Weekend Recap

What an eventful weekend/start of the week we've had!  I figured I'd better write about it before I forgot everything.

Friday, we celebrated A's dad's birthday (Will's Papa).  We went to dinner at a Japanese restaurant - one where the chef cooks dinner in front of you and performs tricks as he cooks.  W loved it.  He had a blast watching the chef and other customers.  On the downside, he hardly ate anything, was up way passed his bedtime, and fell asleep in the car on the way home.  Not a good combination and I was expecting a rough night.  But to my surprise, W slept through the night.  He woke up early and was a little cranky the following morning, but still better than I anticipated.

Saturday was W's birthday.  We had a full day planned for him.  We started by heading to the Wonderland Express exhibit at the Chicago Botanic Gardens.  It's basically several trains set up in a miniature version of Chicago - with lots of lights, trees, and even snow falling indoors!  W loved seeing all the trains and the snow.  He did have a meltdown as we prepared to leave - I think a combination of being tired and overstimulated, but all in all we had a great time and we're excited to return next year.

We headed home so W could nap and A and I could prepare for a little party.  We plan to have a larger party in January, but wanted to have a little get together on W's actual birthday.  Grandma G, Nani, Papa, and Uncle Matt came over for a very low key celebration.  There were balloons, sandwiches, a few appetizers, and cupcakes.  I thought it was perfect.  I just didn't have the energy for a big, fancy party.  W did great opening gifts - I'm not sure how he even knew to rip the wrapping paper, but he wasted no time.  He also loved blowing out his birthday candles, but as expected, wanted nothing to do with the cupcake.  Kiddo does NOT like sweets - he clearly doesn't get that from me.  When everyone left, he had a major meltdown - the result of utter exhaustion, but I know he had a great day. :)  He even slept 11.5 hours that night - unheard of for him.

After, such a busy Saturday, Sunday consisted of going to church, doing some grocery shopping, watching football, and playing with W's new toys.  We all needed some downtime.

Monday, A headed out to finish up Christmas shopping and W and I headed to my mom's house to wrap presents.  Of course, W enjoyed seeing Grandma G's cats and exploring the Christmas decorations.  He was great and entertained himself while my mom and I wrapped several presents.  At one point, he tripped and fell right into the cat's water bowl.  He was very upset, but I couldn't stop laughing.  W had to walk around pantsless for some time while his pants dried in the drier. :)  The rest of the day was relatively calm.  I wrapped more presents when we got home and even started watching one of my favorite movies - Love Actually.  I only watched about 40 minutes of it before it was time to head to bed, but still, it was great to be able to watch a movie!

Today, A and I took W to the library.  They have a new fairy tale themed area in the kid's section and W had so much fun exploring the gingerbread house, Cinderella's carriage, and giant light bright.  Unfortunately he fell while crossing the drawbridge and now has rug burn on his forehead.  Fail.  It seems to have faded quite a bit so I'm hoping it looks better tomorrow.  Not the best look for Christmas!!  After that we headed to lunch and thought for sure W would take a long nap.  Nope.  A tried to get him down for a nap for quite some time and then gave up.  Instead, the two of them headed outside while I headed out to run a few errands.  An hour and a half later, they were both still outside!!  W better sleep well tonight.  Despite the nap strike, W was in a great mood all day and he had A and I cracking up tonight.

In other news, I've been extremely uncomfortable the past few days.  Baby is very high and I'm having some trouble breathing.  I cannot get comfortable at night and hardly sleep.  Hoping that baby will move lower or change positions.

Ok, I'm sure I'm leaving things out (pictures to come), but this is already a long post and it's time for bed!  Excited for Christmas with W!!

W's Birthday Party in Photos

Assorted cupcakes, music note shaped cookies, and music note crayon party favors.

 

 

All food items had a musical name.

 

 

Tables were decorated with music note confetti, balloons, and miniature musical instruments.

 

 

A's parents were kind enough to let us borrow their house for the party.  Ours is just too small.

 

 

We asked guests to select a song that either reminded them of W, represented a wish for him, or was popular during his first year.  The selections were fantastic.

 

 

 

Birthday boy did NOT like his musical cake.

 

 

Monthly banner and board containing W's stats and favorites (I'm proud of that board!).

 

 

Presents from mom and dad - Anywhere chair and school bus

 

 

I'm so happy with how the party turned out.  It was exactly what I wanted. :)

 

 

 

First Birthday Party

I knew I wanted W’s first birthday party to be extra special.  We’d gone through a lot to have him and we’re just so grateful that he’s here and perfect.  I wanted his birthday party to be a fabulous celebration of his first year of life.

It was really difficult to decide on a theme.  I bounced some ideas off of A… music?  The Cat in the Hat?  Cars/things that go?  Nothing really stood out to me.  A liked the idea of doing a music theme, but that seemed difficult to me and I was uncertain.  Music did seem to make the most sense.  When I was pregnant, I’d listen to music every day during my drive to work and W would dance in my tummy.  When I got nervous because I hadn’t felt him move in a little while, I’d turn on music and he’d begin to move.  When W was a newborn, music would calm him down and help him sleep.  There was even a line from a song on his birth announcement.  Nowadays, if W is particularly cranky or upset, we’ll turn on some music and it soothes him.  And so it was decided – we’d go with a music theme for his party.

