Birthday Goodness

As I sit here on the eve of Ian’s first birthday I am feeling very nostalgic and a little weepy.  It’s hard to believe it’s been a year already!  One year ago right this very minute I was starting to get contractions.  One year ago I had a very sleepless night full of tossing and turning, cleaning and fretting and attempting to get my then 2 year old back to sleep, which was all followed by the arrival of our beautiful angel baby.  One year ago I brought this little babe home and fell in love with his stunning steel eyes and giant baby feet.  (I should have known then that he would grow to be a giant)  One year ago I remembered what life is like with a newborn.  Those first few days are a blur, mostly because I was running on literally 2 hours of sleep.  Seriously folks, 2 hours in 2 days.  I nearly cracked!

I can’t quite tell why I’m feeling so nostalgic.  I was not this way with Izacc!  Not al all.  Perhaps it is because we moved when Izacc was 6 months old, so I didn’t have the constant reminder of the same house, the same drive by the same hospital, the same look of the morning.  Everything was different when Izacc turned one.  New house, new life, new Drs, new everything.  I had no reminders of the year before. 

It actually doesn’t help that I had a sweet friend give birth yesterday. I went to visit her in the same hospital I had been in almost a year ago to the date.  She was in the same room I was in.  I held her perfect little angel baby and my heart melted.

I think I’ve got baby fever.  I think I’ve got it real bad. 

I think I might need to be committed right now for even thinking about it because I’ve got my hands full as it is.  I know this!  I would be crazy to have another baby!

And yet, the rational Camie gets drowned out by the sweet smell of a fresh newborn and the tiny, tiny hands and feet.

I need to snap out of it.  We’ve got bigger fish to fry here, people!  Important matters at hand.

Check out the adorable way things are coming along for the big party going down on Saturday!

Birthday Banner, made by yours truly.

Personalized Onesies.  

And Mommy likes monkeys too, you know!  So I made myself a little something as well.  Gotta fit in with the theme, right?

Pin the Tail on the Monkey Game.

Crown for big birthday boy.

Sign to welcome guests.

Cups and labels for yummy Banana Sundae Bar.

Cute party decor.

And of course, the traditional birthday boy quilt.

It’s all coming together!  I’m so excited!

Am I going a little overboard?  Heck yes!

Are there going to be, like, three people that show up?  If I’m lucky!

Should I be stopped?  Most definitely.

Whatever.  I’m still excited.  I loves me a good party!  Although stinking Mother Nature has other plans I fear.  It’s supposed to be, like 46 degrees that day so I’m having to redesign my party to be an inside job. 

That’s alright.  It will still be a good time.

And you’re all more than welcome to come!  We’ve got plenty of everything to go around!

HAPPY BITHDAY IAN, MY BIG BUBBA BABY MONSTER!  WE LOVE YOU!

Saturdays Don’t Count, right?

I’ve had a fabulous day! Izacc and I went on a “date” to his primary party, just the two of us. It was fun spending time alone with him, he has such a tender heart. So tender, in fact, that when the kids were playing Red Rover, he didn’t break through and burst into tears. He kept saying, “I am not strong enough! I am a little boy!” Poor thing. Oh Izacc.

Then I finished up my last sewing project, which was awesome. I’ve been working on stuff forever now it seems. Here’s what I made today

It’s a bag made out of an old pair of cargo pants.

It’s even big enough to hold a few magazines, a wallet and who knows what else!

Super cute huh? And so easy! It really took me less than an hour to do, start to finish. For more info, check it out here.

Thom and I then spent the majority of the day in the dungeon (aka basement) playing clean sweep/pretend like your moving/get this crap organized or out of my house! It was delightful.

Really I promise it was! We decided that we would pretend like we’re moving and box up everything down there. Then if we did move, it would all be ready to go. If we didn’t and it’s been 6 months er so, we know we could live without it and can get rid of it. Fun right? I know!

So here is our progress:

TRUST ME! You DO NOT want to see what it looked like before! No really. I think I can find someone to vouch for me. It’s better this way.

Still a lot of work to do, but looking and feeling so much better already! We’re just sick of sitting in limbo. You know, SOMEDAY we’ll finish the basement. SOMEDAY we’ll get stuff organized. Well, friends, someday came today. YES!

Due to said basement dwelling all day, dinner was a quickie. My favorite recipe. Really.

Bubble Pizza. Ever had it?

Oh so so yummy! You really should try it sometime. It doesn’t last very long in our house. Those bite sized pieces seem to cry out, “Oh I’m only one little piece! You should eat me!” Then, suddenly, Bubble Pizza gone. Sadness.

Ian agrees. He ate probably his weight in Bubble Pizza.

Okay, not really, but he did eat it like it’s going out of style. Such a good eater that boy!

And then, as not to have a completely nutritious thing to eat all day, I decided to make an impromptu batch of Monkey Bread. Dieters beware…

Come on! You KNOW you can taste the sweet gooeyness! If you want the recipe, it’s here. I kind of just winged it and it turned out SO super yummy.

