It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Daddy fills P in on how to care for our tree.

 It's about time we got some cooler weather! I will just try to push the fact that we wore shorts and t-shirts to get our tree out of my mind and be happy that our heater is now currently running. Tree is up and decorated, the few decorations that I have {according to the husband, I threw a bunch of stuff away last year} are out, and there is a 'project present wrapping' are in the guest room. Just a few pictures and collages to share the joy.

I love the thought of saving our Christmas cards from year to year and displaying in a creative way during the holidays. SO far we just have the one from last year. I have all of our cards from last year on a ring with ribbon. I just love looking back and am ready to fill the bowl with holiday cheer from this year.

A few of my favorite ornaments. Most of the ornaments are pretty simple, but each year we add a few pieces that are unique to our year. For example; the glass heart was from the year we got married, the red poinsettia is an annual ornament from my mom, the red heart was handmade by Spencer's mom, and the little house is what I added this year....since we built a home this year.I also picked up a handful of those cute little burlap ornaments at Target for a buck each....I figured they tied everything together, since I added a bunch of twine to my bow this year.

Topper & Tree Skirt. I like a big bow on the top of my tree! I made a new one this year and no, I can not give you a tutorial because there is no rhyme or reason to my bows. They look different every time, but I really like this one. One of these days, I will make that cute layered burlap tree skirt. The one where you don't have to sew a thing! I just didn't get to it this year so I went with the good old white sheet {looks like snow right?} and cute little tree skirt. We get a real tree every year {tradition} so my hubs has to have easy access to water it. This works well!

I watched a couple you tube videos, scanned pinterest for 30 minutes, read a few informative DIY blogs and whipped up this wreath on a Saturday evening. I mean, really, what else would you do on a Saturday evening? For my first mesh wreath, I am happy with it.

That is how we are getting jolly over here.The UPS man drops off a pacakge just about every day and my stack to wrap is growing. Better get busy this weekend, now that we truly have to play "Santa."

Merry, Merry......

An American Girl Experience

Presley and I spent Saturday evening at the American Girl store celebrating Lila & Sophia's birthdays. GiGi planned a sweet little party in the bistro for the girls and it was nothing short of pink perfection.


The birthday girls each chose a new doll and then the dolls get to join us at the table. Yes, the have highchairs for the dolls. They even serve the dolls little plastic cups and saucers when they bring the drinks. P brought her bitty baby and oh my goodness, she was entertained the whole time by feeding her baby. I think I need one of those little highchairs to take to restaurants in the future. Seriously, she has never been so well behaved at a restaurant-such a little lady!

This store is really over the top and a tad overwhelming. The dolls are in glass cases, there is a doll salon, the carpet is bright pink, you can schedule a personal shopper, and the line to purchase weaves around and around. It is pretty much a little girls dream! We had a blast and I can't wait to take Miss P back to pick out her doll one day. She will stick with her bitty baby until she fully understands that tossing baby her and there is not quite acceptable when baby costs as much as a fabulous pair of boots. 

We had such a great time! I highly recommend this outing to any mommy with a little girl who loves dolls. The girls were in heaven and they said it was "the best day ever!"

The Sippy Review-Part 2

I have spent a ridiculous amount of money on sippy cups. We are the proud owners of 80% of the cups they sell at Babies R Us. You might remember me giving my opinions on some cups back in June. Well, it has been determined that our child is picky.....only when it comes to cups. We are completely on whole milk now, but it is a struggle to get her to drink the recommended daily amount. That is the reason I have purchased so many cups-because we were trying to find that 'perfect' one. They one where she would finish her milk and not get caught squeezing it out onto the floor. {true story}
My sitter has been concerned too and she has told me that she tries many different things to get her to drink milk. A couple weeks ago, she showed me these cups that seemed to be working. So off I go to good ole Wally World to add yet another addition to my precious collection. After searching for these cups, I gasp when I see that they come 4 to a pack for under three bucks. Are you kidding me? My daughter prefers the cheapest cups at the store. Fabulous. If only I hadn't already spend well over $100 on others.

