Sadie's Winter ONEderland

Last week I shared how we started the celebrations for Sadie's first birthday with a trip to Disney World, here.

I was kind of a nut case the morning of Sadie's party. There was so much to do and time just seemed to be flying by. Luckily my in-laws were there to help! I don't know what I would have done without them. My mother-in-law went to work right away hanging tissue paper snow flakes, cleaning things, setting up the food, and pretty much everything else because she is awesome. Meanwhile my father-in-law was blowing up inflatable penguins (all two dozen of them) and picking up the balloons. (see I told you I would have been lost without them). Kev and I were cooking, cleaning, and taking care of the birthday girl. I am still surprised everything got done in time but it did and it was wonderful.

The party started at 1pm so we served lunch food. Kev made his delicious white chicken chili and yellow rice, there was hummus & pita chips, veggies & dip, hot chocolate & marshmallows, a variety of homemade cookies (made by my mother-in-law), and adorable cupcakes & cake (made by my very talented friend Antonia).

We sent the adults home with tiny penguin mugs filled with peppermints and the tiny friends took home penguin sippy cups and inflatable penguins. None of which I got pictures of. I was so caught up in everything that I forgot to get pictures of the details. There was a really fun arch way of snowflakes that my mother-in-law set up, a hot chocolate/coffee/drink area that was pretty darn cute, and glittery branches decorated the gift table but those details will have to live on in my mind because I didn't take pictures of any of it!

Here is what I did get though :)

How talented is my friend? As soon as she comes to her senses and does this for a living I will let you all know!

Sadie & her buds. She stole those mini coke bottles from guests and played with them the entire party.

 Opening presents, checking out her new vanity set (looking at herself in the mirror).

Sadie with her Uncle Jordan, Great Oma & Pappaw, and Grammy.

 She was not very cooperative for picture time, she just wanted to party.

She was so gentle and sweet with her cake! She would just slowly scoop up little bites like she had giant birthday cakes every day. (I swear she doesn't....)

Mommy & Daddy had to get in on the fun

The wiggle worm with her Sissy & Grandpa (my wonderful in-laws)

 After the party Sadie had a blast sharing her toys with her bestie and playing with her family in her playroom.

 Best buds all around. 

(that's Antonia, she's the talent behind the cupcakes/cake)

 I think it is safe to say that Sadie had a blast at her party. She was such a good little hostess, going from room to room visiting with everyone, never getting fussy. Although I know she was exhausted, she ended up staying up past her bedtime soaking in more time with her grandparents.

We all had such a fun weekend celebrating such an amazing little girl. Sadie is very lucky to be surrounded by so much love :)

Sadie Turns ONE!

You are all lucky that I was not blogging at the time of Sadie's first birthday. Otherwise you would have been subjected to the emotional ramblings from a proud Momma who cannot believe how fast time is flying by. But let's not let me get started down that path again. Instead let us focus on what a blast Sadie's very first birthday was. It is a good thing Sadie won't remember it because I honestly don't know how we could possibly top it.

We won't go into detail about how I think birthdays should be, at the very least, a week long celebration or how I made up and sang Sadie the "birthday week" song every day leading up to the big day. Because that is just crazy. So let's skip the part that really matters.

Our celebration started on her actual birthday with her very first trip to Disney World.

We got off to an early start that morning and after a quick pancake breakfast we headed to the park to arrive right around opening. I had a small list of things I wanted to make sure we got to do and I kept my expectations low (not an easy task for me) because with a little one you just never know what the day will bring. But the day was better than I could have imagined. 

It's a Small World was first on our list and we were able to walk right onto the ride. Sadie stared with her month wide open the entire time and her face held that expression for most of the rest of the day. Watching her big blue eyes soak in all of these incredible and mysterious things took my breath away on more than one occasion.

After her first ride we walked right into her first parade. It was a small parade with lots of characters and involved dancing so Sadie was extremely excited. She shook her little tooshy on Main Street with Chip and Dale while the hubs as I scraped our hearts off the sidewalk. Seriously, who is that big kid?

Once Sadie was satisfied that she had successfully collected all of the confetti from the parade off the ground we went to meet Minnie and Daisy. She was not a fan of Daisy... She wasn't scared but if Daisy tried to touch her, she shot her a dirty look and proceeded to remove her wing(?) from herself. Minnie on the other was allowed to kiss her and hold her hand although she didn't really give much love back other than that wide-eyed, open mouth look I told you about.

