Happy First Birthday, Chazz!

Whew! Exhausted. But a few quick notes before bed…

Our Little Monkey is finally ONE!

Chazz’s first birthday was amazing. The Birthday Boy “monkey’d around” (haha…) all morning eating cheerios and bananas while we finished putting together the jungle vines.

We were starting to get a little worried, as he was getting really fussy and refused to nap. Disaster in the making! So Roman and Chazz went on a quick drive to get him to pass out. Works like a charm.

When they got back he slept for 2.5 hours, and right through the first half hour of his own partay! Talk about fashionably late.

But since I didn’t think he’d mind, we dug into the sweets buffet anyway! 🙂 Which turned out wonderfully, by the way. And it was a lot of fun to put together. The chocolate fondue was omigosh amazing, with fresh fruits and various cookies and treats to dip. Oh, and about six pounds of Sixlets. Fun fun.

Here is a peek at the jungle vines (how-to post still to come!). I made them from twisted paper bags with felt leaves and fake flowers. And a lot of monkeys!

When Chazz finally awoke, we served up the monkey cupcakes.

And served The Monkey his own personal (egg-free, frosting-free) banana cake. Mmmm!

With a cheerio on top, per Head Chef Chazz.

Aaaand…

…Done for!

Then it was off to open gifts with a little help from dad. Chazz got a lot of fun books and toys, clothes, and even a chair just his size.

What a lucky little man on his first birthday. We were surrounded by family and friends to celebrate one year of crazyfun.

I can’t believe how fast this year has gone, how much Chazz has grown, and how far we’ve come as a family. Happy Birthday Chazz-man! I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect “you”!

Stay tuned for an inside look at the decorations and food and a how-to post! You can leave a comment (please do!), read more about us, or even vote for Forever&After by clicking the banner below.

The Working Mom: Part 2

This past week has been a whirlwind. Of activities. Of emotions. Of everything!

I’m enjoying being a working mom (for the most part!) and all the things that come with it. Like adult interaction and conversation. Money is nice. And being surrounded by designer labels doesn’t hurt either!

It’s hard to leave him every morning, but it is getting easier. And I appreciate my “Stay At Home Mom Days” that much more. It is hard to be on my feet all day, and then come home and put on my Supermom cape. I’m worn out, tired, and maybe even a little grumpy somedays. {who, me??} But I’m adjusting and I hope I won’t be a zombie forever 🙂

The only things that have me a little down, aren’t so bad I guess. We decided to give him formula during the days I am at work. I neve thought The F-Word would creep into our lives, and Chazz’s belly, but it ended up being the easiest for all involved. I do pump and dump to keep my supply up, and boy is it hard to pour that “liquid gold” out! I’m trying not to feel guilty about not exclusively nursing him to One like I planned. But hey, nothing really goes as planned, does it?!

I don’t really know where I’m going with this post, but this is all a big change, and my mind is still transitioning! So bear with me, as I try to fit it all in, and find time to blog as well.

And, as always, any advice is much appreciated! So if you have “been there, done that” help a mama out.

Thanks for visiting! You can leave a comment (please do!), read more about us, or even vote for Forever&After by clicking the banner below.

Blessed. Relieved. All of the Above.

I am so beyond ecstatic right now! Roman, who was laid off a month before Chazz was born, just got his job back. And a raise! He is still beaming from ear to ear, and was EXCITED to get up at 6am this morning to get ready for work, lol. {I wasn’t as excited to get up and make him a lunch, but hey!} So right on, Baby! Woohoo!

It is such a blessing… and a relief!

The last 7ish months have been a lot of penny pinching, odd-jobs, and Dollar Store toilet paper. It hasn’t been easy! But God provides, and we were never without food or diapers for the Little Man. Never without a home, and (with some crazy budgeting) able to keep up on bills. And we even had extra money for date night- twice, haha!

So its been Cloud 9 for us. Roman and I celebrated last night, by eating huge bowls of Cheerios and watching old episodes of The Angry Beavers!

And the best part???
{besides the return of 2 ply toilet paper and caller ID…} I get to stay a stay at home mom. Yay! And Roman gets to do what he loves. Yay again!

::HUGE sigh of relief::

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We’re Moving!

Finally! ::SQUEE!::

That kinda sorta maybe means blogging won’t be happening. I know, I know, try not to lose it! But with all of the packing {gag}, the maze of boxes, cleaning, and unpacking, aaaand being mom, I just won’t have time… It’s not you, it’s me. 🙂

But when the dust clears (and the wifi is back up), I’ll be sure to post some before and after pics of our new home

Until then, my lovlies!