The First Years-Take & Toss. Cup of choice

They even offer a hands free options. No need to stop for milk drinking. Perfect.

These seem to be working well for meal times. They spill easily because there is not a stopper, so that would be my one complaint. However, if she drinks milk, then I am happy.

Happy December

December is finally here! 

See, the reason why I have been so non existent on my blog lately is because I have been getting ready for December. {lame excuse} Honestly, the task of -update blog- has been on every list I have made for two weeks. I just can't find the time in the evenings! I am going to try to get back in the swing this month....I find I am a lot more calm when I write about what is going on in our busy lives. I think it helps me focus on what I DO get done and not what is still waiting to be crossed off the list.

~a week late recap~

We had a lovely Thanksgiving. My family was out of town so we spent the day at Spencer's parents. It was a treat for us to be at one house all day. Usually we make several stops around the city, which can be challenging with a toddler who prefers to play, uninterrupted, all day long. It wasn't until I had a baby that I realized just how blessed we are. She puts everything in perspective for me. It was nice to spend five straight days with the ones I adore.

Such a little turkey herself

The sweet place setting for Miss P complete with toddler size silver. I love family heirlooms.

 

 

We spent the rest of our time off playing with P, decorating the house for Christmas, making gift lists, and just spending time at home. Ahhh-my favorite thing to do lately. I did not go out shopping for Black Friday-because it is a complete waste of time when you can get the same deals online. I prefer free shipping over an hour in line. Thank you very much!

We are decorated over here {sharing pics a little later this week} and ready for December & a month of Christmas music and festivities!

-

Surviving Cold Season

Hello Cold, Sinus, and Flu Season! Wow, it has hit this household hard this past week. I'm just about over the runny noses, coughs, sleepless nights, sore throats, and pounding headaches. Something tells me that this is just the beginning. S and I have been taking Advil Cold & Sinus and have seen a huge improvement in the past couple days. {Thank the Lord} Unfortunately, they do not make that for babies. Come to think of it the actually don't make anything to help babies under two with relief from cold/sinus symptoms. There are several ways to make it through and keep your little one comfortable.

So how do you survive cold season with a little one? We are always armed with a couple items that I couldn't live without. Arm yourself people, there is nothing worse than a poor stuffy nosed baby...especially at night time.

 Vicks Baby Rub. The best trick is to put it on baby's feet with socks at night time. When they get a little older, you can put a little on their back or chest. The age recommendation is 3 months + for this product.

Vicks Starry Night Humidifier. Must have! You put these little vapor pads in to give off a soothing scent, like the vapor rub almost. We also like it because of the sound it makes in her room and it doubles as a soft night light because it has a setting to shine stars on the ceiling.

So apparently snot causes chapped nose and lips? I put this amazing stuff on the dry spots around her mouth and nose at night and by morning they are better.  It works wonders for diaper rash too!

 Boogie Wipes! We love these. So much better than a tissue, even the tissues with lotion. These have saline on them so they easily wipe away boogies and moisturize. They come in three scents: grape, original, and menthol. Grape is my fave...oh I mean P's fave.

I just discovered this lovely saline. When you call your pediatrician and tell them that you baby has a runny nose, here are some of the things they might tell you: use saline in their nose, lots of fluids, try to sleep elevated, and use a humidifier. Well, we have tried saline like we have tried sippy cups. If they sell it, I have tried it. The drops don't go in, the Little Remedies sprays so vigorously, it seriously shoots out the opposite side. This is like a mist. A lovely gentle mist. We actually have P thinking it is a game, and she doesn;t mind this saline spray at all.


 I saved the best for last. This thing is weird, and until you use it you will be totally freaked out by it. But it blows that blue nasal aspirator out of the water. You know the one everyone tells you to take from the hospital-it is no good. The Nose Frida seriously saved our life last year when our 3 months old's nose was beyond runny. It was the only thing that really helped her to breath better.

All this and you are ready to tackle this cold season. Is it summer yet? {Only joking}

Adios P.G.

