Baby Shower

I threw my first baby shower. I have been so excited to do this shower. I just couldnt wait. I had done a lot, but I wanted to wait till friday, the day before, to do my shopping so all my fruits and veggies would be fresh. I wish I could see the future. Friday came and I woke up sick. Willow didnt have school which made it a little easier. For a 7 year old I think she shows a lot of responsibility and independence. She made breakfast for her and Caspen, lunch and dinner for all of us. Now I didnt expect much of a food choice from a 7 year old. In fact for dinner I got bread, a dob of butter, ice cream, ice cream sandwhich and crackers. Not to mention the shot of juice. She also brought me juice in a wine glass.

I love the note she wrote with it.

After dinner I heard her wanting to help out more. Like cleaning the dishes. I told her to not worry about them, that didnt work. About this time I must have dozed off. When I woke up I checked on them to find a puddle in my kitchen. I was starting to feel better so I thought now would be the time to get them ready for bed and clean up the helpfulness. Willow did a lot though and I couldnt be more proud of her.

Along came Saturday. The big day for the shower. I woke up, still tired and a little sore. I didnt have much of an appitite. So I fed my kids and got to work cleanning up more. I wanted to leave the house by 10 to get the shopping done, pick up McDonalds for a treat for the kids and be home by 11. It worked out perfect. I got home in time for us to eat and to finish cleanning and getting things togeather. I made the candy bar. I didnt really think to much of little hands. I had a chocolate fountain with strawberries and pineapple to dip. I also had out M&Ms, licorice, nerd ropes, and an assortment of jelly beans. To decorate the area I made washcloth lollipops.

In my living room I have a table that usually holds pictures. I like to decorate it for holidays or parties. On this table I put the goodie bags, which help a chocolate truffle looking candle and some candy bars. I also had a couple little things for the kids. I also used this area for the envelope game. A guest writes their address on the envelope so the mother can send out a thank you card. I draw a name and someone wins a prize. it worked out well and I do this for all parties I host.

In my dinning area I hung papper lanterns to signifiy a room change, plus they were just so cute. I hung a clothes line with baby clothes for the baby to be hanging on my back door. I also had on the table some food, one of my diaper babies, the flowers Stephen gave me and the cake.

The great things about the diaper babies is they make a cute decoration and the mother gets it all as a gift. I was so upset I had to buy a cake. I had planned on making a castle cake. Since I got sick on friday that was not possible. It looked cute, but didnt taste very good. We played a game where you cut a piece of yarn to guess how much of it would take to go around the mommy to be. So everyone cut a piece and Shyloh won. She got a nice big box of candy.

Next we did presents. Alexis had a lot of fun taking the presents to her mom. She lined them up and tried to help open them for her.

I decided to take a pic of all the gifts. I did not put out all the clothes she got and I did miss the sort and shape hippo due to the kids running off with it. I think she did pretty good though and was so appriciative of everything.

At the end of the day I was tired, but I felt good. I think the party went well. No I didnt get to do everything I wanted and it was stressful since I got sick. Everyone had fun and for my first shower I really liked it. Im looking forward to throwing another baby shower. I dont know when that will be, but when it does I have more ideas. I wish Stpehen had been here to see it, but I cant wait to show him the pics when he comes home.

The proud mommy to be Lindsay

Out to sea...

March, where did you come from? As you get older time goes faster. I remember being a child and wishing time would speed up so I could grow up. Now I sometimes find myself wishing I could go back in time for a day. The carefree time of a child. Now Im grown and have kids of my own. I have a wonderful husband who has a job that is less than wonderful. Im thankful for the job though with the benefits. Stephen is out to sea, again. I cant say when hes coming back, its confidential. Just for their safety. Patrols are horrible. Im exhausted by the end of the day. Dosent help I usually start off tired. I dont sleep as well when hes not home. I dont sleep well to begin with so bring in that fact and it adds for little sleep. My kids are much more demanding. They dont want to leave my side. Caspen has the hardest time. He acts out more. Trying to discuss with him we all miss daddy and we cant act this way last for a few short minutes. Its amazing how each kid acts differently. Caspen acts out more, cries for his daddy and does anything for attention. Willow is more emotional, but dosent act out. She is just more easily to become angry or cry. That leaves me needing to stay strong. I do my best to stay busy. Sometimes to busy, adding to my already tiredness. When I was little I always wondered how my life would be as an adult and this isnt what I imagined. I remember seeing this woman drop off her child. She was dressed up and had her hair pulled back with a bow in it. At that moment I said to myself when I grow up I want to be like her. Be a mother who is happily married, work in a office and have a bow in my hair. I think of it now and feel like a dork. I wouldnt change my life for hers. It has its hardships, but their mine and Stephens. Its our life with our memories. Its not something I look forward too, but I cant help but feel happy and sad to think about Stephen and I, old, our children grown, enjoying eachothers company and remembering these crazy days. Looking back at the books I make for him when he goes underway. Rereading the letters he sent me when theres a maildrop. I will miss these days, but I look forward to those days with him. Being seperated a lot, when he retires will be our time to never be seperated again. Although I have to say when he comes home seeing him is like seeing him for the first time. Even if hes in his poopy suit and smells like the boat. Poopy suit is their work uniform that is just a one piece suit.  I hate him leaving, but I so look forward to seeing him for the first time again.