Alivia's Birthday Party Day! - October 30, 2010

On the day of Alivia's actual birthday party we made sure to start the day off right! Pancakes from McDonald's were an easy choice because they're quick...and we still had so much else to do to get ready for the party. After we picked up the big cake and the baby cake and all of the food we had ordered, we also needed balloons. Its great that Giant carries the Disney Princess Mylar balloons - they were a nice added touch. I ended up ordering all of the matching supplies online, and because Disney products are made by Hallmark, everything came out looking great! Very professional (and you know that is what you are aiming for at a one year old's party :) ) Alivia ran around all day in a dress which looked to be a combination princess / ballerina costume. There was one cupcake on the top of the dress, and even though she was overwhelmed by all the people and activities, she looked absolutely adorable. All biased aside! She even had matching ballet slippers and a tiara. Like I said, her dress was half-ballet and half-princess. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, and luckily we all survived the almost-two-hours that it took to open all of her presents! Alivia was definitely a trooper that day, and she barely seemed tired at 11pm when all of the guests left and started their journeys back up to Pennsylvania.   On the day of Alivia's actual birthday party we made sure to start the day off right! Pancakes from McDonald's were an easy choice because they're quick...and we still had so much else to do to get ready for the party. After we picked up the big cake and the baby cake and all of the food we had ordered, we also needed balloons. Its great that Giant carries the Disney Princess Mylar balloons - they were a nice added touch. I ended up ordering all of the matching supplies online, and because Disney products are made by Hallmark, everything came out looking great! Very professional (and you know that is what you are aiming for at a one year old's party :) ) Alivia ran around all day in a dress which looked to be a combination princess / ballerina costume. There was one cupcake on the top of the dress, and even though she was overwhelmed by all the people and activities, she looked absolutely adorable. All biased aside! She even had matching ballet slippers and a tiara. Like I said, her dress was half-ballet and half-princess. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, and luckily we all survived the almost-two-hours that it took to open all of her presents! Alivia was definitely a trooper that day, and she barely seemed tired at 11pm when all of the guests left and started their journeys back up to Pennsylvania.

Let's get this party started!!!

Whew! Opening presents is a lot of work!!!

Alivia's 1st Birthday! - October 29, 2010

Hello again! We have been so busy recently, that I have not had time to post any new entries to Alivia's blog. But, a lot has happened while we were away! First, Alivia had a very special birthday breakfast on Friday, October 29th. Not only did she have her usual three silver dollar pancakes, but we were surprised to find out that the pancakes were completely covered with fresh strawberries! Alivia was literally sooo happy that she jumped out of her car seat, as to allow herself full access to all of the beautiful & delicious strawberries covering her pancakes. My mom (her Grammy) met us at the Cafe to celebrate, and she brought Alivia her first birthday present ever; a ducky stuffed animal which sings ducky songs and says the alphabet. Alivia was barely impressed. She dropped the duck right onto the floor after holding it for two minutes, tops. She wanted to dive back into those bright red strawberries! And who can blame her? After she snatched up each one, she showed little interest in the actual pancakes. So my mom - wanting to please Alivia on her birthday - ordered her a big bowl of just strawberries. Once they were delivered to us, she ate maybe two or three more, and then she starting "feeding the floor." You know - the floor does get hungry sometimes, too. I suppose its just a coincidence that it usually tends to occur right about the same time as when Alivia's tummy gets filled. Our next adventure took us to the store Tuesday Morning, but we came out very disappointed, carrying only Christmas wrapping paper. (I also found a maid costume, for umm, Halloween.) We said good bye to Grammy, and after many kisses we headed to Target where I went on a mad search for 12 Month girls' clothing. Leggings are definitely the "in" thing this year, but one would think that other options would have been available, as well. No such luck. I found tables full of leggings! And shirts connected to leggings! And leggings hanging up! And leggings laying down! Target was being taken over by leggings. So now, Alivia owns about ten pairs of leggings!!! I also picked out sleepers, and sweaters, and socks, and I found many cute pairs of jeans. And finally, when I was at my whit's end, I called Bob. "Come help me put back some of the clothes before I buy everything in Target that comes in a size 12 Months!" He drove right over. I expected him to stop the insanity I was creating! But, instead, he fell prey to the fact that it was our only baby's birthday. "Buy her whatever she wants," was followed by trips up and down every toy aisle in the store. At least her clothes were priced reasonably! Any toy Alivia touched, Bob put in the cart. I must have been dreaming. Not my Bob. My Bob says things like "Carrie, she'll never even remember her first birthday," or "I'm sure your mom will buy her plenty of presents from Nordstrom." But not today! Today, Alivia got whatever she touched...a cart completely packed full of clothes and toys. For a one year old. Too bad she will never even recall truly being a princess for the day.

Pick or Treat - At the Pumpkin Farm!

