Abby Turns 1...just a little late

Where has the time gone?  It seems like I was just getting ready for Thanksgiving and now it’s almost New Years’!  I don’t think I am going to win Mother of the Year this year (since it took me over a month to post about my 2^nd born’s first birthday, and we wonder why the middle child gets a complex?) so I’ll guess I’ll shoot for 2012.

We had many celebrations with lots and lots of family for Abby’s birthday, which fell on Thanksgiving this year.  We had chocolate cupcakes that looked like turkeys, “I’m 1!” onesies, crowns & only a few fights over presents.  Overall it was a success.

It was only one short year ago I was walking up and down our street, eating spicy food & bouncing on the exercise ball trying to get her out.  Now she’s doing so much:

Walking

Clapping

Waving

Saying “Boo” & “Mama”

Eating so much we usually have to cut her off

Teething

Not sleeping

Starting to sign (food, more & music)

Terrorizing the cat & sometimes Tula

Pooping in the bathtub – almost every night

And doing EVERYTHING her sister does

She definitely has a “strong personality” and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

We love you Abigail Louise!

Welcome Baby Maddax

On November 9th @ 3:57pm, baby Maddax James was born to our good friends the Camburn family.  He was a few days early, although I didn't hear his mama complaining about that.

Since Jon & Erin decided not to find out the sex of their baby before he was born, they got a lot of green & yellow clothes.  So, after his arrival we threw a "Help start baby Maddax's wardrobe" shower.

He got a lot of good "little man" clothes for his whole first year.  I think he was pretty excited about it, although he slept through most of the shower!  Everyone had a turn to meet Maddax, even Mr. Camburn (Jon's dad) held him for the first time since he was born.

Welcome Maddax!  We are so happy to finally have you here.

Grandma Meyers (Erin's mom), Great Grandma Marilyn (Erin's Grandma), Maddax, Erin & Kate (Erin's younger sister)

My mom & Mrs. Camburn (Jon's mom) playing the diaper game

Erin with some of her spoils

Like father, Like son

The happy family

Halloween with the cousins

I'm only a month late, but here are pictures of the Halloween costumes.  Natalie was Dorothy, complete with the sparkly red shoes & Toto in her basket.  Abby was supposed to be a munchkin, however I've heard comments about her being Mork from the TV show Mork & Mindy.  I probably should have included a giant lollipop, however the mom in me was forseeing many fights, sticky everything & basically only a stick remaining anyways so I opted not to do that.  Then of course you have my adorable nephew dressed as Yoda.  It's so fitting.

Next year we'll have to coordinate the three of them with the same theme, before they start fighting back & picking their own costumes!

Baby Gap Ad

Over the summer, we had our friend Liza take pictures of the three grandkids for my parents.  We spent an afternoon in the park and after much bribing with food, crying and a few smiles, we got a few pictures we could work with.

**side note:  I had this picture on my desktop at work & my co-worked asked me why I had a Baby Gap ad on my computer.

Thirty Flirty & Thriving...

One of my best friends turned thirty this past weekend.  For months, her sister and my other friend Traci and I have been planning a "spy day" as Jess would eventually name it.  Basically a scavenger hunt.  We gathered a lot of her friends & family to participate and after many emails, some flow charts & and iPhone app, we made it happen.

We surprised her at 9:30am with her favorite custard rolls, then we kidnapped her for the day.  The day went something like this... rollerskating with Ginny (college friend) & family, lunch @ Ginny's.  Shopping for a new outfit (present from Mom), then pedicure & manicure (present from me).  New shoes (from other college friend), pie with candles, then off to Greektown, Detroit for the evening.  Dinner at Fishbones, drinks at the Casino, along with some gambling and lounge singers, then up to our corner room on the 29th floor (courtesy of Aunt Laurie & Uncle Jeff) with an amazing view, to eat cheese pizza & drink champagne at 3:30am.  Phew... it was a jam packed day full of fun.

We of course made her wear flashing gear that advertise her age & make her look fabulous!

Here are some pictures from the day.  Not sure why they are a little blurry, I stole them from Traci's camera so you can check them out on her blog here as well.