One Fish, Two Fish, A 1st Birthday Wish

Truth: 1st birthdays get WAY OUT OF HAND.

Truth: 1st birthday parties are more for the mommy

Truth: Jackson is BEYOND blessed and loved.

We celebrated Jackson's 1st birthday Dr. Seuss style. It was fun and fairly inexpensive thanks to our families, our church family and friends that helped.

Birthday Stats (mostly for my memory)
-it was outside
-it was hot
-there were 50+ friends and family who came
-we ate burgers, potato salad, fruit
-Jackson did not eat as much cake as I expected
-we used 30 little goldfish for centerpieces (the heat caused casualties)
-Jackson got an equal amount of toys and clothes
-2 hours is the perfect length for a 1st birthday
-we opened gifts after the guests left which was great
-we could not have done it all without the help of our families and friends

 

 1st Birthday success!! Happy Birthday Son.  I could physically burst with joy over who you are!

 

 

Some Catch Up - 12 months of success

Like stated in my last post....I am inconsistent.  I may start to to catch up....no promises though.  I have found I had more time to write when "The Boss" was not as mobile and took multiple naps a day.  We are down to only 1 nap a day, which is the saddest thing for a SAHM.  I felt like having a funeral for my free time and wearing black for a week in protest.  Neither of which would change Jackson's mind about his naps.  SAD.  Pity party over.  Back to the post. 

WE MADE IT TO 1 YEAR OLD

12 things I have learned in the first 12 months of Jackson's life. 

1) Mommies get to sleep again.....eventually......until the next phase decides to disrupt it....again.

2) Nothing goes 'according to plan' or how the book says it will or how other kids do it.  They change everything just as you are finally getting used to it.

3) I am a toddler mommy

4) Jackson is by far the best thing I have ever done

5) New mommies put way too much pressure on themselves

6) Jesus is the only way I could ever be a successful mommy

7) Feeding a toddler is often as hard as feeding a non-latching newborn

8) Time-outs often start sooner than expected

9) When Jackson falls, he learns to do it differently next time. Falling is good

10) My children will be older kids longer than they are younger kids so all hard stuff in the beginning isn't so bad

11) Shots are easier when they are newborns

12) Mommies and Daddies need to be on the same team/page to ensure success

**Bonus Lesson** In the first 12 months I have eaten a lot of crow (humble pie) are you tracking with me.  Being a mommy is HARD!

Light has been shed!

Having a blog has made me realize two things about myself.....

1) I am really inconsistent with things like this (blogging)....along with photo albums, baby books..... are you tracking with me? (I haven't blogged in 3 months, there is a theme)

2) I am funnier when I am in crisis (for proof see the blogs when Jackson was first born)

That is all. 

Hopefully I will saddle up again.....there are some serious updates to be had.

Stay-At-Home-Mommy-Syndrome (SAHMS) Episode #2

Well my friends. just as I suspected in this post, I experienced another case of Stay-At-Home-Mommy-Syndrome.  This time involved a 'could not miss' opportunity and one day my son will surely shake his head at this event.

Definition
SAHMS : A non-treatable condition in which stay at home mommies crack and do whatever it takes to liven up their days.

Symptoms: can be but are not limited to:

Shamelessly grabbing the video camera to record your screaming baby while he is (safely but madly) stuck in a box.  He crawled into a box while I was in the washroom and could not find his way out.  Who knows, maybe this is our $500,000 winning video for America's Funniest Home Videos one day.  (RELAX PEOPLE, it is only a 10 second video and you know you would do it too)

Treatments: Giving into your urges as long as they are fun and you and your little one(s)are safe

Stayed tuned.....there are future episodes to be had.

Downton Abbey

Every so often there is a movie or TV series that sucks you in to the point of emotional involvment.  It sounds crazy but think about it.  How many people do you know that think they are a part of Carrie Bradshaws life?  Or talks about Noah and Allie from The Notebook when making a reference to true love.  For me, I cried everytime one of the soldiers died in Band of Brothers; I felt a loss. 

I have been sucked in yet again but this time it is in the sophisticated world of Downton Abbey.

 
It is set in Yorkshire, England during the early 1900's.  When I watch this, I get INVOLVED.  As soon as I hear the opening song on the show I am all of a sudden English.  My thoughts have an English accent and I instantly steep some tea.  Season 2 has just ended but you can catch episodes from Season 1 and 2 here.

My favorite character is Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham

And I covet the clothes of Lady Mary Crawley

Watch! Love! And let me know when your thoughts start to have an English accent.

It appears Punxsutawney Phil was wrong!

A few weeks back that little fortune telling groundhog told the world there were 6 more weeks of winter left.  Um, either he was wrong or the Central Valley did not get the memo.  I am loving this upper 60's lower 70's thing that has set its sights on our little Valley.  I am ok with the spring like weather we have had this February.  It has quicken the post-winter revival that usually happens in my house and soul when the sun starts shining.

The thick jackets have been stashed away
The blinds are being dusted (slowly but surly - I hate blinds)
I have been outside with the baby detoxing from living room floor
Pandora is on more than the TV
My flip flops are sitting by the front door
I have been exercising - oh lawl have mercy
And the best part of this revival are these gorgeous little beauties that I think make my whole neighborhood happy

________It's What's For Dinner

I am constantly in need of new ideas for dinner.  I also need to find ways to encourage me to cook.  That is what prompted me to post recipes to the blog.  Don't get too excited.  This is not becoming a food blog.  I count on people like Gina at Skinnytaste for things like that.  I just thought if you had a good recipe you could post it for me to feed my family with.  We will thank you in advance!

Turkey Meatloaf
*this is a mix of my grandpa's recipe and other things I thought would taste good*

You will need:
1 1/2  ground turkey meat
1 egg
3/4 to 1 cup of seasoned bread crumbs
3/4 diced white onion
1 tsp minced garlic
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper

Mix all of this in a bowl together (with your hands)

Put into a 9X5 loaf pan.  Spread some ketchup on top to add a glaze.  Cook at 350 degrees for 1 hour 15 min

On the side, we ate these Garlic Mashed Potatoes from Skinnytaste soooooooooo good!

The corn is cooked with 'I can't believe its not Butter' and Garlic Salt.

Enjoy!  WHAT ARE YOU MAKING FOR DINNER?