Milestones

Well... the day is finally approaching here in our home. The baby days are coming to an end and I knew they would one day. I just never thought it would be before I was 30. And I never thought I would feel so content about it either. The truth is... after L was born, we were on the fence about having another. I didn't feel "done". J did. So we met in the middle and decided to give it some time and "re-visit" the issue. Well, most you know the rest of that story. Things were decided for us. :)

So fast forward to November 2010. The month where both girls will be celebrated for the rest of their lives. L had her 3rd birthday last week. She got to spend it with her Granny and Pawpaw. We had a birthday dinner for her with her favorite homemade pizza and pretty pink princess cupcakes. We opened gifts that were sent from the family that loves her and couldn't be with her... and then a present from Mommy and Daddy and C & P. Her genuine gratitude makes a mommy so proud. Then last Friday we had a "birthday playdate". An idea developed by my dear friends and myself in IL. (I think I may start a new trend down here!) It is a great way to celebrate your special day with friends and eliminate the pressure of a "party" and and all the planning and expense that goes along with that. A good friend made her a beautiful Cinderella cake complete with figurines to keep and play with as their gift to L. And there was much playing, and cake eating. Probably the biggest event for Lily and her birthday was our trip to Disney World. While Granny & Pawpaw were here we took them for their first visit to Disney. This was both C & L's Christmas AND Birthday gift from them. Lily was most excited about meeting the princesses. C was hilarious when we took him to meet Woody & Jesse. I have some great pics! (You can check for those on FB at some point soon) The kids had so much fun and we had a wonderful family day. Memories to treasure forever!

And now that we have one birthday complete... it's onto the next. And it's the one I am a little more emotional about. :/ Little P-nut will be ONE on Friday. WHERE did THAT year go!? She has truly completed our family. All 4 of us adore her in every way. She is working on her walking. Literally, she is practicing. She is determined and it is very precious. She takes the toy shopping cart and pushes it around the house all day. She is trying to figure out how to bring it with her back up the stairs or down depending on where her brother and sister are playing (because that is where she wants to be too). Granny, can she open her gift early!? :P She is starting to babble more (she has been so quiet for so long). She acknowledges "mama" and "dada" clearly and we are pretty sure she has been addressing C & L too. She is a bit sensitive but still so easy-going. By far our most relaxed child. She also seems to be the one that might be the athlete in the family. She prefers to play with balls. She goes crazy with excitement over them. She has, for some time, enjoyed throwing or pushing a ball away and then chasing after it. It makes her giggle and squeal with delight. We are having a "come and go" 1st birthday party for her at a park across the street from our house. My parents will be flying in to celebrate with us. They love to spend each grandchild's 1st birthday with them. I am really looking forward to seeing my parents too!

Life will be crazy for us now through the end of the year. Lots of fun holiday things planned and of course a lot of stitching to do. I did a small craft show this last weekend and plan to do another on the first Friday in December. Then I have orders in the middle of it all.

Life is always busy but it is always so good. My little family is blessed and we see it every day!
  • sallyanne
    What a lovely update! I can't wait to see the pictures on Facebook! I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!!
    by sallyanne at 11/09/10 8:14AM
  • kristindoula
    Aawwww! You know I know the feeling...where did the last year go??? Wow, P sounds SO much like Levi!!! Our most relaxed, easy-going baby of the 5...LOVES to throw/roll balls and chase after them...practicing walking (and with his shopping cart a lot, also)...LOTS of babbling lately and repeating things we say ~ right now our favorite is "peek-a-boo!" :-) So funny!
    by kristindoula at 11/09/10 9:06AM
  • stitchinmom
    Really looking forward to those pictures! Mom said he wouldn't get very close to Woody? Probably surprised at how big he was! :)
    by stitchinmom at 11/09/10 9:07AM
  • curlie
    HUGS I can't wait for your little P and my little E to meet again someday and play--they sound so much alike! :)
    by curlie at 11/09/10 9:36AM
  • michelle
    It made me so happy to see a post from you! I am getting a little verklempt after reading how much your kids are growing up! P is going to be ONE?!?! Thanks for being such a good example of a mom who keeps busy with her family and takes care of the house, too!
    by michelle at 11/09/10 11:26AM
  • MexicanJewel
    Your post made me smile today, Jess. So happy for you and your beautiful family.
    by MexicanJewel at 11/09/10 12:42PM
  • purrph1
    I was thinking I should do the birthday playdate for Gabriella for her upcoming birthday. I mean, really, what kid needs more toys?
    by purrph1 at 11/09/10 1:57PM
  • southern_yankee_mom
    Great to hear all about your sweet family. Give the girls birthday hugs for me!
    by southern_yankee_mom at 11/09/10 2:11PM
  • stargazermom
    So nice to hear an update on your family. It is bittersweet when they grow up isn't it?
    by stargazermom at 11/09/10 3:11PM
  • jodimn
    Great idea about the playdate!
    Loved this post :)
    by jodimn at 11/09/10 4:51PM
  • kris
    Can't wait to see P on her special 1st birthday party!
    by kris at 11/09/10 8:24PM
  • christina
    Birthday playdate is an awesome idea... going to have to steal that one!
    by christina at 11/10/10 11:01AM
  • crazy_mama
    Such a sweet post. I can't believe how quickly our babies are growing up. Sometimes I'm ok with that and sometimes I'm not. Babies turning 1 is always an exciting thing but it can be so emotional too! We will have to get together with you again soon! The girls sure did enjoy playing with your girls!
    by crazy_mama at 11/11/10 11:54AM
  • sunnylee
    Happy Birthday to all your family! It is sort of strange and crazy how you have completed your family and yet I haven't really even begun mine. But God has different plans for us all. So glad you all are so happy! Love to you
    by sunnylee at 11/11/10 1:19PM
  • stylinmama
    You might as well have been talking about Chris and me in that first paragraph. I totally get that.

    Happy Birthdays to the girls! They sound so sweet.
    by stylinmama at 11/19/10 3:45PM
  • tab
    Hqppy Thanksgiving, friend!! Miss you too! :)
    by tab at 11/24/10 10:11AM
  • michelle
    How did your show go???
    by michelle at 12/04/10 3:34PM
  • tab
    If you come in the spring, you'll get to meet Claire! Just saying... :) Keep us posted!! I want to make sure I won't be out of town!
    by tab at 01/20/11 8:26PM