Ariana's First Birthday

Today is the day. My little baby daughter is officially ONE year old.
I still can't believe she is 1. She's no longer my little baby.....she's my little 1 year old. It makes me sad to think about that. I don't know why, but when I think about it, I cry. A lot. I've cried more this week than I have in a long time. The last 365 days went by so fast, it makes my head spin. She's doing so much now. Walking, talking, running, eating big kid foods...oy.

I don't know her stats since she hasn't been to the doctor in 6 months, but she has a check up the 7th so I'll update you all then.

Here's a little recap of what we did to celebrate her special day....

We rented a room (the same room where my baby-shower was held) and we decorated it with light pink, dark pink, and yellow.... crepe paper, balloons, table cloths, plates, cups, the works.
We also had the same color cupcakes for everyone to enjoy. (I'm a frigging moron and didn't take any pictures of the decor, or food, ((I got it all on video)) so you'll have to take my word for it.)

The location of the party is about an hour and a half from where we live, so we got up at the butt crack of dawn and hit the road. We had to stop off and pick up a few last minute items. We got in town and dropped the little off at my grandparents so we could go decorate and set everything up.
Apparently she was having too much fun and didn't want to take her afternoon nap.
That, my friends, was not a good thing. When it was time for her party the Mr picked her up while I entertained the early arrivals.
As soon as he walked in the door with her, I could see how exhausted she was. I knew this wasn't going to turn out well.  This was her amazingly cute outfit we ordered (got to love Etsy) The hat, however, we picked up at Party City! I couldn't resist.

 We let her run around a bit while we waited for everyone to show up, and this gave everyone a chance to love on her before the festivities began.
Then she got a little pissed and just wanted to play with my cell phone. So we let her. (to prevent any further breakdowns)

 Once everyone showed up it was present time! She had so many presents it took her two days to open them all. Her pack n' play is now her toy box. Guess what she'll be getting for Christmas?!

 After opening a few, she was over it. She was tired, and grumpy, and everything was a bit overwhelming for her. We decided it was cake time (hoping the sugar would help a bit)

 Her entire life up to this point, she had never had any kind of sweets. Ever. I was very adamant that the first time she would have any kind of "junk" food would be her first birthday cake! She freaking LOVED it.

 I've always heard people say that kids usually just play in the cake, they don't actually eat much of it. Um, not this kid. She tore it UP! See that picture? There were big, puffy balloons on the top, see how they're missing? That's because she ate them.

 At this point we had to cut her off. She had had enough. (We also forgot to put a bib on her, so her outfit got a little messy.) What do you expect?! It was our first time! lol

Right after this picture was taken, we cleaned her up, and people started leaving. So we cleaned up our mess, and headed home. All in all, it was a success. She could have been in a better mood, but it could have been worse, so I'm happy :)

The next day (her actual birthday) we took her to Disney World's Magic Kingdom.

The monorail wasn't running when we got there, so A got her enjoy her first boat ride! By the way, the weather was GORGEOUS! We couldn't have asked for better weather!

Babe and her daddy!

The first thing we did was head straight for the carousel. The line was short, and I knew it was one of the few things we could all enjoy. As you can tell, she loved it! 

Isn't she the cutest!!

We also ran into Cap'n Jack! That was pretty awesome!

We ate lunch, and then it was nap time. Her daddy and I could have used one too, but we just walked around a did a little shopping while she slept.

After an HOUR we woke her up with a stuffed Mickey! She loved him. She sucked on his nose for a loooong time! (They're best friends)

Here she is in line for It's a Small World. She was not impressed. While we were on the ride, she just wanted to run around and play, and since we were in a little boat type thing, that wasn't fun for us!

What's with all the pictures mom?!

After that, we were all winding down, and we decided to get her some ice cream! Mint chocolate chip! (Her mom and dad's favorite) Hers too I think!

Finally it was time for the parade. She was getting grumpy until it started. It was amazing. The characters were ALL interacting with her. (Her dad was taking the pictures and didn't get any of this) At one point she was picking her nose (her new favorite thing to do) and one of the characters from Pinocchio came up to her and picked his nose too! It was hilarious! 

Isn't this awesome! I love the castle in the background!

I have to say, I think she had one of the best birthdays of all time. I'm so glad it's over, but I'm sad she's growing up so fast!
This will be her last big party until she is in school and has friends! It was hard on me and her daddy. You live, and you learn. I wouldn't change a thing. <3
Happy first birthday baby girl!
I love you!

First birthday!

Holy crap.

How can my little baby daughter's first birthday be coming up so soon?
Wasn't this picture taken, like, yesterday?!



And now she's talking, crawling, and walking. She has (almost) 7 teeth, loves to dance and chase our cat around the house. It's all gone by so fast.

I feel like I've been planning her party for months, but now that it's a month away, it seems like I waited too long to do a lot of things.

I've found the perfect outfit for her special day, (tutu included of course).
I'm trying to find the perfect cake and color scheme, and candy to match it all.
Dear God please grant me the strength and sanity I'll need to plan this party.

Birthday Birthday Birthday

With April, comes Spring flowers, showers, Easter (sometimes), tons of peeps and chocolate bunnies....but of course, my birthday.

I am not ashamed to admit I am turning 24 this year. I am not worried about growing older, and will always be proud of my age.... until it starts showing...(then it's Hello Botox!)

Anyhoo, the point of this post is my wish list.
So without further ado....

This exact pair of Christian Louie's

New Palahniuk book (or any, they're all worth owning)

New Tucker Max book

  

These:



This,


This,


and finally...


