Marlie and Me: birthday

Wordful Wednesday: A Party to Remember

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Here are some snaps from Marlie's 4th birthday party that she shared with her classmate. It was a Toy Story-inspired theme with cow-print balloons, red bandanas, and boot-shaped mugs for all the kids. The icing on the cake were the pony rides in our driveway and petting zoo in the backyard. The kids had a truly good time and the parents enjoyed watching their kids go gaga over Sugar, the pony. I really wanted this party to be memorable for her so I went all out. Before you think I spent her college book fund on a party, let me assure you that the whole event was deeply discounted by daily deals, coupons, and prize winnings...never pay full price is my motto! Plus, we shared the costs with another family. Take that savings tip to the bank : co-parties for your kids' birthdays!

Happy 4th Birthday Marlie

Friday, August 16, 2013

Dear Marlie,

Yesterday was your 4th birthday! Sorry I am late with your annual birthday letter. It seems like everything gets done a day later since I went back to work. Have I thanked you lately for the grace you exhibited during this transition? Change is not easy, but you have handled my new working-mommy hat with the poise of someone 10 times your age. I am proud and grateful for that!

I think I am more excited than anyone that you are turning 4. I have heard great things about 4. I hope year 4 is awesome because year 3 was a doozy. It's wasn't like you were a demon-child, not at all. It just took time for me to get used to you coming into your own. And, boy did you ever assert your independence!

From getting dressed to eating breakfast, you had an opinion about everything and your own way of doing it. Beware the person who gets in your way. They are in for the dress-down of their lives. I can tell you won't be somebody who suffers fools. And I admire this quality in you.

I learned to tolerate your sass to a certain extent and teach you to know where the line is drawn. I am glad that I found the right balance between letting you speak your mind and being careful to redirect you from being rude or disrespectful. It's a balancing act on a thin tightrope, but we got there through trial and error.

You're feisty spirit remains tempered by your kind nature. You possess a mature compassion and are quick to offer help. Your love of creatures and animals warms my heart. It's also been a joy watching you become a truly remarkable big sister. You really look out for your little brother and you are so sweet to him, even when he is being not so nice to you. I love that you make him laugh and teach him things like how to eat ice cream. I promise he is going stop biting you (and me) once he stops teething.

I have to admit that your budding geek/nerd gene was the most exciting part of your development this year. You talk robots and superheros with your daddy like a true fangirl. Then you ask me a million questions about the Earth, moon and stars and expect answers. Your inquisitiveness is getting more complex and it keeps me on my toes. I look forward to nurturing your curiosity.

Marlie snacking on tomatoes. She is weird like that.

I love our talks on the way home from school (I really need to start posting Car Talk with Marlie again because you drop mad verbal gems). Today, you asked me how we can see fairies. I told you I didn't know. But you came up with a great idea, which I won't share because it's a secret.

Thank you for another great year my firecracker, my shining star, my ace. Thank you for being unapologetically you.

Love,
Mommy

Happy Birthday to Me for the 37th Time

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Yesterday was my ~~27th~~ 37th birthday. Happy Birthday to me!

I didn't do this post earlier because I was lazy not because I am bummed about getting older.

For me, the big 3-7 is an unremarkable birthday so I celebrated in a befitting manner. I didn't have a big party like the one I had when I turned 30. I also didn't have a mini nervous breakdown like the one I had when I turned 35. We (just hubby and me)went to a dinner theater to see OZ the Great and Powerful. It was a nice evening and low key.

I did make a couple of birthday resolutions (which is NOT the same as New Year's resolutions). Teresha, I said to myself, you need to quit worrying so much and put yourself first more often. So my birthday present to myself this year is to:

Relax More

Be Selfish on Occasion

I think I can do that!

Happy 1st Birthday Desmond!

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Dear Desmond,

One year ago I was blessed to give birth to the surprise gift that is you and our family became complete. You came into the world so quietly that the doctor massaged you to make sure you were okay, but that is just your way. Even now, you only make noise when you need to. You cracked your first crooked grin a couple of hours later and you've been smiling ever since. You are the cheese in our ham sandwich.
birthday collage

We all marveled at the breakneck pace at which you developed over these last 12 months. You sat up at 4 months, crawled at 6 months and walked at 9 months. It feels to foolish to call you a baby when you are more like a mini superhuman. Your freakish strength is sometimes a challenge like when I am trying to change your diaper, but you never fight me to take a bath. We nicknamed you The Hulk because you can go from sweet, docile baby boy to mean, destructive mutant in a split second when someone or something makes you mad. It just takes a hug from mama to calm you down and you are back to your sweet self.

