Stella's 2nd Birthday Bash!

Yesterday was the I-Keem Party and today I am slam wore out and sore all over. It was a great party!!

We hit a few roadblocks. Toby and Dad worked on building a step to the deck all day on Saturday...and didn't finish (they are LONG steps...) so with 30 minutes to spare, Toby finished the steps before the party. THEN as I was putting the finishing touches on the set-up, a HUGE black cloud rolled over. We decided to pack everything up and move it all next door to Mom and Dad's house. They have a wrap-around porch that is covered so we thought that may save us all from getting drenched. That was a smart move - there was a short, but intense, rain storm about halfway through the party. I was flustered at having to move everything as people are arriving (I wanted to have it all set up and pretty - you know me...) but oh well. Everyone survived. And it was a really nice party! (Mom and Dad saved my butt AGAIN... I am so beyond thankful for them.)

And now for pictures!

The Invitation. I am going to open a business strictly for ice cream party related items..because there are none!!! Let me rephrase - none that I wanted. So I ended up making my own.





Decorations. I got most of the flourescent ice cream accessories at the Dollar Store! All of the sundae dishes, spoons, scoops, etc... I was STOKED!









I-Keem!!

















Cake and Cupcakes made by our friend Julie. These were so special to us. And a big hit! DELISH.



















My Aunt Sunah is the most creative person (and new scrapbook recruit! hehe!) and LOOK at how she wrapped her gifts. I about died.




The birthday princess! (Hat from 2nd Cousins Sarah and Brandon)












I'm very proud of the hairbow I found at "Once Upon a Child"





Too excited to eat I-Keem





Blowing out the candles. She sang along and clapped at the end. Happy Birthday is her new favorite song...Grand Entrance into the kitchen where everyone was waiting! (Tricycle from Papaw and Yvonne.)





















Eating Ice Cream Cupcakes!









Opening the 50 bazillion presents...





She would not get off the tricycle. LOL! Uncle Greg helped.









Rock n Roll!




Uncle Matt and Kristen gave her a soft Dora blanket that she instantly wanted to use...





And the final pic of the gifts...opened and displayed on out dining room table. She's not spoiled at all....





My daughter is so well-loved by our incredible family and friends and it's OBVIOUS - not only on her birthday but every single day - and for that we are forever grateful. LOVE TO ALL.

Please visit this link to see ALL of the birthday pics of our family and friends.

I want to play again!!!!

Comment and ask me to take pictures of any aspect of my life that you're interested in/curious about -- it can be anything from my favorite shirt to my cell phone to my car. Leave your requests as a comment to this entry, I'll snap the pictures and post them back here. It's like a glimpse into my world!

Copy and paste this into your journal and give a glimpse into your world too!

She's TWO!

I always knew the time flies...but I never TRULY understood until I had a child. And I watched as she changed and grew every single day. Sometimes WITHIN a day - I swear she grew while I was at work! She's a blessing and a joy and the light of our lives!!

We didn't do too much yesterday for her actual birthday since Sunday is the big "I-Keem Social Party" but I did make a "Saucy Pudding Cake" I found on kraftfoods.com. It was so good. Here is my abbreviated version of the recipe.









Neh-Neh and Bapaw came over later to give her presents and bring her balloons. I caught their expression at the door when they saw Stella - I love this pic!





Dora Balloon!! Dora = Obsession these days!




Opening Presents




















Dora and Mermaid!!!





Performing brain surgery to get the dang dolls out of the box. GEESH.




Not to make this about me, but I need to wear make-up ALWAYS. Scary! But whatever, it's me and my girl - and that's all that matters.

Happy Birthday from NYC!

We got another wonderful parcel in the mail yesterday! When I got home from work, it was sitting on the table and Stella was BOUNCING around the living room yelling "present!!" Toby made her wait for me to get home to open it. :)

It was another amazing gift from Uncle Donnie. Here is his note:

For Miss Stella O. on the occasion of her birthday!

Happy Birthday my darling Stella O!
All my love to you, dear one, on your birthday. Please find enclosed some heavy reading for your library. Your loving uncle was unable to arrange for the most important part of the gift which will arrive a bit later, if you will please excuse me. Thinking of you and your Mom and Dad often! And looking very much forward to your first visit to New York City!
All my love,
Uncle Donnie

Here are the books for her library - all are NYC related. HOW COOL.




Wonder what the rest of the gift is?? I mean, what else could he possibly do - he has already done sooooo much for my daughter. Donnie, if you are reading this - you are amazing and I appreciate you and I love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Opening her birthday presents from Uncle Donnie!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Announcement!

Nope. It's not what you think it is. :) Far from it.

