"THE" Playdate

I'm always talking to other moms
     about how
 we should get together
                 {soon}
& let the kiddo's have a
      playdate.

Of course,
being a busy Mom and all
it's hard to get together
      with everyone,
                all the time.

That's why I decided to host
ONE BIG PLAYDATE
                      at my house.

Yes,
I knew what I was
getting myself into.

& Yes,
I knew it would be
a huge mess.

However,

Keeping in mind all the kids
would have SO much fun together
& all the Moms can also
have a quality conversation

ruled out any and all uncertainty
I had about {hosting}
        a playdate of this magnitude.

Unfortunately...
there were cases of
      sickness. sleepiness.
             & calls from work
that kept about
       half of the mom's
who were invited
               from coming.

But among those Moms,
were {four} brave soles
that attempted
        & conquered
the feat of showing up
      & not just showing up...
but bringing absolutely delicious food
                     with them!

I understand how hard it is
to get your kid(s) out the door,
fully clothed, cleaned up,
& committed to getting in the car.

So I want to
thank all those Moms
               who made it.
&& for those of you who didn't,
let me fill you in.

We took pictures,
        played with toys,
ate,
    laughed,
          played with toys,
gossiped,
       played with more toys,
            laughed,
        shared stories,

&

laughed some more.

We also decided

this {large} playdate

needs to be arranged

once a month.

I believe I can speak for

all the Mom's who came

when I say...

We all grew from the

experience, gained friends
& attained reassurance that
   {we're not in this alone}

Playdate 
               =
                         Success.

I Remember When...

Baby Bella,

I remember when
you used to chew on
gum your foam bath
         alphabet letters

I remember when
     you used to cry, a lot
& Grandpa Birgensmith called you a
       teridactyle
             {I did not spell that right}

I remember when
    you only used my
                     pinky
       as a pacifier.

I remember when
   you learned to growl
{thanks to your Aunite}
               at six months old.

I remember when
        you tried
peaches
             for the first time
{I have never seen a baby so discontent over food}

I remember when
you started crawling under
           everthing in sight
You would always bonk your head
         but {keep doing it} all over again.

I remember when
         you ate your
first personal birthday cake
       with your {face} only

I remember when
      you would {pull, rip & shred}
all of the newspapers & magazines
         on the floor

I remember when
you had your first bath
            in the hospital
& {I cried} because you hated it.

I remember when
you'd finally fall asleep on my chest
  after fussing for
what seemed like hours
           & I was terrified to move,
  in {fear of waking you}

I remember when
I put {eye liner} on your nose
         for Halloween,
you made the cutest little kitty.

I remember when
                     {Cousin Kelli}
was taking baby pictures,
& you were being the smilest girl.
 {Later we found out
       you peed all over the couch...}

I remember when
You loved your whale tub
         & I'd let you get a
gallon of water
                 all over the floor
{just because} you loved splashing.

I remember when
you smiled in your sleep
               for the first time,
{I always wondered what you thought of}

I remember when
    we tried to
fit you into a pumpkin,
   you were quite unsure of the
{slimy, orange, goo}

I remember when
we took you to
               Target.
it was the first public place you visited
    I couldn't wait to {show you off}
          && everyone was Oohing & Ahhing.

I remember when
we decorated your room
                for Christmas.
{Mommy even put presents
under your own personal tree}

I remember when
you'd sleep with your
             neck bent
in unsual, pretty painful looking positions
        & liked it.

I remember when
you'd wake {us} up in the morning
         with your soft, baby voice
repeating "Ba ba ba ba ba...."

I remember when
you used to play in this
         activity center
& could barely reach the toys...

Now
      you're far too big,
& can grasp the toys
       {with ease}

But you still love that activity center
          {just} like you did a year ago.

Time doesn't make us love {things} any less,
       we just age. grow up. mature.
We're never too old
   to still do the things we love.

Baby Bella,
You are getting older,
       I cannot change that.
But you are more than welcome
to play with your infant toys,
                 & make me
"Remember when"
any day.
 
Remember when
I held you for the first time,
& said "I love you baby girl"
a tear fell down my face.

Now,
as I hold you
            {while your sleeping}
& say "I love you baby girl" again....
a tear falls down my face.

Because I love you still,
      I always have &
               always will.

Nike'd Out

I'm very partial when it comes to my brands...
&& I love Nike.
As most of my readers do too
I'm sure.

Before Baby Bella was born
her father went shopping in Missoula
                   &
brought a pair of Nikes home.

Ever since that day
I've been waiting to
           put them on her little feet.

I boldly attempted to try
when she started walking
at 10 months old
But for obvious reasons
they were way too big.

Just yesterday Baby Bella's
daycare teacher requested
"Closed Toed Shoes"
             for the playground.

I immediately questioned
whether I even had tennis shoes
that still fit her.
   {I had bought her a size 4
        pair of baby pink Nike Shocks
      but they got outgrown fast}

Then I rememberd
that little Nike box up in her closet.
That has been collecting dust
for over {two} years!

SCORE.
Check it out...


She loves them, they fit
&& they look adorable.

I was such a proud Momma
when I dropped her off
at daycare the next day...
You know why
                         :)



My little baby girl is
        R.O.C.K.I.N.
                 Nikes!



       

Scholastic Schmaltz

I have to admit
I was a little book hoarder
throughout my school years.

Notice I said hoarder
       {not bookworm}
I hardly ever read all the books I purchased.

Terrible huh?!

Anyways!
I would always be so excited
when book orders came out
& I could flip through the mini catalog
circling all the ones I wanted my parents
to buy for me to read.

I feel like I'm in first grade again.

Totally happy Momma.
You can bet Bella's gonna get some books
from her daycare book order
at age 17 months...

Just because Mommy is
excited to flip through the mini catalog
circling all the books
she wants to read to her
little baby girl.

Now I wanna know...
{What are some of your favorite books as a child?!}

How about Chicka Chicka Boom Boom?! :)

My Inspiration

I'm so in love with
Pinterest.

It's my new favorite site
to mark pictures of things
you love {aka want & need}.

I find such inspiration in looking
at photographs...
            I feel like I can
better imagine {is that correct grammar?!}
my dreams, aspirations & future projects
                     in seconds.

I'm obsessed.

I came across this quote
on the wonderful Pinterest site
&& found SO much meaning in it.

This is how I live my life.
Every moment of everyday.
This is why I love like I do
& take the time to create.

This is why the little things
mean so much
& why it takes me so long
to pick something out.

I like  LOVE these words
{can you tell yet?!}

Knowing {Life is Art}
       what does it inspire you to do?