Wordless Wednesday

Memorial Day Weekend - in pictures. 

Insecurity

I love social media. I'm not going to lie. I love Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and blogging...a lot.

But there is a saying when it comes to Social Media. 

"The reason we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our behind-the-secnes with everyone else's highlight reel."

It's true. We all do it. We look at these pictures and read status updates from your friends perfect little life with her perfect little family - what we don't see is the real...the behind the scenes pictures. 

So we should stop comparing ours to theirs.

Want to see my highlight reel? This is the picture I posted on Memorial day...on my Facebook and Instagram page.

My perfect little picture - of my perfect little son - waving his American Flag. 

Pretty "perfect", huh?

Now for the behind-the-scene or as I like to call it - REAL LIFE.

I hope the next time you compare yourself and your life to someone's highlight reel,  I hope you'll remember this post. 

We have enough to worry about - like raising little humans. Enough with the comparing...we are too busy for that.  

Happy Tuesday, Friends! 

Things...

The best things in life aren't things.

Happy 13 Months to my sweet boy.

Wordless Wednesday

Me and my boy - 5.20.12

Flying with a 12 month old

So as you all know - I was nervous about our flight to Florida. That's how I am though. I get nervous about stuff like that. Stew and I love to travel and have been on flights with crying babies. Not fun. I didn't want to be that parent. I also didn't want to be that couple walking through the airport struggling with strollers and pack n' plays...all while holding their screaming child. Nut-ah. Not me.

IV naps at 10am and 3pm every day. So our flight down was for 10:40. I figured that the extra 40 minutes wouldn't be a huge deal and it was way better than the 6am flight.

We boarded the plane and got him into his car seat. We waved bye to all the planes on the run way and I gave him some milk and a snack for take off to help with the pressure in the cabin. By the time his snack was done, his eyes started getting heavy and he was out.

Well, of course I was still nervous. I'm thinking - "What if he only sleeps for 10 minutes - then is in a horrible mood?" So I ordered a Bloody Mary, like I said I would...and I didn't even get a dirty look (not that I thought I would).

After an hour and half nap, IV woke up and was fine. We watched Sesame Street on the iPad and ate more snacks. Done. We landed. Phew!

The flight home went exactly the same way. We booked that flight during his afternoon nap...but same thing - 1.5 hour nap and snacks galore. 

That would be my advice - snacks and drinks to help with any pressure and if you know when your child normally naps, take the flight during that time - oh, and get yourself a Bloody Mary! We deserve it. 

Thank you all for your kind words prior to us leaving on vacation! 

Cape Coral Vacation

As some of my readers know, my Husband's parents live full time in Florida - so it was time for a little vacation in the G household...and off to Florida we went.

IV was a rock-star. Amazing traveler. He loved the airport and all the attention he got. He loved being on the airplane as well. We bought him a seat, so he was in his carseat the whole flight - and never complained once. He slept on each for about 1.5 hours, then watched TV and listened to music. I know, my little rock-star sounds like he's 15 yrs old. But we did it right. We booked our flight time during his nap...so he was due on each flight.

Ok - I have much more "bragging" to do about him, but I'll save that for another post.

Here is our vacation...in photos:

First day - hanging by the pool

Ft Myers Beach day

Stew's parents

After lunch

More pool time

A day at the Naples Zoo

Shopping and lunch on 5th Ave in Naples

Stew and I went out to celebrate our 5 year anniversary - while the g-parents babysat

A day on the boat

Lunch at Rum Runners 

More to come...

