Minnie Mouse First Birthday Party

Islanders, the day had finally come to celebrate my sweet god baby turning one.  Hosted from Melina's parents' home, the party was beautiful!

You may recall that I hired a balloon artist for Munch's unicorrn party that never happened.  Rather than cancel the order altogether, I asked if the balloon artist could support god baby's party instead.  She agreed and created balloon towers throughout the space.  They were so cute!

Mrs. Lucy, Melina's mom, has a beautiful large backyard.  Her and her husband had concrete paving installed to create a long walkway that leads to a paved entertaining area with a gazebo.

Minnie Favor Bag Ideas and A FREE Printable!

Last week's Wordless Wednesday post was a sneak peek into the fabulous first birthday party hosted for god baby 'Lani.

I know.  I had to face reality  Yes, time flew by.  Yes, she is adorable.  And, the worst part, yes.  She is one whole year old.  You may recall the baby shower. 

I was event support.  I took a backseat and awaited assignments to complete for the shower... I was in a total 'however I can be of assistance is fine with me' state of mind.  You can read more about it here. 

Well, after a year of growing and loving and learning my sweet god baby, I knew I had to do something to help.  I also knew I couldn't wait for direction.  I asked what Mrs.  Lucy had in mind for favor bags.  She had a vision of polka dots and ears.  So, I got to work.  I know Mrs. Lucy is all about the details and the bling so, I was determined to meet and exceed her expectations.  Here's what I came up with:

I used black paper bags from Michael's as the base.  I found a roll of the paper on sale (I was just there and they have rolls of paper in pink and green on sale... and I moved 900 miles away from where I purchased it).  You could totally use any paper or wrapping paper.

I traced the bag and cut a square to fit the front of the bag.  I glued it down and lined the top of the square with pearls.  Next came the ears!  I used my 2-inch paper punch to create ears for the bags.  I glued them to the top corners before embellishing the bags with the tags and small bows.
  

I love how the bags turned out; they were a party feature item!  They were like sending a piece of the party details home with each of the guests.

The tags were awesome too.  Check them out:

Guess what? There's a bonus! I made some for you too!  Simply print the collage of tags as a 4x6 photo.  That's 6 tags for next-to-nothing!

Before I got started, I knew favors would help and were important.  We filled the cute bags with crayons, coloring books (Disney coloring books are at Dollar Tree), and these custom cookies made with her name:

Aren't they adorable?!  I love how the favor bags helped to tie everything together.  The best part?  Mrs. Lucy was pleased with the results and allowed me to help in other ways.  I've got party deets coming soon!  For now, let's enjoy the easy and fabulous favor bags :)

We've got ears, say cheers!  

My Littles: Alani Rose

In my last post, I mentioned that I'm expecting to be an auntie all over again later this spring.  Can I just say, I'm just so excited my list of littles is growing... like, so excited that I could just explode.

Speaking of my littles, do you recall Melina's pink tiffany-themed baby shower?

Well, as you can see in the baby shower photo above, baby was on the way.  Mommy was ready.

I had my snack basket (included in my guide of 13 things you should do for new parents, remember?) ready to go so, I was also ready!

It was August 10th.  I arrived to the hospital for the second time that day to help take care of the other little ones present.  At some point during the afternoon, the delivery room cleared and it was just Melina, her sleeping fiance, her mom, her older sister, and me.  

A drugged Melina called me over to her bedside.  When I got close, she started to speak...

3.

That's how many years it's been since the island was celebrating god baby's arrival.  I've written multiple tribute posts to her and they all hold true to this day.

The first birthday post (with background, baby shower posts and more).

My hello and goodbye post.

Sending hugs and kisses to heaven for my angel AND for the angels of others today!

But God - A Tiny Reminder of His Promise

I know, I know. I'm supposed to be all about organization and I am... just not as much as I'm enjoying life.  Yesterday's Wordless Wednesday post was an introduction to Superman (I totally thought that should be two words but I guess not).  Anyhoo, you guys have been along for the ride since the announcement of Tati's pregnancy.  Do you remember the Island's announcement (here)?  What about the gender reveal (here)?

