My Molly Book

Okay.... so I got a little side-tracked and created a different photo book!

Miss Priss loves to look through all our scrapbooks and photo albums, especially the ones that have pictures of her in them. So, I thought it'd be fun to create a "Learning Photo Book" just for her! Using a retro color pallet and simple page layouts, I put this together fairly quickly. I included pages on her body parts, family members, colors, feelings, and household items. I truly hope that she'll enjoy looking through this book, and maybe it will even help expand her vocabulary!

If you'd like to see the entire photo book - please click here to be linked to Shutterfly. (if you do click through and look at it, please take a minute and rate it!)

Sneak Peek

Now that the birthday party has come and gone, I have found myself a new project to become obsessed with! For the past 12 months, I've religiously taken pictures each month of Miss Priss.... and now that I have the whole year's worth, I want to put together a "First Year" photo album.

Here's a little sneak peek at the first couple page-spreads....

To be honest.... I truly hate scrapbooking photo albums. I just don't have the patience for it! I'm lucky though, b/c my mom is a wonderful scrapbooker and creates beautiful traditional scrapbooks for me (thanks mom!). I much prefer digital scrapbooking and to my dismay.... I couldn't find any templates online for a "Baby's First Year" album that I really really loved. So, I'm going to give it a go and see if I can create one all on my own! Wish me luck!

Road Trip!

This weekend we headed to Neosho (my hometown) for a friend's wedding. It takes us about 3 hours to get here, and Miss Priss decided an hour into it that she didn't like her car seat. Talk about a tantrum! That girl will wail until she goes blue in the face! Luckily the Big Beagle was in the backseat with her, and kept her semi-occupied for the final leg of the trip. Poor dog, Miss Priss was poking at her eyes, pulling on her ears, yanking out fistfuls of hair.... but don't think I said a word. It kept her happy so I was willing to sacrifice a few bits of fur!

Once we finally got here, Miss Priss immediately set out to terrorize the cat. My parents have a big black cat with no tail.... and to be honest, it isn't the most social cat. We were surprised though at how much she tolerated from Miss Priss! Miss Priss would get her cornered into a corner and then hug and love on her.... and the cat would just sit there and meow! You'd think she'd run away (that's what the Big Beagle does anyway)! H.O.T.Y. is now saying we're going to get a cat for her.... I. DON'T. THINK. SO.

I'm telling you.... this kid LOVES animals!!

Proud Mama

For the past several months, Miss Priss has decided each and every time I leave her somewhere (church nursery, mother's day out, ymca, etc) that she is not impressed with my choice of leaving her and she will make sure everyone knows it. And each and every time I've come back to pick her up, I have found a swollen, red faced little girl who bursts into tears the minute she sees me. The poor person that has been watching her always tries to reassure me that she'll grow out of it.... but I can always see that desperate look in their eyes when I drop her off the next time!

Well.... I am happy to tell you that I think she has officially gotten over it! The last couple of weeks, she's gone in with little fuss, is happy as a lark the whole time she's there.... and even is a little slow to come to me when I pick her up! Hallelujah!!

I am one proud mama.
(I'm going now to knock on some wood just to be sure)

Birthday Song

For those of you that REALLY know me... you know that birthdays are very very special to me. Growing up, my mom always made my birthday into something spectacular (except that one year she left for CA... but I swear, I've gotten over it), so I knew that making Miss Priss's first birthday special was a MUST DO.

To prepare her for her big day, I've spent the last 12 months teaching her the Birthday Song. Ask anyone.... the child starts to giggle and wiggle as soon as I start singing it to her. It is her FAVORITE song in the whole wide world! (and of course mine too!)

With expectations high for her upcoming party, I think I sang the Birthday Song to her two or three times a day for the past month. Every time I'd start, she'd grin big and start to boogie down. I had all faith in her that when the time came for her to be sang to at her party - she'd get super excited to hear her song!

Well for all of you that weren't able to make it to her party....
(click on the play button)

and then there was one...

Now that the little guy is gone, I had a chance to post these adorable pics of Miss Priss! I took them last night and I think they are oh-so-delicious!

A big thanks goes out to my friend Jessica, who bought this fantastic outfit for Miss Priss!

1 + 1 = Mommy Meltdown

I haven't been posting this week.... because I've had the pleasure of keeping my four-year old cousin. Now before I go on, I have to admit that I totally signed myself up for this. Months ago I called his mommy and asked for him to stay with us the week after Miss Priss's birthday party. Well, that week has come and gone.... and I now bow down to all those mamas that have multiple children.

Coming from a home where he rules the roost, we immediately had problems with following rules, sharing and paying attention. Once we'd set down some "little people laws", things went smoothly for about.... 10 minutes. I swear the kid has a memory as long as Dory from Finding Nemo.

To keep both him and Miss Priss happy, I tried to find lots of activities this week for us to do. We went swimming, to the library, to the park, to McDonalds, to the zoo, to Andi's Alligator Fun Park, and... don't shoot me... McDonalds again. Now with an empty tank and an empty wallet, I think I have completely succeeded in spoiling him rotten.

As much as I'd love to have two kids.... this week taught me how hard it is! Two meals to prepare, two baths to give, two bedtimes, two car seats to get into... it's double the work! Lucky for me, the margarita bucket was still full after the birthday party, so I helped myself to a glass (or two) each night after they went to bed!

Miss Priss definitely loved him being here - he kept her entertained long after she got bored with me! And how did the H.O.T.Y. feel about having two kiddos around the house?? Well... he's threatening to get "snipped" next week!

Tomorrow morning the little guy will be going home, and I can honestly say it'll be bittersweet. It'll be nice to have my time (and sanity) again, but the house will be a bit lonely and quiet without his crazy comments, silly songs and constant tirade of "why".