Oh and Izacc went to be before 8:00pm.

And Ian is sound asleep as we speak.

Could this day get any better?

I think not!

Friday Confessional all about my teeth

Hello and welcome to another week's confession. I must say it's been a week, that's for sure. So hold on tight, ya'll. Here we go:

• I hate my teeth.
• HATE my teeth.
• How, dear sweet Camie, could you possibly hate your teeth?
• Again, I'm glad you asked.
• I have the worst teeth ever.
• Ever.
• Okay,well maybe not ever, but mostly ever.
• I have 9 crowns.
• 1/4 of my teeth are crowns!
• I have had 14, count 'em, 14 root canals.
• Of those 14, one was on my front tooth.
• When I was 14.
• It is a crown now.
• Also, I have one tooth that was root canaled 4 times.
• How is that even possible?
• I'll tell you.
• First Dr does root canal. Fine. Done.
• Next Dr says that first Dr missed a root.
• Awesome.
• Dr does another root canal.
• Tooth never really feels better.
  
• I call Dr to have him look at it.
• Evil receptionist won't let me see or speak to Dr because my acct is delinquent $25.
• Twenty five dollars.
• So it is paid and then I have a "probationary period" due to being delinquent.
• I should have sued.
• Anyway, go to a different Dr, who tells me I should have been to a specialist weeks ago.
• So I go to an endodontist.
• Tells me previous dentist didn't get to the bottom of the root.
• Tells me he left a pocket of infection that is eating my bone.
  
• Tells me I need to have another root canal or surgery.
• Awesome.
• I totally should have sued.
  
• So we're a young freshly married couple and aren't sure if insurance will cover it.
• Also we're moving to Utah in, like, a week.
  
• So we just moved.
• Found out later that insurance would have covered it, by the way.
• So after moving, we have to wait the customary waiting period before insurance will kick in.
• like 6 months or so.
  
• In the meantime, a small infection bubble grows below said tooth.
• Awesome.
• Even awesomer still is that said infection bubble drains at least once a day.
• I'll spare you the gory details, but let's just say it was NOT nice.
• Finally go to new Dr.
• Sends me to another Endodontist.
• Explains options again.
• I opt to have root canal again as opposed to surgery.
• Endo does third root canal on tooth.
• Infection bubble comes back a week later.
• Insurance is shot due to $3500 specialist root canal.
• Have to wait until new year.
• Have to have surgery.
• Endo performed 4th and final root canal from the bottom up.
• Thats right.
• Awesome.
• Sounds exactly like it was.
• Bottom up.
  
• I used to have full on panic attacks when I sat in the dentist chair.
• Crying, shaking, the whole nine yards.
  
• Do you blame me?
• So yeah, I my teeth and I have a hate hate relationship.
• I have oh so many stories to tell.
• But the bottom line is that I think I need my wisdom teeth out.
• They hurt lately.
• And I just don't wanna.
• Not awesome.
• Stoopid teeth.
  

Friday Confessional: crazy obsessive momma

Here I am again. And I have a confession to make:

• I am so very excited for Ian's birthday party.
• I am lame.
• I know he's one and will not remember any of it.
• I see all these people throw these HUGE extravagant parties for their kids.
• I hear other people complain about them and say how silly
• And how uncalled for
• And if you throw them a big party when they're one, you'll have set the bar pretty high.
• And then they will always expect a big party.
• And I have agreed with those people.
• And now I am beginning to think I am a GINORMOUS hypocrite.
• Because how stinkin cute would this be in my front yard come two weeks:
• I mean hello? Do you know me at all?! Come on!
• These Baby's First Birthday people have got my number don't they?
• Only problem is I do not have the money to invest in such adorablilty. (Yeah it's a word)
• So what's a clever, frugal mama to do you ask?
• I'm glad you asked.
• First, you take the color scheme and run with it.
• You spend the entirety of two days in a crash course of learning the art of graphic design and come up with this:
• And as not to leave anybody out,this for the out of towners:
• Oh and we've got to have the token "Baby's First" onesie, made by me of course!
• Then spend the entirety of another day driving from store to store getting the perfect combination of color coordinating plates and napkins, cake pans and cupcake liners, foam circles and "baby's first" decor.
• Toting around a sleeping baby.
• And then a sleeping three year old.
• And we need to get this all done now because we're in the "big city" where things don't cost an arm and a leg.
• Well, maybe just a leg.
  
• And that's not all, folks.
• There's plenty more surprises in store.
• But I'm thinking that's enough crazy for one day.
• Hey, if you know where I live and are free on May 1st, come on by!
• It will be super fun, I promise.
  
• I am actually just excited to get my family and friends together and have a good time.
• I just needed an excuse, such as a first birthday.
• So yeah, it's going to be a little out of control
• and extravagant
• and silly
• but I just love being the hostess
• I get that from my Gramma I believe.
• And I love having the people I love together in one place for the afternoon.
• So seriously, come on by.
• And please, please DON'T bring a gift.
• That kid has more toys that you could shake a stick at.
• Whatever that supposed to mean.
• He's got a lot of toys.
• So yeah, the party is mostly for me I suppose.
• But at least I can admit I have a problem.
• And that's the first step to recovery...right?
  

