New year and a 32nd Birthday

New Years always bring a fun festive spirit. Not only because it is a fabulous party night celebrated by the entire world, but because it's also my birthday! Yes, folks I am a new years baby. Now before you shout HOW COOL!!! let me tell you it is a hard birthday to have. You have to be a pretty spectacular person to compete with the World for attention on your birthday. Know what I mean. Well I think I pull it off just fine.

This year we hosted a New Years Bash at our home for friends and family. Complete with a balloon drop for the kids and way too much fabulous food. We had a splendid time and look forward to hosting again in years to come. It was wonderful bringing in 2011 with those we love and keep so close to our hearts. It is really wonderful to have such a wonderful group of individuals we can call family.

H4L and me at midnight AKA officially my birthday!!

I found it comical that at 10pm, after a quick watch check, I wasn't shouting to my friends, "hurry up, only 2 more hours to get your drink on!" as I have done in previous years. No, instead I found myself thinking, "Oh crapola, two WHOLE hours before midnight comes. Will I ever get to go to bed!?!" My, My, what parenthood does to a gal. Despite my partying days being far behind me, I still pulled out the "Boots" and wore them for a bit. Swollen feet from Critter2 reminded me pretty quick that stiletto knee high sparkles are beginning to be a part of my past. And perhaps not being able to Zip one boot up all the way might also be a strong indicator. Hmmmm.

Midnight balloons!!!

Baby DIVA falling asleep in aunt Ta's arms while watching fireworks. Who does that?

Me and the boots! 8 years and counting.

I hope your New Years was as blessed as mine. I am year older and definitely much more wise! Here is wishing you a fabulous 2011 as I embark on my 32nd year!!

Baby DIVA turning 2!

It is unbelievable! My precious Baby DIVA is going to turn 2 years old next week, on Thanksgiving Day no less. It astonishes me. Where has the time gone? How did she reach 2 years old so quickly? I am so excited to watch her grow but it also tickles a little nostalgia inside me. I miss her being so tiny and dependent on me. Now she pushes me away, whines when she doesn't get her way, is VERY independent and has to do everything her way, but she always flashes the sweetest smiles while doing so. Or perhaps it's a devious smile.

With this special day on the horizon, one might guess that a birthday bash is in the works. And BOY is it! Baby DIVA is having her very own Yo Gabba Gabba party this weekend. She loves Yo Gabba Gabba and although it is slightly annoying to me, and has a cult of pot smoking college kids following it, it is what my child adores, therefore my entire home will turn into Gabba land for a full day in honor of the one, the only, Baby DIVA.

Funny thing is, there isn’t a lot of Yo Gabba Gabba party items out there. You are shocked right? After pouring over the net and party stores, I finally decided to make Baby DIVA’s party decor from scratch. Yep. I did. And smart move on my part because I committed myself to this endeavor all while sporting some fabulous morning sickness with Baby DIVA’s little brother or sister. Smooth move mom. I simply must win Mother of the year this year. Hands down.

I found myself over on the Nick Jr website and let my creativity go wild. The website has tons and tons of printables with the Yo Gabba Gabba theme and characters. So, I printed them out and put them into play. Here are a few teasers of what Baby DIVA will find on her big day tomorrow!

Centerpieces

Goodie Bag Treats: Yo Gabba Gabba Silly Bandz!

Homemade Goodie Bags with awesome treats inside!!

Although we went the frugal route this year with Baby DIVA’s birthday, I think it has turned out amazing. We were able to purchase Yo Gabba Gabba plates, cups and napkins but the rest of the decor was made by me. It is exactly what I know my child loves and I cannot wait to share her big day with her! But she does have one special bonus. My Mother-in-law made Baby DIVA's birthday cake. And it is nothing short of spectacular. I promise to show you this masterpiece post party!!

