memories

Dexter’s 2nd birthday

Posted on by mommyinthemidwest

Par for the course, I’m a little bit behind on posting about Dexter’s birthday.  His celebration lasted for about a week with several separate mini-celebrations.

His birthday was on Monday 5/13.  On the Saturday morning before (also the day before Mother’s Day…busy weekend!), we met a friend at the bounce house and they played for maybe an hour and a half.

Afterwards, we had lunch at McAlister’s and took the boys home to put them in bed.

 I fixed cheesy potatoes, homemade rolls, and homemade funfetti cupcakes complete with homemade milk chocolate and buttercream frostings.  We also marinated and grilled shrimp and pork chops.  Ryan’s parents came over for dinner and we decorated a little bit with some fun sports balls balloons, plates, napkins, etc.

Of course there were gifts and big brother “helping” Dexter open them.  If that’s what you want to call it.

Theo helped Dexter pick his ice cream… mint chocolate chip.  Why?  Because Theo is obsessed with GREEN.  All things must be green.  So when we were at Target the night before and Theo was begging for green ice cream but we told him that ultimately it was Dexter’s choice, sweet Dex had mercy on Theo’s soul and conceded.  Turned out to be quite delicious. 
It was nice enough to play outside for a little bit, despite being a little chilly for MID-MAY. Come on, weather. Get it together. 
Dueling lawnmowers.  Gnomeo and Juliet, anyone?
On Monday, Dexter’s actual birthday, I decided to forego sending any treats to the babysitter’s house, as cruel as I felt, due to the amount of JUNK that had been consumed over the weekend and knowing that we were having friends over for a cookout that night.  Some good friends that live nearby helped us celebrate yet again.
Ladies’ man!!
On the Thursday after Dexter’s birthday (5/16) we drove down to Pigeon Forge, TN and met up with my mom, sister, and her family at a cabin.  We spent Friday at Dollywood as another quasi-celebration of Dexter’s birthday.  I had intended to have more cake, more ballooons, and more ALLTHATSTUFF but I think we were all sort of partied out and caked out.  So we settled for more presents and lots of family time.  Perfect way to cap Dexter’s week-long, two-is-terrific, birthday hurrah.  

So as you can see, we’ve been a bit busy. I have much more from Pigeon Forge and Memorial Day weekend to share, but I’m trying to do things in order.  And yes, we intended to get our money’s worth out of that 2nd birthday shirt Dexter’s wearing in the majority of these pics.  It paid off because as we were eating at Miss Lillian’s Chicken House (at Dollywood), Miss Lillian herself sung Dexter a very special birthday song. Extreme fun!  
So that’s sweet Dexter’s birthday.  A special week of fun for a special little boy!  Not quite the huge circus-themed bash we had last year (here, here, and here), but it was perfect to all of us.  ðŸ™‚ Loving having these 2 & 3 year olds.  It’s definitely a different stage, but so much fun. 
xo, 
~C~

Dear Dexter (2 year letter)

Posted on by mommyinthemidwest

Dear Dexy,

Two years have whizzed by and here we are once again, celebrating another birthday.  You have been celebrating for a few days already and we’ve told you happy birthday so many times that you probably have no clue when your birthday really is.  We decided not to have a big party this year, just a few small gatherings with the people closest to our family.
Such a big kid now. 
Every time we drive past a playground, daycare, or elementary school, you shout “mommy, a playground! I wanna go there!”  You are noticing everything in your world and telling us about it. Your vocabulary and ability to initiate conversation has exploded in the last couple of months. I love being able to talk to you in the car about every little thing you see.  
You have boundless energy and enthusiasm for life.  You have started having the occasional tantrum but you don’t hold a candle to your brother in that department. Yet.  Since you were tiny, you have always been this happy little guy.  Content. Laid back and happy to go with the flow.  It doesn’t seem to bother you when your schedule changes. Without a nap, you become more hyper and less willing to listen to redirection but it doesn’t ruin your day.  Like some people (no names!). 
You might end up being our little sports fanatic.  Just like daddy.  You have shown an interest in sports on t.v. and can identify most sports balls.  You taught yourself how to dribble a basketball and will spend lots of time outside in the driveway showing us and practicing.  You also love to just throw a ball.  Or bounce a ball. Or kick a ball. Or roll a ball.  I love that you have this interest because it’s yours and yours alone. This is not something that you like because Theo does.  This is ALL YOU!  
You love mowing the grass!
  
