What's a Sleepover?

If I am ever reported missing, here are a few places I guarantee that you WON'T find me.

1) Running at the gym

Sorry, Gold's.  That membership was great the five times that I used it.  What's that, an average of fifty bucks a visit?

2) A cooking class

Betty Crocker herself would say my cooking's a crock.  And I'm not talking about the pot.

3) The cleaning aisle in the grocery store

One of Emerson's latest quirks is being deathly frightened of the vacuum cleaner.  It used to soothe her, but now when I turn it on (admittedly, rarely) she goes nuts.  Ryan has to take her out of the room for this once-a-month occasion...if I'm lucky.  But that got me thinking.

If being scared of this chore actually makes her exempt from it, then every time I see a duster, bottle of cleaning spray, broom, mop, you name it, I am going to go absolutely berserk with fear.

This will most likely result in one of two things.  A) I will never have to clean the house again, or B) Temporary housing in a mental ward will go on my permanent record.  Both options are viable.

If you get this 'Doug' reference you have reserved a spot in my "awesome friends" list.

I can hardly function some mornings, and I mean that sincerely.  One morning recently my coworker kindly tapped me on the shoulder, because I had my shirt on inside out.

And while at the doctor's office with Emerson for her one year checkup I looked down at my feet. Her appointment was at 4:30 in the afternoon, and in that moment I realized that I had been wearing two different shoes the entire day.

Even the kids and parents in the room were laughing.  One girl said, "I thought you meant to do that!"

One rule after this checkup? No more bottles for Emerson.  Sippy cups only- Doctor's orders.  Boy, was that difficult the first couple of nights.  Taking hamburger meat out of a shank tank may have been an easier task.

But we have made lots of progress and are daily entering new toddler territory.

So...what's a sleepover?  Emerson has been awake for two hour periods during the middle of the night for the past several weeks.  I finally discovered that if I physically get in the crib with her she's happier.

Remember that Madea scene where the floor says, "Help ME!!!" when she walks over it? That's probably how our crib feels.

In all seriousness, my mother insists that she saw a grown adult Dad on Youtube who has done this with his son and has proven it to be an effective sleeping method.  Maybe we are both smart enough to think alike, or maybe we're both off of our rockers (pun intended), but at this point I'll do anything to get her to sleep.

So there we are, the two of us, snuggled in her crib.  But one is wide awake.  What's a sleepover, anyway?  It's when I'm sleeping, and Emerson is stepping all OVER me while yelling, saying "Dadadada" very loudly, banging the crib, rubbing the headboard as if she's cleaning it, pulling my hair, and hitting me in the face.

That's a sleepover.

So excuse me if I can't finish sentences, don't remember why I walked in the room, forget stamps on the mail, and cooked a pot of beans without ever turning on the eye.  Yep, guilty as charged.

And pardon me while I carry my one year old that I love with every part of my being and step over the baby gate with the grace of a Tyrannosaurus Rex while kicking a stuffed animal out of the way, making a clear path to her bedroom for what will most likely be an unsuccessful attempt to put her down in the crib...but not before using my toes to pick up a blanket on the floor to wrap around her, and all the while swaying her from side to side like a pendulum so she will relax.

Now I understand why psychotic patients rock. 

But evidently Emerson is catching on to something, because I usually rub and pat her to sleep once she's calm enough.  In an effort to get her to go to dreamland I pretended I was asleep one of the last times I joined her in the crib.

That's when I felt HER patting and rubbing ME.  It was absolutely hilarious.  I was desperately trying to fake sleep, but it was so funny and it tickled so much that I died laughing, completely undoing the previous half hour I'd spent getting her to sleep.

But for every exhausting night there are one million things to which I can look forward:

Leaves turning in beautiful, fiery, shades...pre Christmas decoration debates...a waistline that's beginning to expand...

These reasons and many more serve as evidence that the holiday season is upon us.

I have been meaning to document the "AB" era of our lives for the past few weeks.  That's "After Birthday" in case you're wondering.  However, I was hindered when the hard drive on my Mac became completely full (I can't imagine with what....1,000,000 videos and pictures, perhaps?).  Anyway, two daycare payments later I had a new hard drive installed at Best Buy with over 3 times the memory/storage.  That should at least last me another month.  Hahaha.