Princess Party

Baby DIVA had a wonderful thing happen this last weekend. Her bestie turned 2 YEARS OLD!! And her bestie had a PRINCESS PARTY! It was totally awesome. the girls dressed up in cutesy princess attire and danced about squealing in delight and stuffing sugar in their mouths. The Birthday gal had a sensational bday and Baby DIVA was honored to be a part of it! So one more time Happy 2nd Birthday Lil Miss DIVA in training!!

She turned 30!!

Last week my SIL turned 30! You know what happens when you turn 30?

You don an apron and get to frying!

Only kidding! We celebrated my SIL's fabulous adventure into her third decade of life with a wonderful fish fry. Baby DIVA snacked on the yummy cat fish and french fries while playing with her cousins. At one point during this incredible 30th birthday celebration, a young party-goer hopped in Baby DIVA's daddys lap...

The situation was quickly rectified.

We had a wonderful time bringing in the thirties for my SIL! I hope she had a wonderful birthday and I am so glad she is in my decade now!! Happy Birthday Monica!!

My SIL Monica and me, two 30 something chicks with kids!

Birthday/New Years Recap

My perfect size Tiramisu Birthday Desert!

New Years Day aka My birthday. Each year is started off bittersweet. A fabulous new start but always a year older. This year was no exception. At the stroke of midnight I aged an entire year, from 30 to 31, but it wasn't so bad at all. I was in the arms of my beloved H4L and we kissed our sweet sleeping Baby DIVA and wished her Happy New Year as the minute passed and we watched me age and entire year. It was amazing though. A new year, a new decade, a new husband and a young Baby DIVA. Life really doesn't get any better than that!

I think she has had too many milk sippy's!


Baby DIVA, FEA BEA and me on New Years Day!


H4L and Baby DIVA on New Years Day!

We spent New Years Day dining on PF Changs with my family for lunch and enjoyed great conversation and drinks with H4L's family for dinner. In between family food festivities we strolled around in the gorgeous sunshine with a wee bit of cold slapping our skin, in the outdoor shopping centers and leisurely enjoyed each others company. I feel very blessed and very happy and must say I have a fabulous family of 3 as well as incredible extended family and in law family! It is nice and wonderful to spend the New Year and my birthday with those I love! H4L gave me a fabulous gift, the collectors edition of Sex and the City on DVD! Can you guess what I will be doing with my free time over the next few weeks? And so will he! heeheehee

My kid LOVES Calamari! Who would've thunk it?

*Free time is supposed to utilized by adorning my feet with sneakers and taking a little jaunt around the neighborhood, according to my resolutions. I am feeling butt planted to couch and eyes watching the SATC collector edition is more a reality!*

Midnight brings on the "31"

Here we are. The last day of the year. I should be jumping for joy! A brand new year to start. A brand new decade to conquer! Yippee! But nope I am quite sad. You see, at the stroke of midnight I age an entire year! Just like that in a single instant I go from the fun, fiery, and fabulous age of 30 to the old and horrible age of 31. In a mere second of time, the year changes, the decade changes and I become 31 years old. WOWSERS! Seriously, I don't know why they are not reporting my change of age right along with the decade change of GMA! It is a big deal!!

Several years ago this would not have been a problem. A few bottles of wine and a couple steins of beer followed by a splash of champagne and a few buttery nipples, the drink, although the drink might not have been the only buttery nipple! HA! I would not have a care in the world as to what age I was turning. As long as the world stopped still at precisely two minutes into the New Year and toasted, sang, danced and swooned all over me and my wonderful day of birth! I am not kidding. I made EVERYONE stop celebrating their new year and put me on a pedestal. I did really. I had secret motives though. I learned rather early on that New Years Day was a day that folks stayed in bed or really close to the toilets. If I didn't get them to celebrate me at the stroke of my birth date, it wasn't gonna happen. PS I too stayed incredibly close to my friend toilet for many a new years days!