All of that excitement was enough to knock Sadie out in the stroller (much to our surprise) so the hubs and I snagged some fast passes to Dumbo and then found a nice quiet spot to sit and relax for the next couple of hours. 

When she woke up it was on to Dumbo and the Carrousel, her two favorite rides. We had lunch and walked around Tomorrowland for a little while and then set out to find Mickey. Much to our amazement the popular mouse was not hard to track down and when we did, there was absolutely no one in line to see him. After walking through the ghost line we were escorted into his "dressing room" where he was waiting for us. Sadie got to spend some time chatting with Mickey and getting lots of pictures before anyone else showed up to steal him away. 

Since the day was coming to an end we took Sadie to the gift shop to pick out her birthday present. We thought for sure she wasn't going to even look at anyone other than Mickey but she ended up picking out a stuffed Minnie instead (who is her absolute favorite toy now). 

We walked around a little more, caught another street parade and then found a nice spot to watch the lighting of Cinderella's Castle, which is just so beautiful. If you have never been to Disney World around the holidays, you really should try to go. Once the show was over we were herded out of the park for a very long and crowded journey back to the car. 

I am still amazed that Sadie made it the entire day and not once did she fuss or complain. It was such a magical day and the perfect way to spend your first birthday. 

Next week I will share with you all of the fun details from the rest of Sadie's birthday weekend, including her Winter ONEderland Party!

Our week in iPhone Photos

Our week has been pretty busy. My Mam-maw was at my moms during the beginning of the week so Sadie and I drove back and forth quite a bit and stayed one night there so we could take her to the airport Wednesday morning. It was so sad to see her leave but oh so nice having her so close for a week.

Miss Sadie has been learning so many new things every single day! She reaches for things with such determination and purpose now and wants to put everything in her mouth. That probably has to do with the three little teeth I feel in there pushing on her poor little gums. We tried mulitple times taking her to our neighborhood pool but each time it was closed so we played in the tub instead :)

Baseball season is officially here and Sadiebug could not be more excited. As you can tell from her picture in her World Series onesie with Fredbird! (who is exactly the same size as her at the moment).

That coffee mug there in the center. How awesome is that? Your eyes do not deceive you, there is in fact a unicorn sharing a pot of honey with a bear under a rainbow. I may have begged my mom to let me take that home from her house.

In other news I want to say a big Happy Birthday to my Momma-in-law! We are headed to visit them this weekend and I don't know who is more excited about that out of the three of us.

I hope you all have a lovely Easter weekend!

Birthday Week :)

What this week entailed: Sadie smiles, date night on my birthday with the hubs (first one since Miss Sadie), trading in my badge for my super momma cape, spring polish, ruffle butt + baby legwarmers, nap time, and some baby love for Mommy and Daddy.

It has been a wonderful week! I have been working on setting a better schedule for myself now that I am staying home full time. I am no where near figuring that out yet but I will get there. I got to celebrate my birthday with my wonderful family. I am so in love with being a stay at home mom.

Have a great weekend!

Twenty Six

Yesterday we celebrated my 26th birthday. Last year on this day I blew out my candles, wishing to get pregnant again and for a healthy baby. I was just a few short days away from finding out that baby girl up there was in my belly. This year I have her in my arms. Life is full of miracles and this happens to be my favorite one.

Sadie and I spent most of the day in our jammies, lounging around. We took a nice long nap together, which I don't usually allow myself time for. Then Grammy and Mam-maw (my mom and grandma) took over and I took my time getting ready for my hot date. You really learn what a luxury it is to take a real shower after having a baby. I was able to shave my legs and everything!

When the hubs got home from work we took off. Just the two of us. For a date. 

He took me shopping for some cute clothes that actually fit me and then we went for dinner and drinks. It was really nice reconnecting over something other than baby drool (although we missed that baby drool terribly!). 

Of course the little miss decided she didn't want to go to sleep without Mommy and Daddy there so when we got home we changed into our pj's and had some cake. She loved the candles and wasn't too thrilled with me blowing them out. 

