Happy Mother's Day

For as long as I can remember I have been a Daddy's Girl.  You know the type of girl that thinks their father walks on water.  Growing up, if I were to have to choose a  side, you can ask my mom, I would probably choose my father's.  I guess that's how it is supposed to work... it's nature.  Girls love their daddies.

Don't get me wrong.  I have ALWAYS loved my mom.   Even through our trying times in junior high school when we couldn't be in the same room with one another without fighting, I still loved her.  But I have to say it wasn't until I was older, that I really discovered our friendship.  I had friends in high school whose moms were their friend.  And I remember getting so mad that my mom and I didn't have that relationship.  When I would inform her of this, usually when I wanted to do something and she would tell me no, she would remind me that she wasn't my friend... she was my mother.  Boy, did that drive me nuts.  But as I moved out of the house and off to college, my mom became, and still is, one of my closest and dearest friends.  The friend that you can call no matter what and is going to give you a straight and honest answer.  The type of friend that will drop anything when you need something.  That type of friend... I value all of my friendships, but the one that I value the most is my moms.

So for Mother's Day, I wish that I, too, have the same wisdom to love my daughter enough to be her mother when she needs mother and when she grows up...one of her best friends.

Go Cubs Go... Go Cubs Go!

Saturday night Brian, Stella and I went to watch the Cubs play the Diamondbacks.  I can't say that this was Stella's first time at Chase field, but what I can say is that this was her first time at Chase field since she has become so mobile.  We had awesome seat, eleven rows behind home plate.

 Stella enjoyed the fact that no one was sitting next to us.  She ran up and down the row the entire first three innings.  Luckily the gentlemen behind us were with their kids too, so me constantly chasing her wasn't that big of a deal.  We tried everything to try and distract her and get her to sit down... finally we found the trick!

POPCORN... I know that they are not technically supposed to have it until three, but we made an exception to the rule.  After she ate some of the popcorn, played in the popcorn, and then finally dumped out the popcorn, she quickly realized that the container could be used as a hat.  She is so
gifted :-)

I tried to get a good picture of Stella and daddy, but that would require her to stop squirming for about ten-seconds and as you could see that did not happen.

 We had an excellent time at the game, Stella even gave Baxter a kiss but by the time Brian got his camera out again she wasn't in the staying still for a picture mood.

The Cubs pulled out a victory this game which is the first time I have actually been to a game that they have won... go figure!  Now let's hope for the same when we go see them in St. Louis in June.

Happy Easter... well a little after Easter.

I would first like to say, I really don't understand how all these amazing women, whose blogs I follow, are able to keep up with so many posts.  I have to confess, I do have wonderful ideas for blog posts and most of the time even take the pictures.  But when it comes right down to having the time to actually write them, somewhere I am doing something wrong.  So here I am three days after Easter with my computer in the bathroom, and a glass of wine, while Stella plays in the tub, that I finally have a moment to catch you up on our wonderful Easter weekend. 

Friday night, Brian, Stella and I went to Santan Village to visit the Easter Bunny.  I have to admit that Stella was a little nervous at first, but once the Bunny gave her knuckles, she was putty in his hands.

Saturday morning and we met our friends, Josh, Kim and their daughter Ella at their house.  They were nice enough to invite us to their neighborhood Easter Egg hunt.  Stella only got one yellow egg (she pased up for other eggs while walking towards that egg, that girl had her eyes set on that one particular egg) but she still had a good time.

After the Easter Egg Hunt, we hurried home because we were having our backsplash put up in the kitchen.  We had good intentions of decorating Easter Eggs on Saturday, however our kitchen was in shambles the entire day and it just didn't happen :0(  This was as close to decorating eggs as we got.

On Sunday morning we woke up and discovered that the Easter Bunny had came to visit our house.

He left a truck, ball, bubbles and stickers for Stella and a stuffed duck and large bone for Zarady!  He even hid eggs for Stella to find.  She had such a good time finding them and was so proud of herself.  She clapped every time she put an egg in the basket.

After she found all her eggs we met Ryan and Christine at church and then had Easter brunch.

After Brunch, we came home and all took a three-hour nap.  I would be lying if I didn't admit that this was probably one of the best parts of the whole weekend.  We had a very Happy Easter and we hope you did as well.

Stella in her ducky towel, from Mimi and Pops, after her bath

Zarady enjoying her very large bone from the Easter Bunny!

Bye Bye Baby Mullet

Last weekend (okay it was last weekend when I originally started the post) Stella got her first hair cut.  Thank you Mimi!! 

Bye, Bye Baby Mullet :-)

Girls Just Want To Have Fun

I love living in Arizona... the weather is awesome, there is a lot to do and we have great friends.  But I often wish that we were closer to our family especially when I see Stella and her cousins having so much fun playing with one another!

We got into town late Monday night.  We spent Tuesday and Wednesday visiting family.  Thursday was the St. Patrick's Day so Auntie Alison invited Stella and I to go to the parade with them.  We had so much fun.

 After the parade, we headed to the Ice Cream Shack.  I mean who doesn't enjoy ice cream when it is 65 degrees outside?

Love the Shades Elizabeth :-)

Yum, Yum!!!

Friday night Brandon, Alison, Elizabeth and Grant came over and we had a pizza picnic on the floor.  While Alison and I went to pick up Monicals and Pizza Hut (Brandon and I couldn't agree on the type of pizza we wanted), Elizabeth set up a picnic on the floor.

