Paxton's party inspiration

Paxton's 2nd birthday is only a few weeks away so I wanted to post some of my pinterest inspired ideas to give you a sneak preview.  It will be at the park so hopefully, I will only need minimal activities:

Invitations and Paper Products:  Kristen, at Little Laws Prints made our invitations and similar signs below.  They are so cute!

I haven't made any final decisions on food; however, I am definitely going to make these oreos.  These look super easy, right? 

I have actually already purchased his party favors.  Similar to the picture below, I will be filling a sand bucket with summer stuff (beach ball, kite, bubbles). 

As for activities, we are having face painting and a game (pin the nose on Mickey).  I can't wait to post pictures of his actual party!  Hopefully he will love it!



I'm linking up with Shannon again for So What Wednesday.  This week, I'm saying So What if...

• I have been online day and night trying to come up with activities for 2 year olds for Paxton's birthday party next month.  Seriously, isn't having it at the park enough?  Husband says no.  What do you think?  Face painting?  Any thoughts on games? 
• I am going to spluge again today and have 2 chocolate frosted donuts (and 3 pieces of bacon) and a coke for breakfast. 
• I am contemplating yet another craft project that I'm sure I will fail miserably at (will be sure to take pictures).  I just love the candlestick pedastals and think they will be so cute for the kids birthday parties. 
• I walk to the wrong car often when leaving stores.  Often, I even try to get in.  So embarrassing. 
• I'm wearing flip flops to work today.  I keep heels under my desk, but have no intention of wearing them today.  I'm hoping to just hide in my office.

What are you saying so what to this week?

Holiday Weekend Recap

First and foremost, thank you to all who have served our country.  That is what Memorial Day is all about!  This weekend was great.  I absolutely love hanging out with my husband and kids.  Even when they test my patience, their little smiles brighten my day. 
Friday night was the same as last week...gymnastics then the farmers market at the beach. 
This week in gymnastics, Mia hopped down the beam with no help.  I was so proud.

Saturday morning, we got up early and went to the Stars and Stripes Festival. 

I know it is totally corny to color coordinate/match as a family, but I don't care.  Mia loves it and I thought it was fun.  Besides...I love the dresses.  They are cute and comfy.  Pax tried his best to win at the strong man booth. 
After the festival, we went home to let the kids play in the pool.

We also were dog sitting for my in-laws this weekend so that evening, we took their dog, Spanky for a walk.  Mia held the leash the whole time and did a great job.  Paxton just gave him lots of hugs.

Sunday, we took the jeep to church.  The kids loved it. 

They played on the playground again. 

Sunday evening, Chris and I went to see Bret Michaels in concert.  It was fantastic!!  We sang, we danced, and we had a great time. 

How was your Memorial Day weekend?



Top 5 things this Friday

I'm linking up with Lauren again from From My Gray Desk for High Five Friday. Here are my 5 favorite things from this past week.

1.  I was able to check something else off of my summer bucket list for the kids. 

.        Fly a kite

2      Go on a nature walk/scavenger hunt

3      Have a picnic on the beach

4      Build a sandcastle

5      Go on a wagon ride

6       Set up the slip and slide

7        Play Frisbee

8        Sidewalk Chalk

          Ocean City

1       Catch Fireflies

1      Visit the local farmers market

1       Make Popsicles

We played frisbee outside yesterday for about an hour.  The kids loved it!  Mia tried to make Paxton "fetch" the frisbee when she threw it in the opposite direction, but he was too smart for her games.  He followed slowly behind letting her run after it.

2.  I saw a beautiful rainbow in the way into work this week.  It came at the perfect time as I was totally stressing about Paxton's evaluation and how we would make it work both financially and with taking the time off of work.  God knows exactly what we need when we need it.

3.  Paxton finally played in his rice.  This may not sound like a big deal, but he has some serious sensory issues and would not touch rice the first few times we tried.  This week, he was digging in it and throwing it!  

4.  Paxton fed himself 1 bite of baby food for the first time ever Wednesday evening.  I was so excited.  We clapped and cheered.  Best moment of the day by far!!  He also said "walk" for the first time.  I am so proud. 

5.  Mia's preschool agreed to take Paxton 2 days a week this summer for half days so that he can be around other kids who are talking and eating.  I am hoping this will help with his development. 

And...I know this isn't 5, but I felt like I was leaving Mia out this week so....

6.  Mia slept all night for the past few nights with no accidents! 

7.  Mia gave up her binky.  I'm not sure if I wrote that last week, but either way....it is gone!  Yay!! 

And...she did it cold turkey.  She is getting to be such a big girl!

