Love is All You Need

I'm not going to lie-- there are times when I really wonder what in the world we were thinking when we decided to live off of one income. I really start wondering this when I browse blogs of perfect strangers and see elaborate birthday parties thrown for their kids. Or when a picture pops up on my Facebook feed of someone I haven't seen or spoken to in years enjoying some expensive, tropical vacation over Christmas. And I'm not even saying that I would do those things if we had the money (I mean really, hundreds of dollars on a one-year-old's party that he/she won't remember-- not very practical, no offense if you're someone that would do that though, I'm just practical--on the other hand, I'll take the tropical vacation). But still, the fact that I couldn't throw some elaborate birthday party for my kids even if I wanted to, sometimes gets under my skin, despite the fact that I know that even if Eric were working, his entire paycheck would be paying childcare for our two kids. So instead of an overwhelming amount of presents, I watched my little guy tear into a few simple things that he's been playing with non-stop since he opened them.
Instead of paying hundreds of dollars to rent out a space and have someone else entertain the kids, we crammed into our house, snacked and visited, and the kids made foam robots (he had a robot-themed birthday).
Instead of spending a lot of money on a cake, I made a cake, did my best frosting it, and watched my little boy cautiously poke his finger at the frosting and lick just a little bit before deciding he'd rather have some banana puffs. And afterwards, we watched him tear into a few more presents.
And really, two days before Christmas, I was overwhelmed with the amount of love shown for my little guy. I was so afraid that only Brennan's grandparents, great-grandparents, and aunts would show up. But friends stopped by too and made his (and our) day.
Then there was Christmas. Our house is cozy and you can still barely walk through it despite having moved many toys out of the living room and to the basement playroom. But there is no doubt in my mind that my kiddos are loved (by us, by family, by Santa).

(Cate playing with a magnetic dress up bear set that my grandmother made for her)

I deliberately didn't take any pictures of Christmas morning as I wanted to be in the moment and not behind a lens. Pictures above are from Christmas Eve and later Christmas Day.

I say all this, because the lesson I've been reminded of these last few days has been this-- sometimes, love really is all you need (I love The Beatles).
Expensive birthday parties and exotic holiday trips are nice if you can afford them. But as I cuddle up in my new pajamas while Cate really gets into playing Playmobil and Brennan zooms his cars on the floor and my hubby listens to some new vinyl, I find that I really can't ask for much more. I've kind of got it made, really. A loving husband who is a fantastic father, two beautiful children who light me up with their smiles, a home full of love and history that comes with a mortgage cheaper than the rent we used to pay, family that is there for us in any situation, friends that laugh and grow with us. That's a whole lot more than most people have. That's a whole lot of love too, if you ask me.
That love may not buy a whole lot, but really it's priceless. Besides, we're saving up to take that awesome, exotic trip in 2014-- when we celebrate 10 years of marriage!

Love and peace to you all! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

~Melody :-)

My Sweet, Sweet, Boy

Dear Brennan,
Your presents are wrapped.
Everything is waiting for you to wake up.
I've scheduled this post to publish at 4:13AM, the minute that I met you exactly one year ago.
I never thought another boy would steal my heart. Up until now, your Daddy was it for me. But then you entered the world after 21 hours of labor that resulted in an emergency c-section and you had my heart from your first cry.
You were a perfect early Christmas present. You made Cate a big sister.
You showed Mommy and Daddy just how possible it is to love two kids so much!
Your smile and laugh are infectious!
You are such a smart boy. We've already heard you say "Mama," "Dada," "doggie," "cat," and "fish." You are curious. I'm pretty sure making car noises is a skill you were born with. And man, do you have an arm!
Thanks for being patient with us as we learned to use cloth diapers. And to make your food. And as we figured out that it wasn't a sensitive reflex, but big tonsils that caused you to gag so much.You were a great roommate for the entire year that you bunked in with Mommy and Daddy, not even stirring when we'd giggle to 30 Rock or Modern Family.
You crawl fast and cruise the furniture. You point at everything and want to know what it is. You are pure joy and delight and blessing all rolled into one perfect package. We love you so much! You are my sweet, sweet, boy! I'm excited to see what year 2 brings!