Now however, I am a momma, pink haired and almost 31, but I am a momma. I now am concerned about those ridiculous drunks who dare to take the road late at night and jeopardize my darling Baby DIVA. I find myself a tad grumpy at the misfits who are popping fireworks before the New Year past 10pm at night. The oldie is creeping in. Baby DIVA, H4L and myself plan to ring in the new Year family style. Adult Drinks, Yo Gabba Gabba, sippy's of milk and lots of love! To some it may seem boring. To parents it will touch the heart in that perfect place!

Lets take a moment to look back at the last decade of my birthdays...

21: millennium birthday. Yep I turned the big 21 on 1-1-2000. Don't recall too much. Pictures can not be posted. If you were there, shhhhhh! I do remember being asked multiple times if my ID was a fake. And getting really angry because I had the coolest bday EVER and no one believed me!

22: Disease reared its ugly head. Spent 22 at home but very sick. Teased the dr's about pouring Vodka straight into my central line!

23: dinner at papasitos followed by bar hopping with K-teach! I loved bar hopping with K-teach!

24: K-teach and I were up to no good, just don't remember what no good we were up to!

25: Trip to New Orleans with some great friends. Got bit by a police horse right after midnight. And made a friend fall out of her chair laughing...over the phone! Saw a cemetery with some voodoo stuff and drank in the oldest bar in New Orleans. Had a wonderful time!

26: My dear friend Jenn married her wonderful husband Jon on 12-31 and I was a bridesmaid in her wedding. It was beautiful and filled with fun, love and lots of champagne (in the cutest little pink cans with pink straws, i must have a zillion).

27: Vacay to San Antonio with some more fabulous friends. I can recall sitting on a piano and being instructed by some loud speaker to demonstrate my drinking skills with a bottle of bud light. I can also recall showing off some fabulous dancing skills to Grease, in my knee high stiletto silver sequin boots. (still got these bad boys, may need to bring them out for H4L). And I met a young lad with my same birth date. We shared a cocktail, age and birth date and nothing more. we bored of each other and off I went to stir up trouble.

28: CHICAGO: arrived at my aunts to find their home had been smothered in EVERYTHING PINK in honor of me and my birthday. I ate it up! Saw snow. Puked on front stoop in snow. Really wanted fried chicken but was in little Italy. Toilet was my friend.

29: CHICAGO: H4L and I were dating and took a little vacay to my aunts in Chicago. We wondered around learning about each other and the city of Chicago. Made my first snow angel and danced and kissed in the snow with my future husband! Great New Year.

30: 5 weeks post birth of Baby DIVA. At home with family and friends. Felt really fat and old. Hormones mixed with birthdays don't mix. Don't try it!

But now 31 is quickly approaching (like only hours away). I think it is gonna be ok. I fell quite spunky and young. Of course I am still pleasantly plump, but I mean I share with you the fabulousness I cook up in my kitchen, so it is to be expected. H4L thinks I am wonderful and so do I! I love my life, my daughter, my H4L and all of my friends and family. I find myself laughing and smiling more than ever. So if a new decade and a new age of 31 are to continue with lots of love and laughter then I have nothing to be afraid of. I say BRING IT!!!

I wish everyone a wonderful New Year! I hope many good, wonderful and fabulous things happen to you all in the upcoming new decade and the year of 2010. I leave you now at the close of my final 2009 post and hope you remember to stop and scream to the stars

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PINK HAIRED MOMMA

at precisely 2 minutes past midnight! Don't forget now!

Happy New Year!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Baby DIVA's first EVER sugar. Her Birthday cupcake with mom and dad!!

Baby DIVA's first PARTY!!

This last Saturday Baby DIVA celebrated her birthday with a fabulous shin dig just for HER!! Balloons, streamers, cake, ice cream and lots of family and friends! It was absolutely perfect! Baby DIVA hammed it up and loved all the attention (imagine that). Thank you to our fabulous friends and family that joined us on this wonderful occasion. You helped make Baby DIVA's birthday a grand success!