I am so happy to have spent my birthday with my wonderful family. Having my Mam-maw in town and meeting Sadie for the first time has been incredible. They are so in love with each other. What a lucky girl I am :)

Farewell 2011

2011 was the year I had been dreaming about for a long time. The hubs and I started the year with fresh optimism and hopes high. On April 2nd we found out we were pregnant again and although we were nervous to get excited about it we just couldn't help ourselves. The first 12 weeks were spent on the edge of seats and overanalyzing every single feeling in my body but the next 9 months were like a dream.

Being pregnant was such an amazing experience. I loved every second of it, even when I was throwing up in my car and drained of energy just so ready to meet our little girl. Every kick, hiccup, tickling of my hip bone, and jab to the ribs made me fall in love with my belly even more. Every time we heard that little heart beating or saw a glimpse of that beautiful profile or those tiny fingers and toes made it all feel a little more real.

And finally, after three years of trying and hoping and praying, three heartbreaking losses, nine months of falling in love with a belly, and over 24 hours of labor... On December 14th we met our little girl. Our miracle. Our everything. And love doesn't even begin to describe the way we feel about her.

2011 healed my heart. It reminded me that this world can be such a beautiful place and that the people in it can do amazing things. It made me believe in miracles again. For the first time in a long time I am truly sad to see a year end. But at the same time I know that 2012 and beyond holds so many wonderful adventures for my family.

And for the first time in three years, my resolution is not to get pregnant :)

The Birth

False Alarm

On December 12th while in the shower (attempting to shave my legs) I felt a gush. My first thought was that my water broke but I couldn't be sure. After a lot of back and forth the hubs and I decided to take a trip to triage. While there I was checked and was 2-3cm dilated but turns out my water had not broken. Wishful thinking perhaps? My nurse was wonderful and stripped my membranes as well as making me the full 3cm dilated (ouch!). So after a couple of hours hanging out in triage we went home. Although I was disappointed to not be in labor yet, I was happy to at least be progressing since at our last appointment I had zero progress.

Could this be it?

I woke up the next morning at 2am with strong contractions. They weren't consistantly close together but they were stronger than any I had felt up to that point and bad enough that I could not lie in bed any longer. I bounced on my yoga ball (lifesaver) while watching Christmas movies, took a bath, and walked around the house until the hubs woke up. Since I was most comfortable walking we went Christmas shopping. I was doing great the first couple of hours, walking through my contractions which were still varying from 3 to 10 minutes apart lasting about 2 minutes each. Then the contractions worsened and I had to stop for each one. Finally the hubs made us go home and start timing them.

At that point the contractions were every 5-6 minutes (or so we thought). The hubs wanted to go to triage right away but after our false alarm the day before I wanted to make sure it was the real thing before going in again. After watching the hubs nervously pace the house several times I finally gave in and to triage we went. It was around 3:30pm on December 13th when we arrived.

Of course this time I saw several people I know (I work at the hospital where I delivered) and was starting to feel silly, like this was another false alarm. Only it wasn't...

The Real Deal

This time in triage they monitored my contractions to find that they were only 3 minutes or so apart and very strong. When they checked me I was 4cm dilated and that paired with my contractions meant I was being admitted to labor and delivery. They allowed me to walk around the hospital for an hour to try to get things to progress more on their own and then I was to go straight to L&D.

We made it to L&D around 6:30pm and that's where the fun really begins.

As I mentioned before I wanted to go all natural with no pain meds whatsoever. I made it to 3:30am on December 14th at which point I was 6cm dilated and my contractions were right on top of each other. By this time I had already been awake and having contractions for over 24 hours and was not getting a break in between them. I was doing great breathing through them but was so exhausted I could not hold my head up on my own. When the nurse told me I still had a ways to go I decided I would get the epidural. I saw such relief on the hubs face as soon as that decision was made.

I was very apprehensive about the epi. The thought of a needle in my spine and not being in full control of my body freaked me out. But as it turns out it was the best decision for me. I felt great after getting the epi and was able to enjoy so many more aspects of my labor. I was able to rest a little and prepare for the most important part. Pushing.

Let's Push!

At around 7am on December 14th I felt the strongest command my body has ever given me. To push! Trying not to push while the nurse got everything ready was so difficult! When it was time though, I was ready. Allowing my body to do something so foreign to me took a little getting used to but after a couple of pushes I was able to figure out what worked best for me. I pushed for a little over an hour, making a little progress each time but it didn't feel nearly that long.

