Not My Proudest Moment

The weather here in the desert has been oddly strange. We had 90+ degree day and then the next we were in the 70s (and you better bet your bottom dollar that our heat was on). We wore long pants and coats to the park on the first day of Fall. That's almost unheard of here in the desert. It doesn't really start to cool down until late October. To be fair though the day after our 70 degree day it went back up to 90.

With all that said, Dominick has horrible seasonal allergies. Actually, I think it's fair to say this weather has been affecting almost everyone here in the A.V. The past two nights Dominick has just been a hot little mess. Monday he screamed through dinner and even the slightest look would set him off. He didn't go down to sleep well and when he woke up he was super snotty and congested. We started the first round of inhalers, motrin and vicks. 

Tuesday it was a repeat of the night before. I think I called my mom and he screamed for the entire time we were on the phone. He actually screamed for close to 3-4 hours last night. I was seriously so ready for bed time that I was counting down the minutes and praising God I wasn't a stay at home mom because I really wanted to just lock myself in the bedroom and put headphones in after only 4 hours of nonstop ear piercing screams. I gave him a bath, gave him his inhalers, zytrec and more vicks and he was finally able to calm down and he laid next to me until he fell off into dream land (I was thanking the high heavens and praying for a good nights sleep). 

photo credit: remember when...photography

When I went to the gym I was so glad for some peace and quiet and when I was driving home I cried. I felt horrible for being so impatient with him, for counting down the minutes until bedtime. I cried for not being "all there" while I rocked, bounced or cuddled him because he was screaming, pulling my hair, hitting me and pushing me away even though when I put him down he cried and held onto my legs for dear life and held his arms out for me to pick him up. I cried because I didn't love this moment of motherhood (and I KNOW I don't have to and I believe too many people put pressure on to LOVE every moment). I cried because I felt ungrateful for being a momma and I'm everything BUT. 

When I got home I went into the bedroom, closed the door and we rocked and cuddled and he slept on my chest. He nuzzled into my arms and moved his head from my shoulder to my chest and I knew he belonged to me. I prayed over him and for myself as his momma. I cried a little more. I told him I loved him and we rocked in the dark, silent room. I kissed him good night, wished him sweet dreams and laid him back down. I still went to bed feeling disappointed in myself, but I knew tomorrow would be a new day...a new slate...a new page. And it is.

I love him with every ounce of my being.

photo credit: remember when... photography

An Airplane Party

When Dominick was really, really little as in like maybe a couple months old I started thinking about his first birthday party. I really wanted to do a mustache bash, but the closer it go to actually starting to plan his party the more I realized I wanted something a little different. Since we want to do an airplane theme for his big boy room I thought it would be super cute to do for his birthday party too...I scoured pinterest and the internet and found quite a few ideas. I decided that it would be a little airplane, a lot of maps and the colors would be aqua, orange and lime green (like every single thing that could be color themed in is life). Unfortunately, I only have pictures of some of the decorations. When the actually party started I laid my camera down to never pick it back up again. We had so much fun and I guess it will have to be a memory that's engraned in my head rather than in pictures.

I designed his invites in photoshop and thought they were pretty darn adorable. I also had them printed from mpix.com. 

My friend did the Happy Birthday Dominick banner, the Time Flies letters and the D is one banner from his high chair (I don't think I have a picture of this) with her circuit.

I printed the in flight meal banner and just cut it out. 

Everyone loved seeing how much he had changed in the past 12 months with his monthly pictures.

And I also made the map paper airplane banner which I thought was really cute.

My mom helped me hang the streamer wall and that was a huge hit for people. I found it on pinterest somewhere.

We used 4 small rolls (green and blue) and 1 large roll (orange) to cover the wall. We had WAY more than we needed .

I also made the water bottle labels in photoshop and we just used clear packing tape to wrap the bottles. They were a cute little extra to do and while they were a little time consuming it was a great way to add a little something to the party. It's an easy, cheap DIY. (I'll update later with the picture).

We had bbq brisket and chicken, potato salad, pasta salad, queso, a veggie and fruit tray, red velvet and white cake pops and ice cream.

For our favors we did DIY kool-aid play dough kits and bubbles. You can kind of see them on the table in the photo above. I got the idea from here.

We had a bounce house, a house full of toys and about 50 people not including my parents, Ry, Dom or myself. It was definitely a labor of love and as much as I loved celebrating my baby man I'm also so thankful that it's done and over with. I know that he had the BEST time and was so incredibly blown away that all of his FAVORITE people were in one spot. At one time he walked into the living room and all of his friends were in there and ALL (literally ALL) of his toys were thrown about the floor and he kept looking back and forth with his eyes all big and his mouth half opened half smiling.

The party started at 4:30 and went until around 9:30. It was a VERY busy day, but one that I hope to never forget.

Dominick had a great time and was SO excited when he finally got to see all of his gifts. It was like a kid in a toy store...literally!

To My ONE Year Old!

Dominick,

One year ago I laid eyes on your perfect little self and wondered what I had ever done to be so lucky to call you mine. This past year has been the best one of my life and I don't know as if I will ever have another like it. You made me a momma, a title I never imagined loving so incredibly much. We've gone through so much together in just one year and every moment, minute, hour, day, week and month has been worth it. You have completed our family of three and made our hearts overflow. Every day with you has been the greatest gift, no matter of the hard times or times of exhaustion or frustration.

You were the sweetest surprise, the best gift and our most prized possession. I thank the Lord every day that He chose us to be your parents and that He trusts us to raise you. We have so many hopes and dreams for you and know that you are destined to do something great with your life.

You have a smile that's completely contagious. You smile with your whole body and everyone can feel it. You have the most beautiful brown, almost black eyes that are so beautiful and sparkle so perfectly. It's been wonderful to see the world through your eyes.Your little piggies are edible and oh so perfect. Your squishy hands are insanely adorable. And those cheeks, oh your cheeks I could kiss all day long if you let me.

Your laugh is music to our ears and your little voice is the perfect little kid voice. You are this stubborn, opinionated, hard headed, feisty, sweet as pie, loving, inquisitive, wild, crazy happy, insanely funny, mischievous, exploring, thriving, scary smart, special, incredibly loved, unique, friendly, adventurous and perfectly made little boy. God really took his time when making you.

I remember after we got back to our empty house from the airport after dropping Gigi and Papa off to head back to Michigan. It was just daddy, you and I. I never knew how we would do it or survive, but we did. We made it through the sleepless nights, cheered you on through all of your firsts and made so many memories that I hope to never forget. You've given us the opportunity to see life in a new way and experience the innocence and excitement of being a child again. Being a parent has exceeded all our expectations and we are so in love with you.

Buddy, we can't wait to see what your future holds, what God has planned for you and the man you become. I pray for you daily, for your hopes and dreams, for your heart, your future and the life you're meant to live. I hope you always choose to be an individual, see the good in life and have a loving heart. I hope that you have minimal heartbreak, (in a very, very long time from now) find a wife who will be your better half, best friend and partner through life. I pray that you surround yourself with good people, choose the road less traveled and make good decisions. I pray that you're strong, successful and remain healthy. I hope you continue to be adventurous, but not too. I pray for the family that you will one day have. I hope that you always stay a momma's boy and continue to adore your daddy because he's the best daddy to you and a pretty darn good role model for you. I pray that every year going forward exceeds the last, although after this past year I'm not sure there will be one that can top it.

You are so incredibly loved and I hope that you never doubt that. You have brought so much love into our home and we are so proud of the little boy you are turning into. We love you, baby man. Thanks for the best year of our lives.

Love, Momma

From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. John 1:16