YIPEE..YIPEE!! OUR GIRL IS THREE!!

My Sentimental Moment

Anyone that knows me knows I have a tendency to be sentimental about everything so I'll stroll down memory lane about what went on on September 24, 2009.  The week before, Kelvin and I went to my last prenatal appointment.  I had talked with my doctor a few weeks before about when it would be ok to discuss possible induction because I was swollen all over and couldn't walk a few feet without having a contraction (which I didn't realize were contractions, by the way- I just thought Brooklyn was pressing her bottom or her head really tight against me...lol!)  At our appointment on the 17th, he told me that if I was ready we could get induced the next week.  As we walked out of the office, I remember telling Kelvin how we had just heard what our baby's birthday would be :-)
The night before she was born, we had our last night out (just the two of us--without having to find a sitter that is) at 1620 which is one of our faves!  We went by Walmart to get some snacks for the hospital and made our way home for Kelvin to pack his bags and for us to get some rest.  I didn't hardly sleep all night!!  By then, I was either on the couch or in Kelvin's recliner for bedtime and had been for quite some time.  I remember feeling nervous and jittery the closer it got to time for us to go.
If I can remember two things I was absolutely hooked on from my pregnancy it would be watching the Golden Girls and eating Hot Tamales candies.  When we made it to the hospital and got all set up and settled, Kelvin clicked on the TV and there was a Golden Girls marathon on!!  I knew it would be the beginning to a perfect day at that point!!  I told myself I would try to go without the epidural and see how much of the contractions I could bare.  That lasted all of 2 contractions before I told the nurse to get the nurse anesthetist to my room...and quick!!  After that, it was smooth sailing...pain wise anyway.  A little while later, my doctor came and told me that Brooklyn's heart rate was dropping too low and we would have to do a c-section.  I remember crying and feeling so disappointed that I wouldn't be able to push her out, however it was a huge blessing.   The c-section flew by and before you know it, I heard that all too familiar cry that I've been hearing off and on for the last 3 years now.  To me, she was perfect in every way :-)  I love our little sweet girl!!  In memory of her babyhood because she is all big girl now, here's a little pictoral walk down Brooklyln memory lane:

 

 
 
 

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We Like to Partay...Hey...Hey...Hey!!

Brooklyn had an awesome party this year thanks to the help of her amazing Daddy, the incomparable Mama Pat, the talented Aunt Brandi, and my fantastic friends Cheryl, Tameka, Gabby (Tameka's daughter), Mary, and Jade!  Brooklyn's party was a carnival theme this year and we tried to pull out all the stops.  It was a time for me to incorporate some more craft projects too which I'll feature in the craft corner section of the post. Speaking of projects, check out the cake Mama Pat made for the party in the craft corner section too!  I had to pull her out of cake decorating retirement for this one...lol!  Nevertheless, she delivered an amazing job!!  Features of the party included popcorn, cotton candy, sno cones (I made the syrup myself), bubble machine, bounce house with slide, grilled hot dogs and hamburgers, and even a performance by Mommy Magic the clown.  It appeared that all the kids (and several of the adults too) really enjoyed themselves!! Most of all, our little one really had a good time! She was beside herself at all the treats she was allowed to indulge in and the fact that so many of her friends were there to play (which is a pretty big deal for an only child).  In all, I think we had a little under 70 in attendance so it was a big party with big fun!!!  The weather was beautiful as well!  The next day which was Brooklyn's actual b-day, she shared cupcakes with her class and her teachers at snack time and had a special dinner at Cheeburger Cheeburger with her Mommy, Daddy, and Granny-Gran!  Not too shabby of a birthday for a 3 year old...lol!  Enough with the words, bring on the pics:

Gift from Mommy and Daddy :-)

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Brain Freeze!!!

  
 

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Party #2- The Party at School

When I was growing up, I always wished that my birthday would fall during the school year so I could have cupcakes at my school- however the school year never seemed to quite extend to June 24...lol!  That shall never be the case with my little one though.  This year, her actual b-day was on a school day so we had cupcakes to share with her class and she even distributed party favors to them!

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Party #3- Birthday Dinner with Granny-Gran

Thanks to Groupon- we had a fabulously fattening birthday dinner at Cheeburger Cheeburger with Granny Gran.  It felt like it was my birthday too...lol!

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Suzie Homemaker- Party Edition

So, here are a few pics of my first time experience making the sno cone syrup myself.  Turned out beautifully :-)

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Craft Corner- Birthday Party Edition

One other great thing about doing the birthday party for Brooklyn was the overflowing opportunities I had to be crafty when it came to what she wore and the party favors.  I'll do a description before you look at the pics.  Since it feels like I've made a shirt for everyone else birthday, it was high time I did one for my little one.  So, I did my first shirt with a design on the front and the back...look out now...lol!  She wore it to her party on Sunday and after washing it that night; she wore it all day on her actual birthday Monday.

As far as the party favors, I decided to do the Chinese food take out boxes in multi colors since primary colors were sort of the theme for the party.  I had to personalize them some sort of way though so I bought Avery Labels (round that print to the edge) and designed a special signature sticker for them for Brooklyn's party.  Next, I had to brainstorm on what to fill them with.  The whole idea for Brooklyn's party was to overly excite the kids with more fun things to do than they could imagine and great food to eat too so I carried that theme into the favor box.  There was a whirwind rainbow sucker, frosted animal crackers, sour patch kids, a candy watch bracelet, and a small bottle of bubbles in each box!  I took it a step further and kept the extra little ones in mind with their own favor boxes.  For the babies who attended between 0-9 months of age, they got a harvest rubber ducky and a container of Gerber first food peaches.  For the babies over 9 months of age;  they received a harvest rubber ducky, Gerber arrowroot cookies, and Gerber freeze dried yogurt melts!  I was so excited about the distinction of treats for all the kiddos to enjoy!  Last but not least--shout out to Mama Pat in the craft corner for the fabulous cake she created for the party.  I'll let that be the parting pic as you exit this wondeful adventure on my blog for now :-)

 

 



Ta-da! Wow Mama Pat!!