Official Diagnosis and action plan

Tuesday, we had our feeding evaluation at Kennedy Krieger.  Paxton was officially "diagnosed" with a severe feeding disorder and they are recommending that he qualify for the program.  I'm filled with emotion.  I'm happy that they accepted him, are willing to help him/us, and have such amazing success rates (90%), I'm sad that it has come to this and that he "qualifies", and I'm overwhelmed at the amount of time and dedication this program will require.  There is a 6 month wait list, but once we start, we will be driving to Baltimore (over an hour each way) every day, Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm for 6-8 weeks.  I'm not a stay at home mom.  We both work full time.  I'm overwhelmed by the amount of leave we will need to take, by the drive everyday, and by the program itself.  It is an intense program and I'm just not sure how Paxton, nor I will handle it. 
In the meantime, we will be working with the speech and behavorial therapist once a month until we can get in full time.  We will also be maintaining our therapy with the County Infant and Toddlers program as well.  Please keep my little man in your prayers.  We are hoping for a miracle and hoping he will start eating table food and feeding himself.

So What Wednesday!

I'm linking up with Shannon again for So What Wednesday.  This week, I'm saying so what...

1.  If I've bought 4 new skirts from J Crew this week.  They were on sale and are solid colors so I'll wear them for years.  I'm calling it a good investment.
2.  If I'm starting to hate balloons.  I use them so much at work for my job and it is so annoying to carry them everywhere for my events. 
3.  If I'm obsessed with Cheese puffs.  I could eat an entire bag in one sitting.  Scratch that, I have ate an entire bag in one sitting.
4.  If I'm thinking about walking a block or 2 to 7-11 to get a fountain soda.  I seriously need one every morning and our cafeteria is going through a renovation. 
5.  If I'm calling my colonoscopy (this Friday---UGHHHH) a spa cleansing. I'm hoping thinking of it this way will help me go 24 hours with a liquid only diet.  I hate that Colon Cancer runs in my family and I have to do this at 35 and not 50 like most people.  On the plus side....maybe I"ll lose a couple of pounds????

Link up with Shannon and tell us what you are saying So What to this week...

Today

Today's post is going to be short.  Today, we are in Baltimore at the Kennedy Krieger Institute for Paxton's feeding evaluation.  I will write about it later this week.  In the meantime, wish us luck and please keep us in your prayers.  I'm not sure if I want to be "accepted" or not.  I just want what is best for my handsome man.  In the meantime, enjoy a picture of Paxton at 4 months old (November 2010)

Weekend Recap

I had a busy weekend!  Friday was pretty much mine to run some errands, go grocery shopping...and....use my Mother's Day coupons from Chris to buy 2 apothocary jars that I wanted from Pottery Barn.  I think they will look perfect on our mantal. 

Friday afternoon, Mia had gymnastics and then we took the kids to the beach/Farmers Market.  They had Dr. Suess on the beach.  They read a story and gave the kids a small prize.  It was fun.

Saturday and Sunday, I was pretty much on my own with the kids as Chris took our nephew to a "jeep" thing Saturday and then had a Softball game Saturday night and Sunday he ran the warrior dash.  So, the kids and I spent the weekend with playdates and birthday parties.

Saturday, we met our new neighbor, Ashley and her son Charlie at the tot lot.  The kids had fun.

Saturday afternoon, while Paxton napped, I took Mia to her friend, Anna's birthday party.  This party was seriously over the top.  The kids loved it.  The decorated aprons.

The decorated cupcakes

The planted strawberries....

and they enjoyed the beautiful view of the water (Mia and her friend, Caroline)

It was a fun day.  Sunday, we went to church and Sunday School.  This was the first time I had Paxton in my class.  He actually did well.  He especially loved music time.  After church, the kids played outside.

Then, we headed back to the tot lot for more playground fun. 

Paxton was a daredevil as usual.  It was a fun weekend.  I hope your weekend was fun as well.

Am I Mom Enough?

No, this isn’t a blog about the Time magazine picture of the 3 year old sucking his mom's boob.  I'm not even going to get into that.  This is a post about my struggles with my son and his eating issues.  Yesterday, Paxton had his first therapy session with the Behavior Therapist.  Thankfully, I decided to let my husband handle that session as I knew it would be difficult for me, but what I didn’t realize, was hearing about it would be difficult too.  He threw tantrums, he cried, and he screamed.  This went on for 1 ½ hours while they were feeding him.  My heart breaks just thinking about it.  The therapist that is working with us said that she worked at the Kennedy Krieger Institute for 2 years.  We will be going there next week for Paxton’s feeding evaluation. She said the program is very intense.  We could either qualify for the inpatient program (hoping we don’t qualify for that) or the outpatient program, which is 3 days a week, 2 hours a day in Baltimore).  There are no words to express my anxiety over this.  I don’t think there is enough Xanax or wine out there to help.  Am I “mom enough” to put my son through a program that will force him to eat solids.  That will make him scream and cry for me while I ignore him and force him to comply with my demands?  Is this really going to “help” him in the end or will it scar him somehow?  As I am typing this, I feel like crying.  My son has been through so much in his short life.  I just want to hold him and hug him and let him know this will all be ok, but will it?  He has such a sweet, easy going, funny personality.  He is a clown.  He’s always so happy.  Will this change him?  Will he never trust us again for putting him through this?  Is there anyone out there who has been through this?  If so, can you please contact me?

