All About Sarah

With Sarah's third birthday approaching, I finally decided to 'bite the bullet' and take her in for her first haircut.  Does anyone remember that bald baby?  Now she has enough hair to cut!  It's amazing. 

Before...I took her to my stylist (who's awesome, BTW). 

During.  VERY SERIOUS FACE.

After.  I was too chicken to do anything dramatic, like a bob cut or something - so Jennifer just trimmed the ends and shaped it.  She looks so pretty - and the curls remained!  YAY!

Then, the other day, it happened. 

Sarah. Turned. THREE!

A little biscotti and hot chocolate to celebrate. 

And of course, the park. 

Oh, there's a picture of Jeremiah!

Dinner - what a great photo!  HA

Another one - she cracks me up. 

Birthday girl!

Obviously, a lot changes in three years.  She's gone from a helpless baby to a very independent, yet very dependent little girl.  She's so fierce and strong willed - but yet such a cuddly mama's girl and daddy's girl at the same time.  Some days, I don't know what to do with her - she can go from delirously happy to screaming in frustration and back to being happy again in a matter of minutes.   But she's just so sweet and loving and FUNNY, I can't help but know she's a little star in our lives.  As frustrating as she can be, I do thank God every day that she's part of our family.  

A 4th Birthday Extravaganza!

Since we're clearly really into birthdays around here, Jeremiah's birthday party was held this past weekend at Scooptacular, our local (and favorite) ice cream shop!

The fun started two days before his actual party - Jeremiah created his own ice cream for his party! We were able to see how ice cream is made.

First, you've gotta have an apron!



Then, you mix high-fat milk with vanilla and orange food coloring.



You pour the mixture into the ice cream maker.



When it's frozen, you add the toppings.



And ta-da! Ice cream. Jeremiah's creation: "Lava Swirl" - Orange colored vanilla ice cream with crushed oreo cookies, mini m&ms, marshmallows and a chocolate swirl. YUM!



PARTY TIME! Scooptacular was great - they supplied some decorations (he really wanted a Spiderman and Transformers balloon, so we brought those. They have two party hosts and set up the kids tables with some stackable ice cream toys and coloring pages.



Jeremiah was so proud to show off his ice cream behind the counter!



I have a million photos of kids like this! How fun!!



J and his buddy Lily!



Once most everyone arrived, the hosts played three or four games with the kids - the ladies were so great with the kids. (I think they were Jocelyn and Sam - sorry if I got your names wrong, ladies!)



In addition to the games, they also did a tour of the back and explained how ice cream was made - I think the grown ups enjoyed this as much as the children!



They even got to go in the big walk in freezer! BRRRR!!



Almost time to sing!



Happy birthday to you! (and time for ICE CREAM!)



At the end of the party, the hosts handed out either balloon swords or balloon puppies. The kids LOVED this! They also handed out a 'free cone' coupon to all the kids.

All in all, I would totally do another birthday party there! The price is fantastic, the location is great, and the kids all had a fun time! Thanks Scoop!

F.O.U.R

F is for how funny you are
O is for your love of oranges
U is for undies, which you've been wearing for over a year (YAY!)
R is for red, your favorite color (which can change daily)

I've always thought that 4 was such a big birthday. At least I have since I had Jeremiah - it really seems like that's the point where children stop being 'babies' and really become 'children.' So as Jeremiah approached 4, and as both Shawn and I could witness a change in him - honestly, in the last few months he has absolutely become a 4 year old - I just knew that we were entering into 'childhood' and moving away from babyhood. Which is good, but still strange.

Since his birthday fell on a Monday, and his party isn't til July 9th, I decided to go (a little) crazy on his actual birthday. I asked him what he wanted to do and he replied (with gusto) "Chuck E Cheese!" We had loads of tokens from 9 months ago leftover in the car, so we went.


A fun present! (Secondhand, of course, but he doesn't care)


Starbucks Cake Pop at 9am? Yes, please!


And of course a big chocolate milk with 'whupped' cream.


Then to Chuck E Cheese's! (I love his new fake smile)



Lily came along to join us - we haven't seen her (and her mom) in a long time! It was great to see them.



My birthday boy and I.


The kiddos. They're so big!



Doing a little racing.



Jeremiah's requested birthday dinner - macaroni & cheese, grapes and beans. He doesn't like beans but told me with confidence "4 year olds like beans." (For the record, he only wanted two beans and was then done!)


Birthday cake (from Scooptacular, where else?)



Yummy!



Jeremiah's changed so much from 3 to 4. He is more aware of the world around him, is so curious about things, knows his letters and numbers and can spell his name! He'll be going to preschool in the fall, and is excited to go and make friends. He still says some cute things - like 'bitar' for guitar and 'No, I amn't!' when he insists he hasn't done something. He can make up stories, run really fast, and jump so far. I completely forgot about getting him in for his 4 year visit, so I don't know how tall or heavy he is, but I'm going to guess he's about 40" and 33 lbs. He's thin, and that's okay - it's just him. (Takes after Daddy, I guess!) He's so great with his baby sister - he loves her so much. And I'm so happy that I get to be his Mom - I never imagined this life when he was born, I was so focused on the moment that I didn't really think about the kind of child he'd be.

He had a great birthday, I think (hope!) and it was so fun to hang out with him. We love that guy so much!

Two?!?

Our little Sarah turned 2 on the 27th! Some days it seemed like time was going by so slowly and then, now, looking back, I'm not sure where the time has gone!


