Rory's Birthday Party

Rory's 3rd birthday party was a LOT of fun.  I did a cookies and milk theme and it seemed to be a big hit. Instead of doing it at our house, we did the party at the church where Rory goes to MDO.  It worked out really well and since it was a beautiful day, the kids even got to play on the playground a bit.

We had chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin cookies, as well as Oreo cookie cake balls and Kissie pies (as well as a meat and cheese tray and goldfish too). 

These are the cartons of milk that all the kiddos got to take home.  I made them on photoshop, had them printed and then cut them out and assembled them.  I admit that I saw them online somewhere in the past few months, but instead of ordering them, I figured that i could do them on my computer and save a little $$.  They did turn out really cute.  I did little "to go" boxes for the kids to put their decorated sugar cookies and a carton of "milk" in to take home.



Rory's first friend to show up.  L is SO cute and she has twin sisters that are 5 months old.  Love her and SO glad that she and Rory are friends.

The cookie decorating station.  I had done a gazillion sugar cookies, iced them in royal icing and let the kids decorate them with edible markers.  It was a big hit and it was a lot less messy than doing sprinkles and stuff. 

The birthday girl and her giant cookie cake.  She was SO excited that everyone was singing to her.  I  still can't believe she is 3.

All of the little kids helped Rory open up her presents.  She was so good and LOVED having help going through all the presents.

We were cleaning up after the party and these 3 were running around acting a fool.  They have the best time together, I hope that they are friends for a long time.  It helps that I LOVE their Mommies and we have become good friends too.  haha!

Well, that is it for the 3rd Birthday Party, it was a great party and we are so thankful for all of our friends and family that made the trek to Birmingham to be there for Rory's big day. 

3

I know I have been a slacker lately, but the month of November was consumed with sickness.  Rory had a cold, gave it to me, I developed bronchitis (which lasted 3 weeks) and I gave it to Kevin (who is still battling it actually) and then mine developed into an upper resp. infection and then Rory got an upper resp infection as well.  Goodbye November, good riddance!

I will post some pis soon...in the mean time, my sweet tiny baby, turned 3 yesterday.  3...as in a big girl...so, in light of that, my annual letter for her birthday.

Rory,

Yesterday you turned 3.  You are officially a big girl.  Daddy and I both took off work yesterday to stay home with you and told you that we would do whatever you wanted to do, the whole day was up to you.  You asked for a ride on the carousel at the mall, and to go to lots of toy stores.  So, that is exactly what we did.  As I sat you up on the reindeer on the carousel at the mall, and buckled the belt around you as you hung onto the brass pole with white knuckles, I was suddenly struck by the sight of your little hands.  The last vestiges of baby and toddler could barely be seen.  Long gone are the little rolls of fat at your wrist, but for the longest time, you still had the dimples on your knuckles.  Yesterday, I noticed, that they too were on borrowed time.  Your hands are beginning to look like a little girls.  I admit, a part of my heart was sad.  My days of snuggling you up, and your little toddler roundness melting into me are numbered.  It has gone so quickly, much faster than I could have anticipated.

You are a wonder my sweet girl.  You are all girliness and sass rolled into one.  You have such a big heart, and can't stand for anyone to be upset.  Your best friend A, at your birthday party on Saturday, was really upset when they got there, and you kept trying to hug her and tell her that it was OK and that you loved her.  My heart swelled with pride as you asked all your friends at your party to help you open  your presents with you, not caring for a moment that they were "yours."

We had lunch at Johnny Rockets yesterday and when they found out it was your birthday, they brought you a dish of ice cream with chocolate syrup and whipped cream and then they all sang you 'Happy Birthday'.  As they sang to you, you got timid all of a sudden and smiled that sweet smile of yours and ducked your head down.  Sitting there, with my arm around you, I could feel your back vibrating as you giggled that little girl giggle that I love so much and then it happened, after they were done singing, you lifted your head up, with a huge smile on  your face and said, "Thank you everyone."  I could have died, right there!  Oh, my sweet, sweet baby girl, my heart leaps with love and pride!

All day, you would say, "I am 3 years old, now I can ...." I want you to always know that, regardless of age, you can do whatever you set your mind to.  Last night, after you fell asleep, I went back into your room, as has long been a habit, and prayed over you again.  I thanked God that 3 years ago, in a hospital room in Birmingham, AL, we were blessed with the gift of you.  We never could have known, your Daddy and I, sitting in the hospital room the night after you were born what you had in store for us.  I remember sitting there, Daddy holding you all snuggled up in his arms and we just looked at you, totally in awe of this tiny baby, that knit us together so perfectly.