When I was close enough to need the doctor the told me not to push again. I seriously thought they were crazy if they thought I was able to keep that baby in for one second longer. But somehow I managed to wait for the doctor and once she arrived it was smooth sailing. A few pushes later and there was a head! After that pushing was nothing. I was about to hold my baby girl and nothing else mattered. Within minutes there she was in my arms. Beautiful from what I could see through my tears. I looked at the hubs and his face was full of tears as held us both tight. I could not done any of it without him. The entire pregnancy and even more so during the birth he was supportive and comforting and strong, and anything else I needed him to be.

Our baby girl was perfect. Bigger than anyone imagined at 8lbs 4oz and tall just like her Momma at 20.75 inches.

My mom and both the hubs parents were there for the whole thing. I can't find another word to describe sharing that with them other than magical. Even though things didn't go according to my "plan" I had the most amazing birth experience I could imagine. And as crazy as it may sound, I can't wait to do it all again... in a couple of years :)

Welcome to the World

Sadie June arrived at 8:19 am on December 14, 2011

weighing a whopping 8lb. 4oz.

20.75 inches long

The story of her birth will be coming soon. But there wont be much blogging during this adjustment period so be patient with me :)

For now here are a couple of pictures:

Steppin' Out Sunday 10.30.11

outfit: Motherhood Maternity (the whole thing)

shoes: Payless (I really should buy new shoes...)

This was the first maternity top I ever bought and wore. Last time you saw it on here, it looked a bit different on me:

14 weeks vs. 33 weeks

I have also gotten much more pale since then. At least our grass is greener. Anyway, I was headed to a cheese party for my lovely friend Amy's birthday. What is a cheese party, you may be asking yourself? Well it is a party full of cheese! Cheesy breads, cheese potatoes, plates of cheese, mac n' cheese, chips and queso, and two different baked brie's. I have been in a cheese coma ever since but it was all so yummy.

I hope everyone had a great weekend and has a very Happy Halloween tomorrow :)

ps- Baby shower pictures will be up tomorrow!

25 weeks! eek!

For once my picture is actually on the first day of the "week"! Here I am at 25 weeks with my not so little brother. We went to visit for a little birthday dinner to celebrate my brothers SIXTEENTH birthday. Ugh, why does he have to grow up so fast?

The hubs took me on a little maternity shopping trip yesterday as well. I can't explain what it is about new clothes (especially when you're body is going through such rapid change) that makes you feel so good. But it does. How did I get so lucky?

Pretty much everything is going the same this week with our little peanut. Her schedule has shifted from being up all night to being up all day. I hope this continues once out of the womb! Heartburn has become my nemesis and tums my newest side kick. I have been craving massive amounts of water and banana nut crunch cereal. Oh and gravy. On everything. Yum.

Tomorrow morning I am headed off to Georgia with the bestie so I will be MIA from the blogosphere and the rest of the internets (other than a few Facebook/Twitter checks) until Monday. I hope you all have a lovely long weekend!!

Stache' Bash 2.0

Last years Stache Bash was so much fun they decided to do it again this year! Thanks to work the hubs and I were a little tardy to the party but we made the most of it once we got there.

The Birthday boy and his lady sporting very sexy stache's.

A nice family portrait.

Sadie wearing her first ever mustache :)

Classic.

I'm not sure what got more stares, the mustaches or my baby bump at a bar. Either way it was another wonderful birthday celebration!

the big FIVE-OH

On Monday my Momma turned fifty! Since getting pregnant I had to change my original plans (girls night at a cocktail bar) to something a little less dangerous for the little babe (a day at the spa).

It was nice and relaxing and allowed for some great momma-daughter time. We got massages, facials, body scrubs, and momma got a body wrap.

The spa was small which was nice because we had the place to ourselves and plenty of time to relax, drink some tea, read some gossip mags, and talk before and after our treatments. I'm already looking forward to another spa day although it will probably be a while!

Happy 30th Hubby!

As I am sure you can tell, the hubs is a pretty awesome guy. And since he is so awesome he deserved to be celebrated to the fullest for his thirtieth birthday!

We both love the show Mad Men and decided that would be the perfect theme. You know we enjoy a good theme :)

there were bubble gum cigarettes and balloons.

I made a cake and I promise it tasted better than it looks!

we had a martini bar :)

the fellas played pool and smoked cigars.

our friends looked amazing!

And we all had a great time!

Twenty Five