We had our first {and hopefully last} experience at the Laser Center last Tuesday. We both took off work and devoted every ounce of our attention to our little one. I thought I felt pain when I fell off my bike or when I had my tonsils taken out or when I had mastitis for 2 wees straight. Well, those was nothing compared to the pain you feel when your child is screaming at the top of her lungs and staring at you as if to say "What are they doing to me mama?"
The doctor recommended that only one of us be in the room with her. Less hands and less eyes to be affected by the laser lights. Well, she made a comment that Spence seemed a little more calm than myself. No joke: she totally called me out on being anxious. Maybe it was my 22 questions or the look of question on my face. Anyway, he held her tight and let the doctor do her work while I waited {anxiously} in the next room. It was quick and for that, I am thankful. We were in and out of the office in 45 minutes. We snuggled on the couch for 2 hours afterwards. When she woke up, it was as if she didn't even remember that trauma that happened that morning. Ahhhhh-to be one year old!

We have already notice it going away and becoming much lighter. We won't know for 2 months if we will need to go back again because it could take that long to see complete results.

Bye Bye Pyogenic Granuloma!

Where is this year going?

I can not even begin to tell you how busy we have been lately. No, I haven't been traveling the world or running a multi-milllion dollar company, but I have been attending at least one baby shower or birthday party every weekend, working too much at school, grading loads of papers, and trying to teach a one year old manners at the dinner table. I just feel like this year is coming to a close and the holiday season is approaching really fast. I better start making lists and preparing, because I already have 2 holiday parties on my calendar and I know there are several more to be booked.


Let's get back to that last item I mentioned: manners. It seems like yesterday that I was flipping out because she could hold her own bottle. Now little one has been really interested in feeding herself...not with her fingers, but with her spoon and fork. I noticed her pushing food onto her spoon and raising it to her mouth so I thought, well maybe she is ready for a fork. So, here we go with a fork. It amazes me how she just knows how to do something....she immediately stabs her food with her new pink fork. She does need a little help, but she absolutely understands the purpose. Now if we can just get her to keep her plate on her tray, life would get a whole lot easier. I am so over detailing that tray after every meal! And then if she could understand that banging her tray is never going to get her a steak cooked to perfection at Del Frisco's, we would be golden.

In other exciting news: We had our first REAL pony tail over the weekend! It's tricky to get it up because of her inability to sit still for longer that 5 seconds, but its up none the less.  I think its adorable!

Update to come on her pyogenic gramuloma........maybe tomorrow.

Enjoy the rest of your week!

First Trick or Treat

This was our first real Halloween experience with little Miss P as last year she was just a teeny tiny 7 weeks old {sigh....}. We were excited to walk around our new block and meet some of our neighbors. It is so nice to see people out on the streets and we were pleasantly surprised as to how many kids and young couples there are around us. We are so in love with our neighborhood!

So I really have no excuse, except that I am indecisive and a procrastinator, for the fact that I did not get my child a real costume. The ones at stores were either too cheap looking or too expensive for me to spend on something that would be worn for 1 hour. {sorry Pottery Barn Kids} I never made it to Hobby Lobby, so I didn't make her the bumble bee costume that I had planned.  I take the blame and I give the credit to my mother in law who came across the perfect Halloween 'costume' at Cracker Barrel to save the day. Costume or not-she's too cute to me! Oh, and I think I'll order the Halloween 2013 costume in June.

{So you want me to put this in that pumpkin, right?}

{New hobby: opening and closing the gate}

She LOVED toddling around the neighborhood! I am noticing that she can be a little shy around new people and she definitely looks up to Spence and I frequently. Everyone was out on their porches and very friendly handing out candy to all the kiddos. We only went to maybe 10 houses...and that was enough!

 Although she didn't eat any, she sure love gnawing on the wrappers...thinking that she was eating candy--tricky mom & dad.

Hope you had a Happy Halloween!

What's cookin' Wednesday

Yup, I am a day late! I even had this written up and all and did not sit down to post last night. We had a fussy, runny nosed lil' girl who needed a lot of extra snuggling. I am keeping the title because I am going to try to get into a routine of sharing a recipe every Wednesday. 