On Saturday morning, I rolled over in our bed and asked my hubby if we could take our Halloween baby to a Pumpkin Patch. He was quite happy with the idea, and so we decided to make it an extended family affair. I'm so glad that we did! You see, Bob's family lives in York, PA which is not far from the Maryland/Pennsylvania border. His mom knew of the cutest little farm to go visit. So; have baby - will travel! We also found out from my dad who is local to Annapolis, that there was a farm located right near Bob's job... But family is important to us both - so off to PA we went! We met Meredith, Bob's sister, and his Mom just outside of Shrewsbury around 2PM at the pumpkin farm. It is funny, looking back just three short days ago... We took TONS, and I mean TONS, of pictures! But we didn't pick a pumpkin, go on a hay ride, or even play in the corn maze (yes, it is a play on words!) However, we absolutely had a BLAST!!! His is a family that loves spending time with each other, and with my Alivia. She was the belle of the ball, as usual, even if she was dressed only in Levi's jeans and a onezie which read, "Cutest Pumpkin in the Patch." Oh and she was! Auntie Mer had worn a big black-beaded necklace which caught Alivia's eye, and she immediately borrowed her Aunt's jewelry! It really added to her outfit; making her stand out just a bit more than she normally does because of the crazy hairstyles I usually give her, and because she has her daddy's beautifully breath-taking deep-sea blue eyes! She stood on hay bails and we took at least fifty (50) pictures! She ate a-just-picked apple, and enjoyed munching on the skin and juice way better than on a teething ring! I really preferred this apple over her chewing on her crib!!! We also tasted fudge and drank warm apple cider. Alivia ordered a whole bottle full of the stuff. Apparently, my little pumpkin REALLY likes apples! All in all, we had a fantastic day :) As we were leaving, I noticed a large box full of pumpkins and gourds which had a "sold" sign on it. I put Alivia in the box, just for fun, and naturally, she tried to climb out of it. This created a perfect photo opportunity. She may be a Halloween/Pumpkin baby - but she is definitely NOT sold!

Bob's Grandfather had a successful surgery! And therefore, I am back to writing again! Thank you God for hearing our many prayers... For now though; I'd really like to focus on my Women's Fiction Novel, but I need to set up the conflict (Chapter 3) and I'm totally psych-ing myself out for some unknown reason. I guess because I don't really know how to set up a convincing crime scene (probably for good reasons!), and I haven't read enough of my "true crime" book yet to pick up on the morbidity that needs to be present in the language and tone. I watch Law & Order more than is probably healthy, and now I pick the plot to shreds. But, I can't just sit down and write out my own damn plot! (And yes. I'm aware that I just mimicked Shakespeare's Lady MacBeth!) Ahhh! I'm just scared. That's it, plain and simple. This week has been so stressful, for so many reasons and I'm doubting myself. Enough about my doubts! The book ain't gonna write itself...

This Is Only Half of My Face...

And kind of a silly picture! But - what do you think? Does my bestest baby look at all like her mommy?

I didn't think so...

Projects! Projects! Projects!

Last week, I was on the phone with my sister-in-law, Meredith, who I definitely consider more of a friend than an "in-law." I knew that she had taken a picture of herself with one of my pink extensions in her hair, and I called her to ask if I could post the picture to my BCA blog. Here it is below, instead.

While we were talking, I started telling Meredith about my current projects... First and foremost -- of course! I am loving and caring for my darling little Alivia Marie. I'm learning so much about child development, and I really do enjoy managing the blog which I have dedicated to her! Additionally, I have been writing a Women's Fiction Novel which has a sub-genre: Crime. With all of the detective shows that, because of their popularity, have been taking over television lately; I believe this is the perfect subject matter for a new author. I am also working on a fun project, which is just for myself. I have gone through the last four or five Glamour Magazines and I'm creating a sort of "fashion guide." I've divided my guide into three sections: 1) make-up, 2) clothing, and 3) body/exercise/health suggestions. I've also made a point to read the non-fiction articles contained in the magazines which feature women who have survived a major tragedy within their lives. I'm interested in their tone and the type of language each woman uses to describe these awful life events. I think this detail may help me write my novel in a more realistic manner. I'm also reading two books: 'Time of My Life,' by Allison Winn Scotch, and 'A Date with Death,' by Michele R. McPhee. Lastly, I've been brainstorming on a business development project for one of Bob's colleagues. All of this keeps me quite busy! Especially since I have vowed to take Alivia for pancakes at least once a week :) We also spend a good amount of time dancing and playing patty-cake (with her feet, funny enough)! Since her birthday party is in two weeks, I've added event/party planning to my resume! I typically make dinner for my darling husband, and his work clothes are usually both clean and folded... And they say that "stay-at-home" moms have it easy!? Actually, I just LOVE watching my baby and taking on projects; I only hope that when it comes time to look for a job again, that my projects will be recognized as important to any future employers!

If You Follow This Blog...

...Please know that I won't be writing this week. Bob's Grandfather is in the hospital having a procedure done. We are all praying for you Pa! Of course, any and all prayers and support for the family would be very much appreciated.

~ Carrie