One Year Ago Today & The Great Birthday Debate

The day before Sam's first birthday I wrote a nice little reflective piece about how much my life had changed in a year.  In an instant, really, but in a year.  I could try to write the same post, but the contrasts wouldn't be nearly as dramatic. 

One year ago today, February 28, 2012, was a Tuesday.  Sam was at school.  So there is a big difference: I had a few hours of alone time each week to get stuff done.  BabyBelle is with me all the time, so those days are gone.  But truth be told, I only had that convenience for about 6 months and never really got that used to it anyhow.  And we have lived through the awkward infant sleep stages and are in a nice 2 nap, 11 hour night sleep schedule, and the second nap happens during Sam's, so I do have at least a bit of kid-free time each day.  Stuck at home, of course, but time to re-charge.

One year ago today, I planned my life around Sam.  We are both very fortunate that he is not an only child.  That was a destructive pattern from which we are still recovering.

One year ago today, I did feel organized.  Or at least "on top of things."  Capable of planning ahead.  Ever since Baby Girl was born I can't seem to get ahead.  I am only capable of thinking through the item that happens next, which means things get far less planning than I am accustomed to.  I have felt a bit like I'm in catch up mode for the past year just to stay on top of all that needs to be done.

One year ago today I did go to an OB appointment, just like the day before Sam was born.  My OB must be magic!  Which brings me to an important point:

One year ago today, I was pregnant.

Which, according to my husband, means that we cannot celebrate Annabelle's birthday today.  Despite the fact that she was born in February, and that a March 1 date would be AFTER her birthday, he says it isn't so.  It had not yet been 365 days since her birth.  Whatever, her birth year has 366 days so that logic doesn't add up either.

The Great Birthday Debate.  One year later, it appears we still don't have an answer to the, "When will you celebrate her birthday?" question.  You'd think I'd have one by now since the question comes up A LOT.  Believe me, she and I have our party conversation starter for the rest of our lives.

Since my man and I were not able to reach an agreement, I have decided to celebrate both days this year.  This morning she woke to streamers hanging from her door and she and I hit the Children's Museum.  I plan to give her some cookie for her dinner tonight.  Tomorrow we will do presents and dinner out.  Ok, its really three days, because he party is on Saturday.

And I think that will be my answer.  When there is no ONE day for my child's birthday, my child shall have no ONE birthday.  My child shall have two. 

Phone Pics

 I think the most efficient method for an update here is through the pictures from my phone.  Here goes:

True friendship is sharing your swing at the park.  At least at this age it is.

Sam has a new habit around dinner time.  He will eat the bare minimum required to earn desert, regardless of how hungry he is.  Then 20 minutes later he announces he is hungry again.  So he gets veggies.  Usually baby carrots or sugar snap peas, but after dinner at a friends house where lettuce and radishes were served fesh from the garden, he started requesting those during his bedtime stories.  Go for it, bud.

The newest Kroger in my neighborhood (yes, there are three within a few miles of me) has kid sized carts.  Sam was pumped to get to have cart responsibilities.  I didn't even have one that day!  We need to work on his ability to watch out for other shoppers while pushing...

This is a horrible picture, but it's the first time the two of us went to lunch on our own.

I don't remember why he was pouting, but I found it hilarious at the time and still do now.

I put way more effort into Valentines days for my kids than my hubby this year.  We did heart shaped pancakes with red sprinkles for breakfast, big balloons for each kid, heart shaped turkey, cheese and watermelon for dinner, cookie cake for dessert.  They got lots of presents from ther family members, too!  Oh, and Sam and I made his valentines this year.  For the record, Annabelle looked lovely in the dress that Sam picked out for her to wear (that one, moody, because its beautiful!), but there is no picture.  Chris and I had some yummy take-out after the kids went to bed :-)

BabyBelle has become a bit more attached to that paci that's been in her bed the past 11 months.  Unfortunately for her the fondness is coming at the age when I really can't stand seeing those things hanging out of my kids' mouths.  She has never used it outside so bed, by her choice.  Now it's my rule!