Sometimes, people don't understand those of us who 'do the most.'  They think 'I didn't have to do all that stuff and things turned out just fine for me.' They turn their nose up at the idea of someone documenting a journey through photos or celebrations.

In the case of Tamara and Langston, most were excited to share in the moments leading up to LJ's arrival because we knew it took time, prayer and sacrifice to conceive.  There are always those who, simply put, don't get it.

Why host a cookout to pull together families that are forever connected through the birth of their son?

Why take photos of a belly during this, the only time it will ever be full of blessings in this manner, when you can just remember it?

Why the hoopla?

Why the fun?

Why involve others in your excitement?

1.

Munch and Chazzy August 19, 2012

 

Today is a day I wish I didn't have to face.  My blog is all about celebrating life's milestones...  You know, taking holidays, birthdays, everydays and turning them into a party.  You may recall this time last year I was elated with the news of God baby's arrival (here).

I planned a beautiful baby shower (here, here, here, here and featured in Baby Lifestyles Magazine here).

 

I painted a beautiful nursery:

 

 

I spray painted her crib to be the perfect shade of pink:

I took maternity photos (more here):

 

 

Deb, the girls and I had our own secret society; we truly believed no one on Earth was as excited as we were. We would excitedly chatter about how life would be with god baby on our hips.  I would have to fight with the girls to feel her move, I would fuss with Chazzy over whether her baby sister could stay the night, Munch was all in for changing diapers... If no one else was making plans, WE were making plans.

 

Playing a game with Uncle Dave Aug 19, 2012

Giving Pop-Pop high fives for becoming a great big sister.

Waving by to the family after dinner

 

 

On the eve of our induction, the four of us (Deb, the girls and I) had a teleconference.  Deb was feeling great and tomorrow was the day!  We hung up and happy danced for a LOOOONG time; god baby was coming!

 

 

None of us could sleep so we played Uno and had a late night snack.

 

 

Finally well after midnight, the house was quiet.  I glanced into my gift bag for god baby... "Shoot, don't forget to buy her first bible and to confirm the date of her christening with Dad... O, put the camera in the bag...  Her first birthday party will be awesome... I should get to planning..."

I dozed off dreaming of god mommy stuff...

I received a phone call at 6 o'clock in the morning on August 20.  Three doctors tried but god baby's heartbeat could not be found.  Deb and Chaz arrived for the induction and there was no sign of life.

I rushed to my friends' side.  I called Sheena on the way into the hospital.  She calmed me saying that my friend needs me and that I had to be strong.  We hung up as I entered the elevator.  I said a quick prayer (one of many that day) and suddenly, it hit me.

My job as god mommy was to become a pillar of strength for my friend and for her family.  I had to handle business... There are questions that come with a situation like this you never would imagine answering...

I had to get those answers.  I had to be the POC for the medical staff... to orchestrate photos... to bring food... to help my friend... to ask difficult questions.

 

...To remain focused and strong.  To hold Chaz's and Deb's hand and pray before delivery... For strength, for healing, for peace...  To hold my friend after she held our baby.  To push aside my deep sadness in the best interest of those around me.  To lean on God while others leaned on me.

It's been one year since that day...  One year since those tears...  One year since I spent a week driving to my friend's home early in the morning, climbing in her bed and laying in silence while holding her hand until close to midnight.  One year since the same nursery I was excitedly pulling together would give me a knot in my throat and a pain in my stomach upon every entry since; it's just not the same:

 

Her middle name...

The book we got for Chazzy...

 

Despite the sadness, God proved himself faithful once again.  He brought us through that day and has given us a bond our families will always have.  Deborah, in her walk, has shown me that happiness is a choice.

 

Today, I find peace in knowing that we gave Chandler all the love we could during the amazing months of expectation and I choose to have joy everyday.

 

My post I dedicated to her last year still holds true today...  Check it out here.