Thank you!

So What Wednesday!

Today, I'm linking up with Shannon again for So What Wednesday.  This week, I'm saying so what....

• If I am actually thinking about driving to all of our vacation destinations this year (Florida, Dallas).  The price of 4 plane tickets is crazy!!
• If I'm twisting or braiding my bangs back every day until they grow out.  Yes, I realize I look like I'm trying to be 16 again, but there is no pretty hair style when you are growing out your bangs.
• If I totally ran a red light yesterday and saw the camera go off.  It was pouring.  I felt like slamming on my breaks in the pouring rain during rush hour was not safe.  The judge will buy that one, right?
• If Mia and I had matching dresses for Mothers Day.  She loves to be "Mini Mommy" as she calls it.

• If I let Chris try to put my hair in a sock bun.  I could not get it to work so I let him give it a shot.  I think my hair is still too short.  This is what he came up with....not quite what I had in mind.

Link up with Shannon and tell us what are you saying so what to this week?



Hellooooo Birchbox

Birchbox is a beauty supply company that will send you samples every month for just $10.  I don't know about you, but I LOVE getting stuff in the mail.  This month was my first month. 

In my box, I got a Dr. Jart+ make up sample with SPF 25 (it is a moisturizer, sunscreen, and treatment serum all in one), Ojon volumizing shampoo, Color Club gold nail polish, and Algenist complete eye renewal balm (larger container retails for $65).  While I am definitely a shampoo whore (I have enough shampoo to last any family a year), I probably would never have tried these products on my own, which is one reason why I joined birchbox. 
So, here is my review so far. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this shampoo.  I used it today for the first time and it is fantastic.  My hair feels great and looks like it has more volume (this could be my imagination). 
I also tried the nail polish today.  While it dries fast and goes on well, I am not a fan of the color.  Otherwise, I like it though. 
I tried the Dr. Jart+ BB Balm over the weekend and I'm honestly not a fan.  It feels thick when I put it on.  Even throughout the day, I could still feel it on my face.  I am sure it's a great product; however, I'll stick with my regular foundation (La Bella Donna).   
If you want to receive birchbox too....click here:  https://www.birchbox.com/?raf=g3mjq.  It is $10 a month and you can cancel at any time. 

What do you think?  Worth $10?  I think so...

Weekend Recap

The weekend started Friday after work.  It was such a nice day, I took Paxton out for some sidewalk chalk fun.  It lasted about 30 seconds. 

Shortly after, I had to leave to take Mia to gymnastics.

This week, she did some work on the beam (mainly learning to walk forward and backwards). 

We then headed to the beach for the Farmers Market, which they have every Friday night.  Chris took one of the kids motorized jeeps (they have 4) and turned it into a push car.  We are replacing the pink tires.  Cute though, right?

We met up with some friends at the beach....Pax gave up his seat for Gavin and he opted to ride with Lily for a bit.  It was fun to meet up with friends.

Saturday morning started with a play date with some friends from church.  Unfortunately, I did not get any pictures.  I can't think ahead at 8am.  After naps, we headed to Mia's friend Sarah's horse riding birthday party.

Mia had fun, though she only wanted to ride once.

The kids also got to feed the horses carrots.  They thought that was so awesome.

There were chickens also, which the kids loved to watch.  Even Paxton had fun.

It was a fun afternoon.

Sunday was Mothers Day.  It was a rough morning at our house.  Mia got put in time out twice before 8am.  After church, we headed to Nana's (Chris's parent's house) for pizza and cupcakes.

The kids played with bubbles, which they loved of course.

Pax didn't want to eat.  He wanted to keep playing with the bubbles.  Look at that lip!

He cheered up quick though when we went inside. 

Mia and I posed for a picture in our matching Mothers Day dresses.

Unfortunately, I could not get both kids to sit with me for a picture :(

The day ended with cupcakes....see Messy Bessy above. 
Overall, while it was a great weekend full of fun, laughter, and love.  I hope you all had a wonderful Mothers Day weekend as well.