Where did I leave off?

Oh yeah, party planning. I spent so much time planning AJ's party but of course nothing ever goes as planned. Rick and I saved what we could so we didn't have to worry about budgeting for the party. We spent WAAAYYY to much at the Supermarket and then WAAAAYY to much at BJ's and then WWWWAAAAYYYY to much at the party supply and toy stores. Catching on to the theme yet??? LOL, but I digress.

It had me thinking back to Isabella's first birthday. Rick and I didn't have much money so all we did was a few balloons, a birthday banner and a yummy cake. And of course presents. But there wasn't anything else. Just family and Bella. Made me realize how little we had and how far we've come. However we did give her all the love she would/could ever want and ask for. Sometimes I think that is way more important than material things. I don't like spoiling the kids too much, but every now and then, they deserve it.

Okay, and back to the party. I decided to take off the 15th and 16th of July as vacation days so that I could spend time with the kids and go into the party relaxed. Wrong...so wrong on both counts. Those days consisted of us running all over the place pick things up and drop things off and buy this and buy that. In the end, I was lucky that on Friday, my friend took Bella to the spray park so I could finish the last of the errands. Unfortunately the truck had other plans for us. What was it that happened next??? Well, I'll save that for my next installment!

July & the Big "1"

Well, it's July and if you can already believe it, it's July 13th! We are almost halfway through this month and with that brings something that I have been partially dreading and yet so excited about. My peanut's 1st birthday!! It's hard to believe that only a year ago I was in the home stretch, counting the days down to his due date when my OB decided that he was getting to big and it was time to discuss induction. Ha ha! That little boy had a mind of his own because I SWEAR, he heard induction and he was like, "I'm outta here..."

And with that, just like with his sister, I went into labor on my own and my precious little bundle was born on July 16th. It seems like a lifetime ago, but it's only been a year and while I'm sad that he's already past the infant stage, I can't help but smile when I think of all the things to come. Before I know it, he'll be like his big sister and running all over the place and talking up a storm and fighting with me to get dressed and take a bath, etc.

My husband and I made a silly realization the other day. We are now officially a family of four. I mean, we've been a family of four since he was born, but for some reason it's a little different when they are in an infant seat or being carried all the time. Now that peanut is wanting to get up and start walking a bit, it seems more real. I can't believe he's almost one! So now as I count down to his first birthday on Friday and his party on Saturday, I can't help but smile and think of how much life has changed and how much he will grow as he reaches this milestone and goes onto the next one. For now, I'll just enjoy the fact that he's still little and that both he and Bella allow me to kiss and cuddle them. Who knows when they will grow out of it and find it embarrassing. I shudder to think!

Next up: Party Planning at its finest!

My Etsy Shop is FINALLY up and running!

I've done it! I have finally gotten to post items onto my Etsy Shop. I've created another blog that follows my crafting and Etsy Shop so that I don't take away from this one. I'll continue to post about my life and my kids on this one. If you want to follow my Crafting and Etsy Shop adventures, follow me at www.bellabooandajtoo.blogspot.com. I'm going to update this blog shortly with our latest adventures.

...Stay Tuned!