Guideline to having a laid back 1st Birthday Party!

Dear Diary,

The first thing to realize when planning your child's first birthday party is they will not remember it. This party is all for you :) Which is perfectly fine in my book. Considering I did it last week! After I stressed out about the party for over a week, one day it clicked that it is a one year old birthday party, relax. It was smooth sailing after that. I put together a list (in chronological order), and felt great as I was getting farther down the list and closer to the day.

1. Venue- you can not even think about invitations (cause I was ahead of myself in that department) UNTIL you have the place. I chose to have it outside on the lawn. It was perfect!

2. Guest List- Considering how large your venue is, your guest list can begin. You need to get a count before you start making invitations (again, we aren't at the creative steps YET!)

Quotes & Mantras that Get this Mother Through

Dear Diary,

They say good stress can be just as tough on the body and mind as bad stress.  In the past 2 months, I have had my share of it. I resigned from a job I love, started some new work, 3 funerals, 5 birthday parties, 2 new babies born, a baby shower (60 people) and a big NSA Event (150 people) and more!  A few of these events, I was involved in as an innocent bystander but for the majority of them I played a leading role.  Why? Because I am the “oldest” and apparently I will never outgrow that title.  I grew up in that role and I love be in charge.  The more sincere reason that I am involved is that I love family and “The time we spend together makes a difference.”- (recent quote by my husband Freddy)  So, I have a lot of things I want to blog about…  just haven’t had the time.  Below I list these events (for my own entertainment and as recorded evidence) and then we will get to the good stuff! 

Start Solid Foods = Headache

Dear Diary,

What a nightmare starting solid food with Layla. I am nervous every time we start a new food. The pediatrician informed us to introduce a new food every three days to ensure she isn't allergic to anything. I always find the slightest blemish on Layla and assume she is allergic to carrots, or kiwis or...etc. I need to relax and understand side effects to having a food allergy, instead of making up my own ideas. Mike re-assures me every time I have a crazy idea.

Annie Themed Birthday!

Dear Diary,

The Sun'll come out... TOMORROW! Betch your bottom dollar... that TOMORROW... there'll be sun!

Seeing as how we are still heavy into our family's birthday season, we will stay on this topic for a few posts. As I explained in my black tie post, we love to dress up and birthdays are a good excuse to do so. (Thanks uncle Rory for the photoshopping here.)

Blasting into the past, way back to 2010... When Mea was turning 3 years old, she wanted to dress up as Annie. To following theme we were Ms. Hannigan and Daddy Warbucks. This made for cute PHOTOS!

Black Tie Birthday Bash- Mea and Eva's Themed Party!

Dear Diary,

The girls' birthday party this year was a lot of fun! Months ahead of time, they started brainstorming.  Mea wanted to know what theme we should chose.  "What could we dress up like?" she asked.  This apple is not falling far from this tree. There is no denying it... we love dressing up! We invent reasons to do so.  And Birthdays are a perfectly good reason to do something silly.

Birthday Traditions

Dear Diary,

One more year has passed for each of my baby girls... time to celebrate!  My girls' birthdays are a month apart. Eva has turned 3 and Mea is turning 5! After giving birth, I gained a whole new appreciation for BIRTHdays!  My appreciation was exponentially heightened when I was able to witness Layla, my niece come into this world.  It was indescribable...other-worldly. breathtaking. mindblowing... it left me speechless and will go down in history as the most amazing thing I have ever witnessed.  There is a deep sentiment to consider what we are celebrating on a birthday...  on this particular day, so many years ago, a miracle happened.  It is such a great reason to celebrate: LIFE!

Now the question, how do we celebrate it?  What traditions do we carry over from our own childhood.  What new traditions will we start?  Things will be ever changing but some things can stay the same.  Here is a list of 10 BIRTHDAY TRADITIONS:

Want Professional Looking Pictures Without the Cost?

Dear Diary,
I recently went to a professional store to take Christmas pictures of my daughter. It was the first time so I made sure to take mental notes of how they took the most amazing pictures! Anyone remember their senior pictures? I remember going home and thinking I could have done that at home without spending almost $1000! Well you know I LOVE saving money (check out my couponing post) so here are some tips you should follow:

From Fiscally Responsible Family to White Trash in Split Seconds

Dear Diary,

We are off to a great start with the new budget but I am already itching for a new outfit.  It is 2 weeks into January and I am trying to figure out ways to feed my shopping bug that is still responsible.  I had some returns to make at Kohl’s from Christmas last week.  It was well before naptime so everyone was in great spirits as we waited in the customer service line.  The girls were all put together in their new boots from Christmas and hair in ponytails.  They entertained the people around us with some songs… “The Sun’ll Come Out Tomorrow!” … aw- they're adorable!  So far, yes. I shuffled through my wallet and found 2 very old Kohl’s gift cards.  I had no idea of their value or where I got them.  Also with my receipts, I had some “Kohl’s cash” that expired a few days earlier! Darn it.

Routine

Dear Diary,

Routine makes Life less chaotic then it already is.

A new year doesn't have to be the beginning of a routine but maybe a tweak in what you already have. Along with all the advice I was given by moms, one I listened to was to start a bedtime routine around 3 months of age.  We started the routine when Layla became 2 1/2 months old.  My 4 Bs: Bath, Books, Boob, Bed. Layla is now 7 months old and is very used to the routine that she doesn't sleep

Hip Hip Hooray for Motherly Instincts

Dear Diary,

I am living proof that motherly instincts are real! I recall a particular story that can prove it. I was at my sister Sarah's house when her daughter who was 8 months old got a hold of something.  Like every other infant, that "something" went straight into her mouth! We noticed her starting to choke. This was before I was mom. In fact, this was before I was even thinking about being a mom. I instantly started cringing and flapping my arms. I was so nervous I couldn't even watch.  Sarah quickly grabbed Eva and started to perform the Heimlich maneuver on her- while she told me to call 911. I quickly dialed and started panic mode while practically yelling at the lady

For the Love of Breakfast... Protein Pancakes!

Dear Diary,

I LOVE Breakfast!  Just the word makes my mouth water and makes me warm and fuzzy inside!  Breakfast is had between people who love each other and people who are close.  Mostly breakfast is eaten in the comforts of our own home.  If not, it might be after a sleepover, in pajamas and before you brush you teeth.  Even if we meet someone at a restaurant for breakfast, we are still fresh from our dreams with a whole day ahead of us.  If its an acquaintance you are meeting, do brunch.

Time... Saving Some Every Day!

Dear Diary,

What’s the hottest commodity to any busy woman?  Time! If only we had more hours in the day.  We spend much of our time keeping the house together.  If we added up the minutes, they turn into hours and ultimately years of our life spent sorting socks, loading the dishwasher and sweeping the floor.  What if we just had a few extra hours a day? What amazing things could we do?  I compiled some things that I have made into my regular routine that over the last few years have saved me time and sanity!

The Joys of Motherhood

Dear Diary,

A discussion at my moms' group mentioned the feeling of motherhood and the changes it has brought to our lives.  Every mom vented their emotions, stress, and exhaustion but, we didn't fail to make sure we finished on a happy note. The conversations we had made me wonder: How have I changed as a person and interpersonally? How do I feel about myself day to day? Have I been empowered as both a person and a woman?