Croix's 1st Year Sesame Street Soiree

My baby is 1!!!! I HAVE A ONE YEAR OLD!!! I can't believe it. I am so proud. Croix just lights up my life :) This was my first time planning any kind of party and I think it turned out very well. His party was held at my mothers in Chicago. This was his first of many visits back to mommy's hometown. I custom made all of his decorations and had sooooo much fun making everything. Here are a few pictures of this big day.

My bosses wife custom made his shirt for him and I ordered his shoes from Converse. I bought an inflatable kiddie pool and filled it with balls for Croix and my 1 year old nephew to have an area of there own. I think they appreciated it. I know I did because I didn't have to hold him so much, he is HEAVY!!! lol.

Later we got in the moon bounce and had some mommy son fun time :)

This moon bounce was A LOT of fun and a hit with the kids AND some of the adults. The company  I used was Giggles and  Jumps. EXCELLENT service and very reasonable prices. The owner was soooooo nice, definitely will do business with her again. Check out there website.

www.gigglesandjumps.com

Custom cupcake stands and cupcake toppers courtesy of MEEEEEE :) so happy how they turned out.

Look at my baby!!!! This is one of his 1st year pictures. I had them placed in his custom frame on a few of the tables. His party decorations turned out so well. I got a lot of compliments and a few inquires about making some custom items for a few people. Hmmmmmmm did I just tap into another possible trade????? We shall see ;)

I also had a photo garland of all his pictures from birth til 12 months. It was so precious to see his growth and transformations over the year. He has grown SO much. Grown so much in fact he wears a 2T......CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!!!!

A one year old in a 2T......can you say FUTURE ATHLETE!!! ;) I will be his BIGGEST FAN!! :)

It was a great day Thank you to all that came and supported his Big Day :)

My First Year Experiences as a First Time Mom

1.   Formula is DAMN EXPENSIVE!!

Croix drank Gerber Good start, which I think is great formula. It didn't give me any problems. I was buying TWO containers of formula (one for home and daycare) every 1 1/2 weeks since he was 6 weeks old at an average of $23 a container........yeah YOU DO THE MATH!!! CHA-CHING!!!

     

 

 

2.   You NEVER SLEEP AGAIN!!!

Good ole SLEEP, smh!! WHAT IS THAT?? I was delirious for the first 5 months of Croix's life! lol. Then you sloooowwlly but surely get use to it. Then you find yourself going to bed at like 9pm. And once this happens you will never be the same again. No more staying up late and don't try to have a girls night out. If the party gets poppin at 10pm your ready to pass out by 9:45pm, lol.

3.   So THIS is what coupons do!

I have NEVER appreciated coupons until I became a mother. I don't care if its $1.00 OFF that's a $1.00 in your pocket, gas tank or TOWARDS THE DAMN EXPENSIVE formula in #1.

4.   The Baby Bullet saves $$$

All you non-believers out there, speaking to those that know me. EVERYONE doubted my baby food making abilities and LOOK, Croix made it out just fine, HA! But this was the best thing, This helped me save a TON of money doing it myself, and it wasn't that time consuming. To me its totally worth it regardless of price because your feeding your baby the healthy way.

5.   Wine is your friend.

This is where the coupons come in handy and making your own baby food, because for every bottle, Mommy needs a glass of wine!!! Merlot was my BEST FRIEND!!! Call it what you want, this is a necessity and I would recommend it to ALL MOTHERS....for every bottle pour ya self a glass of wine!!! lol.

6.   High Heels vs. Flats...WHO WINS!!!

Me and heels have a love hate relationship now. They look realllllll good in my closet but I had a saying, "IF IT AIN'T FLAT, THAT AIN'T WHERE ITS AT!" I didn't want to put my foot in anything that wasn't level with the floor. Comfort is your friend! If there is a high heel shoe in close proximity to my foot by any means, my foot will kick that damn shoe across the room, lol. I've had a few long talks with my feet because this can't carry on forever, lol.

7.   There is no more "Running to the store real quick"

Hmmm, you remember you needed some mustard so you proceed to go to the store. A trip that would normally take 5 minutes now takes about HALF A DAMN HOUR. You gotta prepare the diaper bag, make a bottle, put clothes on you and the baby, put the baby in the car seat, load the baby, drive to the store, get out the car, get the diaper bag, unload the baby, find a cart, but the car seat in the cart, find the mustard, baby cries, feed the baby, go to checkout .......... I hated going to the store.

8.   SSL - "SCHEDULES SAVE LIVES"

GET THAT BABY ON SCHEDULE!!!! OMG....HANDS DOWN saved my life. I know Croix's pattern like the back of my hand. Its sooooo much easier, the only problem I found was that when your use to being on a schedule and you go out of town or something and your schedule is altered, it makes a crank baby and mommy. Which is why I like being at home, lol.

9.   You appreciate One Stop Shopping.

Two words: SUPER WALMART *drops the mic, walks of the stage*

10. Motherhood: Best Damn Job In The World.

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE BEING A MOM! It is the most fulfilling thing in the world and I wouldn't trade anything in the world for it. :)