My chunky little newborn



My happy little one year old



My sweet smart two year old



I didn't throw a party for her this year. I know, TERRIBLE! I'm going to hear about it in 10 years, I'm sure. But, with surgery, etc...I didn't want to plan something that wouldn't be fun, and I like having a month to plan a party at least...which I didn't have. So we did a low-key party with Grandma and Grandpa G at home.

Ice Cream cake from Scooptacular (haven't been there yet? What's wrong with you??)


I have a sad video of Sarah crying as we sang "Happy Birthday" to her...but it will not upload to youtube! Argh!

After the tears, she loved the cake.


Sarah and her Grandma and Grandpa!



Then we opened gifts. (She got clothes. Lots of clothes - she's currently in 4T!)


She had her 2 year check up today and is doing fantastic. She's 36.5" tall (97th percentile) and 32.5lbs (90th percentile). She knows about half the alphabet (WHAT?) and is starting to use several word phrases. She still speaks toddler-English, so she requires a translator, but it's getting better. In the last few days I've gone from "Mama" to "Mommeeeeyy!!" And right now she's asking me to read a book, and of course I will!

Turning 30 was really painful for me...

My 30th birthday was this past Sunday. However, the celebrating started awhile before the actual day.

A week before, my awesome friend Kim planned a surprise birthday party for me at a restaruant at the Tempe Marketplace. I had no idea - I almost didn't go - it had been a long week. Shawn was just getting over the flu and ended up with this weird neck infection, I hadn't been sleeping well, etc...but I'm glad I went! I don't have any photos on the computer for that night, but just know it was awesome. I am so blessed and so thankful to be loved!

Then, the Friday night of my birthday weekend, a few friends went to go see Ree Boado and JJ Heller in Scottsdale. They are both amazing artists, and it was a fantastic show!

On Saturday, Shawn spoiled me by taking me (and the kids) to breakfast and then to the mall where we shopped. For me. For 2 hours! This never happens. I got some new makeup and new jeans. Sweet!

Then we had the most amazing dinner...we got all dressed up for a fabulous 9 course meal at Quiessence, at the Farm at South Mountain. We reserved the 'Brick Oven Table' to celebrate, which is a special table set outside by a beautiful fireplace. If you were in Phoenix on Saturday, then you know that sitting outside didn't happen. Between the wind, rain, and cold, there was no way I was sitting outside in my dress:

Before dinner - looking so fly!


After dessert - 9 courses with wine pairings will make you look a little tired!

Something weird happened in the middle of the night - I woke up with terrible stomach pain. I thought it was gas pains, since the meal we had was really rich - we don't normally eat that way, plus I ate a lot of meat, which I also don't normally eat. After eating a lot of tums and about 45 minutes, it went away.

The next day, my actual birthday, after eating a cheese sandwich for lunch, I started feeling the same pain. Thinking it was the same problem, I started eating tums like candy. Shawn took Jeremiah grocery shopping and came home to find me in pain. He brought some lovely things home, too.

The flowers that went unappreciated...


The cake that went uneaten...

By 630pm and a lot of Tums (and even infant Mylicon) later, I was in more pain. Shawn convinced me to go to urgent care, even though I was sure they'd just tell me it was gas pains and send me home. On the way there, though, something told me to go to the ER, just in case I needed an ultrasound. Thankfully I only waited an hour before they gave me a private room, so I could walk around and cry. (Yes, I was actually crying. It was incredibly painful) After an ultrasound, an IV with nausea and pain medicine, and bloodwork the results were: gallstones. And the only definite treatment is surgery.

Thankfully, the pain medicine had kicked in and I was feeling alright. The attack had lasted 8 hours. For the time being, I'm just carefully watching what I eat and avoiding fatty foods. I already do this, but I do love cheese and since I don't eat a lot of meat, often eat cheese for protein. That had to stop.

So, in the end, turning 30 was terribly painful for me.

Twenty nine!

Saturday was my 29th birthday. I was completely spoiled all day thanks to Shawn and the kids!

We headed to the zoo first thing in the morning. The skies were a bit daunting but I was determined to have fun!


It started raining...


So we hid out by the wallabies in this weird sort of building with piranas, snakes, roaches, fuzzy ants, and took pictures.


J conquered an alligator (or a croc)


Trying to stay dry under a tortise shell.


We left as it started pouring, the kids loved it, Shawn and I were all but running. After Sarah went down for a nap, Shawn shoo'd me out the door to head to the Biltmore to go shopping and then to the Red Door Spa for a spa facial. It was lovely. It was the first time in a long time that I was able to browse clothes racks without someone screaming and another someone running in and out and all around. So incredibly relaxing!

After I got home, Grandma and Grandpa popped over for a visit and then, a fantastic friend came over to babysit the kiddos... and we headed out to this. One of Shawn's clients, who is very generous, invited us! What an awesome, fun, birthday treat.

I wish this was my birthday cake. Wow.


Hiding in the noodle forest.


Drawing!


Shawn and I.


Katherine and I. She and I played the scavenger hunt together. We're both very competitve and through creative playing (and lots of running in 4" heels...my feet have blisters today!), we were POSITIVE we were the first ones to turn in our sheet. There were prizes for 1st (a trip to vegas), 2nd and 3rd. We were FOURTH to turn ours in. How disappointing. But we had fun and probably burned off all the calories we had eaten.


This is the spot where there should be pictures of me and Hugh Downs and Mayor Phil. However, I was too chicken to ask Hugh for a photo (even though I think it being my birthday may have made it seem less lame) and Mayor Phil was never around when I was around Shawn, who had the camera. Ah well!