A Minnie Party

Payton is getting SOOOO close to being 2.  Other than I cannot believe how long ago I had a baby (literally), I have got to get on the party planning!

This is cute, but I think mine just be circles with the words.

We know that it will be a Minnie themed party since she LOVES her.  Minnie is really the only character she knows but I think that it is fitting.  I have the invites pretty much ready (well, I have two choices but I want to see what the print outs look like).

Now the details:
- decorations - I want to do the same type of things I did for her first birthday.  I will be making a couple of banners, cupcake toppers, but I also would love to do a door sign or wreath.  We will see about that last one.

- food - we are going to order sandwiches, but the sides and appetizers are on us.  I am thinking mac and cheese, coleslaw, veggies, chips and dip, and some fruit.  Oh, and the cupcakes. :)

Can I get it together to get this done?  It is really cute!

- who to invite - this is one that I cannot figure out.  We have always planned on family only.  I am really torn on whether or not to invite her sitter and the kids that go there.  J says no and I don't disagree but I am torn.  Help?!?!

- what we will be getting her - we had said some sort of bike/outdoor ride on something but we inherited a cozy coupe (LOVE having older cousins).  I know I would love the focus to be on outdoor toys and summer clothes, but I just don't know what kind of outdoor stuff she would use the longest.  Ideas?!?!

Why I work out

I took a little bit of a break from the gym when I had my surgery but I am back at it.  Today was a great aerobic day - a solid elliptical kind of day.  It feels good to get a good sweat going.

I will have an update on a weight and cardio workout soon.  I need to get back to the weights for sure.  I definitely got to the point where I felt stronger and I want to get back.  I think that I have lost a little weight but I don't know.  I honestly don't weigh myself.  I like to see how clothes fit better.

I am hoping that my spring clothes fit well.  I am hoping to spend a lot of my summer at the pool and not feel totally self conscious.  I want to be a great role model for P.  I feel good after.  I get to do some reading during.  I am hoping that it inspires other moms to make the time for themselves.

Do you work out?  What is your favorite activity?

Soooo late - 22 month update

School. Is. Killing. Me. I'm trying to get back but it's so busy with everything. I have to do this post and I will get back on track after that. Promise.

Age: 22 months

Sizes: We have our first set of size 5 diapers though. There are a few 4s still lingering but we will be in 5s by next week.  She is now into 24 month clothes solidly, with mainly 2T tops. My little girl has no butt so her pants slide off regularly. I think I need to get one of those elastic buckles for the back. 

Sleeping: We are working out the crying before bed and naps. She still is napping well - I hope this sticks. :)

Eating: We are having a little more of a struggle here. Veggies are not a hit so I have resorted to pouches to get some veggies in. I am struggling with her eating what we eat vs stuff I know she will eat. Any suggestions would be great!

Favorites:  She is still loving Minnie - we are planning a Minnie themed birthday! She loves to color and run. My iPad and YouTube is a hit. She loves to watch babies (aka funny baby videos). I'm hoping that she might watch some kids playing but not the ones climbing out of the crib!

Weekly Update

Hello out there!  I'm back!  I'm going to take it slow because work s still super crazy basketball is busy, and the flu hasn't hit us yet. I'm waiting!

Here is the plan for this week:
- 22 month update (better late than never)
- what I've been up to (a holiday wrap up)

I'm hoping I can squeeze a 3rd post into this week but we will see. Good to see everyone!

A unintentional break

Winter break, the holidays, surgery - everything was great. I will let you know about everything but not now. The weekend before New Years I got the worst head cold ever. I thought it was gone when I headed back to school January 7th. Too bad by Wednesday, I had almost no voice.

PS this is not good for a high school teacher.

Then my teeth started hurting. The sinus pressure was so bad. I broke down and got antibiotics. I finally feel better. Yeah!

On the flip side between work, home, P, basketball, etc has taken over. Unfortunately the blog has been the victim. I will be back, hopefully sooner rather than later. Talk to you soon!

My ode to 2012

2012 was a fun ride for me! Nothing too extreme but here is what I remember the most!!

I remember:

• finally getting to eat regular food!  Thankfully, P's intolerance to dairy and soy were not lasting!
• celebrating her first birthday with our families.  She didn't dive into the cake like I had really hoped but I think she had fun!
• watching her crawl, walk, and talk for the first time all in the same year.  I think it will always amaze me how much she learns each day!
• learning how much J knows about taking care of P.  I think he has amazed himself too.
• experiencing my second 3 Day with my BFF Amy.
• going back to school and remembering that although I love P, I love my job too.  And I really love our sitter and how she cares for P.
• sharing the joy of a long awaited pregnancy for a dear friend of mine.
• sharing the heartbreak of losing two former students and a co worker's father.
• getting back to the gym and taking control of my workout schedule.
• watching the craziness of Connecticut and my heart breaking for all the families.
• ending the year with uneventful holidays and a NYE at home with my 2 loves.

I hope that 2013 can be even better.  Can it?

TAT: Year in review - blog edition

Sorry I have been a little MIA, but a bad head cold has had me down. I will have more on that soon.

Blogging has been a great outlet for me. I wish I could do more and still hope that I will. I love sharing my ideas, documenting P's life, and just sharing. It's been fun and I'm glad you're here!

My favorite post of 2012 is this Wordless Wednesday post: http://myorganizedchaosverstreate.blogspot.com/2012/09/wordless-wednesday-outside.html?m=1
It has my two favorite people and shows their love. 

Here's what readers liked best. The top 5 posts according to traffic are:
5Dinners 1 Hour give away: http://myorganizedchaosverstreate.blogspot.com/2012/09/5-dinners-1-hour-review-and-giveaway_13.html?m=1

Tommee Tippee review: http://myorganizedchaosverstreate.blogspot.com/2012/08/reviewtommee-tippee.html?m=1

TAT baby needs: http://myorganizedchaosverstreate.blogspot.com/2012/08/tat-baby-must-haves.html?m=1

Wordless Wednesday: http://myorganizedchaosverstreate.blogspot.com/2012/08/almost-wordless-wednesday.html?m=1

TAT balance after kids: http://myorganizedchaosverstreate.blogspot.com/2012/08/tat-is-there-balance-after-kids.html?m=1