"We've got Mrs. Moody right where we want her..."

I was super excited about taking Emerson trick or treating for the first time.  Halloween will always be a special day for us, because last year it was the day that we brought our baby girl home from the hospital.  I remember this vividly, as the DSS lady who came to our room that morning to discuss Emerson's birth certificate was dressed like a witch.  True story.

Halloween 2013 flashback:

I debated about what Emerson would be for Halloween this year, and I fell in love with this poodle costume.  I also decided to customize a dog house for her.  It's amazing what one can do with some cardboard, spray paint, poster board, and half a brain.  Did I say half?  I meant more like one fourth.

"If this little poodle keeps me awake one more night she's going in the dog house!

Happy HOWL-oween to all."

She particularly enjoyed the Dum Dums, while I always go for the Smarties. Although, Ryan always reminds me that eating Smarties does not make one smart.

I was super happy that we were able to take Emerson trick or treating at FBC!

The next weekend was one we had been anticipating for a while.  The newest MOODY granddaughter, Maddie, made her first trip to Dillon.  And she is PRECIOUS!  

There is an equal amount of love and exhaustion in our eyes.

The grandparents and great grandparents are smitten!

That afternoon was Aria's first Birthday party.  Aria was one of Emerson's ONEderland guests just a few weeks ago!  It was now time to celebrate princess style.

That evening was a shower and pig pickin' for Reagan and Hunter Jordan.  They are an AWESOME couple, and I can't wait for their big day.

I always wondered where the name came from, but "pig pickin'" is a pretty accurate phrase.  I dissect all meat that I eat because I hate, I repeat HATE eating a piece of fat.  It gives me the creeps.  Now I know why they call it a pig pickin', but the truth is that I do this with everything I eat...steak pickin,' chicken pickin', fish pickin'....I think you get the point.

You picked pigged the right one, baby.

The holidays are upon us, so can't we be honest with ourselves?  Dieting is a lost cause at this point.  Might as well wait until January...but that month is so depressing, so we should procrastinate until February and drown our sorrows in bags of Cheetos while catching up on all the TV shows that will return in 2015.  But golly gee, those chocolates are too tempting to pass up on Valentine's Day, so you better wait until Easter.  Oh, wait.

Gotta eat then, too.  So how about late spring or early summer?  The diet will have to wait until after the Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day cookouts.  But then there's my Birthday in October! I must have cake.  And cheese fries.  And Halloween candy.  And wait...isn't it time for the holidays again?

One of Ryan's most memorable quotes lately was the following conversation that we had last week:

Me: "Ryan, are you going by the gym after work?"

Ryan: "Yep, I'm going right past it."

ZOOM!!!  See ya, Planet Fitness!

At least motherhood gives me enough of a workout on a daily basis.  During our last Stride Rite trip Emerson ventured into the Employees Only inventory room about TEN times.  How in Heaven's name am I supposed to fish my debit card out of my pocketbook, balance another box of shoes on my lap that I'm returning for the 5th time, because they won't fit, find my Stride Rite "rewards" card (and I use that term loosely, because a tiny pair of shoes will set you back about fifty bucks), all while chasing Emerson around the store and TRYING to stay in line?

Free boots to anyone who wants to work the register!

These boots were made for shoppin.' 

I am inundated with store emails and shopper rewards cards.  And I get so tired of being asked to buy something in front of Wal-Mart every time I go in.  I understand some causes are good, but at some point too much is too much.  Maybe I just want to get in and out of the store quickly.  One of the last times my parents and I went in Wal-Mart late one evening we actually parked at the opposite entrance to avoid the "salespeople" at the first one, and out of NOWHERE a lady darts from around the car beside us to ask if we wanted her to restore our headlights.  She had two teeth and what appeared to be a bottle of 409.  I hadn't even unbuckled my seatbelt yet, and she wanted to repair our headlights to new factory status in the middle of a Wal-Mart parking lot at 8:00 PM.

Come on, not even these guys would fall for that.

Her offer made about as much sense as the grape jam McDonald's put in my bag last week to go with my cheeseburger.

???

