Let's Call Her Imelda Marcos

My daughter is Imelda Marcos incarnate.  Seriously!  I had no idea how much she loves shoes, and I honestly didn't think the primping would start so early!

Today we were at Target, and I decided to get Sophia a new pair of shoes.  She has several pairs of shoes which have been hand me downs from my BFF Amanda's beautiful daughter, Bailey, and they are all super cute, but this was to be her very first pair of "real" shoes that were all her own.  Plus, she's moving into a size 4 - poor girl, she has the Gant feet - and I neecded to get new shoes for the larger size as well.

Before she started walking, I didn't really worry about shoes, but now that she's all over the place, she needed some.  Plus, she deserved them!

Here they are - aren't they cute??

After I tried them on her feet, I took them off to put them back into the box and place them in the shopping cart.  And she immediately began screaming.  I asked her if she wanted her dink (drink), and she shook her head violently and begin to kick her bare feet.  I then asked, incredulously, "You want me to put the shoes back on?"  And she changed the scream to a whine.  Seriously?  She's 13 months old and she's already a shoe queen?

I quickly placed the shoes back on her feet.  And she immediately stopped whining.  She leaned over in the cart seat to see the shoes and smiled, sitting back.  She leaned over one more time, flexed her feet, smiled in satisfaction, and then sighed happily, placing her hands in her lap.  Apparently, she liked the shoes . . .

So, let's call her Imelda Marcos.  You know, she who owns over 3,000 pairs of shoes.  OK, Sophia doesn't have 3,000 pairs yet.  But maybe over the course of her lifetime.  Especially if her shoe addiction has surfaced at such a young age . . .

Happy 4th Birthday, Sammy!

Happy 4th birthday to Samuel Arnold Chase - my firstborn, my only son, and one of the best joys in my life!  I still remember when we found out we were pregnant with you - we were so excited - you were the best adventure of our lives.  When you were born, after 26-1/2 hours of labor, it was love - from the very first moment. 

You have such a lively personality, and it has been a joy to spend so much time with you as you grow up.  I can't believe that this will be our last year together before you start kindergarten.  Who will you be some day?  Some days you tell me that when you grow up, you'd like to be a baby doctor, to help babies, just like Dr. Nelms.  Some days, you tell me that when you grow up, you want to live in a house right next to the railroad tracks, so you can see all the trains go by.  And some days, you tell me that when you get big, you want to be a fireman.

Sammy, no matter what you become some day, I am already proud of you - and I always will be.  I love you, son.  Happy Birthday to my little man!

My Babies are Growing Up

My babies are growing up, and I'm not sure I'm ok with that yet.  Don't get me wrong, I want them to grow up, but at the same time, I want them to be my babies for just a little bit longer.  Yesterday, we celebrated Sammy's 4th birthday with many of our friends and family.  And at the same time, Sophia decided it would be a good day to start walking.



I know, she's 13 months now, and it's probably about time, right?  However, Sophia beginning to walk also brings about another change in our lives.  It's time for her to wean.  Yes, I've nursed my daughter until now.  And I am so proud of that accomplishment, and I'm so proud of what a sweet baby girl she is.  But weaning is tough. 

Not only physically - trust me, there's some pain associated with it for me, since it's an abrupt weaning, instead of a gradual one.  But also emotionally.  And I didn't expect that.  I always thought that when I was done nursing Sophia, I would be so glad.  Sophia is our last baby, and for the last five years, I've either been pregnant, nursing, weaning, or trying to get pregnant.  So I thought the day that I weaned Sophia would be a happy one.  And it is.  Partially.  It's also sad. 

Do I have empty womb syndrome?  Maybe.  Or maybe I'm just sad to acknowledge that the baby years of my life are now over.  I'm sure that could change, but given our current frame of mind, we really look forward to seeing our kids grow up and become young adults.  And they're not even in school yet!

Here's to Sophia - I'm so proud of you for walking, baby girl!  And here's to me - for making it 13 months providing the best nutrition to my sweet girl.  And here's to me as well, for being able to let go of the baby years, and move on to the toddler phase.  In the meantime, say a prayer for me - I'm feeling a bit sad, but I'm happy and hopeful for the future as well!

Just How Talented Is She?

