New Mom Realizations...

I know a lot of people who have had/are having babies lately (me included). I have come to realize a few things that I never noticed/would have noticed before I had a baby.

People (the good ones anyway) always tell you how fabulous you look during pregnancy and during/after labor. (The bad ones tell you that you look more like someone who has stuffed a doughnut up their shirt than a pregnant woman--yes someone actually said that to my face.) People (again, the good ones) also always tell you what an adorable baby you have and how cute/handsome she/he is. 

I definitely think some people are sincere when they say these things. And I definitely think other people just say them to be polite. After having been a pregnant woman, going through labor, and having an adorable baby I can confidently say that those sincere and not so sincere people should keep up the good work. And even though I realize that (good) people will/would say these things anyway (regardless of whether you actually do look good at 39 weeks, or you look like a bloated, giant whale of your former self, or you are someone who has labored for 16+ hours and just pushed a giant baby's head through your ahem...) it is the best thing to say and it will always be appreciated by said pregnant/laboring/post-labor woman. I even appreciate it now that I know I would have/did hear it regardless of whether it was true or not. 

So thank you good people of the world (for being sincere or being insincere) for saying the only things that should be said to women who are pregnant, laboring, or post-labor. You DO look fabulous, you cannot have just had a baby--you look amazing, and your baby is the MOST precious/adorable/handsome baby I have ever seen.

: )

Claire's 1st Birthday: Part 2

Claire's 1st Birthday: Cupcakes and Care Bears

Claire's birthday party was SO much fun. Claire will never tell me that she loved the decorations (unless she looks back at the pictures at a much later date), but I had a blast decorating and prepping for this momentous birthday. I tried not to get too carried away, but this was my first birthday planning/decorating attempt. I don't have much experience with planning/preparing parties, so this was a good experience.

First birthdays are without a doubt more for the parents (mostly mommy in our case) and family than the baby/toddler. However, I had so much fun planning for and setting this party up. I almost wish I had invited more people to see it--although that would have defeated the purpose of a small, intimate, family only party. Here are some pics of the decor:
 

Cupcake buffet (pre-arrival of cupcakes)

My dad had knee surgery last week and the hydrangeas were actually a gift to him, but they went with the decor and were too lovely not to use. (I love hydrangeas). The Care Bears are actually toys from my childhood -- my mom has saved a ton of our old toys in the hopes that one day she can have all the grand kids over to her house to stay/play.

I justified the purchase of these paper lanterns (Hobby Lobby) for the party because I plan to use them in Claire's room. They were too cute and I am glad that I was able to talk myself into purchasing them.

Claire may have received one or two gifts. (She lives near both sets of Grandparents and is the first grand baby on either side of the family--spoiled much?!?!?) I splurged on a helium tank and even though it was definitely an unnecessary extravagance I had a lot of fun with the helium balloons--Claire really liked swatting at them too.

I have been taking a monthly picture of Claire since she was born. I hung the monthly pics up with some mini-paperclips, on a length of ribbon, and used some sparkly letters from Hobby Lobby to make this garland--it was one of my favorite decorations.

The "1" was an idea I got off of Pinterest--and I was pretty pleased with the result--definitely a cute idea if you have the time/energy to make it. (Just some foam board, hot glue, and cupcake liners)

We call Claire our little Claire Bear, so the theme of Care Bears and Cupcakes was pretty fitting. I also found this idea for Care Bear cupcakes on Pinterest (I am obsessed with Pinterest) and a local bakery happily obliged. I love how the cupcakes turned out, and they were delicious.

The big, one-year-old birthday girl. She was striking poses for the camera like crazy. I tried to recreate the Care Bears theme on her overalls with some felt. Here are some pics of our little Claire Bear in her cute birthday overalls:

Claire got excited about pulling the tissue paper out of some of the bags, but I ended up opening most of her presents -- she kept getting distracted by the toys and people. She did play with almost everything for at least five seconds each though.

The cute "Birthday Princess" tutu was a gift from Claire's Aunt Ashley.

Rocking chair courtesy of the Malones.

I think my favorite part of the party was cake time. Claire was not sure about her cake for about two milliseconds. Then she dug right in. She thought it was delicious and probably ate a good 3/4 of the cake. She personally got deliciously messy, but there wasn't much mess anywhere else. It was a lot of fun. Here are the pics of her digging into the cake (the smash cake was strawberry -- I made it at home):

I think everyone had a great time and I am so glad we got to celebrate our sweet little girl with our family. I have a lot of family/friends who are struggling with fertility and/or sick babies --it makes me so, so thankful for a happy, healthy baby. I thank God everyday for our precious blessing.

Claire's First Birthday: Part 1

I have begun preparing for Claire's birthday celebration. I am not planning an extravagant birthday - just something small for the family - but I still find myself having to reign in my excitement and decoration purchases. I have to keep reminding myself that Claire won't even remember this birthday and that everything I am doing is for Jared and I. We don't need fifty pinwheels, or giant metal flower sculptures, or any of the other outlandish things I almost put in my cart at Hobby Lobby last week.

Crafty present I made for my little monster.

No matter how I reasoned with myself I still managed to find things in my cart that I needed to put back.

I cannot believe baby girl is going to be one. CRAZY! I cannot believe that a year ago she was still hanging out, cooking in my belly. A year ago I was planning some really fun genetics activities for my tenth graders. A year ago I thought I had until February to square everything away.

Crafty decor I made for my little monster's birthday.

My life is so different than it was a year ago. Claire has grown and changed so much. Jared and I have grown and changed so much. It goes by so quickly. I don't want to be "that mom" that says she has enjoyed every minute--there have definitely been minutes where I wanted to pull my hair out and call it quits--but I have enjoyed a lot of it and there has been joy every single day since January 27, 2011.

My little "almost one year old" monster.

The party is this weekend and I am almost all set--except a few last minute things. I can't wait to post pictures and show off my awesome, one-year old daughter.

A Week of Firsts...

This has definitely been a week of firsts at our house. Claire got her first fever/cold this week...which is not fun. It hasn't been a super high fever and she has been pretty good considering (just a little fussier/pickier than usual), but this momma hates it when her baby is sick (as I am sure all mommas do). Her little nose is producing more mucus than either of us knows how to handle and we are alternating Tylenol and Motrin to control the fever. However, a bright spot in the darkness, Claire also took her first steps this week. Here is a little video of some of them:

I love every minute of it! I know that in a few weeks/months when the newness and excitement has worn off, and when Claire is getting into everything/going everywhere I will probably curse the day she learned to walk, but right now I am one excited momma.

A visit to the Fayetteville Square

We had been meaning to go up to the town's Square for several weeks, but with all of the last minute trips and Jared's grandmother's funeral (see A Road Trip and a Funeral) it just didn't quite happen before Christmas.

We did manage to go the week after Christmas and I am so glad we did. We all bundled up in warm coats and even took a blanket to wrap Claire in (it was a very cold night). The three of us had so much fun. It was such a sweet evening just hanging out together as a family.

Claire loved all of the lights. We even got a picture of all three of us together thanks to a nice lady who offered to take our picture. Claire got to see ponies, camels, and they even had a baby reindeer (I think I was more excited to see the reindeer than Claire was).

We had a really great evening. Going to the square to see the lights has been a sort of tradition for Jared and I as a married couple...one I hope we will continue with Claire.