Last night, as I knelt on the floor next to your bed, I brushed a curl off of your cheek.  I love to look at you when you are asleep, I can catch glimpses of that tiny baby, all wrapped up in a blanket.  I studied your little nose, and the way that your eyelashes rested on your little pink cheeks.  I ran my finger across your sweet little hand and reached down and patted your little round toddler bottom.  Carefully, I scooped you up, careful not to wake you and snuggled you in my arms close to my chest.  For a minute, I sat there and rocked back and forth and just breathed you in.  Oh, these moments Rory, I don't ever want to forget them.  I sat there for a minute or two, just looking at you, and in my mind, thanking God for the blessing that you are to us.  I asked God to help us remember in those moments when you are so stubborn and hard headed that those traits, although difficult for us now, will come in handy when you are older and are battling for Christ.  I asked God to help you retain your sweet spirit and compassion for other people, but to help us to teach you to recognize people who might take advantage of you. I sat there and rocked you and tried to drink in every last second of you, on the day that you turned 3. 

I don't know how long I sat there, but as I began to lay you back down, you opened your eyes and said, "Hi, Mommy, I love you."  I said "I love you too, tiny girl", and kissed your soft, curly haired head, and you drifted back off to sleep.  I hope that you know how much those 3 little words mean my sweet baby.  I love you, to the moon and back, always will.  Can't wait to see what 3 brings you Rory, God Bless you my sweet, tiny girl. 

All my love,
Mommy

Stream of Consciousness

Rory,

I have taken a day or 2 to really absorb your little self and think about your 2nd birthday. I cannot believe that you are two. You are so very precious to your Daddy and me. I know that I have said it before, but you are such a blessing, more than I can ever express to you in words. The whole day of your birthday, Daddy and I would look at each other and say "at this time two years ago we were....".
I can still remember every detail of that day. I remember that right after you were born, you let out the biggest cry and Daddy and I looked at each other with our eyes as big as saucers. Here you were, all 6 pounds, 1 ounce of you...and you were TICKED! They took you over to clean you off and I told Daddy to go with you. You were not happy with the scrubbing and being messed with. That is until they wrapped your little squirmy body up and took you over to the sink to wash your hair. You immediately got quiet, tilted your head back and completely relaxed and just soaked in a little spa time...we still laugh about that. I remember when they gave you to me, you were whimpering a bit, but you looked up at me and immediately got quiet. Daddy and I just stared at you and loved on you and prayed over you and thanked God for the gift that you were.

Never in our wildest dreams could we have imagined how wonderful our lives had become. In an instant, there you were, and our whole lives had changed. I remember that we had planned to send you to the nursery at nights, so that we could get some sleep. Once you were born though, we just couldn't do it, we kept you with us the whole time, we just wanted to look at you and hear you grunt, even if it meant that we didn't get any sleep.

My precious tiny girl, you are my most impossible dreams come true. I never could have fathomed how rich our life would become with you in it. You, Rory Meredith, made us a family. You never cease to amaze me. I could watch you all day long. You are so sweet and precocious and undeniably smart. I have loved being your Mommy and watching you grow and discover. Recently, you and I have been having little conversations. You are so perceptive and nurturing, even at only 2. You get so upset when you think that someone is unhappy. I don't think that I will ever tire of those chubby little arms around my neck or the little kisses with your sweet little bowed up mouth.

I still find myself sneaking into your bedroom after you have fallen asleep and staring at you. I still find myself praying over your bed and thanking God for every second, of every hour, of every day that he has blessed us with. I still find myself placing my hand on your back and feeling that steady rise and fall of your breath as you slumber. I still find myself scooping your sleeping body out of your crib and cuddling you close to my heart just so that I can look at you. I still find myself whispering in your little ear that I love you and I am so proud to be your Mommy and praying over you. I still find myself sitting on the twin bed in your room and rocking, back and forth...back and forth, and just absorbing my time with you, all snuggled up warm, in my arms. I still find myself, amazed at you.

Again, this year, I looked around at your birthday party and marveled at the number of people who were sitting there celebrating with us. You have such a wonderful group of people around you, and we have such wonderful friends and family. Those people sitting in our house this past Saturday were there, not because they had to be, but because they wanted to be. They all love us; you, Daddy and I; and that is what it is all about my darling girl. Love...and lots of it.

Rory, always know that Daddy and I love you and we will support you in whatever you do. Always know that we will do everything within our power to give you the tools to help you grow, learn and flourish. I can't wait to embark on our 3rd year together...just do me a favor and slow down on this growing thing...Mommy's heart can't take it all so fast!
All my love,
Mommy

2

 It is official, we have a 2 year old.  The party was A LOT of fun.  I don't have editing sofware on the new laptop, so these are not that great, but you get the point.

