Logan's 3rd Birthday Dino Party

I love planning parties, especially Logan's birthdays.  His 1st birthday party was a Dr. Seuss theme and his 2nd was Polar Express (which I never recapped on the blog, which is weird).  I used his love for dinosaurs and this fabulous party from Annie's Eats as my inspiration.  I mean, just LOOK at how fabulous her ideas are...I used some of her ideas and them printables from Etsy to throw in some additional color.  

I also had labels for the meat eaters and the omnivores, but neglected to take pictures.

Homemade Funfetti Cupcakes:

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough cupcakes:

Chocolate with chocolate!

Printables from MKKM Designs:

Logan and his best friend, Ian, who is two months older.
Birthday shirt from Three Lulus:

And for his big gift from Mommy, Logan got a Lightening McQueen bike!

Little man wanted a chocolate cupcake with his candles.

And clapped for himself.

Then blew out the candles before we were done singing.

For the menu, I kept it simple.  I didn't have time to overdo it, so this is what I decided on:
-Sloppy Joes
-Macaroni and cheese
-Spinach dip with pumpernickle bread
-Veggie tray
-Assorted chips and snacks

I felt so organized this year about his party, as opposed to the disaster I was with his Polar Express party.  I don't know why, but last year I had a hard time focusing and enjoying his party.  Not this year!  I was able to sit back and watch my buddy enjoy himself!!

North Pole Breakfast 2013

Even though December has come and gone, I have a few things I wanted to recap, including our first North Pole Breakfast and Logan's 3rd birthday party.

As a precursor, I will say it sucks not having a house to entertain in.  I am really quite bummed I won't be hosting Easter this year.

Anyway, on to our first North Pole Breakfast!

I was super excited to try the Elf on the Shelf idea with Logan this year.  As much as he loved looking for his elf each morning, I kind of sucked with the creative ideas and often forgot to rehide him, so it was a last minute scramble most mornings to hide the elf.  Next year, I swear to myself that I will be much more creative.

I set up the table the night before and this is what Logan woke up to:

We had mini frosted donuts (the kid freaking LOVES DONUTS) and "Santa hats" which were a last minute decision and I took out the toothpicks before he ate them, obviously.

So...this was his initial reaction...

He got over it once he realized he got donuts...

...and a present from his Elf!

A new Thomas video!

A Team Santa shirt!

And this super cute book I found at Target called Santa is Coming to Ohio!

Overall it was super cute to see his reaction.  He loves finding Buddy in the morning and I can't wait to be even more creative next year.  God bless my parents for putting up with all my of shenanigans while we live with them!

Logan and Lilah

From Red Wagon Farm on Sunday. Some shots of the little man and my adorable niece (I can't believe she is going to be ONE soon!)

Um, hello??

Sweetness

Meh

Hey...look at me...

Smooches!

Really??

High five!

I give up.  This kid just wants to play with the stupid hay.

Logan: 11 Months

First, can I address that he is almost 1 and I am just posting this?  And second, that these photo shoots are becoming increasingly more difficult?

Little man.  How on earth are you almost one year old already??  While Mama is deep into planning your 1st birthday party, you are growing by leaps and bounds and become such a personality.

You are an unstoppable crawling machine.  You love to be chased around the dining room table and if no one is, you will crawl a few paces, stop, and look back and smile to coerce ANYONE into chasing you.  No walking yet, but you are so dang close!  Pulling up on everything, walking along walls and tables, crawling up the stairs.  You even went down one step into your aunt's family room.  I really think by Christmas you will be toddling everywhere.  This all has made your monthly photo shoots kind of a nightmare.  I couldn't get you to stay still for anything.

Diaper changes are the devil.  'Nuff said.

You have six teeth, but I really think more are on their way.  You are exceptionally drooly.

The best part about the last month or so is that you return our love now.  You give the best squeezes and sloppy open-mouthed kisses.  Even though you are constantly on the move, you also are very snuggly at times.  You will crawl over to us with your arms up and snuggle in.  You still refuse to sit still on the couch or chair with us, unless we are reading to you, but that time is limited.  You are a man on a mission.

You love other kids and now that there are two other little ones at your babysitter's, you are thrilled (as are Mommy and Daddy).  You just love people and rarely show signs of shyness, unless you are a sleepy boy.

Sometimes you are taking one nap a day, sometimes two.  Honestly, you are making your own schedule.  We put you down when you are tired and sleep from anywhere from 1-3 hours.  The longer the morning nap, the less inclined you are to take an afternoon nap.  You are eating nothing but solids (and have been for months now) and love most foods.  When you are sleepy, you want nothing to do with eating though.

Mister, I love watching you grow and learn.  You love to hide your toys and find them or put them under furniture.  You love crawling around (and chewing on) books and love to wrestle.

You continue to be the best part of my day.  Thank you, little man.

Mommy Guilt

I am sure every mommy out there has felt this.

That agonizing feeling of Mommy Guilt.

I think it is especially difficult for those of us who are working moms.  I know that this summer was a blessing.  I was able to be home with Logan to see him blossom and become a little man with this big personality.  And I will tell you.  Come that first day of school and I was miserable.  I have never thought twice about being a working mom and I STILL believe that being outside the home and working is best for me and my family.  BUT...It was SO HARD leaving him after being home with him for three months.

Then I made the decision to take on Drama Club again because I was granted the production rights to Chicago.

