We've had a breakthrough....

It's a first tooth for Baby M! and another recommendation for a "fav" baby item!

I could feel the ridge of the tooth last week but it officially made it's appearance yesterday--just a little spot of white on a sweet little pink gum.



To help with the discomfort I bought the NUK Fresh Foods Fill & Freeze Pops--love these! They are just the right size for small hands, have chunky easy to grasp handles, the "stick" inside is small and non-chokeable, and even the big sisters can enjoy. They come in a 4-pack and one Go-go Squeeze applesauce packet is just the right size to fill all four.

And as you can see, Baby M likes them, too.....

I survived.....

I survived G's birthday week.....just barely, and I still need a few days to recuperate. Who would have thought that turning 8 would be so strenuous?

She started off her week with a birthday dinner at Grammy and D-daddy's house---complete with birthday cake.



Next day was birthday dinner (and another birthday cake) shared with Mimi and Papa.





Then it was her actual birthday day and so we had birthday breakfast (since R works in the evenings) with donuts and presents. (and by now, it was only Tuesday)



After school, Grammy and D-daddy took her for a pedicure and dinner (with more cake).

So now we've made it to Wednesday, and I'm busily trying to get the house ready to host the official birthday party for all the friends---all 13 of the friends. Yeah, I know what you're thinking.....she must have been crazy to agree to that. At the time, it didn't start out with that many attendees, but as time drew closer, it just ballooned.

Saturday finally makes it here and all the guests arrive and all I can say is "Wow"! and loudly and firmly proclaim that I will never do that again. Who would have thought that 8 year old girls could be so lively? I had two nail techs doing manicures and pedicures and I had craft stations setup for the girls to make flip flips and bath salts, but I think I could have used about a dozen or so more activities. It was a challenge for them to wait to have their turn with the nail techs. When it was all said and done, G had a great time and that's all that really matters, but this Momma won't be doin' that again :-)


G and her BFF M


The Bath Salt Station


The very patient Nail Techs hard at work


Note to self: buy cupcakes next time :-)


The Birthday Girl


Loved this pic of my big 8 year old!


A little help opening gifts.....


My favorite present!

Only the most educational things.....

We strive to teach only the most educational of things here at our house......with the "Monkey Face" being right up at the top of the list :-)


Sweet Baby M at 9 months

It's Birthday Week!

I didn't realize it had been so long since I posted! The rest of February seemed to slide on by quietly and now all hell has broken loose with birthday party celebrations. G turns 8 years old today---how did that happen????

At a very weak moment, I agreed to have a spa party at our house. I know you are thinking, "what was she doing when she agreed to that?" In theory, it seemed to make sense. All the girls would be in one place, no worry about transporting between a nail salon and a place to have cake/ice cream. Now that the time is upon me, I can say that it is sheer lunacy!

I've been hanging pink/green tulle for several days and moving toys around for what seems like forever. You don't realize how many toys you have until you start trying to hide them:-)

It's Tuesday and we've now had birthday cake with both sets of grandparents and she is set to have brownies at school today with her classmates. I now know why every else's parents sent donuts on their birthday!

Lots of pictures will be forthcoming from the party but I leave you with these for now.....

Our first pics of our sweet girl......




and now, looking pretty grown-up......