here it is, a week overdue, Lia,'s 1st birthday party!

I picked a Pixar "Up" theme because Liam loooves balloons, but I wish I had had time to blow up more balloons than we did.  I was so out of time.  Jeff and I were already going crazy when we woke up last Saturday because (mostly Jeff) we worked really hard all the previous week making our house look pretty.  Then I had issues with my cake frosting which made my mom have to run to the store to regrettably buy frosting, and I had to frost the cake very quickly once the party had already started, so it didn't turn out as pretty as hoped, oh well.  Oh, and about half the guests arrived 40 minutes early, while I was still making the food.  And to top it all off, my grandma was taken away to the hospital in an ambulance for dehydration because she has the eating habits of a 2 year old and hadn't eaten or drank anything all day, in addition to wearing sweats in 85 degree weather.  That being said, I love my grandma and was very relieved that she was ok.  Although I was the one calling 911 which shaking and freaking out because she's 86 and she fainted.  You can tell someone is going to be ok though when you tell them an ambulance is coming and they comment they hope the EMTs are young and good looking.  I am kind of pissed that she didn't take care of herself enough to not miss the cake and presents.  The rest of the party went well though, everyone seemed to have a great time, and we ran out of food exactly at the end of the party, which NEVER happens.  As much as I like to entertain, and see Liam have a great day, it is so nice to know that the stress of the party is over, and the house looks pretty.  Yay!
By the way, sorry for all the venting, blogging is free therapy for me.  And please try to ignore the mess in these photos, just remember, people came early.

my little Tigger baby loves the trampoline

sad the balloons tied to the chimney didn't work, but this is more noticeable from the front of the house anyway

Kristin is amazing, she came early and helped sooo much, plus I love catching up

Jeff repainted our previously cream colored door for the party.  Isn't the color pretty?

he also set up our new patio tent the day of the party.  It's nice to finally have some shade in the backyard.

imagine blue frosting instead of white, otherwise perfect.  Skittles are so yummy!

I made cake pops (top right of photo) to look like balloons

Liam thought he was so cool because an ambulance and fire truck came to his birthday!

he ate the whole cupcake (frosting last!) only one year old I've ever seen do that!

best buddies (Liam, Vin and Beau)

my sweet birthday boy!

pure sunshine (accurately describes these cupcakes and my cutie pie toddler)

Yesterday was Liam's first birthday and I thought cupcakes would be a better idea than cake because this way he could squish his face in it without wasting almost a whole cake.  Then I had to figure out what flavor cupcakes.  Chocolate seemed a bit much, and vanilla is sooo boring, so I decided on Orange Creamsicle.  This recipe is semi-homemade and therefore way easy.  It smells like Jeff's favorite Jamba Juice and looks like pure sunshine.  These are fantastic.  If you want to go a bit healthier only make a half batch of the frosting (you'll still have enough to to a light layer on each cupcake).  So here is the yummy recipe and I will have birthday photos up soon!




Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes

• 1 package white cake mix
• 1 (4 serving size) package cheesecake instant pudding mix
• 1 (3 oz.) package orange flavored Jello
• 1 1/4 cups orange juice
• 4 eggs
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line two cupcake pans with paper liners. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Pour batter into liners, filling each 2/3 full. Bake for 18-20 minutes. Allow to cool on a rack.

Orange Creamsicle Frosting

• 1 8 oz. package cream cheese
• 1/2 cup butter
• 6 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon orange extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• orange food coloring

Allow cream cheese and butter to stand at room temperature and soften. In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, orange extract and vanilla. Gradually add powdered sugar. Divide frosting into two bowls, add orange food coloring to one bowl.

it doesn't get better than this

I love having a trampoline in our yard!

Such a sweet boy.  He even kept his hat on most of the day.  Poor kid has such fine hair I didn't want his scalp to burn.

Liam has midget feet.  I didn't even know Converse came in size 2!  Sad I couldn't get a better picture, but teeny Converse are the cutest!

I can't wait until Liam's birthday party!  We went to his cousin's first birthday party yesterday and Liam really liked the present opening.  Big shock, right?  He wanted to help and then he wanted to play with all the recently unwrapped toys.  I think he was actually a little confused, because his cousin got a set of toy cars that Liam has at home and Liam gave us this look that said, "Um, these are supposed to be in my room.  And why do these have weird packaging on them?  Oh well, I'm just going to barge right in and play with them."  I swear, that is totally what he said.  But to be fair, he did try to share the cars with his cousins.

I can't believe it

My little guy is 6 months old today!  Time went by so fast.  He can sit up by himself, drank out of a cup (sometimes), and loves to eat fruit.  I love that he is so capable, but I want my baby to stay my baby forever. 

completely asleep.  somehow.

Liam is very proud of his abs.

most babies want to lay down in bouncers. Liam likes to sit up and examine his.

he decided sideways was more interesting.  Jeff put him in the normal direction.

we went to the grocery store yesterday and a woman came up to us and said "Did you know you all match?"  We were all wearing gray and didn't realize it.

I love this happy boy!

best birthday ever

It's my first birthday as a mom, which already puts it pretty darn high on my list of good birthdays.  Plus Jeff was in the process of making me coffee and blueberry pancakes when I woke up, and Luna voluntarily cuddled with me.  Twice.  Yay!  Cute pictures of Liam to come.

one more month!

So my birthday is in exactly one month.  Not that I'm excited or counting down or anything.  I love birthdays!  I really don't even care if its mine or not.  I don't even have any plans for my birthday yet.  But nonetheless I'm excited anyway.  For any How I Met Your Mother fans out there, I love my birthday as much as Lily loves hers.  Yeah, I'm reaching late 20's status, and I act like a 5 year old on my birthday.  It is the one day (in my opinion) where you can act like a little kid (jubilant, not bratty) so why not make the best of it, right?  And just so you all know, I'm totally wearing a tiara on my birthday.  The whole day.  I know Jeff will probably act like he doesn't know me, but at least Liam will think I'm cool.  I hope.

Birthday Boy

Happy Birthday to the best husband ever!  Love you honey!

Yay bike!

You like how Finley managed to get in on the photo too?  He's so cute.