You love to eat, play with trucks, the basketball, blocks, and watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. But above all this you love your big sister and look up to her with those big eyes as dark and brilliant as two chocolate diamonds. I can tell you think she hung the moon and you follow her around like a puppy. Your eyes light up when we pick her up from preschool and you wiggle out of my arms to go to her. I know sometimes she acts like she can't be bothered with you, but she loves you to pieces. She proudly tells everyone that you are her her baby brother. In the last month you two have become closer and started to really play together. Sometimes you two fight over toys (or who gets to sit in my lap), but the beef usually only lasts as long as a commercial break.
birthday collage

You and me have been road dogs for the last year, a journey that has taken us to a new city, new home, and new friends. You've been my constant companion through it all. I rarely went anywhere without you strapped to my chest in your carrier. You helped me with the transition more than you'll ever know. I relish the fact that I can always decipher your baby babble or your facial expressions. It's like we have our own secret language. My heart soared when you first started calling me mom. I hope we will always have this special bond.

You were supposed to start school yesterday because I am plotting my return to the workforce. But since we all have a bad cold, everyone stayed home. I can say without feeling guilty that I am happy for the extra snuggle time. It's proving harder to let you go since you are my youngest (and last). I am sorry that you are sick on your first birthday. We are going to try and make this a happy day for you with a homemade Mickey Mouse shaped cake.

Happy birthday my son. I love you to the the farthest star and back, and I can't wait to see how much you grow in the next year!

you are so special they named a street after you!

Wordful Wednesday: On Your 3rd Birthday, a Letter to My Marlie

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Dearest Marlie,

Happy Birthday sweetheart! Three years ago today I pushed you out into this world after 11 hours of labor. That should have been my first clue that you were going to be a challenging child. Even though things have been hairy since we moved out to California a month ago, I will focus on the positives in this birthday letter because I am sure you will turn back into my pumpkin when the clock strikes twelve. You are my feisty warrior princess and I love your bright, spirited, imaginative, charming, headstrong qualities. Your growth in the last year has been something to behold. I no longer see a toddler before my eyes, but a little kid with big kid ideas and an even bigger will. Your personality has fully emerged and taken root.

You are a natural at batting those eyelashes and playing coy when you want something and you can turn on the waterworks on cue. It's music to my ears when you break out in song..."row, row, row your boat gently down the street! Merry, merry, merry, merry! Like is butter dream!" I can just picture you on a stage somewhere in the future. Then again, you have such a nurturing soul and love to take care of people and animals so maybe you'll be a veterinarian like Doc McStuffins. Then again, you have your parents' wit and wicked sense of humor like when you named your brother's pee-pee a tail. Maybe you'll be a comedian. Why not all three...a Broadway-trained vet who cures sick animals with laughter like Patch Adams? Sounds good to me!

We have had our fair share of battles this year, but we survived the Terrible Twos which I am learning was just practice for year three. You are certainly making your daddy and I earn our parenting stripes. It's okay though because we will never give up on you.

You've experienced some pretty big milestones this year:

You officially became potty trained in February with not a moment to spare because...
You became a Big Sister on April 2nd when we welcomed Desmond to our family. You are so good to him and it melts my heart watching you two play like when you mushed his cheeks together and said, "he's a goldfish!" You can be sweet like that which showed when...
You told me to apply pressure to my cut and wrap it in a Band-Aid. I know the move out west has been a tough adjustment for you punctuated by some behavioral setbacks, but...
You are starting preschool soon and I know that you, being the social butterfly you are, will quickly endear yourself to your new teachers and classmates.

I look forward to what this year will bring--getting your first library card, making up more stories at bedtime, playing dress-up, and celebrating our first Christmas with your little brother. You make me so happy (even when you are being extra), and I couldn't be more proud of you my beautiful little girl! Before you came into my life I missed you so bad. When you read this years from now, Google that phrase and listen to the song this lyric came from, it was very popular the summer you turned 3!

Love always,

Mommy

Lessons I've Learned During 36 years of Living

Friday, May 18, 2012

Happy 36th birthday to me! In celebration of another blessed year on planet Earth, I thought I might share some of the greatest (and sometimes tough) lessons I've learned throughout my life:

