One. 12 Months. One Party.

I have no idea how it happened, but my sweet baby girl turned one this week.  Like every cliche in history says, they grow up so fast--only it's really true.   Promise.  I guess that's why it's a cliche?  So we had a shin-dig for the birthday girl. . .who was horrified.  She needed lots of mommy-time, but the sweet taste of cake made up for the swarms of people around her.

Not every parent can say their child is a ray of sunshine, but I can with Brooklyn.  Fiesty?  Not really.  She wakes with a smile and that good humor is typically only interrupted if she's not fed quickly enough--girlfriend has quite the appetite.  20 pounds?  Nope.  Not yet.  I'm guessing 17ish?  No one can make her laugh like her big brother.  Walking?  Nah.  Her cautious spirit just isn't ready for that quite yet.  Talking?  Not lots, but she does sign eat, all done, say "up" and wave hi.  All on her own terms, mind you.

It's been a wild ride, this being a working mom of two wee ones, but I can't imagine life without Brooklyn.  I only worry that her sweet, sweet spirit will be out shadowed by the boys that will sandwich her through life.  I'm guessing with the crystal clear blue eyes, dimple and scrunched nose smile that Chris is right--we'd better start preparing for boyfriends now.

Now for the cuteness.

Let's Get Real

I'm all for being honest.  Most of the working moms I know talk about how much of a disaster zone their home is--to the point where we won't see each other in our respective homes because of the mess.  I told two of my friends today that if I'm waiting for my house to be perfect, I may never see them again.  I need to get over my mom's voice in my head that a mess makes it unacceptable to have anyone enter my door.  So here's my attempt at transparency.  It's okay.  You can judge.  And let it be known that my house looks this way and I still choose to do things like write a blog post, take a nap (if it's the weekend) and create a huge mess of popcorn and chocolate for little Christmas goodies.  Smart?  Likely no.  I'm just surviving--knowing there are things more important than folding laundry when I get a scant 2 hours per day with my kiddos during the work week and that by the time they are in bed, I am toast.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm not one of those perfect moms.  I know I'm not the only one.  I'm definitely not like a co-worker of mine who told me, quite seriously, that she doesn't check her email or have a Facebook account because those things would have her waste time.  So if you're all for wasting time on the interwebs while unfolded laundry takes over your house, CHEERS!  Now be brave and post about your own unfinished chores.  Let's live a little and show that a little mess doesn't matter in the scheme of things.  

And some baby cuteness.  Actually, I can't decide if I like this squenched up face she is making, but the picture makes me smile, so I'll include it.  

And finally, if you were wondering how Chris and I look gussied up, here's a pic from my company Holiday Party that happened to be on my birthday Birthday Bash!