Instead of doing just plain old cupcakes, and since ice cream was a little crazy in the middle of the winter.  I decided to make cupcakes in ice cream cones and then ice them to look like ice cream.  They turned out really cute, and were pretty good.

Chocolate covered pretzel sticks and the dum-dum and gumdrop trees.

 The tablescape.  I decided to instead of doing 'favors', we would do a little sweet bar, and let the kiddos take stuff home with them.  It worked pretty well and seemed to be a big hit with the kiddos.

 The marshmellow and peppermint topairy.  These turned out REALLY cute, and really weren't that hard, just a bit time cosuming!

 Kev wanted her to have a donut cake from a homemade donut shop in our town.  It turned out cute and was incredibly good!

 Rory's apron. 

 Before everyone got there and the party got started really well.  Sarah Grace and Victoria were there, and went to Gymboree with her that morning.  Once everyone got there, they (along with Charlie) hung out in the kitchen...you know, they are cool teenagers now.  Although, I hear that they were sad the whole way home because they missed us and wanted to stay (I did too...for the record, I don't care if they are 15...they are still MY girls.)

 The McClanahans.  Aubrey was so cute and had such a good time playing. 

 The 2 year old.  She did really well with everyone in her house.  She had just woken up from a nap and I went and got her dressed and when we came out of her room, she was a bit over whelmed, she warmed up pretty quick though and had a good time.

 Rory, Mia and Maci...and Woody.  She didn't know what to do with the candle, Mia and Maci blew it out for her.

 PRESENT TIME!!!!!

 Look at Brock and Rory.  They were sitting there and just put their arms around each other.  It was pretty cute.  They really do love each other.  When Brock got there, I was getting Rory dressed, he was looking all over the house for her.  He is so protective of her.

 Aubrey and Maci, partaking in a 'spot of tea'.

 The girls and their tea pots and Belle. (Thanks Candi, Wes and Aubrey...she took her to bed and is currently napping with her.)

 Trying on her dress up garb from Jason, Stacey and Brook.

To think that this day, 2 years ago, we were 20 minutes from meeting Rory.  Now, here we are, 2 years later and we just can't believe what a joy she is.

Happy Birthday, my sweet girl, happy birthday.

22 Months - 10 on Tuesday

I am apologizing in advance, these pics are going to be terrible quality.  I forgot to email them to myself here at work, so I copied and pasted them from the W@lgreens photo site and put the (c) on in paint here at work...it will have to do.

22 Months...as in almost 2 years old.   I can't believe it!  What a joy she has been, especially recently.

We took her to the pumpkin patch this weekend and she had a blast (except for the horse, NOT a fan).  We really enjoyed watching her too! I will try to get some of those pics up this week.

At 22 Months:

1.  Knows her ABCs, and recognizes a lot of the letters

2.  Will spell her name for you, even if you don't ask her too. ("R-O-R-Y dat spwels Rory")

3.  Will count things up to 20.  If there are more than 20, she just starts back over at 1.

4.  Is obsessed with Belle from Beauty and the Beast, 'My Zowski' aka (Mike Wasowski) from Monsters, Inc.

5.  Knows her right from her left

6.  Is carrying on little mini conversations, like this one we had on Saturday (while I changed her diaper):

• R: I need my pacie
• L: You don't need a pacie, Rory
• R:  I don needa pacie, Ima big girl
• L: Yes, you are a big girl
• R: I need my brush and cone
• (I had put them behind the wipes box when I laid her down, to attempt to hide them from her since I don't let her play with her sterling silver brush and comb)
• L: I don't know where your brush and comb are.
• R: I know day are, Mommy.
• L: You do?
• R: Day right in hind my wipees (sits up, moves the wipes, gets the brush and comb)
• R: I foun um Mommy
• L: Yes, Rory, you found them...how exciting.
• R: It Uh-mazin (Amazing)

7.  Refers to herself, and other people, as her nicknames.  "Hey Shugga Pwume" (Hey Sugar Plum), "Rory a Tiny-Guurl" (I still call her Tiny Girl), "I a Doll-Baby" (what Mom and Tim call her), "Hey Punkin Bwef" (Pumpkin Breath...don't ask me, ask Kevin) 

8.  Still takes her blanket, whom she calls 'Sweet Pea', and at least one other object to bed.  Sometimes, she takes a book to bed, and will open it up to one of the pages and lay her head on it and go to sleep.  When I go in to turn off her lamp before I go to bed, I have to sneak it out from under her.  Lately, it has been her Belle doll, and Goofy.

9.  Sings Ring around the Roses and wants you to get in the floor and "Fall down" so that she can laugh at you.

10.  Says her whole name, and it is too cute, "Rory Meh-dif Humfee."  Good thing her first name is not that hard, Meredith and Humphrey are going to take some practice!