I am torn with that decision.  I am so beyond excited to do the two productions i have ALWAYS wanted to do, but I really, REALLY miss my family.  I miss seeing Logan's face after school and I miss hearing about Alexys' day.  And I miss my husband.

My Thirty-One business has taken off (more on that later) and it is something I want to continue to work on because when I am no longer the director, THAT is going to bring in our extra money.

I am just overwhelmed and exhausted and I miss my family.  I know our productions are going to be amazing, but I can't help but think about what I am missing.

This is a rambling post, brought to you by a distraught and exhausted Mama, who is typing this on Sunday night (even though it is scheduled for later this week)  and really DOES NOT want to go to work tomorrow.

Back to School, Back to School...

It is that time of year again...time for back to school!  My first day back was on Tuesday and Logan and Alexys were with my in-laws.  Today I took Logan to his regular babysitter's house.  I have to admit...this was harder than coming back from maternity leave.  I had only been home for six weeks but now...almost three months and he is such a little personality now.  Anyway, it is a comfort knowing he is with someone who genuinely loves him and I know he gets tons of snuggles while he is there.

Because, well, who wouldn't miss this face?

So last night, I packed up his diaper bag, packed his and my lunch, and this morning we were on our merry way. And little man didn't even hesitate. He was off and ready to play as soon as we arrived.

Good to know I am the only one with separation anxiety.

Logan: 8 Months (and 2 weeks)

My sweet, sweet boy. Mama is running late with this post. Because, well, in the last few weeks, we have been so busy and I am soaking up every possible minute with you before I go back to work

(these pictures are becoming an event and a half)

Oh little man. You are such a character. You love to laugh and giggle and you find all dogs HI-LARIOUS. Ozzie, Nonna and Papa's doggies, Grandma and Grandpa's doggy...you see them and just laugh and go crazy.

You love being outside and around people. In fact, you are starting to throw tantrums if no one is paying attention to you. I don't think it is separation anxiety, but you are just such a ham and want to be the center of attention.

You had your first over-nighter at Nonna and Papa's (Mommy's parents)! You did awesome!! Slept like a good boy in your pack n play!

You have TWO TEETH! They came up at the SAME TIME! I am pretty sure more are on their way because you are chewing on everything in sight and are a drooley mess.

You are still eating 32 ounces of formula a day (4 8-ounce bottles) and trying to get you to eat baby food is a huge battle that Daddy and I are giving up on. We are moving you to table food and you are much happier. We are holding on to your bouncy seat for dear life because you still like to sit in it to eat your bottle. In fact, you try to hold it with your feet sometime! Silly boy!

You are reaching out to us now and we are pretty sure you are trying to wave bye-bye. We SWEAR you waved bye-bye to Aunt Heidi, who is 7 months pregnant with your first cousin, a baby girl.

You met several friends this month, both of whom were older, and I think this flipped a switch for you because you started crawling the next day! Now you are unstoppable!! You are slowly getting better with the sippy cup; we just continue to try!

I am interested to see what you weigh when we go next month for your appointment...because you are still sporting a tiny butt with some chunker thighs!! You are wearing size 3 diapers Cruisers and overnight diapers because you kept leaking through them.

Little man, your smile and laugh and dimple light up our lives. You are the constant bright spot for us and we love you more and more each day. I have truly loved being home with you this summer and I am dreading Wednesday's drop-off at the sitter's house :(

I love you, little man.

Logan: 7 Months

Seriously? 7 months (well, and a few days now)? How did this happen? How do I have a 7 month old??

I have to say that this monthly photo shoot has been my favorite because he was in the best mood and SO DARN SILLY. I have some great pictures and had a hard time narrowing them down.

Anyway, little man, your personality is shining more and more.  You are a total flirt and love to be around people.  Anyone who comes across you tells me what a happy baby you are and you just smile and smile.  You have  been to many firsts this month: the Rainforest, the Cleveland Zoo, and you have been swimming!  At first, when you are in the pool, you aren't sure of what to make of it, but after that, you start to splash and have fun!

Things you are doing this month:
-Blowing raspberries, and as of the other day, clicking your tongue.  You also say "dadadadada" over and over.  And you SQUEAL and SCREAM constantly.

-You drink 4 8-ounce bottles a day, a fruit/cereal mix for breakfast, a fruit for lunch, and a veggie for dinner.  I have started giving you puffs and yogurt melts and you like those too. 

-We have a nice little summer routine going (although I wish you liked to sleep in).  You are ready for your first nap about an hour after you wake up and it ranges from 1-3 hours.  Then you take a nice afternoon nap as well and you usually nap for a total of 4-5 hours throughout the day.

-Still no teeth, even though you have been teething for what feels like forever.

-You are so good-natured that it truly amazes me.  You rarely cry and if you do, it is usually for a good reason.

-When you are around your friends (Ian, Ellie, Addison, or the other kiddos and babies you see), you just sit and take it all in. 

Little man, I love you to the moon and back.  Thank you for making my life complete.

My life as a SAHM (for 3 months)

I am so excited to be a part of a guest blogging series about being a stay at home mom over at my friend Karen's blog, and even though I work full time for 9 months of the year as a high school English teacher, I volunteered so I could talk about my life as a working AND SAHM during the summer months. Pop on over there to see what I had to say about being a SAHM (for three months of the year!)

And now, cuteness.