Not Just Another Mother's Day

What's more magical than Cinderella's pumpkin coach?

...and Aladdin's carpet ride?

That's easy: my first official Mother's Day and Emerson's dedication- on the same day!  This weekend was so sweet it could put Skittles out of business.

I knew I wanted to do something extra special for Emerson's dedication; I just had to figure out what.  And then it hit me: a themed dinner in her honor, full of special touches and surprises.  I could make that happen, right?

Fortunately for the economy and unfortunately for my wallet, we are very close to a Jo Ann, Michael's, AND Hobby Lobby, so I set out on a mission.  Me walking in a craft store is comparable to Thomas Edison conducting experiments in the lighting department at Lowe's; the ideas start exploding.

The lightbulb is coming on; literally.

I've checked the fabric and paint aisles; now let's try "seasonal decor."

Some spilled paint, many hours of crafting, and several debit card swipes later we were ready for Emerson's dedication dinner on Saturday night.  It was only fitting to have her initial on the front door; after all, she rules the home.  I painted monogrammed crosses to incorporate throughout the house and each guest (parents, grandparents, great grandparents, and uncles) got a keepsake cross to take home with the date on the back and decorated with pearls.

I looked all over for a chalkboard, and when I found one, let's just say it took "vintage distressed" to a whole new level...but that was nothing some sanding and paint couldn't fix!

My Mom sent me out that morning to get an arrangement for the dining room table.  I ran in Wal-Mart and grabbed the first pink thing I could find.  She looked befuddled when I came back.

"Well it's lovely, honey, but it's a plant.  This goes in your yard."  Oops.

Don't worry; no dirt made its way onto the dinner plates, and let's just be glad it wasn't fully grown...

"Hey, Ann, can you pass the salt?  I can't see it."

What's a celebration without cake?  I was most pleased with this beautiful work by Tiffany's bakery!

Emerson's month 1-6 pictures were displayed in the dining room.

And that got me wondering...can you imagine if we all kept pictures of ourselves each month as we got older?  Hahaha!

Frames documenting each month of Abraham Lincoln's life.

A couple of weekends ago I went through sweet Emerson's clothes so that I could store the things that are too small.  Several of the outfits were too meaningful to put in the attic, like the dress she came home in, her first Christmas outfit, etc.  How could I make something special of these?

I decided to display them on the fireplace during the party with tags and dates on each one.  

"It's a girl! 6/20/2013."  That was the day of our gender ultrasound.  Other items included her newborn hospital blanket and hat, Thanksgiving and Christmas outfits, the onesie I bought to tell Ryan that we were expecting, etc.

I also brought several of Emerson's "artifacts" for display.

The balloons were blown, the ribbons were tied,  and everything was in place.  What's left? The princess, of course!  Here she is awaiting her guests.

This sweetheart makes our world go round!  (And sometimes even turns it upside down!)

When everyone was seated inside I announced that we had a big surprise.

And no, it's not what some of our family members thought...

Family pet?

Moving?

Another....wait, WHAT?!??  Sorry, folks.  The stork already came on 10/29/2013.  

Emerson was surprising them with her first time in a POOL!!!  Both sets of our parents have asked non stop when we were taking her swimming.  We wanted to be fair, and while we have a beautiful pool in our neighborhood, the odds of all our family members being here at once were slim...so we brought a pool home with us!

While she adores bath time, she wasn't too big a fan of the colder-than-usual water.  

Bless your heart, baby.  I feel the same way when I open my emails at work each morning.

Then we chowed down on fried chicken, pork loin that Jay seasoned himself (AMAZING!), brown rice, cornbread salad, sweet potato souffle, cole slaw, green been casserole, and other things that I omitted from my plate due to pickiness.

After dinner we watched my latest slideshow of all new pictures and video footage for the past six months.  Even Emerson watched!

Then we filled up on cake.

Someone grabbed the icing...

It was such a special evening with our families that I'll never forget.  The next morning was the official dedication!  One weekend last month Mama and I searched every baby store within a 50 mile radius to find the perfect dress for Emerson.  I don't even like throwing her daily daycare reports away; of course I'd make a big deal out of her being presented to the church as we dedicate her life to the Lord.

When I found this detailed Lauren Madison gown I knew it was the one.

Emerson and her doting servants family members.

Emerson, Isaac, Trace, & Hudson were all dedicated during the service.  My nerves were slightly on edge when I found out that she'd be sitting in the sanctuary, but thankfully she conducted herself just like a little lady!

