And What a Year It Was. . .

It's hard to believe this little man has been occupying space on this earth for over a year now (I am aware this picture says 10 months.  I can't seem to locate the 11 month pics & haven't taken the 12 month pics yet. Yeah.)  The Bonus Baby.  I wasn't sure I could love him the same way as the other two.  I was right.  I can't. (Totally not because he's the one I didn't have an epidural for)  He is a treasure all his own, full of cuddles, bashful smiles and special love for mommy.  No walking yet, predictable since his siblings didn't walk until 16 and 17 months old, respectively.  Actually, he has a crazy crawl propelled by one foot.  I am certain he has the strongest big toe in Texas.  I've often lamented that I never had kids that would sleep in crazy places.  Well, out of necessity, KP wins this race.  My dad says he has smiley eyes--his whole face lights up with joy. .  . unless there are loud noises or his parents walk out of his sight, then his bottom lip quivers, jutting out to express just how heart-broken he feels.  No worries, a thumb in the mouth solves everything.  

Seriously.  Face half in the water, half-out.  Asleep.  Clearly the best sleeper on vacation.

I love this picture.  Love.  This is my boy, in a nutshell.

Fifteen months or so ago I had no idea how we would survive.  How we would ever ever go on a vacation again.  How I would ever get out of the house on time for my job with four people to get ready.  Then Chris decided he needed a career change, exactly at the time this little boy was due to make his appearance.  No one else really understood our reasoning, but we just took it day-by-day.  Chris and I call it our own brand of chaos--dirty floors, sticky counters, toys everywhere, more laundry than I ever imagined, loud voices, hugs, tears, toys everywhere (seriously, everywhere).  I can officially say I survived working full-time as a mom of three.  We are a rare breed,I only know a handful of moms who have their own tribe and still work full-time, but with help of a laundry service & my generous co-parent, I have done it for one year.  Eighteen more to go.. . .although with current job stats, that may be more like twenty-one more to go.  I figure as longs as smiles out-number tears, hugs out-number hits, there is food on the table and healthy kids and parents, I'm ready to tackle the challenge.  

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.

Toot-Toot* Tutorial (Tutu to those not familiar with 3-year old speak)

I'm getting ready for the one-year old's birthday.  She's a big girl who will be awash in sparkles and customized shirts, banners and such and will have no.idea.  That's the thing about birthday parties for babies.  It's really just a chance for parents to show-off their kids or something.  We will also use it as an excuse to have adult bevvies and ladder golf in the backyard.  Don't judge.  It's just how we roll. 

BUT, I've turned out my crafty side to made a super-cute tutu for Brook-Brook and I am going to give a little how-to.  I don't sew, so I need easy-peasy.  So here goes:

Get some rolls of tulle.  I got mine at Hobby Lobby on a 50% off sale--score!

Cut the tulle into little squares.  You'll have to play around a bit to get the right length--I think this piece ended up being a bit short.

 Get one of those $.99 baby headbands (I also got this at Hobby Lobby).  Double the tulle and pull it through the little holes by looping it through.

 Here's an in-progress picture.  I used an empty oatmeal cannister to give it form.

Here's the mostly finished product.  I'm pretty excited about the cuteness in this pic. 

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A Few Cliches & Cuteless Overload

My baby boy is three, y'all.  THREE.












His first 6 months seemed like a hellishly long time, some of which I've tried to remember not to remember.  For real.  But from 6 months on, it's been a fun ride.  I mean, I 'm trying not to get all sappy and full of cliches, but really that's where I head.  I know that first pic is upside down--I have no idea how to fix it and it was just too cute.  The second one is the Ell-Monster headed home from the hospital.

SO to ring in THREE years, we had a big ol' birthday party.  It was unanimous success that cost a small fortune held at E's gymnastics gym.  (I think that's redundant, but I don't know how to fix it.  I blame the baby.  The one in my stomach).  I remember seeing pics from a birthday party one of my friend's had for her one-year-old and that I was certain I was not  going to be the parents with the over-the-top decorations, parent costumes and taking theme to extremes for a TODDLER.

Well, I'm still not that mom.  I was totally swayed to part with my hard-earned Holiday Bonus for birthday party fun because it didn't require crazy cleaning, crazy clean-up or crazy decorations.  I'm lazy, y'all.  I mean, I even ordered decorations from Etsy all printed and cut out instead of the PDFs because it just seemed too much.  None of it mattered because it was FUN.  And now is the time where I convince you by spamming you with cuteness.

How cute is that nephew of mine?  He LOVED the trampoline.  Loved.  

Really what I'm trying to say is that all the kids loved the trampolines.  

Did I mention that the party came with TWO facilitators?  They entertained, organized and corralled children, not to mention that they unloaded my car, decorated the room and then loaded my car back up at the end.  I LURVE them.  

Sweet baby standing up with just a bit of support from Aunt Manny.  No idea why Manny's hand appears purple here.  I must've mucked up the color balance.  Again.

Ell's friend Sophie.  He was beyond excited that his friends from the sitter were there for him.  

A little front roll action for Abby.

The kids loved chasing the balloons.  

Here they are sitting on the parachute.  This activity was beyond fun.  Nope.  I didn't get a picture.  I was having too much fun.   

Sweet Hudson hopping down the trampoline.  He really didn't want to leave that activity

Exactly a millisecond before Ell let go. . . on the count of one, not three.  Silly boy loves to fall into the pit.  

He got a medal! At first he proclaimed that it read "Happy Bir-day, Ehhyaa," but then loudly proclaimed, "I don't want it."  I was proud, I tell you.

So excited about candles.  This was the second attempt, because on the first he blew out the candles before we could sing or snap a picture one.  

With Cheyanne, his buddy from the sitter.

Aunt Deana and Little Bit.  

Balloons are so magical to kids.  I don't know why I forget such simple things.  So yep, it was a good day.  Beyond good.  And no need for me to put on a costume to prove it.