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!

 

Modeling is Probably Not in Her Future...

This past weekend, I had two goals.  The first was to finish Stella's book of her first year (I can't believe it has already been a year).  My second goal was to get a good picture of Stella to use for this year's Christmas card.  Let's just say only one of the two were accomplished.

About two weeks ago I was in Buy Buy Baby looking for a humidifier for Stella's room.  While there I noticed adorable Christmas bloomers... white with red ruffles on the butt.  I bought them instantly because I knew they would make for an adorable Christmas card.  So Saturday morning created my background by using a large black piece of fabric.  I wrapped a large box in red paper and attached a big bow... the backdrop was set.  Next I put Stella in her Bloomers and grabbed the camera.

My plan was to have Stella stand, facing the box (obviously holding onto it for support.)  She was then going to look back at me over her right shoulder while wearing a Santa hat.  I had envisioned it beautifully as I laid in bed Friday night.  She put the hat on, stood at the box, turned around with the most perfect smile...

Then I woke up from that dream and this is what we got instead.

You want me to wear a hat?

You want me to stand still?

Oh, I'm supposed to look at you now?

I will look at you, only because you are feeding me?

Daddy please save me...

Really... was I asking that much?  Needless to say, we didn't get the perfect Christmas Card picture.  But I did finish the book of her first year, so at least I finished half of what I set out to do.

Mirrors, Mirrors Everywhere

Last weekend we went to LA to meet Brian's brother, Brent, to go to the USC vs. Notre Dame football game.  We arrived on Friday morning and went straight to Anaheim.  We were going to go to Disney Land, however once we arrived there we discovered everyone else had the same idea so we went to Disney Downtown instead.  This is basically a mall outside of Disney.  It was pretty uneventful except we did get a couple good pictures of Stella.

After our detour to Disney and a wonderful lunch at Portillos, we headed to the hotel.  Brian had booked a room at The SLS in Beverly Hills.  We made the decision to go to LA late so our options for hotel using points was limited.  This hotel was awesome.  One of those places where really important people stay,  way beautiful and let's be honest a little too swanky for us.  I doubt they have a lot of people who stay at the hotel with an eleven month old.

This room had mirrors everywhere.  The television was even set within a mirror.  I don't know about you, but I have no desire to see a 360 degree view of this post-baby body!!  Stella enjoyed the room a lot.  Everything was at the perfect height for a baby learning to walk. 

We went to dinner at Mastro's on Friday evening and Stella did great.  On Saturday, after Stella's nap we headed to the Colosseum to tailgate and go to the game.  I was concerned with how Stella was going to do at the game because sitting for long periods of time is really not her thing... she loves to be on the move.  However, she did great.  She feel asleep right before half time.  That was a good thing because mid-way into the 3rd quarter it began to rain, okay I mean pour.  She didn't even realize it because she was sound asleep under the blanket.  We sat in the rain for a while until the boys decided it was time to go... thank goodness!

Overall we had a great weekend.  It was nice to get out of town and of course it is always nice to see Uncle Brent.