We didn't host the largest bash of the century for our Baby DIVA's first birthday. I personally think that is silly. I planned her party as age appropriate for her. In between her naps. A very quick lunch (and ummm I introduced Baby DIVA to pizza and would you believe my petite thin child scarfed 2 whole pieces of cheese pizza all by herself?!? She has my skills!) followed by cake, gifts, a little play time and then down for a nap and party is over. I decorated the house with streamers that were at Baby DIVA's level and invited her sensory skills to kick in. I scattered balloons about the house on crawling level so that my Baby DIVA could engage in "chase the balloon". All in all it was a hit for Baby DIVA. And that is what is important. For HER to have fun at HER party.

And she did. And she had her first sugar followed by first sugar rush heathen child behavior. Awesome. No more sugar for her! LOL And she received a fabulous playhouse and tunnel as well as her very own couch from mom and dad. She digs it!

DIVA's Throne

Balloon pit

Big Birthday girl

H4L, Baby DIVA, Pink Haired Momma
Happy Birthday Baby girl!!!

MY BABY IS 1 YEAR OLD TODAY!!!!!

I am in total awe of Baby DIVA.

Today my darling sweet angel turns 1 year old. I can not believe 1 year has gone by. I have watched for the past 365 days as this helpless creature came in to the world barely able to open her own eyes. I have watched as she learned about life and grew into a tiny little person under the guidance of myself and H4L. I have watched as her little personality has crept up on us all and we can see hidden pieces of ourselves embedded in her mind as well as a whole new branch of a person growing each day. (those little fits of frustration arms flailing and red faced when she doesn't get her way, totally from me). I watched as she found her hands and the joy that embraced her soul as this new "toy" entertained her. (And the look on her face when she realized she could grab daddy's phone and mommy's remote are totally priceless). I watched her face glow with shock and amazement when she rolled over the first time and then realized she could do it again and again. (all the way to the kitchen when mom wasn't looking or off the side of the bed during a wardrobe change). I watched with great anticipation as she took her first bite of pureed peas and thus opened a door to her future culinary loves. (and all the fabulous messes that could be made by the awesome game of "toss your lunch"). I watched as she found out there is a whole world around her to explore and I watched the excitement her body glowed with as she enveloped herself in this fabulous world. I watched as she quickly learned to climb and reach the remote that H4L and I thought we so strategically hid. I watched as she took her first few steps and blurted out "Mama" and "Dada". I watch with tears of joy as my darling baby DIVA becomes more and more independent and grows into a young woman. I am in awe of my perfect little girl. I am amazed. I am honored to be her mother. As I think about it, I cry. I realize there are no words that can describe the amazing, fabulous, joyful love of a mother to her Baby DIVA.

Today I will spend and entire day only devoted to my precious Baby DIVA. No cleaning. no errands. No mommy needs a time out. Just pure bliss watching, playing with, talking to and loving the wonderful I love so dearly! Today is truly a day to be thankful for her little hands, toes and sweet little voice. And the greatest of all her laughter!

Hello there World! I HAVE ARRIVED!!!

Proud Daddy!

So tiny! So perfect! My Baby DIVA!


And then there was 3!



The DIVA as of NOW!

Week Updates

My goodness! This silly H. Pylori has put me behind on my updates this week. Let me share a few big ones.

Happy Birthday today to my Brother who turns the big 28!! I hope his day is super fabulous! And HAHA Baby brother you are only 2 years away from 30 now!

Baby DIVA had her 9 month doctors visit on Tuesday morning. She weighed in at 19 pounds 3 ounces and is 29 1/3 inches long. Yeppers she is tall. Doctor K was very impressed with her little talents and accomplishments: been off the bottle since 6 months, feeds herself, trying desperately to walk, talking. Yep we were a regular traveling show in the pediatrician office. Oh and little miss Baby DIVA cried not one bit as she got her shot or when she had her little toed pricked for bloodwork (which we now know she is not anemic). Overall she is growing fabulous. Doctor k is very happy. She says you would never know Baby DIVA was a preemie!! YAY!!!