You have such a fun, curious, and mischevious personality, but you also have such a sweet side.  You love coming into mommy & daddy’s bed early in the morning and snuggling between us.  You’ll say “I wanna sun-gull.”  You love having someone gently tickle your back or belly.  You’ll say “kickle my bell-dee!”  You love giving hugs and chisses and frequently ask for them.  You tell us all the time “I love and like you!”  Sweet, sweet, boy.  I love and like you too.  More than you’ll ever know. 
You love to eat!  You are not picky about what you eat.  For almost as long as I can remember, you’ve been stubborn about feeding yourself.  We cleaned up a lot of messes because you started this at a very young age.  Apparently independence is wearing off because now you’ll often ask for help with your spoon or help with your fork when it’s too much trouble or effort for you.  You love meat, fruit, vegetables, cheese, sweets, and salty treats.  You’re just an easy guy to please.
You and your brother are quite a silly pair together.  Sure, you push and shove and take things away from each other but often times, the best part of my day is watching you play together.  Offering to help your brother or accepting help from him.  You love each other.  One of my biggest hopes for you and Theo is that you’ll always be close. That you’ll always love, help, and support each other.  That you’ll love each other’s kids and be the coolest uncles and the best dads in town.  You’ve got a great role model. 
Dexter, your daddy and I cannot imagine life without you.  You are an incredible little boy!  I’m so proud to call you mine, even though I know you’re not, really.  I’m just housing, loving, and teaching you until you are ready to take on the world. I’m honored to be your mom.  Two is going to be amazing!
all the hugs and kisses chisses you can handle,
Mommy

thir-tee-three is okay with me

Posted on by mommyinthemidwest

My birthday last year was so bad, I don’t think I ever even blogged about it.  Terrible.  Definitely my worst birthday ever and one of my top 5 least favorite days in life.  I worked for about 18 hours and the weather was crappy and it was just one.of.those.days.  Except there was the expectation that it would be fabulous.  It was a bad start to 32.

But 32 was wrapped up neatly with a little bow and put on a shelf today as 33 took it’s place.  I worked today.  One huge difference between this year and last – I love my job.  I was over my old job by this time last year.  I LOVE my job.  And today I realized just how much I love the people I work with.  I feel lucky to be around people that care so much and went the extra mile to make sure I knew that they did.

I MAY or may not have prepped the boys before they went to bed last night.  READ: “Mommy’s very special birthday is tomorrow so make sure you remember to tell me happy birthday, give me lots of hugs and kisses, and sing to me when you wake up!”

And I may or may not have had to remind them again today, but that’s okay. They delivered.

It was a little hard to focus at work today with my phone buzzing every 5 minutes for Facebook notifications where someone had posted birthday wishes on my wall.  SO NICE!  This is something I am so bad about. But it really did make me feel loved and special so I vow to do better.  Happy birthday everyone!  
A friend at work took me to lunch and we were able to chat and catch up, which was a treat.  I returned to my desk being decorated and this: 
SO NICE.
After work, Ryan’s parents came up to watch the boys so we could go out for dinner and drinks. I met Ryan at the Toyota dealership where I dropped my car off for an oil change. 
Then we headed downtown to a new-ish place (recommended by one of my kind co-workers) called Bakersfield.  
I think I’m obsessed with this place. 
I’m definitely obsessed with the food. 
We tried the Fish (1), Pastor (2), Huitlacoche (3), and Short Rib (4).  Oh, and the chips & queso.  
All dee-lish.
I had the Red Headed Stranger per the server’s suggestion and Ryan had The Drifter.  Both too strong for my liking, but fun to try anyway. 
cheers!
loves.
I couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful evening to stroll downtown through a couple of charming shops. 
Seriously. So perfect.
Such a neat store. I wish I had unlimited space and money!
It was well after seven and I needed to pick up my car before eight so we headed back to the dealership.  Then swung by Cheesecake Factory on the way home and left with a to-go bag of sinfully delicious desserts.
There’s never any trouble finding helpers when presents need to be opened. 
Gifts consisted of money to buy new clothes and a Hungry Girl cookbook.
YAY!
We put the boys to bed and then enjoyed our hidden and forbidden treats.  Oh yes.
And with that, I’ll be getting RIGHT back to Couch to 5k and eating healthy tomorrow.  
What a day – what a WONDERFUL day.  And thank you so much to anyone and everyone who played a large or small role in my day today!  I’m truly happy. Truly blessed.  Loving 33!
xoxo,
~C~