Ask. Believe. Receive
Be kind to your body because you don't get to trade it in for a new one
Exercise your brain everyday
Popularity is fleeting
Be careful who you call friend
Trust your instincts
You can't please everybody
If the grass looks greener on the other side it's probably because their is a ton of sh!t under the surface
You have to love yourself before anyone else can love you
It's okay to say "no"
Credit cards are for emergencies
Holding grudges is toxic to the soul
Forgive someone who has trespassed against you, but never give them another opportunity to do it again
Don't take things so personally
It's okay to be selfish sometimes
It's okay to have emotions, so cry if you want to
No one wants to attend a pity party except Misery because she likes company
First impressions are not as important as last impressions
Be who you want to be. People might not like who you are, but they will respect you
No issue is black or white, everything has a gray area
Think before you speak
Outer beauty doesn't last forever, but inner beauty lives on
You have to stand up for yourself or people will walk all over you
Try something new once before you dismiss it
Never say never
It's better to give than receive
Don't give unsolicited advice
If you want something done right, do it yourself
Prayer works
Be careful what you wish for
Sugar is a drug
Drink lots of water to cleanse the toxins
Embrace your flaws because God doesn't make mistakes
Laugh... a lot
Marry your best friend
Your children are the most important legacy you leave behind

Happy 2nd Birthday Baby Girl!

Monday, August 15, 2011

Dear Marlie,

Today you are 2 years old! To say that a lot has changed since your last birthday is an understatement. You have gone from walking to running; from babbling to talking. Some things never change though:

You still sleep with your arm folded under your head like your did in the womb and you are still hollering at the top of your lungs like you did the minute you came into the world.

I hope you had fun at your birthday party on Saturday. I like to think that you understood that it was your special day, especially when everyone gathered around to sing you "Happy Birthday" and you gave one of your coy smiles right then.

It was a joy to plan your birthday party right down to the tiniest detail. Nothing but the best for you my baby girl. I know these parties are more for my benefit, but I figure I should get my kicks in now while I still can. One day you might not want to hear my opinion on your birthday theme or the color for your balloons. Maybe you will after I show you these pictures from your 2nd birthday party. Mommy went all out (but not overboard) tracking down the perfect decorations for your pink giraffe theme. Even the tablecloth matched! I swelled with pride and happiness when I saw how great it turned out and how much all your little playmates enjoyed themselves.

You are my candlelight Marlie. I hope to celebrate lots of birthdays with you.

Love,
Mommy

p.s. here are the pictures I promised...

The table setting

Guests making their stuffed zoo animals

You really loved eating the strawberry cupcakes your daddy made

Baby Log: 2 Years Old!

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Marlie turns 2 years old tomorrow! In honor of this magnificent occasion she had a splendid birthday party yesterday. She a lot of fun making stuffed zoo animals with her pals.

Two years signifies many things in the life of a child...

Switching her car seat to forward-facing. She likes not staring at the backseat. She also likes talking to me from the backseat like she is telling me how to drive. Funny.
Figuring things out like how to undo said car seat belt. Not funny.
Asking lots of questions: "where's daddy?" "what's that?" The "whys" have not started yet.
Making lots of excited exclamations...Whoa! Hey! Help!
Developing advanced tastes in books. The Cat in the Hat is a favorite.
Putting away baby things. She's outgrown many baby items due to physical growth, but I also notice that she no longer wants anything to do with other things that are baby-ish. If I offer her an old toy, she go "no, baby!"

Sigh. She's still my baby whether she likes it or not.

I Need a Bow! Please Help Me Complete Marlie's Birthday Outfit

Saturday, July 9, 2011

I've been planning this child's 2nd birthday party for about 4 months now. Like any good party planner, I started with the dress...hee. Last week I purchased the shoes. The only thing missing is a hair accessory. So help me complete her outfit by voting for a bows/headbands. I trust your sense of style. Here is what the outfit looks like so far:

the dress: Gymboree Pink Giraffe Dress

the shoes: Robeez Cupcake Party Mary Janes

Bow Option #1: Cotton Beanie with Pink Giraffe Bow

Bow Option #2: Pink Giraffe Bow on Alligator Clip

Bow Option #3: Light Pink Giraffe Print Bow on Crochet Headband

Wordful Wednesday: 35 Years of Me

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

It seems like yesterday I was turning 30, now I'm celebrating my 35th birthday today.

So much has happened these past five years. I grew up a lot. I learned to love and trust myself. I packed up my life and moved southwest with my husband. I took control of my health, and I became a mom.

Motherhood is the most defining experience of my life...far above earning degrees, having a career, or even getting married. It has changed me in more ways than I could have ever imagined. After almost two years in the role, I think I am finally getting the hang of it.

My gift to myself on my 35th birthday is a pledge to continue working on being the best possible version of myself...to embrace who I am from head to toe, inside and outside. To love my kinky hair, my freckles, my big booty, my runner's thighs, my chicken legs, my phobias (germs) and quirks (I won't eat a fruit that has a blemish). To also love my light brown eyes, my calf muscles, my wicked sense of humor, my bookish intelligence, and my eclectic taste in music, food and friends. My gift to Teresha is happiness with who I am... no regrets, no apologies, no resentments.

I took the long road to get here, but I have arrived and I am so proud of the woman I am today. Happy Birthday to me!