Party Time!

Oh Maya, did we ever have a wonderful birthday party today! First we set up and got everything ready. Mom decided to do a teddy bear picnic theme since you seemed to like the "Teddy Bear Picnic" song. 

 

Then the guests started arriving. You looked so cute in your party dress!

You played and played with all the kids, and lots of them brought their teddy bears with them. We even had time to play a quick bear hunt game. 

 

There was some piano playing, running around outside, and of course presents were opened. What a lucky girl, you got so many nice things!

Everyone gathered to sing happy birthday and you tasted some cake. You weren't overwhelmed with all of the attention like we thought you would be. You were a star the whole day!

For a while you kept rolling around on the ground, playing with your dress, taking it all in. 

You had such a great day. We couldn't have asked for more. You were charming, sweet, smiley and just your wonderful self. You played hard my little girl. We had all of our friends and family around and the house was filled with laughter and cheer. We couldn't have asked for a better day. 

But let me tell you...... after you kissed everyone goodbye, and the house was empty, and you started to come down from all of the hyper, crazy, indulgently wonderful festivities......you looked a little messy and tired. 

And so you sat down in the chair with Mom and within thirty seconds your sweet eyes were shut and you gave one sigh of contentment...... and it was time to go to sleep. 

Awesome. 

Happy Birthday My Sweet GIrl

Happy 1st birthday my sweet precious wonderful little girl. Mommy had to work all day today so she and Daddy got up early and sang happy birthday to you when you woke up. You weren't sure what all the fuss was about but when you went downstairs and saw your present you wasted no time ripping off the paper. Mommy made you a special birthday pancake so that we could light a candle and make a wish. You were very curious about the flame as you had never seen one before! Then Mommy gave you lots of kisses and was off to work. You got to spend the whole day at home with Daddy and he had you all nice and squeaky clean at the end of the day so when Mommy rushed home to see you before bed you smelled sooooo good. You pressed your head against my heart and we had a good hug before it was time to sing you to sleep.

One year ago today you were placed into my arms and I knew my life would never be the same.
I am so proud of you Maya, you have grown to be such a wonderful person. It has truly been a miracle watching you transform from a wrinkly little new born into such a beautiful little girl.  You still amaze me every day. I can't wait to see what the next year brings and what you will continue to become. You are going to be such a wonderful big sister, I just know it! You have brought so much love and joy into our home. Keep being your wonderful little self child, cause we would never change you, no we would not.

Let's Get This Started

Ok so I have been thinking about how to set some realistic goals for myself during this pregnancy so that I have something to work towards to stay healthy. I guess the only outcome I am really looking for is to maintain a healthy weight, only gaining baby weight and not extra on top of that. In order to do that I need to keep active and eat healthy. Sounds simple, but with going back to work soon I definitely have to set some guidelines for myself so that I can stay on track. They are simple and seem like no brainers but I still need to put it in writing so here goes:

1) Eat five servings of fruits / veggies every day. If I do that I am less likely to fill up on things I don't need.

2) Exercise four times a week. This will be hard when I go back to work, but I am willing to at least try to go for walks on my lunch break or go to the YMCA that is right next door to my office. I will also have kickboxing on the evenings for as long as my belly doesn't get in the way.

3) Go to bed at a decent time. If I don't get enough sleep, I don't function well at work and tend to not plan ahead for lunches and snacks.

That's it. Most people would be able to do these things no problem but I tend to cave under stress when I am working and forget to take care of myself.

The good thing is I will have to be home every night at a decent time, because I will want to have some quality time with my sweet little girl. I also think that planning healthy meals once I go back to work won't be too bad because I have a child to feed now - it's not just about me.

I have these ultrasound pictures on the fridge that I hope will keep being a reminder when I have the urge to skip a workout or order take out.

Everything looked good at the ultrasound last week. Heart beat was 160. Measuring right on schedule for a due date of August 17th! The grandparents on my husband's side are hoping for the baby to be born on the 16th because they already have grandchildren with birthdays on the 14th, 15th, 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th of various months. So the 16th would fill in the gap! 

And here's a preview of what we have in store for Maya's 1st Birthday coming up in March with all of our family and friends!

Personalize an invitation

Belts

TODAY'S MOTIVATION

Belts. I've never really had to use one because my pants have always been snug for the past ten years (with exception of past diets). When I have used belts, they just look ridiculous on me because of my lack of a proper waist. Even now, when I try on a belt to piece together an outfit, it just doesn't work (my rolls show as soon as I sit down). 

So today I am thinking about the day when I will be able to wear belts and feel comfortable in them. 

RANT OR RAVE

Do you know what I HATE? Getting up in the morning when it's still dark. I think this a common dislike by most people.

In the summer when I would hear Maya getting up the sun was out (or coming up) and it felt like the start of the day. Now when she gets up I am dragging my butt out of bed. Time change will be happening soon too. Don't like it.

RANDOMS

Isn't it just the cutest thing when babies wear hoodies?

The cupcakes mentioned in yesterday's post turned out!

Yesterday we celebrated Chris' birthday with his parents. Chris chose pizza as his birthday dinner. Maya was in such a great mood and was charming it up with her grandparents the whole evening. Even though she was getting tired by the end, she still helped sing happy birthday to her daddy!  

And just this morning, about fifteen minutes ago she said "Dada" for the first time. She has been saying "da da da da da" for a while now, but this morning she actually said the word. Every time I said it she looked at me and repeated it ever so quietly. I called Chris upstairs to come up and hear. She said it again. Now if she can just figure out what it means. 

Maya received a card for her first Halloween this year. I can't wait to post a picture of her in her costume!