It's A Success!

The birthday party was a sucess! The decorations were adorable, the cake was delicious, lots of people came, and the birthday princess loved it all!
H.O.T.Y. (husband of the year) grilled out hamburgers and hotdogs, and everyone chowed down! After we ate, Miss Priss opened all of her wonderful birthday gifts - she got so many great things! Cute little outfits, lots of books, children's music CDs and more!
After opening presents, the birthday princess ate her princess cake, while everyone else ate the yummy strawberry cake and chocolate cupcakes!
Thanks to everyone who came - it was a very special day and we were so glad you came to celebrate with us!
Below are just a few of my favorite pictures from the party!












** The last picture is of Miss Priss and me, with my good friend Shannon who took all the wonderful pictures! If you'd be interested in viewing more of her work - check out her portfolio!

Happy Father's Day!

I never had any doubts about what an incredible father you would be. For the 9 months I was pregnant, I imagined you being a daddy and how it would change our lives. Seeing you hold our little girl that very first day made all my dreams come true, and over the past year, those

How Miss Priss loves you!! The way she says "Da-dee" "Da-dee" all day every day, the way she smiles big when you walk in the room, the way she laughs when you play with the dog, the way she giggles when you make funny faces with her. She is truly Daddy's Little Girl!

We love you!

Happy Birthday Miss Priss!

First Day of School

Today, I dropped Miss Priss off at her first day of school (Mother's Day Out).

We were 20 minutes late, due to the fact that H.O.T.Y. packed an empty lunch box for her to take. So we ran home again, to pack a quick lunch, two filled sippy cups, and a pre-made bottle.

Then, as I pulled into the church parking lot, I realized I'd forgotten to pack her binky. Talk about crisis mode... I seriously thought about stealing one out of another kids bag! Not sure how she'll do today without the binky... I'm guessing if anything it'll just help us kick that habit even quicker!

Another bad mommy point was earned when I realized that I'd forgotten to put sunscreen on her. They say in bold, capital letters on the registration sheet that we are to do this BEFORE we drop her off each week. Oops.... maybe they'll just keep her in the shade?

As always, I started babbling away to the teacher (I talk when I'm nervous) and the poor thing probably was scared to death to take Molly for the day. She's teething.... she likes to take morning naps.... she needs a bottle around 10 am.... no, she doesn't hold it herself, you need to hold it for her... we forgot her binky and she really really really likes her binky... yes she has a bit of seperation anxiety... no I didn't bring the correct supplies off the supply list because she might poke her eye out with the paintbrushes you requested I bring... please cut up her cheese before you feed her lunch... and on and on! (for those of you that know me, you know I do this!)

All said and done, she threw a royal fit when I left! So I'm off to Target to buy all the things I failed to take this morning.... maybe a little "shopping therapy" will help me get through the next three hours!

I miss Miss Priss already!

Cutest To-Do Lists Ever!

As I've told you in a previous post, I {heart} lists. I am constantly writing to-do lists on notepads, napkins, post-it notes, unpaid bills, whatever. As a result of my list obsession (and to my husband's joy), I also enjoy giving lists to others. To soften him up (and to hopefully get the list accomplished).... I designed this notepad for him.

And because I didn't want to be left out... I went ahead and made one for myself as well.

Good thing the notepads I ordered come in pads of 100 sheets..... 'cause these are so stinking cute, I know I'm going to use them all the time!

First Swimming Lesson

Last night Miss Priss went to her first swimming lesson at the YMCA. As the proud momma that I am, I can honestly tell you how good she did! While the other babies all were scared of the water.... she "dove" right in! We'd been going about three times a week to "practice" in the baby pool..... and I think it paid off! Looks like we might just have ourselves a water baby!

Below is a picture from her first time in the pool....

My First Mother's Day

I got to celebrate my "First Mother's Day" this year! Last year was my un-official "first", as my husband likes to say.... but celebrating anything at 8 months pregnant is a royal waste of time! Anyhoo.... we were in KC for the weekend so H.O.T.Y. (husband of the year) planned a special day for us to spend together! The day started off with breakfast with his parents, then he took me to a WONDERFUL spa for a massage. It was the BEST I've ever had! After I got home and cleaned up, we went to Deanna Rose, a fun family farm where Miss Priss got to see goats, pigs, ducks and more! After we wore her out there, we went down to the Plaza for a little shopping and then we had dinner at Red Robin. Yes...... I know.......... I LOVE RED ROBIN!!

Becoming a mommy has been the best thing ever and everyday I feel blessed to have Miss Priss in my life. I truly can't imagine our world without her in it!

Below is a collage to remember my first mother's day....

Bye Bye Birdie

I have a friend who LOVES birds, and requested that I design her a personal business card and matching stationery. As always, I got on a whim and couldn't stop. Three cute designs came out of it...... and while she's debating over which one to get, I thought I'd drop them in here to share with you!

I officially suck........

Yep.... I know, it's true. I kinda lost my blogging wind. I bet all you long-lost fans are wondering where I've been. To tell you the truth... I've been planning a birthday party (!!!!) for Miss Priss. She turns one in a week and a half and would you believe me if I told you it'll be her FIRST AND LAST birthday party! Okay, maybe not the last, but never again will I let myself obsess over a party like I have been doing the last few weeks. I think I've lost like a total of 40 hours of sleep. Who wakes up in a cold sweat about running out of birthday cake????

Oh well.... maybe when the candles are blown out and Miss Priss is officially one.... I can get back to normalhood. (yeah right, I'll just find something else to obsess over).

Here's some cute pics that my friend Shannon took today..... maybe that'll win some of you over! :)