Sometimes life just doesn't make sense. Sometimes things happen that we didn't see coming.  Other times, we have time to prepare.  I'm grateful for those times.

My grandfather has had an up and down battle with his health for the past 2 1/2 years.  He was rushed to the hospital during a heart attack back in August, and it was discovered last week that he had more, severe blockages around his heart.

My grandfather is an extremely smart man, so much so that he questions things.  Things about science, the Bible, Jesus, and the list goes on.  It's okay to have questions, but the beauty is that it only takes the faith of a child to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  Think about it.  The follower who has a doctorate in the ministry and the child who accepted Christ at seven years old will both be with Jesus.  While we should strive to know more about the Bible, the actual extent of our knowledge is not what ultimately determines eternity.

So I had a long talk with Papa, and in addition I spoke to him in one of the ways I know best.  Through music. A couple of Fridays ago I heard this song on the radio and couldn't get it out of my head.  The next day I decided to record it.  Here is Chris Tomlin's new version of "Jesus Loves Me."

Jesus Loves Me

I ask for your continued prayers for him as he will finally be released from the hospital tomorrow for a 2-3 week stay at a rehab facility. 

As we head into an exciting week full of fun, fellowship, food, fat,  and family, let us be reminded that the Creator of the universe has provided all things.  He gives and He takes away, but what He offers is so much more than we can imagine.

With every passing year families experience sadness and heartache for those who are no longer here, especially during the holiday season.  So while you're giving thanks for the food on the table, safe travels for your family members, good Black Friday sales,  and a Carolina or Clemson win remember that someone has paid a price for everything you're enjoying.

A Belk employee is missing time with her family so that you can shop.  The weatherman is at work alerting you of a cold front while you're snuggled in bed with your heated blanket.  Restaurants and grocery stores are open around town so that you can run out and get the one item you forgot for your recipe.  Be kind to those people, even if they don't return your smile.  Let's make a big impact this Thanksgiving with one of the simplest yet most effective things known to man: a grateful heart.

Happy Thanksgiving week, friends!

You Only Turn One Once...

Some of the most famous moments in history are as follows:

1) On July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence was signed 

2) On October 1, 1971 Disney World held its grand opening

3) And on October 25, 2014....Emerson's first Birthday party went down in history books

"Four score and seven hundred balloons ago..."

Last winter my Mom, Dad, and brother were in my parents' bathroom giving Emerson a bath.  For some reason we decided to make it a family affair.  We had just gotten home from another child's Birthday party, and I was thinking while talking out loud to her. 

"Emerson, I can hardly WAIT for your Birthday party.  I don't know what I'll do yet, but it will be a WONDERLAND!"  Like ONE, get it?  And just like the movie...Alice in..."

And then, divine intervention came from above, and the best possible theme for her Birthday hit me like a wrecking ball..."Emerson Alice in ONEderland!"

1) Her middle name is Alice, 2) She's going to be ONE...it was an absolute match made in Heaven.  In that single instant my mind opened up to all KINDS of possibilities, ideas, and projects for her party.  I went absolutely mad.  Pun intended.

Over the months my obsession grew.  I lived, dreamed, and breathed this party.   I wanted it to be unforgettable.  Outrageous.  Mind blowing.  

Fortunately or unfortunately I am wired this way.  I want everything to be over-the-top.  When I was little I had to "collect them all" in the happy meals.  If I liked one shirt I wanted it in three colors. This party was no different.

Here's the challenge- that I loved- about this party theme.  You won't find ANY "Alice in Wonderland" decorations.  Anywhere.  I scoured every party store in the state.  Frozen? Barbie? Mickey Mouse? Cowgirl?  You can find almost anything except Alice in Wonderland.  But that only expanded my imagination.

I practically wore the hinges off the doors in Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Jo Ann, Carolina Pottery, and any other store that had remotely whimsical merchandise.  Then I made a mad dash for the crafting session like Jack Nicholson in The Shining.

Tulle and ribbon are on sale this week???  YES!!!!

You see, I was literally in my hospital bed recovering from giving birth when a thought ran through my mind..."I get to throw her a Birthday party! What am I going to do???"  I was thinking about it even THEN!