I also wanted his party to be colorful.  We could’ve gone with black and white – as in sheet music, pianos, etc., but that didn’t represent W in my mind.  He’s too bright and cheery for black and white.

I haven’t uploaded pictures yet and I think those will illustrate the party best, but here is a preview: invites resembled records, we asked guests to choose a song for W and created his own playlist (this turned out great – the songs were completely different, but represented W in some way), colorful table cloths, napkins, plates, etc., music note confetti, a birthday board with W’s stats, milestones, and likes, a music note cake, lots of assorted cupcakes, a birthday banner with monthly pictures, colorful balloons, and lots of food that we named after musical terms.  It all came together perfectly.

A’s parents let us borrow their house (so thankful) and we had about 25 family and friends over to celebrate.  We served appetizers, yummy pasta, and salad.  W was great and I think (hope) he enjoyed seeing all the décor.  He wanted nothing to do with his cake (not surprised since the same thing happened on his actual birthday).  He got lots of cute gifts and he enjoyed visiting with everyone.

I feel like I’m leaving a lot out, but I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day to celebrate my sweet boy.  It was exactly what I wanted and hoped for.

12 months of Baby W

Just trying to stay warm today!  It's currently -15 with a wind chill of -39.  Crazy cold!!  On the bright side, my office is closed and A's school is closed due to the frigid weather.  An extra day at home!  Woohoo!

I've been posting W's monthly updates on FB and usually post them here as well.  So, without further ado, the 1 year post:

Happy first birthday! For nine months, I prepared for you. I researched baby products. I decorated your room. I watched my tummy get bigger and I felt you move. But somehow, despite all those preparations, despite seeing you in ultrasound pictures, having a baby just didn’t seem REAL. Then, at 8:31 am on December 20, 2012, I met you. And my life changed forever. You were a reality. You made me a mom. And you were better than perfect.

I’ve so enjoyed watching you grow. I’ve enjoyed every milestone, every accomplishment, and I’ve even enjoyed the challenges. Because those challenges mean I get to be a mom. And even better, I get to be YOUR mom. And I’m so grateful for that honor.

I hope you have the happiest of birthdays and I hope you know how much you’re loved.

 

 

In the past month we celebrated Thanksgiving. You refused to eat turkey, but enjoyed the Jello. We also celebrated St. Nicholas Day. You must’ve been a good boy because St. Nicholas left some goodies in (and near) your shoe. You've taken several steps by yourself and I suspect you’ll be running through the house soon. We’re still having trouble getting you to eat table food. I am convinced that you are just stubborn. You like the taste of things, but why eat when you can throw food on the floor or feed Addie? Your favorite foods as of late are bagels and cheerios (you still love chicken). You also like yogurt and Jello. One of my most favorite things you do is “share”. You hand things over to me quite often or you just reach out your hand to me. You also hug stuffed animals and even Grandma G’s cat - Meiko (and Meiko loves you so he LETS you hug him). It’s apparent that you have a very big heart and a love for animals like your mom. You can climb up the stairs. You say mama, dada (though you don’t say dada, you yell it), moo, amen, neigh (sometimes), and ho ho ho. And I think you try to say Addie – not sure? You hate diaper changes and hearing the word “no”. You just got your 6th tooth. I cannot believe you are one. We had an incredible year together. It was SO much better than I imagined. Looking forward to the year ahead. You are our everything and more, little man. And even though we’re entering toddlerhood, you’ll always be my baby.

Happy First Birthday!!

Friday, 12/20 was W’s first birthday!  I’m a little sad that my baby is growing up so fast.  I think back to the early days when we weren’t getting much sleep.  I distinctly remember one night when I got up to nurse W.  A would often join me as I nursed.  He’d help with diaper changes, play Family Feud on the IPad to entertain me, and offer moral support while I was trying to get the hang of nursing.  This particular night, sleep deprivation got the best of A.  He started talking to himself and then nearly fell over.  J  Thinking about that night still makes me smile.  I miss those days when W was teeny tiny and I could hold and snuggle him all day.  But then again, I do enjoy sleeping.  I’m proud at how well A and I adjusted to parenthood and I’m excited to watch W continue to grow and learn.

 

We’ll have a birthday party in January for extended family.  I thought it was just too much to plan a birthday party so close to Christmas.  But we wanted to make W’s day special nonetheless.  So A and I decided to invite my mom and A’s parents over for pizza and cupcakes.  It was a perfect little celebration.  W wasn’t interested in his cake, but he enjoyed his presents.

 

I had taken the day off work so W and I could spend his birthday together.  Earlier in the day, I decided to take W to the Early Learning Center at the local library.  We had a blast exploring the different areas.  There was a car section, a train section, a padded play area, a coloring station, and tons of books.  So much fun!  W really enjoyed it and I can’t wait to go back!

 

 

 
Surprisingly, I didn’t get emotional… until it was bed time.  A true feat.  If you know me, you know how sentimental I am.  As I tucked W in for the night, I told him I was so thankful for him and didn’t know how the year could be topped.  That’s when I got teary.  I love my 1 year old.