She is my mother-in-law . . . Mike's mom, Rita.  And I know I've said it before here and here, but seriously, Rita needs some applause!  She is talented!  Rita makes beautiful cakes - apparently she took some Wilton classes many years ago, but her talent just improves year after year!  Literally!  She has been making cakes for as long as I've known her - almost 9 years this July - and each year it just gets better and better!

Some of the first cakes I saw of Rita's were my niece and nephew's birthday cakes.  I've also seen a few she did for various showers.  But by far, my favorite cakes of hers have been for my children's birthdays.  I know, I'm a bit prejudiced - but seriously, can you blame me?

For Sammy's First Birthday, we had a Dinosaur party!  I purchased several Wilton cake molds and Rita did the rest!

Note the mini dinosaur molds in the middle!  One of them was Sammy's personal cake!

Sammy's 2nd birthday had a farm theme!  I found these cake ideas on Family Fun, and once again, Rita did the rest!

Both cakes are made with round cake molds, and the rest is part candy, part imagination!

This cake was for Sammys 3rd birthday, which was a Thomas the Train theme.

This one was awesome!  Yes, that is a 3D train, made of cake and icing!

More detail!

Sammy loved Thomas!  He tried to take a bite off his funnel!

Sophia's 1st Birthday had a bug theme!  I found the cake ideas on Family Fun again, but it is Rita's personal touch and flair that really make them so wonderful!  This was Sophia's personal cake!

Beautiful butterflies and a big ladybug for all!

Sammy's 4th birthday was a pirate theme.  I found the cake idea on, you guessed it, Family Fun, but Rita read some reviews and found out the the cake idea from Family Fun wasn't stable and actually collapsed a lot.  So, she changed it up and made it her own.  The end result . . .

FABULOUS, as usual!! 

Can I also just comment on Rita's dedication?  Believe it or not, Sammy's pirate cake was the second one that she made . . . the first one collapsed at home, so she quickly made a second one, and prayed it would make it to Katy on their drive to the party!  It sure did, and the result was beautiful! 

I know Rita's going to kill me for saying this, but I think perhaps I should come up with a big challenge for her next year . . . I'm thinking, perhaps, a fairy castle?  A life-size Transformer?  Just kidding, Gigi - the kids would love it even if it was a simple sheet cake, but I love to see your talent!  Thanks for being such a willing cakery for my crazy ideas!

Oh, and can I mention again that several of my friends have tried to hire her for their children's birthdays?  I'm really thinking a cakery might be a great second career . . . hint, hint!

Gar, Matey!

Happy (Early) 4th Birthday to my handsome son, Samuel Arnold Chase!  Today was the first year that you have been more excited than anything about your birthday, and we've spent the last few months planning a wonderful party just for you!

It all started with our pirate theme - you've been begging for a pirate party all year long, and here it is!

These were your invites - I mailed them in a "treasure map" bag, and the pic was from Halloween this year.

Next we ordered some supplies . . .

An inflatable water slide, and  . . .

an awesome Pirate Ship water table!

The water table was definitely the hit of the party, but you loved the water slide, too!  Mommy really thought there would be more of a splash area at the bottom, but we inflated and filled another pool as well right before everyone got there, so all was well!

Overall, it was a beautiful day - most of your friends and family were in attendance, and Gigi made a beautiful pirate cake for you . . .

Can I just say again how extremely talented Gigi is?

Happy Birthday, Sammy!  I cannot believe what a wonderful little boy you are - every day you amaze me with your beautiful spirit, and your sweet nature - I love you so much, Sammy-Bear!

You look super sweet with fake nose-rings and eye-patches, by the way!

Did I mention how much we love you?

And in the meantime . . . does your sister, Sophia, have a boyfriend?  I think his name is Harrison - you might want to check into that . . . make sure he's keeping it real . . .

Oh, and did I mention how much we love our friends and family?  Many thanks to my BFF, Amanda, who kept me sane . . . Mike's parents, Rita and Bob, who brought the awesome cake and brought our nieces and nephew as well . . . my parents, who brought my grandmother from Oklahoma and many chairs, as well as helping us with logistics, and my aunt and uncle, Linda and Tim, who noticed we needed more chairs and actually drove home (ok, a mile and half) to get them to help us out in the middle of the party!  We love everyone!  And, Happy Birthday Sammy!