Spread the word folks, you have until the 19th ;)












All images courtesy of Google Image

Bounce around update.

play hard.. love deep... say your prayers before you sleep.. love your neighbors... forgive your foes.. for life is short, how long? who knows... so see these rules and take them in.. for life may be hard, but love will win...

No that is not a JMo original, but I read it and loved it and thought I'd share.

It's been a pretty good week. My 3 days of work seemed to drag on, but Thursday finally arrived. Not before Wednesday (obvs) which was my wonderful hubby's 29th birthday!! He is so bummed about turning 30 it's ridiculous. I could not care less to be quite honest. Maybe it's because I'm only (about to be) 24 and I have a few more years in my 20's to go...who knows.
Anyhow, I asked about 100 times what he wanted and he said nothing, like he usually does, so I got him a lunch box for work. He had been taking his lunch to work in Walmart bags, and it was a pretty sad sight. I figured since he wouldn't tell me what he wanted, I would get him something he needed and could use everyday. He liked it! I got him a card from me, and one from our babe. It was SUPER sweet! AND my dad sent him a card too! With money in it! I was so surprised! My dad's a cool guy though. I'm sorry you all will never know the awesome-ness that is my father.
I guess we're going out tonight with friends to celebrate. The babe will be coming so hopefully she'll behave. We really need to find at least one other person that we can trust to watch her. Other than her weekday nanny, we have one person. And what if we need someone to keep her when that person can't? We're screwed.

I'm currently looking for another job, I was cut down to 3 days a week after only working full time for 2 weeks. It pretty much sucks, but at least I still have some sort of income. And 3 days is definitely better than none at all. Our HR person gave me a couple of resources to go through, and I sent out a couple applications/resumes. Maybe I'll hear back...that'd be awesome!

As of tomorrow I will have been a non-smoker for 1 YEAR! That's right. We found out February 26th 2010 that we were expecting and I smoked my last cigarette... I still miss smoking. I want to do it everyday. But I don't. And I wont. It's not fair to my babe....now it's just getting the MR. to quit....

I know this kind of jumped around all over the place but that's how things go these days....

Enjoy your weekend!!

I'm baaaack!

My Internet has been wonky for the last 4 days. I didn't realize how much I rely on the Internet for evvvvvverything until I had to go without it. Insert sadface. Anyhow, needless to say, I'm back, thank goodness. I've missed being able to keep up with the blogs I read and facebook...how I ever made it without knowing what was going on in other people's lives for 4 whole days I'll never know.

Weekend recap.

Saturday was the Step Up and Walk for Down Syndrome walk at Lake Eola. I went with Lindsey, her momma Penny and her friend Liza (I think, pregnancy brain, sorry). It started out as a beautiful day, weather wise I mean. I woke up that morning at 5am, why....I don't know. It was actually chilly when we left for the walk at 9ish. I love fall.

Check out this cutie! This is Nora, she is two and I totally fell in love with her.

So we walked around the lake once, we were almost last in line thanks to none other than myself, I had to stop and pee....surprise, surprise. Then we stood around took a few pictures, and visited with friends and went home.

Here is Lindsey and I with Bullwinkle..poor guy had to be sweating his ass off!

What am I thinking?? I totally forgot about FRIDAY! Derr, sorry I don't know where my mind is today.

Friday I spent the entire day with Miss. Lindsey herself. She picked me up around 11ish...we had big plans. We were going to do anything and everything we could to make this baby come. We started off at a park (by the way, the weather was FREAKING AMAZING) someone told me that swinging can help bring the baby lower into the birth canal, so we swang (if that's even a word lol). Then we had lunch with her dad, who I love just so you know. Olive Garden....YUM. I could eat their soup everyday and never get tired of it. Seriously. After lunch we went to an organic market to pick up some Red Raspberry Leaf Tea (delicious), and stopped off at Publix to get the ingredients to make Labor Cookies. Lindsey made them, I watched. They failed. Maybe it was because we left out an ingredient, or maybe because my child is stubborn...I believe the latter. They are tricky cookies, they look like cookies, smell like yummy cookies and even taste good for the first 10 seconds....then they set your mouth on fire. Lindsey tried one (well half of one) and had to wash it down with milk and cheese. I, being the determined mommy to be ate as many as I could, hoping it would work.

Well, labor cookies, red raspberry leaf tea, swinging, spicy food, nothing worked. She is still an inside baby. Annnd that was Friday.

Back to Saturday....

After the walk I went home and took a much needed nap. Then the hubs and I sat around watching a little football before getting ready to go to Vann and Jess' house for Vann's 25 birthday celebration! We ate some super yummy wings, danced around like lunatics to Justin Bieber, and ate DELICIOUS carrot cake made by Jessica. Sooo goooood. I think I ate more icing than cake though. Sorry I can't rotate it ;)

All in all, Friday and Saturday were awesome. I had a great weekend.

Then Sunday came. I woke up on the wrong side of the bed for some reason, but I had to suck it up and go to work for my last day before maternity leave. So I went, worked, stood around on swollen feet and then left. It was a normal day at work, I wont miss working, but I will miss my paycheck, not that it was much, but still.

So here I am, it's Tuesday, day 2 of official maternity leave, house is clean, laundry is done, dishes are washed and brownies have been baked....now what? I guess we'll just wait around for our little one to show up. There will be a full moon on Friday, so maybe that will be the day.

I'm sorry this is so long, I probably could have separated this into 3 posts, but oh well. Thanks for reading!