Gigi is 3 and Terrific!

Of the many lessons that I have learned from my parents I learned birthday's are important. To me a birthday is celebrated with the same kind of excitement and enthusiasm as any important holiday. The whole day should be filled with examples of how life is better with you in the world. However, Stephen looks at the celebration of birthdays a little different. I think he agrees that it is a day to treat the birthday boy or girl special, but I know he would be happy with simple cake and ice cream and that's that. Though I agree that not every year do we need to go over the top. I haven't quite figured out which birthdays should be the whole production and which should be more simple. So, for Gigi, we have had one simple year and two pretty big celebrations. But I loved the planning and carrying out of her party. I really love all the work and time that I get to put into every detail. It is so nice to have a creative outlet.  This year, my parents offered to pay for the party as their gift to G. We were happy to accept that gift and get to work. It was also fun because then they were excited to hear how their money was being spent. Knowing that it was their money and not mine I tried my best to keep it reasonable.

Gigi decided that the theme would be Princess Tea Party. I then went to work. I looked at tons of websites and pictures. I asked around and payed attention to what was going on at other party's. Then I came up with ideas that I liked and how I wanted to carry out the big day.

At age 3, kids need structure and varied activities. So I came up with different activities that I wanted to do and then put together a schedule. In the invitation the girls invited were encouraged to attend the party in Princess attire.  When they arrived at the party they had their picture taken with the birthday girl and then came up to the party room where they decorated a tiara to wear for the party.  It was so fun to see each girl dressed for the event.  Gigi invited several girls and most of them came.  I was surprised to see there were no repeat princesses.  That is a good sign.  After the first craft they played musical chairs.  We put pillows on the ground for the chairs.  At Gigi's age I learned very quickly that winners and losers are not an understandable concepts.  So...everyone won.  We kept enough pillows in the circle for each girl and they had fun going around in circles and sitting down quickly.  After this fun game the girls made a beaded bracelet.  It was nice that we can so many moms stick around and help their little girl with her craft.  After the bracelet it was time for the main event.  The tea.  I made little sandwiches and fruit and Gigi's favorite chip, Cheetos Puffs.  Then the kids drank pink lemonade from a tiny little tea set.  It was darling.  I taught the little girls to clink their cups and drink with their pinkies in the air.  After the feeding was over it was time to open presents.  Gigi got lovely gifts all of which were right on theme.  Then it was almost time to go.  So we had cake!  As the kids were eating their cake I read to them from a Princess book.  We were going to read Pinkalicious (Gigi's favorite book) but I couldn't find it for some odd reason.  Luckily one insightful friend (or mom) gave Gigi the cutest princess story book.  So I read to the kids from that book.  While I read the kids ate their pink cupcakes.  After the story was over Gigi helped give the kids their party bags and a balloon and off they went.  Done.

I think it really turned out so nice.  Gigi was a gracious hostess.  She seemed to include her friends and have a great time.  She insisted that Coco be awake during the party (he still takes two naps a day and is bed by 8 pm) and she asked that he wear his dragon costume.  Bubba wore a crown he won at a carnival and I threw together a fancy gown using a slip from my wedding dress and a bridesmaid dress.  Why didn't I think of this on Halloween I do not know.  But it was fun that the whole family was dressed up and working together.  Stephen even found the cutest little princess rings that we used for toppers on the cupcakes.  I used all the creativity I had left and made teacups and saucers out of marshmallows and sugar cookies dipped in melting candy.  They were just a dessert option but they were pretty cute. 

Gigi is the best!  I am so glad she let me put this together for her.  Next year maybe pirates or western.  Then the kids can have a joint party.  We shall see. :)

Coco Baby is 1!!!!

Twelve Months of Coco Baby!!!

Blue baby in the NICU.Key to sleeping: Fisher Price Sleep and Play. I Love You!!!Big Sister and Little BrotherHappy Easter!Loves his MommaFirst trip to the pool. Loves water just like sister.
Summer fun. Relaxing and watching some t.v.Two handsome boys ready for church in their suits.Someone gave this boy some whip cream on mommies birthday.Favorite person: Georgia First Word: Georgia First thing he looks for when he wakes up: GeorgiaLearning to stand up: Happy Thanksgiving!First trip to the beach and the east coast.