A constant question I got from my parents and Ryan was: "Why are you doing all of this?  She's only one.  She won't remember it."

I'll tell you exactly why: because I will remember it. Our families and friends will remember it. It will be in her scrapbook. It is my first time ever throwing a Birthday party, and it will therefore be a spectacle.  Number two, she will enjoy it in the moment, and that's what matters.  Number three, if I must go on...do I really remember every detail about my class field trips and church trips? Not exactly, but I wouldn't have missed them for the world.

For the past several weeks I frequently received packages in the mail.  Surely our mail lady was curious.

"Attention, warehouse workers.  Another shipment for the Moody party is departing.  I repeat, another shipment for the Moody party!!!"

"But we JUST had fourteen packages yesterday!"

"I know..."

The larger packages were mailed straight to Dillon so as not to raise Ryan's blood pressure.  My Mom called me up a month ago and said, "Katharine!??? What are these two massive boxes on my front porch?!"  

"Oh, no worries, mother.  Those are just the balls for the ball pit."

Totally necessary, obviously.

All the preparation, online browsing, Pinterest marathons, shopping, cutting, gluing, drawing, painting, folding, shoving, breaking a few things, ribbon tying, etc. came down to Wednesday of party week when Emerson Alice and I headed to Dillon.  That's when official preparations began.

Meanwhile, enjoy this live footage from Hobby Lobby.

I decorated our church fellowship hall for the next three days.  It was an absolute marathon.  I also enlisted the expertise of Sue Darmon, a good family friend, for her help with the centerpieces and some other items.  She is one of the kindest people you'll ever meet, and she worked so hard with me as well tying bows, making various items, and bringing other fabulousness to the table.  Literally. She even helped us clean!  She is an angel.

The events that unfolded in the days leading up to the party depicted true Carlson mishaps and misfortune.  At some point ALL of the following scenarios took place: my Mom and I locked ourselves out of the church, my Dad insisted that I take a break and actually eat something, and I went to Hardees to find out that they were OUT OF BISCUITS?!?, we made three trips to get the projectors working and brought a cable box instead of the DVD player, the register at Sams went out JUST as we had unloaded all of our things, there was a random man lingering in our church lobby that a staff member had to run off, I realized after hours of work that I didn't have the proper wall adhesive, so MANY of the decorations fell, resulting in hanging them ALL over again.  This happened about three times, and I may or may not have lost it a time or two.

It's HER party, and I'll cry if I want to...

The balloons I ordered online required a special type of inflation, so my Dad and I took two cars to Florence in case they wouldn't all fit once they were blown up.  The ladies at Balloons, Etc. were SO NICE, and they suggested that we blow up a couple of them ourselves.  That was free, and it would also give us more space in the car.  She gave us long straws to start blowing them up for a trial.

This is the last straw.

You have to picture this: we are exhausted and weary from climbing ladders and barely eating or sleeping for days at that point..and here we had driven thirty miles to blow up balloons with straws.  It was completely hilarious.  There was a specific way that we had to inflate them, and my Dad's face was turning red when he said, "This balloon is taking forever to inflate!  It's so slow!"  Then when he looked down and realized that it was a SNAIL we absolutely died laughing.

The tortoise wins this race.

Naturally, I had to commemorate "Birthday Party Eve" in a special way...

'Twas the night before Emerson's first Birthday party,

and all through the town.

The guests were sleeping,

because tomorrow we'll throw down!

Balloons are flying,

Ribbons are tied,

There is an explosion of decorations,

And the paint has dried.

Planning such an occasion is certainly no joke,

I'm tired, part insane, and somewhat broke.

But the event will all be worth it, I hope and I pray,

After all...shouldn't life be a party every day?

Finally, at 12:00 pm on Saturday, October 25th, it was time for our family and friends to witness the inner workings of my months-long ONEderland obsession.  An invitation that was equally formal and fancy was only appropriate.

At least I decided against hiring a King to hand deliver the invites door-to-door.  Maybe next time.

When guests arrived I wanted them to enter a different world.  

I wanted to replicate our wedding reception.  Ceiling decorations can really give an event that extra something special.  I think we came pretty close.

