"I Weeve Mom"

There are a few things I really look forward to about being a mom... you know those certain events, moments, phrases, etc... some are huge events -- graduation days, wedding days, etc.  And others are just the little things -- like being told you are loved. 

I've told Rudy and Avery every day of their lives that I love them.. multiple times a day usually.  I've always thought, "I can't wait for the day to hear those precious voices say, 'I love you, too, Mom." 

And, with Rudy, that day is here! 

Papa teaches him lots of things... some I'm not thrilled about, but this time he struck gold.  Now when I say to Rudy, "I love you, Rudy."  He responds, "I weeve Mom."  Sometimes he gets on a roll and keeps going with all those he loves, "I weeve Mom.  I weeve Dad.  I weeve Sissy.  I weeve Papa.  I weeve Gran.  I weeve Dog.  I weeve Ton.  I weeve baby."... and so on.  Sometimes he is a clown, so energetic with his response and basically jumps around going through his list.  Sometimes he is almost asleep and he barely whispers, "I weeve Mom."  Sometimes he says it so matter-of-fact...just a straight, "I weeve Mom" and on with his day.  Sometimes he is onry and will say, "I weeve Papa" or "I weeve Dad" over and over, thinking he is pretty funny not "weeving" his mom. 

"I weeve Mom"  -- greatest phrase spoken to date   

Avery's Visit to the Salon

It was decided that Peach needed some professional help in the hair department.  Luckily, my amazing hair stylist was available and willing to take on a new client :)

The day before, Avery and I had gone to the doctor.  She was terrified.  She was not content unless she was koala bear cuddled up to me.  She seemed scared or apprehensive of every person she saw.  She didn't want anyone touching her, looking at her, or coming near.  So I was a litle nervous about the salon experience scheduled for the next day... but who was I kidding??  This is MY daughter we are talking about...   

Avery did so great!  She was all smiles while we waited, even dancing to the music with her brother.  She sat well with me while Becky worked her magic -- loved playing with the hair products and combing her own hair.  And her expression towards the blow dryer was priceless :) 

Becky did an awesome job!  I don't have a great "after" picture, but she looks so fashionable and grown up.  I was considering just snipping off her long pieces and I'm so glad I trusted her to Becky instead.  She evened it all out, "took some of the weight off the back," snipped her matted ends... like a legit big girl hair cut.  Mani/pedis are next, sweet pea!  

Snow Day!

"Mom, Snow!"

We didn't make it out the day of Avery's party, but the next morning we were all for a little fun in the snow!  Rudy wasn't quite sure at first... what to do with it, what to make of it... he'd only ever looked at snow from inside.

But he quickly figured it out!

John showed him how to make a snow angel...

...and make a snowball...

...and Mom was the favorite target for them from both Rudy and John.

Avery was happy in my arms at first, and was cracking up at the snow being thrown at me.  But she wanted down in the action herself.  Of course, once she got down she could hardley move! 

Her first instinct was to taste it...and she wasn't so sure about that!

(Notice Rudy behind her.  I can almost guarantee that was launched in her direction.)

But what a fun time we had!  

Celebrating Miss Avery!

This was the forecast the morning before Avery's birthday.  5-8 inches of snow expected by party time...

And it actually delivered!  It was such a beautiful scene to wake up to.  It was a sticky snow so all the trees were covered and everything seemed to sparkle.  Considering we had a "Winter One-Derland" themed party planned, the snow fall was perfect timing!  Howie even showed up with his pink party hat on... 

We started off Avery's big day with special pancakes made by Dad.  Notice the "1" shape?  He's the best.  

And Rudy and Avery were all smiles!

Next up... opening presents from Mom and Dad!

She was surpringly good at opening her presents and Rudy was sure to help, too.  

Her go-to tactic...

Look at that cute girl, snuggling in her new blanket! - Now that she's 1, Avery can sleep with blankets in her crib :) 

And a crib toy to entertain in the morning hours.

Rudy was lucky enough to get a couple presents for Avery's birthday, too.  (Giving the kids a small present on each other's birthdays is really more for Avery's advantage... December birthdays are tough) 

I'd say he was happy with it!

My hours and hours of party planning and prepping were put together for quite a pink wintery spread... 

Favor jars filled with homemade peppermint hot cocoa mix

A hot cocoa bar, complete with peppermint marshmallows, french vanilla marshmallows, regular marshmallows, mini chocolate chips, and crushed peppermint... yummm

"Melted Snowman" and pink lemonaide (I was tempted to do 'yellow snow' but refrained..)

Lots and lots of treats... cupcakes and cake from Cafe Moxo, pizzelles from Grandma and Grandpa Cicci, beautifully decorated sugar cookies from my friend Lauren, and cake pops from me...

...plus all these sugary treats in case the baked good weren't enough.

I made the fabric "curtain" backdrop and hung pink snowflakes and pictures of Avery from the last year from the ceiling. I also hung about 35 silver/gold/white glittery snowflakes all along our hallway windows... it was quite the winter one-derland scene!

Birthday girl's chair all ready to go... a standard birthday hat just wouldn't do for our sweet girl :)

Unfortunately, all the snow made it difficult for a lot of our guests to make it, but we were sure happy and thankful for all those who braved the weather to come celebrate with us! 

Aunt Dawn the Great and Kate came all the way from the Chicago-area!  And we are so glad they did -- wouldn't have been the Sames without them! 

Two of Avery's favorite things... her car and pulling window clings off of the windows...

And check out her festive attire.  Number 1 added, curteousy of Gran.

:)

Getting ready for singing and cake!

Here's a short video of the end of "Happy Birthday" - the camera didn't get started quite in time, but the gist is there...

Rudy loved singing and cheering for his sister!

Avery was a bit cautious at first, and even started trying to feed icing to me.  But it didn't take long for her to dive in!  

Rudy was happy to dig in, too!

...until he decided he needed "Me own"

 



And we almost forgot her hat!  She wasn't leaving it on long anyways! 

This picture cracks me up... Rudy's looking up at Isabela who is instructing him to stay out of Avery's cake, defiantly still going for it. 

Then more presents with lots of little helpers!

And story time with Uncle Kevin

After those busy few hours, we were all in need of some rest!  Christmas movie and blankets... we were set! 

We had a wonderful day celebrating Miss Avery... our little girl is growing up too fast!