What exactly is a dedication?  It's important for me to explain that this service focuses on the parents' role in their children's lives.  It is a public promise we made before God and many witnesses to raise her in a Christian home.  At this point, sweet Emerson doesn't really "know" about Jesus.  I believe it's our job to teach her about Him and keep her involved in church and activities where she'll learn of His love and will one day prayerfully accept Him as her Lord and Savior.  

Special occasions call for portraits!  When I made CDs for my wedding guest favors I had my picture taken on our piano.

It only seemed fitting to keep the tradition alive!

After church was the annual Mother's Day lunch with Ryan's family.  I'm willing to bet that Emerson was passed around more than the sweet tea and offering plates this past Sunday.

A few weeks ago (actually on Good Friday!) my awesome friend Brandy took some "Mommy & Me" pictures.  I'll cherish these forever.

I have now experienced my first Mother's Day, and quite frankly, it was like Christmas.  It was absolutely so special, and I never realized just how much this responsibility entails.  Every day - every SECOND - revolves around the fact that I'm a mother.  It has also given me just a grain's worth of insight to how much my mother did for me.  The endless rocking and bouncing Emerson to sleep, fixing bottles at 3:00 am, cleaning bodily fluids off of every fabric and surface imaginable, washing my hair once I start to receive strange stares, getting her ready each day, keeping her entertained, and that's just skimming the surface.  Even when I'm sleeping I'm "on call."  But the role of a mother is a precious gift.

The Lord created a miraculous little girl with His merciful hands and out of everyone in the world He chose to place her with us.  I will never, ever take for granted my little girl; she is what my heart looks like.

There are so many things I'm looking forward to that I can't even count them all.  Each day as I learn new things about her I become more and more grateful. 

Before we left on Sunday to head back my family was helping us pack in a frenzy, as usual.  They were asking us all kinds of questions... What about the pink wreath? The crosses?  Want some cake to take back?  Where do you want to store her dress?

Mama finally looked at me and said, "Katharine, I enjoyed every minute of it, honey.  I've never seen such."  And that set my mind ablaze.

Just wait until her first Birthday!!!

Veggies & Wedgies

Some events call for massive celebrations.  Like...

1) The first man to land on the moon.

2) The royal wedding of 2011.

Oops.  I meant this one.

3) A team winning the Super Bowl.

And....

EMERSON SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT!!! CONSISTENTLY!!!

That calls for a big ole HALLELUJER!!!!

Maybe now that I'm able to get a full night's rest on many evenings I'll be able to resume normal, everyday tasks such as actually washing my hair, making sure I have on two of the same shoes, and (gasp!) applying makeup before leaving the house each day. 

I imagine most women sitting in front of a beautiful vanity station each day as they apply their "face."  Want to know what my makeup station consists of?  The inside door handle of my car.

I concentrate on the essentials if I don't want to frighten anyone: foundation, lipstick, and eyeliner.  Blush and mascara are reserved for extra special occasions, as the other items will get me by without screams from coworkers, customers, the local Bi-Lo cashier, you get the point.

This spring season has been appropriately named in our case.  We've had more activities and events than Prince George during the first few months of his life. Last weekend was Laurel's wedding.  She and I have been friends for many, many years, as evidenced by this collage:

For years we performed together in piano and dance recitals, but today is the ultimate show. Happy Wedding Day, Laurel!!!

Rehearsal:

Wedding time!  We had a blast, and it was so beautiful.

 My wedding/engagement/maternity/newborn/AMAZING photographer, Valerie, was there working her magic.  I admire her talent SO much, and it was awesome to see her, as well as my FABULOUS caterer; when Rick's is involved, you know it's going to be the picture of perfection!

Aside from "I do" and "Who gives this woman to be married?" the most notable quote from the wedding took place while I was looking at the reception food.

"Excuse me, but what's the difference in these two kinds of green beans?" I asked another guest. "Well, honey, the difference is that one of them is asparagus."

Green bean imposter!

Will the real veggie please stand up?

I had so much to do last Saturday that I woke up Sunday morning at 6:30 (the time I usually arise unwillingly during the week) in an absolute panic.

"JAY, I'M SO CONFUSED!!!!!"

"What?"

"Yesterday was Sunday, so that means....AHHHHH!!!!"

"No, today is Sunday."

I froze in terror for several seconds as the sunlight streamed in the windows; I thought that it was Monday morning and I had forgotten to drive back home.  What am I going to tell my boss??? What about my meetings??? What about daycare???

I imagine I was making the same face Ryan made when I told him I wanted a pair of Tory Burch shoes for Mother's Day.

Well, you asked, Ryan.

Speaking of work, I walked in our sales meeting last week with no portfolio.  After a one minute search of my work bag (that consisted of dumping it over) I realized that it was not there.  This may leave some of you wondering where I left it for the day.