I have started a new business venture and I am VERY excited about it! I have joined my friend Kim in Texas and I am now an independent consultant with a company called THIRTY-ONE GIFTS. (Click on the name to check them out...)

And before I start babbling, just LOOK AT THE CUTE STUFF!!!

Slideshow of Spring/Summer Catalog.


Ok, let me tell you about the company.

I looked long and hard for a reputable company to join as a side-business/opportunity. I am not a "Pampered Chef" girl although I love their products. The Scrapbooking venture went kaput when the company closed (oops!) I thought about candles, tupperware, and printing services/stationary.... Nothing struck me....until I found THIRTY-ONE through Kim.

THIRTY ONE is a faith-based company and the name is derived from Proverbs 31. The verse describes a virtuous woman who worked out in her community for her family and deserved much reward. The Company mission is to CELEBRATE, ENCOURAGE, and REWARD women for who they are. WONDERFUL concept, huh? I love it. But, you know what really sold me?

THE REALLY REALLY REALLY CUTE STUFF.

Stationary, Home Accents, Personalized bags and purses, etc. I would buy everything in the catalog for myself. Every single thing. THAT is what really helped me make the decision to join the Company.

HERE IS MY PERSONAL THIRTY-ONE WEBSITE. PLEASE VISIT!!! AND PASS ALONG!!!!
http://www.mythirtyone.com/creekmore

Now, I need your help. I want to ask you to please book a party with me. Let me practice on you!

I know, I know. The dreaded home party. But it won't be like that!! I'm not a presentation type girl, so you will not sit through any boring sales pitches. THAT I can assure you. What I CAN also assure you is that you will hang out with your girl friends. You will eat and drink. You will laugh and chat and view the products in person and SHOP. I will do all the work - you will sit back and have fun!!

If you can not host a party in your home, would you host a catalog party? Or an online party - if you are one of my long-distance friends? Would you set a catalog on your desk and let your co-workers shop?

I am excited about my new venture for many reasons. I hope you will help me get started by sharing the word of my new business and remembering me when you need a really cool, unique, and FABULOUS gift for someone you love!!

America's Next Top Model

Since Stella will be 2 in a couple weeks (Good Lord I can not believe it) we took her to Portrait Innovations for her 2-year photos. This was the best session ever!!

The tu-tu outfit and headband is a "dress up" outfit that Dad's boss' wife (got that?) sent home with Dad one day for Stella to play with... Her granddaughters had grown out of it. I thought it would be cute to capture her in something that totally symbolizes "this time in her life." And this outfit was better in the photos than her Dora doll with the crazy, matted hair.

Here are some of the photos from the session - remember they are not cropped or fixed....

Enjoy the pictures of my (almost) TWO YEAR OLD.

Earlier....

....I was pissed at my husband.

It's just funny (not really) how he can say "I'm just going out back to feed the dogs real quick" and then 2o minutes later I look out our front window and he's chillin' like a villian in a lawn chair with half the neighborhood while I am dealing with monster-child who had a 10 minute nap and hasn't eaten more than one macaroni noodle all day long. I mean, WHAT would happen if I did that and didn't check in and report my every move? What if I just walked outside to do something "real quick" and end up shooting the shit with the neighbors for an hour?

So in my peeved state, I took this photo for proof. Looks pretty darn relaxed, doesn't he? LOL... He has made best friends with the neighbors and I am proud of that..... HOWEVER.



I'm over it. Because it happens nearly every night and I'm pretty used to it. I was just especially frustrated tonight.

ANYWHO.

I had a nice day off. We met Aunt Cece for lunch at Noodles & Company and a stroll around Kohls where Stella fell in love with some oven mits.

What? It's a HOLIDAY weekend?

So THAT'S why Stella is sick.

GAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's a sick (ha) joke that my child gets sick only on holidays, causing us to miss family events. Let's recap:

My 30th Birthday
Christmas
Memorial Day
July 4

And I am sure there are more I am blocking out. It sure seems like a lot more.

Poor baby is sick as a dog and just sits and stares at me. It's like she's too weak to talk. She's puked quite a few times today already...and is holding her sippy of apple pedialyte. She hasn't drank any yet though...

We were supposed to head to John Bock's house for a July 4 picnic today. Cece is in town (have not seen her in FOREVER) and July 4 has always been their "big deal." Now that Carol is gone, they are still continuing the tradition and it was really important to me to go for that reason alone. PLUS, I wanted to show off my daughter.

I am especially pissed because I know where this came from. I didn't trust my gut when someone told me their child had just "eaten something bad" and brought them around Stella... You best believe that in the future, I will not be scared to be the bitchy mom. No matter how irrational and kooky I seem.

Now I'm paying the price. Actually, poor Stella baby is paying the price. :(