That's our handsome little man!

My little Coco baby is now Carter boy! Well not quite but he is getting there. I can't believe our little man is already one. Since yesterday I have been thinking a lot about this time last year. It was a whirl wind. On Monday I went to the hospital for an amnio. On Tuesday the prepped me for the c-section. Then took Carter to the NICU immediately. Then he and I tried to get strong as quickly as possible from different hospital rooms. I hated it! I know the Lord has a plan and believe me I learned so much from this experience, but I hope we never have to go through that again. Some things I learned were that #1 The rain falls on both houses. Looking at the different moms and their babies I realized that trial come regardless of who we are but the way we live our lives prepares us for the rain. We can face the trials of life with clarity, support and faith when we follow the gospel principles that we find in the scriptures. #2 of those principles I was taught how important fasting is again. I don't fast very often because of my health but when I do it is usually from something not a full fast. I fasted from sweets for 24 hours. I knew through prayer and the faith of Stephen that Carter would be okay but I still felt so sad and worried. I fasted with the purpose of feeling closeness to the Lord. I know that the spirit was strong with me because of that effort I made to sacrifice. #3 How blessed I am to have my mom. She went through a loss of a baby when I was 11. I was so grateful to have her here to support us. She was able to understand my crazy that week I think because she new what I was feeling. #4 How much I love my children. I was so worried about Carter and wanted to do all I could to help him but I also worried about Gigi and her ability to understand why her mom was gone and couldn't come home with her. I know some moms who don't leave their babies sides but I felt a need to take care of both of my children. Luckily the nurses at the NICU were amazing. I had complete confidence in them and what they were able to provide for my baby boy. So when I left to take care of Gigi I knew he was in good hands. (But I was still pumping every two hours to make sure that I was providing him the nutrition he needed to get strong and come home.) #5 I have a wonderful husband. Bubba was so strong and supportive. He puts up with my crazy better than anyone. When I feel like I am falling apart he is always there picking up the pieces and keeping us all together. He doesn't show his fear because he knows I need him to be my rock.

Carter has come a very long way from the 5lb 15 oz baby in the NICU. He is so bid and strong. But he has always been a strong boy. Carter is just a happy, curious, loving boy. He is happiest when Georgia is in the same room as him or he is following her around the house. They play well together and G loves her Coco baby too. She calls him things like Coco baby or Coco boy and Son. I love when she calls him son it is too funny. He also gets really excited when he sees his Dad. I know he loves me so I think it is too cute how excited he gets to see his Dad.
Carter currently is walking, making talking noises, gives momma kisses, eats most things put in front of him especially protein like chicken, turkey, eggs and hot dogs. He loves doing Itsy Bitsy Spider and Patty Cake. Just today in church I noticed him trying to sing the hymns in Sacrament meeting and Primary. He likes t.v. for a few minutes and then he is off again. He likes some books with things that stick out of the pages like the fish counting book. He says Georgia, Hi Dad, Momma, sometimes it sounds like Nana and he loves to point at things. He doesn't like his car seat, diaper changes or sleeping through the night. He is a flirt and very social. Out with his Dad the other day he got a free balloon because he kept flirting with the people at the party store. Bubba thinks he might be more active than Gigi. Heaven help us! Carter smiles a lot and loves to show off all three (almost 4) of his teeth. He also just started learning how to color. He likes to try and color but then he gets hungry and tries to eat the crayons. He is in the process of switching over to cows milk which means we will miss out on some special bonding time. But we'll make it up somehow. On Carter's actual birthday we drove out to the hospital so that Carter to could make a donation of some clothes and blankets for other little baby boys. The nurses were excited to see us and thankful for our gift. They couldn't believe how bid Carter was and that he ever started out in their NICU. It does seem crazy to think. He really is such a big boy now. On Saturday after his birthday we through a little party and invited a few people for cake and ice cream to help us celebrate. I now there is so much more to say about Carter. He rocks! He has made such an amazing contribution to our family and we are so grateful to have him. He helps me be a better person. I am so glad that we figured out a way that I can work from home and be with him and Gigi.