The best use for a work portfolio is a Nintendo Wii stand.  And you can quote me on that.

We've gone from quotes to notes.  Music notes, that is.  While practicing in my parents' living room last weekend I smelled what I thought was wedding flowers.  I turned around and...

Me: "Hey, who sent this gorgeous arrangement?!?"

Mama: "The bank.  They made an error with one of our checks."

Me: "Man, I wish they'd bounce one of MY checks!  I love those!!!"

Customer service meter explosion

And while we're talking about numbers, a sweet baby girl turned SIX months old last Tuesday.

HALF a year old already?  It's a good thing that I've already contacted the CEO of Toys R' Us about her first Birthday party.  Just kidding...sort of.

Her hair color and clothing size may have changed, but one thing remains since the day she was born, and that's a love of eating.  Before most meals she's more ravenous than a lion judging a hippopotamus pageant.

"AND THE WINNER IS...."

GULP!

And now she has meltdowns if she's not at the table with us in her high chair while we're eating dinner.

What?  I just want to be part of the family!

And what better a way to commemorate turning six months than with a gourmet favorite: pureed green beans.

She did not like the airplane zoom.  Eating is no funny business to her.

Gimme that spoon, Daddy.  You're not feeding me fast enough.

Ahhh...that's more like it.

We'll have to regretfully decline the Queen's invite to dinner until we establish some table manners.

Every good eater needs good exercise.  One fun activity includes flying around on Uncle Jay Airlines.

We always travel with a damage control bag, and I don't mean wipes and medicine.  I'm talking about TOYS.  The success rate of the brightly colored animals, startling squeaks, and lights keep her entertained and at peace for hours.  But when I carry this bag-o-goodies around I get strange stares as I walk by...especially when the Laugh & Learn dog goes off.

HUG ME!

TUMMY TIME!

THAT TICKLES!

WILL YOU BE MY FRIEND?

LET'S COUNT!!!

I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!

YAAAAYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!

Suspicious package puppy alert...

But hey, whatever works!!!

We also had our latest official six month checkup with our fabulous pediatrician.  At 19 pounds she is in the 96th percentile for weight and the 99th percentile for height.

For those of you to whom these facts mean nothing (admittedly I was in your shoes until she was born) this means that out of 100 children only one would be taller than she is at this point and only four would weigh more.

If only these companies would merge...

Despite being strong enough to punch the nearest kid in the nose who would look at her the wrong way, she is just a big cuddly teddy bear.  She smiled and giggled at every single person in that doctor's office, including but not limited to: the receptionist, the lady who asked about our bill (the insurance STILL isn't straight- their company logo needs to be a toilet), the nurse who weighed her (my biggest fear as a kid), our awesome pediatrician, the Winnie the Pooh art on the wall, and even the nurse who delivered her shots.  You would have thought the lady had just informed her that she'd be getting her first ice cream cone.

She cried for about five seconds until I picked up her red faced, teary eyed little body and she looked right back at the pain inflicting nurse with the biggest grin.

"I know you tried to hurt me and all, but I still like you, anyway."

All doctors should have the right to care for patients this sweet.

We also had a lovely and equally hilarious visit with my grandparents on Friday.

1) While letting them talk to my parents on Facetime they promised me they'd only use it for a minute or two so it "wouldn't waste the film on the camera."

2) I later noticed something different about their living room, and the following conversation occurred:

"Nanny, what happened to your mirror?"

Her eyes dart to my grandfather with an I-told-you-so look.

"JIM, THAT was the crash last night!!!"

"Oh, Heavens, Wendy!  I thought it was the garbage folks!"

"And I thought it was someone in the apartment."

Lightbulbs start turning on.

"Well, I was close; It WAS inside the apartment.  And Jim, we both ate lunch and watched television in here all day and never noticed it."

"By Joe..."

3) While playing games with Emerson in the playpen, my grandfather says, "LOOK, Wendy!  She's trying to SAY something!  Let her talk!"

We all listened for ten seconds when Emerson accidentally bumped the notorious learning puppy, but Nanny didn't see that.  All she heard was a baby voice say, "HERE IS MY FOOT!"

SHE'S A GENIUS!!! Nanny almost jumped three feet.

"Wendy, that was the dog."

Stay tuned for my next speech entitled, "These are my hands and legs."

There is absolutely never a dull moment with them.  Forget P90x; just go to their house for the laughing abdominal workout of your life.

Next weekend is going to be an EXPLOSION of fun- Mother's Day, her baby dedication, a special dinner in her honor, and much more excitement.  Guests will include the princess herself...

And her maid.

Stay tuned!!!