Well, that is it for the 22 month post. 

Rory,

Today, you are 22 months.  It is so strange, 22 months seems, in some respects, like such a long time and at the same time, not that long at all.  Daddy and I were talking last night, about what a big girl you are and what a funny little personality you have.  It doesn't seem that long ago, that you were still a tiny, tiny baby. At night, when I get you out of the tub and wrap you up in your towel and sing 'Buntin,' I try to sing as slow as possible, since I know that this is the ONLY time of the day, that you will let me cuddle you up like a little baby.  You are growing so fast, and are such a clever girl.  Daddy and I couldn't me more proud of you if we tried. 

The other night, before I went to bed, I went in to turn off your lamp, just like usual.  I stopped by your crib and brushed the hair from your eyes and laid my hand on your gently rising back and I thanked God for every little thing about you.  I stood there and prayed over you.  I prayed that Daddy and I will be good examples of Christ for you, I prayed that He will place a hedge of protection around you and keep you safe and healthy, I prayed that He will show your Daddy and I how to parent you so that you will be a strong, noble, child of God, I prayed that he will hold you in the palm of His hand.  I thanked him for the gift that you are.  We prayed many a night together that we would be given a chance to be parents.  Daddy and I both thank Him every night for the gift of you.

Rory, I want you to know something.  I have wanted to be a mother since even before I can remember.  I used to play with my dolls and would try with all my might to imagine what it would feel like to have a little girl of my very own.  Never, in my most persistent wishes, could I have imagined what you would be like.  You are the most splendid thing I have ever known, and I thank God for every second that we spend together.  I can't wait to see what God has in store for you my sweet girl. 

You will always be my Baby Rory, my sweet Tiny Girl.

All my Love,

Mommy

21 Months...

We had a little tea party in Rory's room tonight and I snapped a few photos (I know they are dark..I don't have the energy to edit them tonight).

This is also the official 21 month post.  I can't believe that she is already 21 months old!  She is SO much fun and is constantly amazing me with how smart she is.  She is making whole sentences, and I mean...complete sentences, not baby talk.
I took her outside to try to get a few shots.  Instead I got these:

She kept pointing at the moon in the sky and saying "Goodnight Moon, Goodnight red balloon" and then she would say..."Mama...where is that cow?"  Too funny.

When she wasn't doing this, she was doing her best not to cooperate...but hey...Rory at 21 months...this is it...BUSY!

21 months...where has my tiny baby gone?  She has been replaced by Captain Sassy Pants...good thing that she is cute.

19 Months

19 Months...I can hardly believe it!  She is SO much fun.  She is talking in sentences.  Including telling me the other day..."Hey GurFend" (hey girlfriend) and if I am on the phone she will say "Mommy gimme dat phone" or she will bring the phone to me and say "I talka Daddy" meaning that she wants me to call him at work so she can talk to him.  She is a trip...we are really in for it, I tell ya this one is a motor mouth...I wonder where she gets that from?

The pics this month are not really portrait quality...but they are just Rory.  So excuse the quality, enjoy the sweet baby. (I haven't edited these besides adding the watermark, so the color isn't the greatest...sorry in advance)

Excuse the solar flare in the background...this look is 100% Rory...she is so happy and look at those little girl legs...where are my baby's chunky thighs going?

I know, it isn't of her face, but she will throw the ball for Nellie until you make her stop.  She yells "Gid-id Nellie, Gid-id" and Nellie comes running!  I had to capture it, and how can I resist those curls?

Do you see that place on her forehead?  Yeah, she hit her self in the middle of the forehead with a box at Target.  She didn't cry or anything, but it broke the skin a bit.  She asks for "meh-sin" for her head about 100 times a day.  She thinks it is hilarious to get the antibacterial foam stuff on her head.  She just giggles.

This is my favorite...I just love that little face and that little pouty mouth.  Well that is it for the 19 month update.  Hope you guys enjoyed!

To hold you over...First piggies and 18 Months.

It has been a full month thus far.  Between sickness (Rory-ear infection and Me-laryingitis), wedding, dance recital, my birthday and our beach trip, we haven't been home on a Friday or Saturday night in 4 weeks.  I am REALLY looking forward to just relaxing this weekend! 

Here are some pics to tie you over! 

First, this is a major milestone...her first piggie tales.

THe next 2 pics are terrible, and out of focus, but she was sick and not in the mood for pics.    They are the official 18 months pics and as such, this is what her 18  month birthday was...a little sick and on the move.

16 months

Sorry this is late...better late than never right?  I will be back with a better update soon. Promise!