What is a working mommy's dream? Nothing other that a handy old crock pot. Since I have been back to work, that little kitchen appliance that used to collect dust has been working overtime for us. I use it at least once, if not twice a week. I am so much more relaxed when I know that dinner is taking care of itself while I teach my life away. With the hope that cooler weather is coming, I am sharing one of my latest heart warming faves. It passes hubby & baby girl's test with flying colors.

I find most of my recipes on Pinterest these days. It is such a one stop shop. This one was quite a find! The original can be found on the Favorite Family Recipes blog, a website packed full of great recipes, several of which are on my 'try it' list.

Pasta E Fagioli Soup

Ingredients

• 2 lbs. ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 carrots, shredded
• 1 c. celery, chopped
• 2 (28 oz.) cans diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 (16 oz.) can red kidney beans, drained
• 1 (16 oz.) can white kidney beans, drained
• 4 cups beef stock
• 3 tsp. oregano
• 2 tsp. pepper
• 5 tsp. parsley
• 1 tsp. tabasco sauce
• 1 (20 oz.) jar Prego traditional spaghetti sauce
• 8 oz. pasta (I like using ditali pasta)

Instructions

• Brown ground beef in large skillet. Drain fat. Add beef and all ingredients except the pasta into a large crock pot. Cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
• Before serving, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and add to soup.

The only change I made was that I added a can of corn....because we love corn.  I could not find the ditali pasta, so I used another type that was tiny.
I highly suggest using these crock put bags, they make cleaning that pot a breeze.
Serve it up with a french loaf! Gotta love those one pot meals on school nights. This makes enough to serve an army and it should freeze well, if you are in to freezing stuff.

Enjoy

Pumpkin Picking

Well, my master plan worked and the weather (and the husband) cooperated just beautifully this past weekend for a mid morning trip to the pumpkin patch. It might have been just a tad warm for a sweater, but Miss P did not notice. She sported her mustard yellow baby corduroy bubble skirt better than anyone I've ever seen.

It is such a treat to watch her explore something new. Spence and I just love sitting back and watching her figure something out. She was trying to pick up the largest pumpkin, but quickly found out that there was a section with pumpkins just her size. She, of course, carried one around the entire time.  She makes the smallest things so special!

Presley picks the perfect pumpkin.

Couldn't pass up these steps in front of the beautiful church. Perfect spot for a little mini photo shoot.
And Spence even got one of his girls...this rarely happens as I am usually the one pressing the shutter button. She is at such fun age and I have to capture these moments so I never forget!
We are anticipating the cooler weather coming our way and I have the most perfect crock pot soup post in the works. Come on Fall!!!!

Pyogenic Granuloma {say what?}

Do you know what that is? You should, every parent should because they are, according to out dermatologist, very common. We have had our fair share of pyogenic granuloma education this week.                                                    Let me share......

When P was about 11 months old we noticed a small red dot near her eyebrow. Thought it was a scratch, thought nothing of it. Instead of going away, it began to get bigger and look a little raised above her skin.  Being the doctor that I am, I researched and researched and diagnosed her with a hemangioma- a cluster of blood vessels that grow too quickly. They are very common-in fact 10% of Caucasian girls have one withing 3 weeks of birth. At her 1 year check up, her pediatrician confirmed my Dr. Mommy diagnosis, but gave us the name of a pediatric dermatologist anyway. We made an appointment and waited almost a month to get in. Mind you, I am researching, worrying, and pretty much freaking out this entire time-worried that it will continue to get larger, that she might have a scar, that it could be some type of skin cancer, that kids would make fun of her...yada yada yada. It was consuming me.

This is a good picture so that you can see what it looks like.

Well this week, the week of our appointment, she scratched it. I won't go into detail, but I will say that it happened on the way home from school and involved a lot of blood and a mommy with a racing heart beat. Scariest.day.Ever. Our pediatrician said to hold pressure for 10 minutes-IMPOSSIBLE. She is 1 and will not sit still. Let's just say that we ruined a few towels this week. We put a bandaid on it to prevent it from happening while she was at school.

