You know you're a mom when..

You are riding in a mirrored elevator on your way up to the office and notice something at the bottom of your jeans.  Upon closer inspection, you remember it's the throw up splatter from last weekend when your child chunked it in the middle of Whole Foods and you were so discombobulated, you forgot to wash your jeans afterwards b/c by the time you got home, they had dried and you had bigger things to worry about, like cleaning said child. 

Good times.

Que music... She works hard for the money... and other shenanigans

V works hard to earn her keep around here.

After a hard day's work, she likes to unwind with her peeps.

And finally, nothing like a good belly laugh with Daddy.

Peace out dudes.

Off the blog wagon. Again.

This last month has been a whirlwind.  I've been crazy busy with numerous things, including a new job, a trip to Colorado, E's continuing education, and life in general.  I haven't posted in so long and I'm so mad at myself.  I'll try to rack my brain and remember things from the past month of blogging importance.

First - V's 1 YEAR STATS!

Weight - 18 lbs, 10.5 oz (25%)

Height - 29 1/2 inches (52%)

Head - 46.8 inches (74%)

So, what do these numbers show? V's a skinny average height girl with a giant head! She really doesn't look she has a big ole head to me, but what do I know.  I do know she's an itty bitty little thing and is still wearing size 6 months and 9 months pants.

Second - we attempted to have a one year photo shoot with Uncle N (the mastermind behind previous shoots).  We decided we wanted to try to get some outside pics. In the middle of August. In Texas... Not the best idea we've ever had.  It was miserably hot and when we tried to get some shots with a pool background, all V wanted to do was get in said pool.  The pics below are the fruits of all our labor.  We did get some good shots and thanks again Uncle N!!

An outtake.

It's hot - can we go home now?

Yay! A pool!

What?? I can't go in?

Finally!

What?? You tricked me! This is the worst day ever!

It's my pal Mr. Bear! I didn't know you were going to be here!

So sleepy.

Let's just lay down right here Mr. Bear.

And that's that for the pics.  There were some keepers and we'll make sure to not schedule anymore outside shots in the middle of August in Texas.

The rest of the month was busy starting a new job, flying to Colorado for a family trip and V starting a new class at school. 

She's been in the big girl (toddler class) for a week now and it was harder on mommy than it was on her.  In the new class, they are expected to learn to feed themselves and they are not supposed to have bottles.  We've been working on a sippy cup for a while, so that I wasn't too worried about, but feeding herself whole meals, at once - that's a problem.  The first day she was STARVING - she ate FOUR jars of baby food when we got home - an unprecedented feat.  She did better the rest of the week and next week starts Week 2.  I hope it's better - on both of us. 

And to finish of, here are some pics of our day to day. 

V and Daddy enthralled in a riveting action book.

To change up the pace - a gentle fairy tale (same book - but Daddy is the best story teller ever!)

V at the splash park near our house.  She absolutely LOVES the water!

Mattie getting some much needed love from Daddy.

V signing off with her signature dance move - the robot.  Peace out dudes!

First birthday party.. or... A toy store implosion

My sweet girl turned 1 this past weekend!  She's officially a big girl and is no longer an infant.  A part of me is sad that she's growing up so fast, but I never want to be sad that she's growing because that means that she's healthy and happy and living her life, which is exactly what I want for her!  So, that being said, we celebrated V's big first birthday in style! 

First, on Friday, I made pink cupcakes with purple frosting and we had a little shindig for her and her little friends at school. 

I'm 1! The hat says so!

V set a precedent and wanted nothing to do with her cupcakes.  More to come on this later. 

Then on Saturday, we had the whole family and some friends over for her toy store grand opening birthday party.  Our house looked like it threw up pink, but it was perfect for V!  We got her a bunch of balloons and they were a HUGE hit!  She walked around holding on to one balloon on a string all night - they were inseparable.

 

As I wrote in a previous post it's hard to believe it's been a year and how much a year can change your life.  V and I have come so far together.  We laughed, we cried, we threw up, she blew out of her diapers.. you get the picture.

On that note, here are some pics from the rest of the party.  Good times were had by all, especially V.  Although she wanted NOTHING to do with her cake! 

Um.. Mom??  Fire? In front of a baby?? I know I'm a big girl and all, but come on!

Eh.. not so sure about this thing.  It looks too pretty to eat.

Ok ok..  I'll give it one try.

Um. No!  I don't think so! 

Alright lady!  I don't want this cake!  Get me out of here!  I will call CPS on you woman!

Sweet freedom!

Although V's not looking, good pic of E and I. :)  We never got a got a good shot of the three of us, but it's in our hearts and memories.

V's birthday cake

Dinner time

Which gift should I open next...

I'll just dive in and see where I land.

Thanks for reading the card to me Mommy.

Yay hammers!  (V got 4 hammers from D and family!  V LOVES her hammers!  After she lost one on a walk with Daddy, D let her borrow hers, and now D has replenished V's hammer supply!  Thank you D!!!)

This one next?  It looks big and heavy - Yippee!

V's baby.  It may look like she's trying to give the paci to baby, but in reality, she likes to steal it.

She doesn't look related to me and my dad. Her daddy has some strong German genes!

The damage

All in all, it was a great first year and a great party!  Happy birthday V!  We all love you so so much!

This little light of mine

I'm going to let it shine

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

One Year

Lots can happen in a year.  My life got turned upside down, around and inside out in the course of a split second.  The second I saw "pregnant" on digital little test.  That was well over a year ago.  You didn't feel real to me at all at first.  I knew you were growing inside me, but the reality of you, the living breathing you didn't set in until well after you were born.  I did not know what to think of you at first and I never in a million years would think I would grow so "fond" of you.  And boy have I!  I remember that first night together in the hospital, when Daddy was out for the count as soon as we made it back into our room, and the nurses kept bringing me to you to nurse every three hours.  You were born at 10:28 PM, so that first night, it was just you and me and a snoring daddy.  You were so small - under 7 pounds.  And we just sat there in the night.  You slept and nursed and I didn't know what to think.  I just knew I had just become a mother.  The first few weeks were rough emotionally for me, and then something happened - I fell totally, helplessly, completely head over heels in love with you.

My sweet baby girl.  You have changed my life in ways you will not understand until you hold your own precious baby in your arms.  You are a loving, kind, willful, funny, busy, social, happy little girl!  You have a sparkle that draws people to you.  I pray that the light in your eyes never dims with age and the problems that will come with coming into the teenage years and adulthood.  I pray you are happy and healthy!  I will ALWAYS be here for you.  ALWAYS!  You saved me and brought me closer to God.  Loving you is a glimpse into the love that God has for us.  You are a joy beyond words and I love you more than I can say.  Love is not a good enough word.  You complete me - my sweet little monkey!  Thank you for you!

Happy Birthday!!! We've come a long way!

4 days before birth

Day 1

Day 1

Day 6

Week 2

Week 3

Month 1

Month 2

Month 3

Month 4

Month 5

Month 6

Month 7

Month 8

Month 9

Month 10

Month 11

Month 12 - Happy 1st Birthday!!!

You bring such joy to our hearts V!  We love you sweet girl!!