Sunday, May 27, 2012

*Officially* Three

For Helen Grace’s first and second birthdays, John and I have taken her to the zoo. Since we were having her party there this year, John suggested going to the Children’s Museum on her actual birthday, and HG was all about it. He had to go into work that Friday morning for a few hours, but HG and I met him at the Children’s Museum around noon. Although I tried to keep her awake, she dozed off on the ride up there, but luckily, I was able to wake her up when we arrived and she was reasonably happy. We played and played and finally convinced her to stop to eat for a minute!

That night, we had our family over for a very casual pizza dinner. Suzanne, Grace Ann, and Gloria came in from Jackson, and Helen Grace was beside herself to see them. She and Grace Ann disappeared upstairs immediately and we rarely saw them again, other than a blur from the stairs to the back door!

Since it was Friday AND her birthday, we let her sleep in our bed that night. As her time of birth approached, 9:21 p.m., she asked to see pics of her in Mommy’s tummy or as a baby. I loved that she was interested, although John claims she was stalling which might be true. But regardless, maybe there’s a chance she’ll look back at all these blogs I’m writing for her. Getting to fall asleep with her in my arms three years to the hour of giving birth to her was more of a gift to me than anything in this world. I can’t put into words how much of a life-changer she has been in the most amazingly-happy-tears way, and I am so forever thankful to her for making me a mama!

IMG_1784 IMG_1786 IMG_1788 IMG_1789 cmom IMG_1791 IMG_1797 IMG_1798 IMG_1799 IMG_1801 IMG_1802 IMG_1803IMG_1804He’s really a good sport.IMG_1806IMG_1807 IMG_1809 IMG_1810 IMG_1811 Bubba’s hopscotch game was a big hit.IMG_1812 IMG_1815 She wouldn’t slow down long enough to sit in her birthday chair, but Baby Doll and Punzel kept it warm for her.IMG_1816 IMG_1817 IMG_1818 Nini and Teddy gave her this Monster Truck. Never did I think my baby girl would be this excited over a TRUCK… :)IMG_1820 Kissing Punzel and Belle night nightnight night kisses “I’m THREE!!” @ 9:21 p.m.three edited

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Cupcakes in the Park

On Wednesday, we celebrated Helen Grace’s third birthday with cupcakes and playtime with our MOTs friends at Howard-McVay Park in Germantown.

Man, good fortune was on our side that day. I didn’t turn into a Mom-zilla, I didn’t forget anything, we made it there EARLY (with the help of Spiffer and Granddaddy), the weather was a cool 75 degrees with a gentle breeze, HG had very minimal toddler moments, and the entire park (two playgrounds, a pavilion with tables, and lots of room to run) was completely shaded. We couldn’t have asked for more! And I felt like it was as much of a treat for me to play with my mommy friends as it was for HG to run wild with her buddies. :)

Thanks to all our friends for coming to celebrate with us and making our little girl feel like a princess, and thanks to Granddaddy and Spiffer for helping me load and unload, pushing swings for hours, chasing sugar crazed kids, and running them around in the wagon- we gave you quite the workout!

Swinging with SpifferIMG_1738 Saying hello to Baby BrooksIMG_1744 Camille (‘Mille’) and HGIMG_1746 Finley’s here!!IMG_1749 She was telling Callum something very important.IMG_1751 Cheese!IMG_1752 These two crack me up!IMG_1753 The best shot I could get of HG and Emsley.IMG_1757HG, Will, CamilleP1020505Playing with PorterP1020540

She’s still not a fan of being sung to.

Chow down timeIMG_1760 IMG_1761 IMG_1762P1020527 P1020533 Where’s Camille??IMG_1763The beach balls were meant to be favors but ended up being endless entertainment.IMG_1766 IMG_1769 Big swing by Spiffer and GranddaddyIMG_1771 Ryan and Mason let HG have a ride in their wagon- BIG hit.IMG_1772 Hands in the air!IMG_1774 IMG_1779

You’d think  that she was toast from this pic…IMG_1782But when she hit the bed, she found her second wind, as well as the energy to open her presents and woof down some Chick-fil-A.P1020568 P1020574