Happy Mothers Day, Mom

Mommy Secrets - Part 2

• I was pissed the other day and slammed my cup in the sink - shattering a glass bowl. My Husband asked how it happened - I told him I wasn't sure. 
• Most days - my lunch consists of a piece of cheese and a fork full of mac & cheese - and a hot dog, off IV's plate.
• I told IV to leave me alone the other day - and he did...then I felt horrible.
• I can't go to Target without buying something.
• I'm very stressed out lately.
• I tend to buy myself "stuff" because I feel "worth it"
• I would like to go shopping and not get a "work" call.
• Some days - nap time can't come soon enough.
• I think our dog smells like Fritos - I'm sure he could use a bath. 
• We are going on vacation very soon - I'm so nervous that IV won't do well on the flight.
• I would like to quit my job.
• I cry once a week - at least.
• I only wear "real" clothes when we go out - if I'm home, you'll find me in sweats - no bra.
• I asked my Husband what he was getting me for Mother's Day - when he didn't respond right away, I gave him a link to what I wanted. 
• My Dad watched IV for me last week while I went to a meeting. He did great - and he put IV's diaper on backwards - It was adorable. 
• I strongly believe in the saying "Happy Wife - Happy Life"
• I have pity parties for myself when I have a stressful day.
• I'm wondering if other travelers will think it's weird when I order a bloody mary on our morning flight. 
• There was a Mama Bear and cub sighting in our neighborhood. I put a piece of left over birthday cake on our porch - hoping to see them. 
• I wish that for one day - EVERYONE would leave me alone. 
• IV is always in our dogs water dish - therefore, during the day it's on the kitchen table. Poor dog can never get a drink.
• IV dialed 911 last week - two police officers were at my door in 2 minutes. 
• Some days - I pour a drink, prior to 5 o'clock.
• I found an amazing self tanner - and use it.
• I'm bringing a book on vacation - I don't think I'll get to read it. 
• On weekends - my Husband takes over and handles most diaper changes and food preps. It feel like a mini vacation.
• I'm ready for our vacation.

The Weekend

What did we do this weekend? Finally got out to enjoy the SUN! 

Happy Monday! 

IV's First Birthday Bash - Details

Welcome!

I finally finished sorting through the 400+ images that our photographer snapped of IV's First Birthday Bash! 

I have been planning this party since - oh, October. First up - the invite! 

If you know me, you know I don't like anything "baby" - so this is what I finally came up with. I plan to layout and design his birthday invite for the years to come as well. | address and email blocked out for privacy |

Next - the food. When I go to a party, I hope there are two things: good food and good drinks. Done and done. 

The Puritan Backroom is known for their chicken tenders and greek salad - they are also known for their delicious mudslides too, but we couldn't get those to go - so it was a no brainer and I placed an order.

My Mom makes the best Spinach Pita and my Dad makes a killer Dirty Rice, so orders were placed with them as well. 

For other appetizers, we kept it simply with all of our favorites: chips, cheese & crackers, fruit sticks and veggie cups, pinwheels and cucumber & garlic spread. Oh! And not to be forgotten - POPCORN! 

And, I snuck in a picture of the guest cake and IV's smash cake! We ordered and designed the cake from Jacques Pastries - the same place that we got our wedding cake from. Again, they are known in these parts for their amazing cakes! 

Decor was also a very important party of planning IV's party. I wanted it fun, modern and colorful. All the decor was either hand made or purchased locally.

Top left: party favors for our guest. Seed Bombs purchased from Etsy - Cedar Wood Rustics. Kayla was amazing to work with and she hand dyed 100 seed bombs to match our party decor. I created the gift tags and placed three bombs in each bag. The gift card read: "All Things Grow with Love - simply plant, water and watch it grow - every year"

Top right: card table. I bought the chevron runner also on Etsy - Jennifer Farley Designs. The "Cards" banner, I hand made with paint and burlap. Red and orange tulips were pre-ordered from Nicole's Greenhouse and finally, the photo of IV with matting for guest to sign. See picture below:

Oh! And that adorable shirt - that was hand-made by Megan. Go check out her blog and you'll see some of the cute stuff she makes! 

Ok. Ready for picture overload now? Here you go.

My Dad and IV

Our sweet friend, Amanda and IV

IV, III & Jr.

The reason why we celebrated

Us with Stew's parents and Great Aunts and Uncle

Us with my family - Sister and BIL and my Mom and Dad

Us with Stew's Mom and Dad

The "G" Family

I have plenty more to share - by that is all for today. A big thanks to Laura at Linden Photography + Design as well - for capturing our day. And you can head over to her page to see even more photos! 

Happy Weekend!