When a neat freak becomes a mom

My favorite part of the day--besides H coming home from work is the morning after Mariam goes down for a nap. Serena is at school and it's just me and Layla. During this time Layla and I work on her ABC's and numbers, and then we play, or we might go in the backyard for a little while. Since Mariam naps for about 2 hours in the morning, I also spend a little bit of this time cleaning up and doing some laundry. With a family of five I tend to be washing a load or two at least every other day. 

There's something about folding a fresh batch of sheets as the sun shines through the blinds in my room that comforts me. It's really the act of getting something done with it being quiet, and something that I can control that I like. I am a neat freak by nature. I've always been like this since I was little. My parents never had to ask me to pick up my room, I just always did. I know in most cases, keeping a clean house with little kids goes to hell in a hand basket, but not here. I just feel like things are out of control if the house is too messy.

You know those cute little signs about the house being messy you see plastered on Pinterest or on a friend's Facebook page..

Yeah no. I'm in the camp of my children are making memories, but the house is clean.

This isn't too say that I'm constantly picking up, but I do spend a lot more time than I probably should picking up after everybody. If you know me, you know I can juggle a lot. That doesn't say it doesn't come with a price for myself, but that subject is for another day. When you become a parent, your former self doesn't just pick up a suitcase and leave, rather you adapt, or modify your ways a bit. My neatness hasn't changed but I have gotten better about relaxing a little about it.

Happy Birthday Serena!

You guys! My first born is now 11! 

Gosh the years just flew by! I've found myself thinking a lot these days of when she was little. I miss those days. 

Look what I found. One of her very first pictures.

She seriously was a beautiful baby. Even her profile was perfect in her ultrasound. I had so many people commenting on her when she was a baby. Shh..don't tell the others, but she was the cutest newborn out of the three. Only I didn't have a good camera back in 2002 and not many scanned on the computer so you'll just have to take my word for it. 

Let's reminisce though shall we?

 

Happy Birthday!

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat..

Please to put a penny in the old man's hat....

I swear that song has been on repeat in my head for the past week. Obviously I've got Christmas on the brain. Speaking of which, I've got a few goodies in the shop that would work great for the holidays--or not the holidays. Either way. 

So if you're looking for a gorgeous bib for the holidays..or not the holidays, for your little one, or as a gift, take advantage of free shipping in the continental US all week. 

Have a great Monday!

Mariam's Birthday Party Recap

We threw Mariam's first birthday party this past Saturday and it went great! I did a fall harvest theme which was perfect because I was able to get all the decorations for 60-70% off. Score! I don't know about you, but I love a good deal. I only wish I had gotten better pictures and had more time to spend on the decor. I guess with only having a week to plan it wasn't too shabby. 

Yes talk about procrastinating big time on this. Bad mommy! Would I have liked to have done the first birthday cake photoshoot? Sure. Would I have liked to have had an awesome decorated table with all these goodies--heck even created a goody bag for the kids? Yes, but time got away from me. I had Layla and Serena to still tend too, I hit a busy period with the business and Halloween was the same week. Oh well. The food was good, family was all there and my Mariam was happy. That's all that mattered. 

This banner would have come out awesome had I not left out the H! Obviously someone doesn't know how to spell once it hits midnight. Nonetheless I put it up anyways ha!

Another DIY I tried to do was gold polka dot balloons. Gosh much harder than I thought. Do they sell these anywhere? Sheesh.

Ah but my leaf garland did turn out quite nice.

Her bib from my fall line that matched her harvest theme perfectly got filthy with cake and even blackberry on the collar, but it all washed right out after going through the washer. 

So all in all, I'm sad that Mariam is now one, but glad to have the party behind me. I just have Serena's birthday to celebrate next week and then that should wrap up all the birthday parties for the rest of the year.

Happy Wednesday!

Today I'm guest posting over on Erinn's strawberry swing and other things blog for her fabulous girl mom series. Check it out here! Special thanks to Erinn for giving me an opportunity to talk about my girl's! 

Remember remember the fifth of November!

Happy Birthday to my beautiful baby girl Mariam!

It's so hard to believe that she is one! 

I'll never forget that first sign that she was coming. My little surprise baby, and how I loved watching her grow in my belly.

How can I put into words how much I love my little Mariam? I simply can't. I love her so much--just as much as I love my other girls. How lucky I am to have been blessed with another baby girl.

Halloween Recap!

After two days of dreadful rain, I'm so glad it stopped early afternoon yesterday, just in time for Halloween trick or treating! We had dinner early, dressed the girls and then headed out. I literally did not know what the girls were going to be till last minute but it all came together fabulously and they looked adorable! It was so fun to see Layla going from house to house with Serena, and Mariam had a good time watching them too. 

Have a great weekend! Mariam's birthday is next Tuesday but we are throwing her party tomorrow. Eek! I can't believe she's almost 1!