My Baby Is Three!

Hard to believe that three years ago today we were leaving the hospital with a bundle of pink. I remember feeling a wave of emotions, pride, exhaustion, nervousness, and sheer joy. I couldn't wait to bathe her, change her, kiss her , and see all of her firsts. Funny to think that you could love someone so quickly and that your life can change in a blink of an eye. I can't imagine my life without Addison. She make life so much more enjoyable. There are some definite hard times that I struggle with patience and yelling almost daily but I would never want to go back to life without Addison. Seems like when either Kevin and I have run out of patience the other is cool, calm and collected. I firmly believe that is no accident it is Gods doing.
Every year on her birthday, I like to read her birth story, even though she doesn't pay attention or could care less since there are no pictures I like to read it to her. I guess I feel that by reading it subconsciously she is listening to me and soaking in all event that took place on the most important day of our lives. I can remember it like it was yesterday but I still like having in writing word for word how the day played out. I'm very thankful that my Doula documented it for me. It is something that will always be a part of Addison's birthday.
This year for her birthday I wanted to do something different. I decided to do a breakfast birthday with Pancakes and Pajamas. If there is one thing that gets to my heart it is kids in pajamas. I couldn't wait to see all those tiny little cuties in the PJ's. Plus we got to stay true to our Sunday morning tradition of breakfast. If there is one food Addison does love it is Pancakes (Cakies). We have been having breakfast with my parents and grandpa every Sunday since Addison was born. There have been a few skipped Sundays but we try and keep it a pretty regular occurrence. We used to have a Sunday dinner with Kevin's family and Grandpa but it came to a stop when Grandpa passed away. It love to have something to look forward to each week. So I thought what better a way to celebrate turning three then to include everyone in one our family Sunday breakfast.
Every year I get super excited weeks before Addison's birthday and begin working on invites, decorations, theme, etc in preparation for the big day. Every year I know she will never remember all the details of her day or even the fact that she had a birthday party but I don't care it is super important to me. Kevin always laughs at me for going to so much trouble and every year I tell him the same thing- I don't care, I want to do it for Addison, I don't do it for any one else, I'm glad if people enjoy it but, I do it for Addison . It probably makes no sense to everyone else why I do this but , I love to do it and it is a fun creative outlet for me. I love parties, all the decor, the cake, the favors, it is all so exciting to see how it all comes together. This year I really wanted to make as much of the decor as I could- i love being crafty and it is much cheaper to diy. I had seen birthday signs on Etsy for $30-40 made from scrapbook paper. I thought it would be easy and cheaper to make my own and I can re-use it each year. I was lucky Laurel, had a cricket machine that cut out the letters for me. the rest I cut out my hand and strung dollar store ribbon through. I did order a make and Ruby clay figurines off Etsy since there is no birthday merchandise of them anywhere. I wrapped the silverware up like carrots, made up carrot baggies filled with goldfish, and created a vegetable garden of dirt cupcakes for the party- it was so fun and exciting to make. It was time consuming and I stayed up late a lot to get stuff done but it was worth it. If I could do birthday parties for a living I totally would that and home decorating. I just love to make things and create ideas from my head into real life. I knew as soon as I was having Addison how I wanted her room-shabby chic. I think maybe that is why I love art fairs so very much. I love to see things people have created- I love the way peoples minds work. Any how I'm babbling.
The day was so fun, everyone seemed to have a good time. I didn't get to enjoy the company as much as I would have liked to but it is hard to entertain and relax. As usual it was hard to keep Addi on track with opening gifts she was to worried someone else was taking her gifts, or she wanted to play with what she had just opened. Luckily Hayden helped move the process along. Glad someone like to open gifts. Addison like the toys just not the time it takes to open them.
The cake turned out very cute, very heavy but very cute. I plan on taking a cake decorating class this year so next year I can begin a year ritual of making the kids cakes. Fancy store bought cakes are nice but the thrill of creating something from nothing is so self gratifying and it is yet another away to appease the creative monster that lives inside of me.
The breakfast food was great and I was very thankful for Deanna who brought food, Donna who brought food, coffee, tables and cooked the sausage, Ty who also cooked, Rob who helped with the carpet in the basement and cleaned up downstairs, Keith who helped with the carpet and moved furniture, Jason who helped with the basement, Holly who contributed the OJ and Milk and helped get ready for the party,Jill who wrote out all the invitations and helped set up the party, Kevin who did so much I couldn't list If I wanted to, and my mom who cooked and provided the pancakes and bacon. We are so blessed to have so many loving family members and friends that care so much about our family that they take time out to help us. The party wouldn't have been possible without them. It was a wonderful third year of celebrating Addison's life. Looking forward to celebrating many more years and celebrating the new life that will arrive in May. Without family and friends life would be a very empty place. Looking forward to next year and all the planning and creating that goes into making a fun memorable day.
More pics to follow-- Holly was sweet enough to take pictures for us sicne there was so much going on.