I am always surrounded by rogue crayons or tea cups.

......as I'm typing this it hit me!

I will one day yern for the day that there are stray tea cups and crumbs from breakfast in the carpet. I will ache for the days when she wanted me to join in her tea party..when there were little toys to clean up. I constantly find myself not embracing the moment..I know its just my inability to consistently escape my anxiety & I often need a reminder to stop pulling myself out of the situation and enjoy it for what it is--messes and all.

Because at the end of the day, when I am snuggling with her after we read "one more book", I ask her "Did you have a good day?" and she says "yesh" and I say "me too" what I really mean is

"YOU, my darling sweet smelling baby, are why all my days are so good."

Eargasam

2011-06-15T15:35:00.000-04:00

Yup! I am now using the term Eargasam to refer to things like this:

I have yet to find anything sexier but if you happen to please feel free to share!

....and you're welcome ;-)

And The Winners Are....

2011-06-09T20:56:00.000-04:00

Winner #1 as chosen by Random.org is.....

Cassandra Schaub

who said

"I was sent over from Coping with Laryngomalacia :)"

CONGRATS!!!

Winner #2 who was chosen because they sent the most people our way is....

Stephanie Hueston Paden

who send people over by posting about our giveaway on her site

Coping With Laryngomalacia!

CONGRATS GUYS!!!

Cant wait to see what you put in your frames!!

2?? Really??

2011-06-02T15:09:00.000-04:00

Well kids, I have been MIA and Im half sorry and half not. When I am MIA it usually means I am too busy enjoying life to stop and write. In this case that is true but I have also been too busy in general!

I launched my photography company, Rambling Photography, and you can click on that button up top to check out the site! I also have been finishing editing several shoots I did AND school started up again this week. I am taking a biology class ::cringe:: and am terrified since I have failed bio before.

In more awesome news H is almost 2. Literally..like in 6 days it will have been 2 full years since she and I locked eyes and fell in love.

The time goes so fast and I miss that little newborn body curled up against my chest but I don't think I would trade this age for the world. She is at the most wonderful age. She is so much fun to hang out with and she cracks me up on a daily basis. I am so lucky to have a kid that I not just love but truly like. I am not going to get all sentimental (Ill probably save that for the post about her birthday party) but I do have to say that I am the luckiest girl in the world. I have a husband who is SO not afraid to be ridiculously silly & has a bond with our daughter unlike anything I could have imagined. I have a daughter who requests "cuddles", loves to hug, is a great eater, is kind and caring, funny as hell and possibly smarter than me. On days where the 3 of us do something together-just as a family of 3- it makes everything else fade away and shows me that as long as we have love and eachother we will always be ok.

Our family is perfection, for me.