We saw the most wonderful dermatologist this week and she informed us that it is NOT a hemangioma at all. (good one Dr. Mommy) It is a Pyogenic Granoloma. This is a a place on the skin where there was some sort of injury-could be a tiny scratch, a bug bite-the skin does not heal properly and there are too many blood vessels on one spot. You can get one at any age and it is not a reoccurring condition. It is a completely random occurrence and apparently that are quite common. Our doctor said she would be shocked if we ever saw her get one again.

We will visit another specialist in November to have it removed by laser-the only option that assures no scar and no chance of it coming back. We are praying that it only takes one visit.

In hindsight, we wish we would have gone to see the dermatologist when we first noticed it, when it was teeny tiny, so that it might be easier to laser off. Although it is still small, it could take 2 or more visits to completely remove. However, ourselves and our doctor had a misdiagnosis. Like I said, I think you should be aware of these little bumps because it's always better to catch things sooner rather than later.

                            Beyond thankful that it is 'just' a Pyogenic Granuloma. ;)

It's Fall Y'all....

No, I don't believe you! It can't be 85 and humid and be considered Fall. I refuse to believe it. I am a little irritated though because I have bought all these cute Fall clothes for little P and it is just too hot out.  So we headed out to go pick out a pumpkin this morning and it started to rain, so we went to brunch instead and postponed the pumpkin picking until next weekend. Thank goodness, because P's black leggings were dirty and I had to make a last minute outfit change. It obviously wasn't meant to be.  I am hoping it will be a bit cooler and my 'planned' pumpkin picking ensemble will be appropriate.

A Sunday in pictures........

 That little cup is her new snack cup. It isn't supposed to spill, however our child has already outsmarted it. Let's just say I was picking up cheerios off the floor at brunch.

 Oh Winston. This is your only blog worthy picture-ever. P has a new fascination with Winnie, she chases him around and was even caught feeding him cheerios, one by one. I think if she keeps that up Winston might become fond of her.

Waiting for the rain to stop, so we an go outside.

{REALLY} excited about being outside. She marches up and down the driveway like she owns it.

I [LOVE] them so much, they are [PERFECT]

Well Documented

{So, how did I document her first year?}

I think I have done a pretty decent job documenting P's first year of life. I have several different things that I keep up with to make sure that I do not forget one memory, one new word, one funny moment. There are just things that I never want to forget. My husband says, "take a mental picture"....I say take a real picture and then write it down in 3 different places. He will appreciate it one day.

We have a traditional baby book that has our family tree and all that fun info, but my favorite tracking tool is the First Year Calendar like this one. It is a month by month calendar that you can write down things that are happening every couple days. I jotted down little things like: went to Target for the first time, rode in your stroller, went in a swing at the park, first public diaper blowout, got in the pool for the first time, got our first Christmas tree, had to leave the restaurant b/c you were screaming. I also included all the big milestones too. I LOVE looking back, it's just neat to see a big picture of how much she has grown and changed. You can find them at several baby stores or order online at places like Amazon. Spencer's mom actually gave me the idea because she had one for him when he was a baby. 

Shutterfly!!! I am always working on a book. I make them in 6 month increments and they contain all the pictures and little blurbs about what we have been up to. In addition to those, during her first year, I would write a journal entry or more like a letter to her each month, I added pictures from that month on the page next to it. I also included my pregnancy journal and her birth story. One day, when she is older, I know she will love it.

Here is another idea for a book: 

{Quotes}

So kids say the greatest things right? I am going to start compiling a list of the phrases she says and then a picture of her on that day. 
For example, on Saturday morning we walked into the bedroom and Spence was still half asleep, Presley looks at him and plain as day says, "HI, daaa." I am adding that to her book b/c it seriously melts my heart.  I know she is going to say the funniest things and I want to remember those. Obviously, this book will be in production for quite some time....hope Shutterfly is still around in 10 years.