Elizabeth decided to spend the night with us which actually turned into two nights.  The girls had SOOOO much fun playing together.  Whatever Elizabeth did, Stella was right there to follow.  They ran around the house, screaming, laughing, and playing.  It truly warmed my heart!

They played on the tricycle.

Played on the piano.

Played at the park.

The child LOVES the swing!

It was an excellent weekend.  They even discussed sports and came to a conclusion... They both want to be Hawkeyes!

Date Night...

Like any married couple with a child or children, it hard to imagine what life was like before they came.  I cannot even count all the wonderful ways our lives have changed since Stella has come into our lives.  I love everything about her.  But I would be lying if I didn't admit that sometimes I miss being just Brian's wife and not Stella's mom.  I miss having an adult conversation without having to make sure food isn't getting thrown on the floor or making sure that food is cut up, for that matter.  In saying all this, Brian and I decided (well actually I decided) that it is important for us to incorporate a date night into our lives once a month.  We (again I) decided that we would each take turns in planning it.

Well this past weekend was our first date night...  In the past year or so, Brian joined the Men's Board of an organization called Fresh Start (www.wehelpwomen.com).  And their annual Fundraiser Fashion Show/Gala was this past weekend.  When Brian first told me about this (a week and a half ago) I will be honest, I wasn't super excited until he told me that Katie Couric would be the mc.  I mean really who doesn't LOVE Katie?

On Saturday, we dropped off Stella at our friend's, Paul and Sherry, house for a sleepover.  (I mean who doesn't like a night out AND the next morning to sleep in.)  We got ready and headed out.

As we pulled up to the Biltmore, I admit that I was a little nervous about whether my dress was okay or my hair looked just right when the car in front of us stopped and this beautiful lady got out...

I know, I know it is wrong to make fun of others, my mother did teach me better than that.  However, in saying that, I took these pictures of her at the end of the evening... In my defense, I had a little bit to drink and had to be sure to include her in the blog.  Yes, those are pigtails and yes it does look like an orange bag.  (On a side note, I wish I had that much confidence in myself as she probably does.  Let's face it, you have to be pretty confident)

I figured that I would stand next to her all night and no matter what I would look great :-)

Anyway, we got out of our car and walked over to the long line to get our table assignment and bid card Brian and I both commented about how great the people watching was going to be.  There was about 800 people at this event and it was amazing.  The gowns were incredible and of course the people-watching did not disappoint :-)

The evening started with with a cocktail hour and a silent auction followed by dinner and a fashion show.  Our seats were incredible!!  Our table was right at the end of the fashion show runway.

A highlight of the night obviously included seeing Katie Couric and listening to her talk.  I took a couple of pictures of her, but neither of the pictures showed her in a glowing light so I am choosing not to post them.  Who wants bad pictures of them out on the web?

But to be honest, the best part of the night was spending a much needed evening with my husband!

Weekend in Pictures...

Started Out My Birthday Weekend at a Student Council Retreat in Prescott, Arizona.  I was lucky enough to have 400 junior high students sing me happy birthday on Saturday morning :-)

When I got home on Saturday afternoon, I noticed that Stella's bangs were getting a little too long so I decided to give them a little trim... BAD IDEA!!!  Needless to say, I have learned my lesson I will never be cutting her hair again.  Brian has been calling her "Boy Bangs."

Stella all dressed up to take mommy out to dinner for her birthday!

Again, can I mention that I spent the previous evening at a Student Council Retreat and I slept on the floor.  Not the most flattering picture because I was SOOOO tired, but I posted it because Stella looks too cute!

Best Birthday present ever!  I have wanted a pair of Uggs forever, but didn't really see the point because I live in Arizona.   So glad I finally got some, they are super comfortable.

Sunday afternoon with a fire in the fireplace... does it get any better than that?

Brian trying out his new smoker.  He made hot wings and ribs.  Stella LOVED the wings, she could not get enough of them.

And Monday morning...

And She's Off...

About a month or so ago Stella took her first step.  No major walking, but a step.  Although with Brian and I's reaction one would have thought it was man's first step on the moon.  Since then she has taken little steps here or there but really wasn't interested too much in it.  Well last Friday I received a text from the Miss Robin that Stella was walking all over the place.  To be honest, I was a bit bummed that I had missed it but I knew that if she was indeed walking all over the place I would be able to see it that weekend.   When we got home that night, I enticed my daughter to walk with a lima bean.  Yes, you read that correctly she walked all over the kitchen chasing after a lima bean.  Again, Brian and I were so proud.  I then got out my FLIP video camera to document this milestone.  But do you think she would do it again?  No, not when the camera was on.  So for the past week, I have been seeing her walk but I was never able to get it on camera until tonight...

What's Stella Up To??

 I know, I know, it has been a while since I have made a post and wow has lots happened!!  To start with, Stella turned 1!!  We went back to Peoria to have her first birthday party with her grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins.

Didn't Mimi do a great job on my cakes?

Stella loved that everyone was singing to her!!

She wasn't quite sure about the cake at first, but once daddy helped her dig in it was all over.

While we were home, we also celebrated Christmas... actually we celebrated it five times.  Stella received A LOT of toys, but her favorite part of Christmas was the wrapping paper.

Look what Santa brought me!!

I LOVE unwrapping the paper!

So once all the holidays and celebrations were over, we came home, found a place for all the toys, and played.

Oh, one last thing... She has learned to do laundry!