Love,
Mommy

First Birthday Fun: Part Three- The Big Party

Yesterday was Cate's big birthday party. It was mostly family and a few close family friends. But before the big party started, we took Cate to Portrait Innovations to have her picture taken in her dress from Bloomingdale's (thanks Jessie). She hammed it up with the camera and I wish I had hundreds of dollars to spend to buy each pose, but we picked the best one, bought a package (so we'd have pictures to hand out at her party), and the biggest print is already hanging in our living room (hence the poor quality below...it's a picture of a picture in a frame).
I'm big on tradition and my mom always made our birthday cakes...even the complicated ones (like my Rainbow Bright one). So of course, I had to make Cate's cake. I ended up making two since we were having so many people- one chocolate and one yellow. I think they turned out pretty well considering I'm not much of a cake decorator.
Cate certainly loved digging in.
And speaking of tradition....my grandmother (mom's mom) had cross-stitched birth announcements for all 5 of her grandchildren. Cate is the first great-grandchild and couldn't be left out of the tradition. Her birth announcement is beautiful! My grandmother had it framed and everything for us and it is now hanging above Cate's dresser in her room (we've been saving that spot for it).
Cate really cleaned up at her party too. Our family and friends are way too generous with her. She got some cute spring and summer outfits (sundresses, rompers, and my sister couldn't let a party go by without getting her something Polo- two shirts to be exact- I think she needs to take out stock in Ralph Lauren). She got some fun indoor toys (maracas, a cookie jar shape sorter, a phone that says her name, a little giraffe that prays with her) and some fun outdoor toys (a sand and water table, petite-size patio furniture, a big bubble wand, and a wagon). I'm looking forward to spring. We didn't put the patio furniture or the sand and water table together yet, but we did put together the wagon. Cate tried it out last night with Nemo (Eric's parents' dachshund). She loved it! We've also been wheeling her around the house in it this morning and are hoping to take advantage of the warm weather and get outside with it today.
Eric and I still can't believe that our baby is growing up. A year ago yesterday was our first night home from the hospital with her. Cate must have remembered what a rough night that was for her (she wanted to be held and thought it was daytime-- Eric and I took 1 hour shifts holding her while the other slept), because she woke up just before for this morning ready to play. Thankfully my husband is a champ and sat out in the living room with her for about 40 minutes until she started acting tired. He rocked his birthday princess back to sleep and she slept in until 8:30, we were almost late for church!

They really weren't kidding when they told us the time would fly by.

~Melody :-)

First Birthday Fun: Part Two-- Krohn Conservatory, First Happy Meal, and a Cupcake

After we managed to pull Cate away from her new piano, we decided to head to Krohn Conservatory-- an absolutely beautiful greenhouse near downtown. With Cate's congestion and cold, this seemed like a better option than the Children's Museum where she would have probably picked up more cold germs. Plus, the climate is very steamy in the Conservatory (which is why some pictures may appear blurry), so the steam helped to loosen everything in her chest up. Cate was fascinated by everything. I took her here once over the summer, but she was much more responsive to everything this time.
She particularly loved the waterfall.
And by some upside down tree roots.
In the new Early Spring Blooms exhibit, she got to play in sand.
We made a birthday wish in the fountain before leaving, but we can't tell you what we wished for or it won't come true.
After that, we headed to McDonald's to get Cate her first Happy Meal. While I love McD's Sweet Tea, I rarely eat there-- in fact I don't remember the last time I had McDonald's. I think it was last summer. So it ended up being a little treat for us all. Cate loved her nuggets, fries, milk, and toy.
Even more fun awaited her at home. We sang happy birthday to her, blew out a candle on a cupcake, and let her dig in.
Our birthday celebration for the day is pretty much over. Cate is getting ready to nap and we have a Team in Training spring season kickoff party tonight. We'll leave you with a little video action of it all.


~Melody :-)

First Birthday Fun: Part One-- Breakfast and Presents

At some point in time during the last year, I decided that I would take Cate's birthday off of work (so did Eric). As a working mom, it's just one thing I don't want to miss. Plus, I figure in the future I'll need the day off to bring those yummy cupcakes into school. :-) Anyway, needless to say, our little peanut is one today! And Mommy and Daddy are not at work-- we're home celebrating!

We got everything ready last night so that she'd see the balloon tied to her high chair and her presents on the table when she woke up.
We had a special pancake breakfast. Small silver dollar pancakes + whip cream + strawberries = a layered, yummy, breakfast cake. Although the whip cream lost its stamina on the hot pancake.
After breakfast, Cate wasted no time tearing into those presents.
Box number one = a pretty summer dress to wear to church, out to dinner in Hilton Head, and anywhere else that warrants a cute dress.
And box number two....
...was a small, toy piano (but black and shiny so it looks like a miniature version of the real thing).
She banged out a tune right away. Clearly the piano is a hit. We're not sure what we're going to do this afternoon (besides let her destroy a cupcake). We were going to go play at the Children's Museum, but Cate has a lovely cold along with her ear infection and I'd rather her not pick up more germs.

More birthday fun to come later and the big family get together is this weekend!

~Melody :-)