There was a special surprise guest who would make an entrance during the party.  Hint: the footprints on the floor as you entered.  I also had two slideshows on each side of the room; one was of scenes from the original Alice in Wonderland movie, and the other included hundreds of personal pictures and home video clips.  

The cake table!!! I wanted to make it extra dramatic.  I had been working on this chalkboard on and off for weeks.  I was THRILLED when this beautiful canvas came in the mail, and I layered some tablecloths and fabric on the table. The cake was exactly what I wanted.  It was also DELICIOUS!!! Thanks, Karen Lane!  The glitter issue (mentioned in a previous post) arose from making the numbers on this clock.  I was originally going to use those for her month 1-12 pictures, but then I got another idea.  This clock was the final decoration I made for her party at 2:00 am the night before.

Any smears you see are the result of Miss Emerson.  In hindsight, I guess it gave this a personal touch.

The PLAY area!!! I wanted kids to have something to DO at the party.  Something totally fun.  So I found this Play Hut tent with all kinds of detachable pieces, a six foot tunnel, an ABC mat with extra blocks, and I filled this large, inflatable pool with 1,000 balls.

The play balls are currently residing in Uncle Jay's room until further notice.  They will surely make a good Thanksgiving surprise in a few weeks!

For the older kids I created "Imagination Station" where they could color their favorite character from the movie or decorate/monogram a hat for the photo booth.

A photo area at a party is a must!  I drew and hand painted each of these figures back in July.  I worked tirelessly and then had to buy special scissors that would cut cardboard.  I was thrilled with how they turned out.  They almost look as if they popped out of the movie and into the room to join the party!

One of the highlights of a first Birthday party is the cake smashing.  I wanted to do something extra dramatic with Emerson's high chair, so I decided that an overhead canopy would give me the effect I was looking for.

I made the "Emerson Alice in ONEderland" banner using cardboard cake baking circles and scrapbook paper.  Then I painted and glued wooden letters from (where else?) Hobby Lobby on them.  They fell THREE TIMES before we got the correct kind of adhesive that would hold properly and be safe for the walls.

I had a beautiful cloud backdrop behind these letters, but the first time we put them up it fell down a couple of hours later, splitting the banner in half.  Imagine if you will a cloud background.

Sue did an INCREDIBLE job with the centerpieces.  Would you look at the detail on this one bird cage alone?

This was a table of "one" paraphernalia, along with her month 1-12 pictures.

I debated for months on what to do for the party favors.  Taking after our wedding reception again I finally decided to record "In My Daughter's Eyes," a song made famous by Martina McBride and also included home video footage and hilariousness from her first year.  The DVDs were 30 minutes in length and required dozens of hours of recording, creating, editing, labeling and burning 100 individual discs on my Mac.

You can see the song and video here on Youtube!

I was absolutely thrilled when all the guests started to arrive.  I could not WAIT to see everyone and get this party started!

First we all feasted on 600 nuggets from Wendy's, sandwich trays, peanut butter and jelly, little weenies, assorted chips, phenomenal cookies, handmade chocolate suckers, Gatorade, sodas, water, and juice.

Personalized napkins and sugar cookies: divine details.

The ball pit was enjoyed by ALL ages!  It was totally therapeutic.

Soon after the meal, Emerson fell into a deep sleep.  She was sleeping so soundly that when I tried to wake her up her head just bobbed around.  Unbelievable.  Perhaps I should have held the party at 2:00 am.  Anyway, I did what I had to do and went forward with the party in the midst of her snoring!

I had the white rabbit come running in the room after lunch.  He was late for a very important date!  I enlisted a dear, awesome friend, Hannah, to wear a rabbit mascot costume I found online.  That resulted in another phone call from my mother several weeks prior... "Katharine, there is a rabbit costume on my doorstep.  Really?!??!"

  

YES, really!  The white rabbit entrance made the party EXTRA special!

While Sleeping Beauty was still getting her rest I decided to open her gifts. This ribbon banner took a long time to make, but I was pleased with the final result!