The one month late 'ONE year post'

  It seems that I have been a bit of a slacker as far as keeping up to date with the growing girl. We had her 1 year check up right after her birthday-it was awful, she got 5, count them, FIVE shots. One extra for the flu shot. This round made her very drowsy, to the point that we were worried. I had open house that evening and Spence was home with her and she slept on his chest the entire time I was gone. Doctor says that she is growing perfectly and she is meeting all her milestones. So blessed with our healthy girl.

Stats:

Weight/Height: 22 lbs 13 oz and 30 inches tall 

That means in 1 year she has grown 10 inches and gained 15 pounds 3 oz.

Eating Habits: Loves food! She loves her carbs & fruit (wonder where she gets that?) She will eat steamed carrots and green beans like a champ, but throws her peas to Winston. Wnjoys scrambled eggs and pancakes and goes crazy for YoBaby Strawberry/Bananna yogurt. We started her on whole milk and she is getting used to it. At first, she handed the cup back to me and looked at me like I was crazy. The tricky part is getting her to drink it out of a sippy instead of a bottle. We are down to just 1 bottle at night time and we will wean her from that in a week or two. I am all about gradual release! ;)

Sleeping Habits: I can honestly say that she is back in her crib and sleeps from 8:00-6:30 every night. It's glorious! Now we are dealing with leaky diapers because she sleeps so long. I think she wears herself out at school each day and just crashes at night. She takes just 1 nap now, usually 1 1/2 hours, 2 is we are lucky.

Personality: Sassy, but sweeter than sugar. Her personality melts our hearts. She is everything I have ever wanted in a daughter. She gives hugs and kisses like crazy, it amazes me how well she shows affection; whether it be to us or her dolls. All that said, the sass is starting to show! She will throw little 20 second tantrums, but is very easily redirected. She is very friendly and very vocal, I actually think she just likes to hear her own voice. 

New Tricks: Where do I start? She dances, claps, waves hi and bye, says "hi dad," points to things and says "Dis?" and we tell her what it is. She wants to pick everything up, including her larger toys. She puts babies in her stroller, picks up her purse, and waves bye as she walks away. She climbs! On her small bench and attempts to get in and out of the bathtub. She gets books and scoots back to it in our lap. Follows directions like: go get a book, go get your ball, love your doll. I am leaving out a bunch of new things that she does, but I am too lazy to go upstairs and look at her book. 

One year old Presley

Boo!

So, naturally, now that the first birthday is over, I am on to thinking about the next event. Which is Halloween. I am not a big Halloween fan, it's just has never been a holiday (is it even a holiday-don't think so) that I have gone overboard on. That doesn't mean that I do not surf the world wide web trying to find the cutest costume ever. Problem is: it is still in the 90's around here and all these costumes seem so hot.

 Isn't this precious girly owl costume adorable?
P would never keep that thing on her head, but those layers are too cute right?










It's a lobster!
This made me giggle.  Definitely not for a walker, but it's unique, cute, & funny.






 
 This is probably the cutest witch outfit that I have seen. It is from Chasing Fireflies and they have a ton of cutie pie, slightly over the top costumes for kids. So, if that is your thing, check it out. I am storing this away for next year, when, fingers crossed, my child likes hats. Yeah, right!

What little girl doesn't want to be a flamingo? Pottery Barn makes   this sweet little costume. Check out the side view on this, it's too funny. P could rock this, but I don't think the husband is going to go for a $60 costume. He will say, "you are only doing this for pictures." (ugh)

I am thinking I will go with a Halloween related outfit. I kind of find them cuter anyway. Like this one to the left from Etsy, or you can always count on Mud Pie to have precious seasonal outfits for toddlers. P wore one last year, see below. She wasn't even 2 months old in that picture. I remember this day, I had all these pumpkins and blankets out on the porch for a photo shoot. I was swatting away mosquitoes, shaking all kinds of toys in front of her, making weird noises and the neighbors were sure I was crazy. This was also the first night that she slept through her night feedings. It was a very memorable Halloween. ;)

First Halloween 2011

Three things I wish I invented

I have seriously said "Why didn't I invent this?" like a million times since I have had a baby. There are so many products out there that make your life easier and some of them are so simple, but so brilliant. If I would have been a mom like 10 years ago (thank God I wasn't) surely I would have thought of one of these. None that less, I am thankful that someone did! I am starting with 3 items on my mind lately.