We Got The Funk... and I don't mean the smelly kind...

I am in rare form tonight...
Just thought I'd apologise in advance. Bummer mood approaching...I'd go back if I were you...

Have you ever had something said or something happen or just been lost in your thoughts and just have the crappiest most gut wrenching sadness come over you? Sadness and disappointment and just all around blar! Poo!

My heart hurts!

That's what I got going on over here.

I feel like I am a big ol burden to people and my kids are too annoying to be taken out in public and it seems like I am being left out of things that I would normally be a part of.

I know my little son has the best of intentions and he wears his heart on his sleeve. I love that about him. He is so sweet and genuine and I hope he never loses that. But then I think about all the people who will mock him and hurt him and make fun of him and crush him and it kills me.

Do all parents think this way? Or is it those of us who were the same way and had the same things happen?

I want to cuddle up in bad and just hold him close. I want to kick myself for ever thinking anything he does is annoying or for ever scolding him.

He's only three.

I guess I forget that sometimes.

There is so much garbage going on in our lives right now and it just has me wondering how much is it going to take before we see the light of day again? How long do we have to put up with it and deal with it and try and stay positive and upbeat and happy?

I know that every single person if this entire world has bad things going on. I know that. I am so not trying to sound selfish or vain or have a "please feel sorry for me" day.

I'm just so tired. And sad. And I feel so alone. And almost hopeless. And the super crappy thing is that I can honestly say I don't see a way out. I don't see it happening, but I can't ever let myself really think that because all I have to rely on is faith. Faith that it will all get better. Faith that things will change and turn around. Faith that there really is a point and there will be a light at the end of the tunnel and people will get what they deserve. I can't let myself give up, even though right now it feels like I am hanging on by a teeny tiny thread. One doubting thought, one misstep and it's over.

My space bar isn't working. Boo.

I have a bunch of transcription work to get done and my programs and pedal aren't working either. Double boo.

You know, regret is a funny thing. It's very haunting and relentless. You can coulda woulda shoulda all day and night and the funny thing is YOU CAN'T GO BACK AND CHANGE IT. You can't. So why even have the stupid emotion? There is nothing you can do but go forward. Why is that so freaking hard to remember?

All I can think about is what's wrong with everything lately. And how jealous I am of other people with their pretty things and whatnot. I almost feel like making a list, but then I think well no because if you so that you'll REALLY see all the bad and how much of it is really there.

Ever seen the Secret? It's really good...and probably works too if you can discipline yourself to be positive. Maybe I need to be more positive and instead of worrying about all the junk, just be grateful for all the good.

Can anyone help me do that?

Friday Confessional from Utah

Oh my. I am a tad tarty to the party, but it is still technically Friday, right?
Right.

• I am currently in Utah.
• I will be here all week folks.
• Tip your waitresses.
• I always wanted to say that.
• But really, I'll be here all week.
• My hubster is jetting of to Las Vegas on Sunday.
• Boo.
• He gets to go have fun in the big city,
• Get wined and dined by all the big-wig tv-types,
• play around sans kids,
• sleep in a hotel,
  
• BE IN LAS VEGAS
• for a whole stinkin week!
• Boo.
• I am actually jealous.
• I wanna go too!
• Well, I wanna go on a week long vacation sans kids
• okay maybe just a week long vacation out of the snow
• did it snow at your house this week?
• BECAUSE IT DID AT MINE!!!
• Boo.
• I hate stoopid April snow.
• Makes me grumpy.
• And you won't like me when I'm grumpy!
• Oh well.
• I'm going to spend the week hanging out with my family,
• and doing a little shopping,
• chillin with my Gramma,
• and planning a birthday par-tay!
• That's right.
• Big bubba baby monster is turning one!
• Too bad he's wearing 24 month-old clothes!
• Seriously people, I kid you not.
• I get weird looks from people when I am in the mother's lounge at church.
• I want to tell them that he's only 11 months old!
• I'm not trying to nurse a three year old!
• Don't believe what your eyes are telling you!
• Where are you going?!
• Why did you stop talking the moment I showed up?!
• Ah well. It will all be over soon.
• And then I'm gonna lose some weight.
• Yesssss.
• Good bye stoopid extra nursing calories
• Hello sexy mama in a swimsuit!
• Ok, I'd settle for average mama with no muffin top.
  
• Not having a panic attack when I go to my closet and can't find a dang thing to wear.
• It happens every time I have to go out in public because, let's be honest, you can't wear track suits everywhere
• Can you?!?
• Stoopid comfortable non-form-fitting track suits.
• Ahhhhhhhhh.
  

Giveaway!

I love Dang Gina. Just love. She has the greatest giveaways!
Hmm...love.
Anyway, she is having a giveaway for a photo shoot with a darling photographer. You should go check it out! But don't enter because I really need to win.

Okay, go enter too...I guess...


Go here to check it out!