I opened the gifts in a flash, because a few people had to leave before we cut the cake, and I therefore felt it was necessary to go 100 mph.  Next time when she's actually awake I'll let her do the opening and enjoy each item.  We DEEPLY appreciated everything she received, from precious outfits, jackets, books, and PJs to musical instruments, tea sets, toy buses, stuffed animals, a stroller/tricycle...and much more!  I am almost through with my thank you notes to each person who generously gave us a gift.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I was FINALLY able to awaken her somewhat to smash her cake, but as it turned out she was completed fascinated with the rabbit instead.

The Emerson Moody front row fans.

The little ones had a blast with the crafts and hat making.

I was absolutely thrilled with Emerson's first Birthday pictures, taken by Sarah Thomas Hughes of MadSky Photography.  Accidentally locking my Mom's keys in the car after this session was totally worth these beautiful pictures she captured of Emerson.  Here are just a few highlights.

I was over the moon when I found out that Sarah had a baby grand piano prop.  

Emerson and I both celebrated milestone Birthdays just 27 days apart from one another, so I decided to commemorate the occasion in a special way...with our own personalized, numeric crowns.

Note: this idea may only be cute in her younger years...hahaha!  (Can you imagine us wearing "22" and "51" hats at her college graduation?)

Months of party preparation + three days of set-up + five hours of cleanup = 

Special thanks go out to the church staff, those who helped us move chairs, tables, and doors, and my parents and friends who worked tirelessly to put up and take down what seemed like millions of objects.

...But I still had more celebration in me!  Ryan was on vacation last week, and since Emerson's actual Birthday was on the 29th, I invited some friends over and recreated ONEderland in our house.  The fun truly NEVER ends!

When Birthday turns into Birthmonth....

First on the agenda was decorating our Mad Hatter hats!

...and then taking pictures in the living room photo booth! Grandaddy and Daddy popped in earlier that day to say hello to the Birthday girl and then continued hunting.

Since she wasn't asleep for this soiree, I didn't exactly have to pull her leg to smash this cupcake.

This episode was promptly followed by a bath, but I admittedly enjoyed her vanilla icing scent.

Were the parties over?  NOPE!  Nanny and Papa joined us for a delicious Birthday lunch on Friday with Honeybaked Ham sandwiches and sides.

I think it's safe to say that Emerson Alice is now officially partied out.

Her fir$t Birthday was a $ma$hing $ucce$$, and I don't think I left out a $ingle detail for the occasion.  My next step is to open a Birthday $avings account in addition to her college one.  Good GRIEF!

I can imagine writing my will one day and listing the specific items up for inheritance: flower balloons, feather decor, bird cages, colored ribbon, vases, decorative bugs and snails, cardboard cutouts....

What am I supposed to do with THAT?!?

Truthfully I have enough decorations in storage for Emerson's retirement party.  But it was exactly what I envisioned, and I wouldn't have done anything differently.

In the past year I have witnessed Emerson's first crawls, steps, words, and so much more, but I pray that I am allowed to be there for her first day of school, heartbreak, lost tooth, first performances, future Birthdays, college move-in day, first job, her wedding...oh, HEAVENS what will I ever pull out of my hat for that?!

Let's have time stand still in 2014 for the sake of my emotions and wallet.

At 4:25 am on October 25th, 2013 the Heavens opened up, and God put an angel under our care. This reward did not promise to be easy all the time, but it is beyond anything I could have ever asked or imagined.

2014 has definitely been a year of firsts, but we normally don't think about the lasts.  Emerson Alice, there will be a last time that I make a bottle for you (which is coming soon, God help us), a last time that I pick you up out of the bathtub or buckle you in the car seat, a last time you'll reach your arms up for me to hold you, the last time I'll carry you into daycare versus you walking beside me, a last time that you'll call me Mommy, and a last time that we'll hug heart to heart and cheek to cheek.

We have officially had in you in our lives for 365 days.  Every season, every month, and every day has been made whole by your presence.  You are the sunshine in my heart, the smile on my face, the light in my eyes, and the beat in my step.  I love you more every minute of every day.  My heart has exploded.  There is nothing like the connection we have when we lock eyes and laugh together.  I have a best friend that is about 30 inches tall but is still able to be silly and connect with me on a level that only we understand.  I pray with everything that I am that I will be by your side for many, many years- from your first steps in the family room to your first steps down the aisle, because when Daddy and I said "until death do us part" on our wedding day, we were talking about you, too.