Let's Party

Well, it is a little late, but I still wanted to post about the little guy's first birthday.  I have started this post about 100 times in my head, sat down at the computer at least 20, and gotten distracted all 120 times.  Well, not today sister! 

The theme was Ties and Tutus.  Here is the invitation that I made (with the help of my handy assistant, Steve):

In case you can't read it, it says, "Little Davis is turning ONE, and wants to celebrate with you-you.  He's a fancy guy, so come on by, and wear your tie or tu-tu!"

 As per my usual, I prepared way too much food....we were eating fried mac and cheese balls for a week!

  

I made a ton of food, but apparently I was too busy eating to take pictures of it.  Picture this: Asian marinated chicken bites, venison sausage, hummus and veggies, baked avocado fries, fruit tray, cheese and crackers, pb&j sushi rolls, etc.

 The cupcake cakes.  I love the tutu!  The tie looks like a fish...

 I am so happy with how the cups turned out!  I found the stickers at Hobby Lobby and they came with a code to a website where you can design them.  So easy!

 Those pretzels dipped in chocolate, should be illegal.  Seriously more addictive than crack.

I found the tie cookie cutter on etsy (I also ordered a bow tie cutter which arrived the day after I baked them...grrrrr!) I found the cookie recipe on Pinterest, here.  They were delicious but I wasn't able to decorate them as much as I wanted.  That is completely due to my unsteady hand and lack of creativity.

 

 I found this number idea on Pinterest.  I cannot think of a more beautiful work of art and wanted to leave it up for all of eternity, but the tape started to give way, and after putting the pictures back on the wall about 1000 times, I finally surrendered.  I miss it.

 I also found the printable for these adorable party hats on Pinterest (does anyone see a theme here?).  They are so cute, but they took a long time to make and hardly anyone wore them.  Hindsight: just buy the hats or go without. 

(After re-reading this, and seeing the picture of it on my adorable little model...

it was worth every minute just for that picture.)

Yet another Pinterest idea was this adorable banner.  I took pictures from different stages of his life and put little party hats and ties on them.  I kept this and am still deciding where I will hang it until his High School graduation, then College graduation, wedding, and then my funeral.  Love!

 Davis was in high fashion and high spirits through the entire party.  He LOVES having people around him even if he is just sitting back watching the activity.

Who says the moms can't wear tutus too?

The cuteness of the babies in this picture is too much for me to handle.  Everyone came in their fanciest attire, which was so fun!

I mean, seriously, look at these two.  His suspenders killed me!

I put several clusters of balloons outside and, as I'm sure you can imagine, the kids had a blast playing with them.  I'm not sure which boy in this picture is having the most fun though.  

 

Then came the cake:

 Davis was not a fan.

"Hey mom, wanna grab me a wet wipe or something?"

His hat, tie and bloomers were purchased from this wonderful lady, Laura, at her Sprinkles of Love Etsy shop. She was fabulous to work with and the product could not have been more adorable.  I definitely recommend her.

All in all, it was a great party.  Davis' guests were WAY too generous

And we had so much fun with everyone!

Happy 1st Birthday little guy!

Who wants cake?

I don't feel like it!

I know I haven't written in awhile, frankly, I just haven't felt like it.  So, instead of blowing your minds with all of my insight and wit, I am just going to post lots of pictures.  Enjoy!

(It should also be noted that I started this post a week ago and what you see above is as far as I got....)

Davis got to experience what it would be like to have a big sister when our friends from Florida and their 4 year old came to visit for a week.  Kendylle was the first person Davis looked for when he woke up, and would follow her all over the house.  At one point, he got jealous when I was playing with her and crawled into my lap to mark his territory...I loved it!  (I just re-read that sentence and it sounds like he crawled into my lap and peed on me and I loved it.  That is not what happened.)

We had Christmas with my parents here in Houston.  Davis had a blast and we had just as much fun watching him.  He is spoiled and my house is beginning to look like Toys R Us, which I swore would NEVER happen.  If you read back through this blog, you will see that I make a lot of proclamations of NEVER, and it always seems to happen.  What's the deal?!?!

Davis got his first motorcycle.  For his birthday, I need to find him a leather jacket and a local biker gang for him to join.