Plum Baby Spoon

First off, I am a huge lover of anything Plum Organics. It is the only store bought baby food that P ever ate. I am the kind of mom that tastes everything before I give it to my child, and I am telling you this stuff is yummy! The fruit blends are delish and they have so many combinations of flavors. They sell this little spoon that twists on to their products that makes feeding in restaurants or in the stroller or in the car a breeze. It even has a case! I still use this occasionally now when she decides that she would rather squeeze her applesauce snack all over her instead of eat it. The spoon fits just about any squeezable baby food, so you don't have to use it on Plum Organic products only.

Indestructibles

The most amazing books ever! I was just recently introduced to these by my mother in law and I wish I had known about them when Presley first started looking at books. They are chew proof, water proof, they can be rolled up and stuffed in your diaper bag, and they so not tear. It is impossible for a toddler to look at a book without tearing the pages, they only books I keep in P's room are board books, but those aren't practical to travel with. These are awesome and they make that crinkle sound that babies love (similar to magazines). I think the mom who invented these is so genius. We already have 3 and I am ordering more off Amazon now!

Inch Bug Labels

I am a new inch bug customer, but a very pleased one. Another mommy friend told me about these when I was looking to label all P's bottles and sippies before starting back at school. They offer great customizable adhesive labels that can go in the dishwasher and mirrowave. I ordered a pack and now feel the need to label everything. My favorite thing is their Orbit Labels, they are reusable, stretchy bands than can go around just about any cup or bottle. We use these for sippy cups right now. They are also microwaveable and dishwasher safe. The name is visible, but not to flashy. One thing to note is that they do not fit Dr. Brown's bottles. Those bottles are super skinny. I'm a Medela user, but I have 2 Dr. Browns that I tried out in newborn stage (too many parts in my opinion).

And because it is just about against my religion to have a blog post without a picture.....

 GO TEXANS!!!!!!!!! 

(check out her Tom's, they are so stinkin' cute)

Our girl is ONE

It is crazy to me to think that it has been a year since we went to the hospital and came home with a beautiful bundle of love. It has been such a fast year and I only get teary because it has been so wonderful and because everyone was right-they do grow up too fast. We celebrated Miss P's first birthday with a bang this Saturday. I did not so much have a theme, just lots of pretty colors, simple cute decorations. It turned out just like I imagined and was seriously such an amazing day! Here is a photo recap....and I will warn, this is kind of lengthy.

Used our entry table for the favors. I decided to do little treat bags with note from Presley. Guests filled their bags will dried cranberries, M&M's, and iced animal cookies. I apologize for the sugar highs that occurred after the party.

 Cakes were made by Eggleston's Edibles and they were such a hit. She did an amazing job incorporating all the colors and the cake matched the cake on the invitations perfectly.

 This is an awful picture, but I hung her monthly picture from clothespins so we could all see how she has grown.

 

We rented a moonwalk to keep the kiddos busy. It was sure a hit by kids of all ages....from age 1 to age 28. 

 Cake time!!! Everyone was commenting on how neat and tidy she was being, until she realized she could put it in her hair. She really enjoyed it!

Family pic time. Her precious birthday outfit was inspired by something I saw on Etsy. My very talented mother in law sewed it for her, we found the perfect fabric & added the little suspenders so the skirt would stay put. She's amazing and now I just added sewing lessons to my Christmas list. Spencer's says I am old, I say I am a crafty wanna be.

 It gets harder and harder to get her to cooperate for pictures. Oh well, I take what I can get!

We added a wagon our collection of toys with wheels. Actually we added several new toys with wheels. The girls had so much fun pulling each other around.

It was so much fun to have our new house filled up with people for the first time. It feels more like home now! We are sure lucky to have such great family & friends.