Arden's First Birthday Party

This past Saturday we had Arden's first birthday party. I told Dave awhile back that I wanted to be the mom that had the cool birthday parties. They don't have to be over the top expensive, but just fun. I remember growing up with a friend who's mom always did unique things with us for birthday parties- scavenger hunts, blindfolded walks, etc. We were a lot older then 1, but I still aspire to be like her.

So we decided on a butterfly theme. Between my mom and I we went a bit crazy with the decor including everything butterfly from the standard balloons and plates, to realistic butterflies, to foam butterflies, butterfly picks for the cupcakes, etc. but it was fun. We invited all the babies of my yoga mom's playgroup that range in age from 15 months to 9 months, then my friend's kids that are 2 and a half and a newborn were there too. Thank goodness the weather cooperated and we were able to hang out in the backyard with the baby pool. The pool was a huge hit! The kids loved it! Arden sported her new bikini and got watered by Jacob so she would grow. Then we did cake and eggless cupcakes or yogurt for the kids and sang to Arden which she seemed a little overwhelmed by. She was a good hostess and seemed to love having all her friends over! We'll have to do the baby pool more often for playdates.

It was a great party and great end to her first year! Thanks for everyone that helped us celebrate!

Arden's First Year

That slide show and song pretty much sums it up. This time last year I was in HARD labor ready to bring my daughter into the world. I've already gotten emotional twice today and it's only noon. What's up with that? From what I hear first birthdays are hard on moms because we have to face that we'll never get those "baby" moments back. Some of those baby moments I'm fine letting go of- the sleepless nights, the smileless first few months.

But I still cherish the past year as the best year of my life so far. Everyday she gets more and more fun, but with that more and more independent and it's bittersweet sometimes. I can't even express how much my heart has grown and what she has taught me about myself without even being able to speak. Parenthood has been incredibly challenging, but incredibliy rewarding in the same moment.

So here's to you Arden Joan Drenzek- I love you, your daddy loves you, your family and lots of friends love you!

Happy Birthday little one- you will always be my baby.

The Dancing Queen!

Arden's shows off some moves to one of our favorite bands- Chatham County Line
She's got good taste!

Arden makes a friend!

Arden met a new friend! My best friend, Brittny's niece, Adison came into town on Sunday and the two of them met Sunday night. Adison is about a month older then Arden and adorable! She's walking and "talking" and seeing the two of them interact was hysterical! Brittny tells me that Adison speaks mostly in "Ds", while Arden babbles in other consonants and sounds as well. The funny thing was once they got to "talking" together, Arden just stuck with dadadada, too. Like it was their own language! I got this video of part of their conversation.

My mom has since given this translation:

"Hi, this is my table that my Noani gave me"

"I have a new red shirt"

"It has cool toys on it"

"I have a new red shirt"

"What do you like to do?"

"I have a new red shirt"

"I have a dog named Maggie who lets me climb all over her"

(Addison falls down)

"Get up! I have more to tell you!"

"I can get up by myself"

Arden squeaking, "Hey I just realized our names start with the same letter!" because of course we know our Baby Girl knows this.

"I can stand without holding on"

"Oh"

"I can walk!"

Arden grabbing Addison's shirt, "Booger!"

Mother's Day

Mothers and daughters

Were daughters and mothers

Not so long ago.

We give and take

And take and give

Along time's endless row.

Love is passed

And love received

To be passed on again:

A precious heirloom

Twice, twice blessed,

A spiritual cardigan.

I'll put it on

And treasure it,

The me I have received,

And when the roles

Reverse again,

I'll have what I most need.

So may our love

Go on and on,

A hundred thousand years;

Mothers and daughters,

Daughters and mothers,

Through joys and other tears.

~Nicholas Gordon

I thought this poem appropriate for my Mother's Day post because I got to spend my first Mother's Day with not only my daughter, but my Mom as well. My mom is one of my best friends and has made me be a better mom. We went to brunch and then Mom & I did some errands without the baby, which is a luxury these days! Then we got take out from the Olive Garden for dinner. It was nice day!

Our Civic Duty

So today is the North Carolina primaries and Arden and I voted! Well obviously Arden is too young to vote, but I'm exposing her to the process early! I strapped into the ergo and off we went to our local polls. Voting has always given me a nice sense of community and accomplishment, especially in years such as this when we all know this country is overdue for a change in the White House. I still remember feeling totally bummed and completely shocked at the results four years ago. I know politics is a touchy subject for people, which I find funny, considering people seem so quick to talk about other opinions with such ease. Why should how we feel about how our country is run such a taboo thing to talk about?
So I voted for Obama. Dave and I are both technically registered as Independents, but as anyone that knows us knows, we've always tended to fall into the farther left side of the spectrum and therefore usually vote democratic. Ideologically, I align more with Obama's stand on things, and I tend to like his campaigning and attitude more then Hillary. However, I think this election year is going to prove to be interesting as it looks like so many people are supporting the democratic side regardless of the candidate because they're so fed up with the current administration. Change is inevitable, and necessary for growth, we all know that. In the long run, I'll vote for whoever wins the democratic election. I'm just glad to be a part of the beginning steps of that change.

If you're walking down the right path and you're willing to keep walking, eventually you'll make progress. ~B. Obama

A Therapeutic Day of Planting

I've been feeling my thumb turning green lately and wanting to plant some flowers. I would love to say that I am a natural gardener, but I'm not. Nor is Dave. We're members of the Arbor Day Foundation, getting free tree saplings each year that we plant, and we have several plants that we have rescued and have maintained for years. We always mean well, but sometimes plants don't make it in our household, thanks to forgetfulness, our cat, or just mother nature herself. I was really wanting to plant some flowers this spring so Arden and I headed to Home Depot with a mission. Originally, I wanted to do the front bed and all the back porch pots, but finances and reality made me scale back my mission. I went to get hanging plants for the front and back, and whatever struck my fancy for all the pots on the back porch.

Taking a baby by yourself in a shopping cart to Home Depot in the garden section proved to be entertaining in itself. Arden was in a great mood, talking to strangers and smiling and laughing at me and anyone that even glanced at her. She "helped" me pick out several trays of flowers as I pretended that we were having a conversation back and forth about the selection (I do this often, I think just to make myself feel better that I'm not talking to myself.) After 4 small pots, 4 hanging plants, 3 trays of flowers, and 3 bags of potting soil- all of which had to strategically placed in the cart to avoid Arden pulling the petals off, we were ready to get our hands dirty!

While Arden was down for a nap, I cranked up the iPod and successfully planted 2 planter boxes, 3 large pots, and 4 little ones, and hung the hanging plants. Once she woke up, I put her in the Pack & Play with me on the deck while she talked to the trees and I watered everything. It was a great afternoon and put us both in a great mood!