 

For New Year's we went to Florida to visit family.  While we were there, my Nanny went to heaven and so a family reunion ensued.  Davis met his cousin Dillon and instantly fell in love.  There were so many kisses exchanged, I had to remind Davis that it is against the law to have a relationship with a first cousin.

 

So, he changed his approach and pulled her bow into her eyes to remind her who was older and in charge around here.

We also went to visit Auntie Beth in Sarasota and she took some more amazing pictures of the little guy.  Here are a few of my favorites:

I am OBSESSED!

I've been working out like a madwoman trying to get my body back.  Baby Boot Camp is a God-send.  I take Davis with me, on the days that we don't have the nanny, and he plays with the other kids or just laughs at us while we work out.  These ladies don't mess around; I've been burning between 500-750 calories per class lately.  I'm tired!!!!!

Davis got his first baby gate.  Our kitchen is only accessible by one doorway, so we put this up rather than putting those annoying latches on every single cabinet.  Davis isn't liking being behind bars, which we are very happy about.

Davis had a playdate with his little buddy, Jack, who is the same age as Dillon.  This kid kisses everything in sight.

I found a new place for Davis to hang out while I shower.

He loves to carry a picture of himself all over the house.  Can you blame him?  If I looked like that, I would carry a picture of myself around too.

Not only is Davis giving kisses now, he also claps his hands.  Turn off the volume on your computer before you watch this video please.  No questions, just do it.

Is it muted yet?

How about now?

You better do it!

You're a terrible listener.

Finally, while I was starting this post, I went to check on Davis and found this:

Oh shit! Better buy another gate.

Lately...

We have had a lot of firsts lately.

Davis is crawling!  He first started scooting around the night of Thanksgiving, and this video was taken the following day.  He is moving much faster now.

As his Auntie Jill said, he was playing fetch with himself.  Glad he won't be too bored being an only child!

He has also found this amazing toy and there is one in every room!

That same weekend, we went to the ranch and Davis tried his hand at driving the 4-wheeler.

(He doesn't mean to flick you the bird...he was just in the zone.)

"Hold on mom!"

"You ready back there?"

Then Davis got his first Christmas tree.  They had to get acquainted very quickly.

Ta Da!

"You want my hand on the gift?"

 

"Dad, this has gotten ridiculous.  How many of these is she going to take?"

By the way, he looks very ginger in these pictures, but I think it is just the lighting.  His hair is very blonde.

That same night, Davis met Santa for the first time!

 He did so great!

This was also his first trip to Bass Pro Shops, so he and his daddy did some shopping.

"I think that one would be better for what you are trying to catch, Dad."

And, of course, he had to check out the fish tank.

 

It has been an exciting holiday season so far!

 

You've missed....well, a lot.

Since the last time I posted....I believe that was in 2002...a lot has happened.  Here is the brief recap:

Davis is still cute...some things never change.

We went to Florida to visit family for Labor Day weekend (OK, so this was before my last post, but I never mentioned it, okay!).  Davis got to meet my mom's side of the family for the first time, including my sweet Nanny who has Alzheimer's.  I'm not sure she knew who I was, but she was perfectly fine with me because I brought a handsome little guy for her to play with.

 
My mom came to town for almost 3 weeks.  Davis was in heaven and we bought him this awesome new bath tub: (when you squeeze it's beak, it quacks...so great!)

She also took him to the park every day.  Now Davis would like to know where his Gram went, because mommy isn't as much fun and he misses his daily park visits. 

Steve and I went to Napa/Sonoma with some great friends from St. Louis.  We drank a ton of great wines, bought too much wine, and really enjoyed our time with our friends.

The neighbor from across the street came over and got Davis sick, which Davis gave to me, which I gave to Steve, which Steve gave to Davis, which Davis gave to me, which I gave to Steve....the pattern continues.

 (no picture....just imagine a sick house)

While my mom was here, we took Davis to the aquarium.

My mom also picked up Davis' Halloween costume.  He loves it!

I went to New York with one of my best friends who lives in Chicago.  We don't get to see each other enough and decided we need at least 2 girl's weekends a year.

Davis is also now the proud owner of 2 teeth and is getting up on all 4's and starting to rock a little.  Crawling is just around the corner!

I think that's about it for now.  What have you been up to?