Chilling at Dr. K's office waiting to be seen!

And we introduced MEAT to Baby DIVA. She was not impressed as you can see below as she scowls at her bowl of pureed chicken and vegetables.

So even though I was a sickly one for Hubbs-to-be's B-day, we still had a great night. We had dinner (which i threw up, but it still tasted great) followed by the sitter arrival and then we went and saw the movie District 9. I must say I really enjoyed the movie. Or was it just the alone time with Hubbs-to-be? No, really the movie was great.

Hubbs-to-be birthday table: His favorite wings, cheesecake and a new Blu-ray!

Happy Birthday Hubbs-to-be

Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to the most amazing Hubbs-to-be EVER
Happy Birthday to you!


So today my Hubbs-to-be turns 33. In celebration we have a sitter tonight! WAHOOO!!! We are going to dine on Two for Tuesday wings, one of our favorite treats back when we were just a dating couple. And follow that lovely baby free dinner with a movie of Hubbs-to-be's choosing.

Simple. Fun. Fabulous. No baby. Spectacular!!

Baby DIVA hit the big 9

My little Baby DIVA is 9 months old today!

9 months ago today

3 Days ago

Weekend Re-Cap

What a weekend we had! Busy Busy Busy!! And lots of happenings from Birthday parties to two new teeth from Baby DIVA!!!!

Here is our yard, ready for Birthday party guests to enjoy! Notice the freshly mowed grass from Hubbs-to-be's 6:30am chore list! Happy Birthday Hun!

Lets see where do I start? Well Hubbs-to-be will be celebrating his 33rd year of life tomorrow (8-25-09), so on Saturday we hosted a fabulous birthday rendezvous at our casa. At one point Hubbs-to-be mentioned that although he enjoys being surrounded by all those friends and family who love him so dear, that awaking on Saturday morning at 6:30am to complete a list of chores is just not his idea of a cool birthday! I chuckled. But felt no real sympathy, because as a Pink Haired Momma that is a daily occurrence, birthday or not. But man we really did book it getting ready for this little soiree.

And Yes I do make goofy little signs for all the food, I think it is cool and informative! And yes Baby DIVA is in the background there, Directing!

We cooked a variety of burgers, that were all health friendly. We had tuna steak wrapped in applewood bacon, Italian turkey burgers, and garlic seasoned portabella mushroom burgers. All served with yummy white and sweet potato fries. Our good friends, Love to Shop Mom and her hubbs, brought over some totally fabulous pork ribs, that seriously melted right off the bone and into my mouth. Best ribs EVER!!And of course, Pink Haired Momma baked up some snazzy cupcakes. For Hubbs-to-be's birthday bash I provided some deliciously tasty fabulous ROCKY ROAD cupcakes. Yum Yum!

Hello Heaven in a cupcake wrapper. I must say I enjoyed these quite well. Hubbs-to-be did too. Glad since technically they were for him! LOL

Late Saturday afternoon, Baby DIVA gave me one of her famous beautiful huge smiles and what did I see???? But two new toothies!!! YAY!!! Now we have two on the bottom, and on the top we have, One Fang and her TWO FRONT TEETH! Totally explains her spazz out evil behavior last week when all she wanted to do was scream and all I wanted to do was make myself bald. She just looks absolutely adorable with her little white nubbs coming through those pink gums! AWWWWW. My baby is growing so fast! So fast indeed that Baby DIVA will be 9 months old tomorrow (8-25-09). Wow. Amazing. Takes my breath away.

So that about wrapped it up. Hosting a party for 20 people and Two new teeth, man I am pooped! Now we have a week that includes 4 birthday's, a reunion and a property tax hearing. Oh and of course we also have Baby DIVA's 9 month celebration and Doctor visit! Hope you had a fabulous weekend as well. Please tell me about it!!!!