September Birthday Club...

We kicked off our weekend of birthday celebrations by having everyone over to celebrate the September Birthday Club. It was Grandma's actual birthday so it was the perfect kick-off to the birthday extravaganza. 

Gifts were exchanged including some instant classics like a Virginia Tech puzzle for Adam & Grandma to assemble together, an ice cream cone & cake mixer toy for Harper, a roller coaster erector set for Adam and my personal favorite - the air pods I received from my family! Woohoo! 

We snapped lots of family photos - which is actually a bit rare these days -we tend to be so busy hosting, cooking, entertaining that we don't always remember to do this - I'm so glad we did. 

For dessert I whipped up a super decadent chocolate fudge cake with chocolate ganache frosting - my mom's favorite things - chocolate on chocolate! It was devoured and enjoyed by all! 

Another successful September Birthday Club celebration in the books...but of course it was just the beginning of the birthday fun. In fact - the next night we had Poppy over to help celebrate (unfortunately Ommy wasn't feeling very well.) Poppy is always so much fun to have around - a perfect continuation of the festivities! 

Harper turns 1!

We waited so long for our sweet Harper and then he decided to cut the wait short, arriving 2.5 months early at just 2 pounds 15 ounces, and then we waited 60 long days for him to come home to us from the NICU and then we waited 2 months to get sleep as he battled a terrible case of reflux, and then all of a sudden we blinked and he was turning 1 and weighing in at 21 pounds (heavier than his big brother was at his 1 year appointment). To say it was a crazy year would be an understatement, but I wouldn't change our journey with Harper for anything. 

Harper continues to amaze with all of his skills - saying "Momma" "Dadda" and there's something that sounds like "Adam." He moves around so well and will no doubt be walking before long. He claps his hands when you say "Patty Cake" and his giggles and smiles could brighten even the cloudiest of days. 

We put together a Super Hero themed celebration to round out our first 12 months of Harper! Seemed fitting for our Super Hero Super Star champion! 

It's also fair to say that cake is probably his new favorite food. 

Happy birthday Harper - you sure fought your way to the one year mark and we can't wait to watch you continue to grow, thrive, smile, learn, laugh, and love! 

An American Girl Birthday for Olivia...

I'm so lucky to have an adorable niece who I can re-live the girly parts of my childhood through. For her 6th birthday I got to do that in spades as we surprised her with a trip to the American Girl Store for lunch and a wee bit of a shopping. :) 

I couldn't resist bringing my American Girl, Kirsten, along for the ride and Olivia had her Bitty Baby, Wendy, with her. Sure I may be 33, but that day I was 8 again - and that was ok. 

It really is an awesome experience - they have thought of all the details, including cute hair ties that serve as napkin rings but that you can take home with you - high chairs for your dolls and tiny cups and saucers so they can dine alongside you - cocktails on the menu for the moms (aunties & grandmas) and of course chocolate milk for the kiddos - doll holders in the bathrooms - and of course a store filled with every imaginable outfit, accessory, book, video, doll, etc. that any girl would love to have! 

We had so much fun shopping with Olivia and letting her pick out some new clothes and accessories for Wendy. I'd say Olivia left there quite happy with all her big red bags! 

After the American Girl Store we let the boys in on the celebration with cake, ice cream and more presents back at their house. 

A perfect celebration for a perfect little girl! Happy birthday Olivia! XO