First Birthday, Martha-Style

First of all, I would like to let you all know that AG is experiencing her first stomach bug. Which means I am experiencing my first showdown with baby vomit. And it's kicking my butt.


Obviously, I deserve a little treat, so I'm sitting here blogging and watching Vampire Diaries.


And obviously, I am very mature.


Anyway, even though AG's first birthday is way over (I mean, she's practically almost 2 by now), I wanted to make sure I posted some pictures of her first birthday party.


(At least it's still her birthday month, am I right, people?)


Disclaimer: What you will see in the following photos is in no way a true representation of my Martha-skillz. It is, instead, a representation of fantastic family and friends who made food, helped me decorate, shared cake-lady numbers with me, and just generally made the party awesome.


It is also a representation of several stressful hours in Hobby Lobby, also known as my idea of a nightmare.


AG can never doubt my love for her after this.

If you think you've seen this before, you have. I saw it on Kelly's Korner  for Harper's birthday, and just had to re-create it. Unfortunately, that meant sounding like a major creeper when explaining to John that this idea came from a girl whose blog I stalk.

I went temporarily insane and decided that these tissue paper balls were a good idea.

Unfortunately, I'm not good (or terrible) at making them.

Thankfully, Sara took over so I could quit accidentally ripping this poor, defenseless tissue paper into a gazillion pieces.

Here's our sassy little star of the day!

If I could get away with pretending I made this myself, don't think I wouldn't do it.

But those of you who know me would know that to be impossible, so I guess I'll be honest.

All of AG's grandparents got in on the birthday action.

 
Quite a few of AG's "not actually related, but will spoil her rotten" aunts were able to be there.

Btw, do not ask what I'm wearing. I realized after planning a Georgia themed birthday party, that I apparently no longer wear red and black.

(I bleed it though).

(I'm officially out for that).

Anyway, when John saw my outfit, he was like, um, isn't this supposed to be a tailgate party? Wear something you would actually wear to a game.


And then, I was like, sweetie, I would totally have worn this to a game. Did they even have football at Furman?

(Aw, snap.)


We finally gave AG her cake....and we took this really great video of the moment. Unfortunately, I have now unsuccessfully tried to upload it about 37 times, and am so irritated that I’m giving it up.  Because I really don't want to be forced to throw my computer out the window.

(Although then maybe I could get a mac.....hmmmmmmm.)

I'll pray for some patience and try again tomorrow.

Tagged

So, I have about 37 different things I want to write about, but apparently can't manage to get my blog on more than once a week. 
Although, clearly I can manage to use embarrassing phrases like "get my blog on."

In the next few days, I will get my blog on (see, I can't stop) about AG's first birthday, a fun trip to the beach with the Bagwells, and our SIXTH anniversary!  You may even get to hear about AG's 1 year pediatrician appointment.

Try not to die of excitement in the meantime.

For now, though, my friend Melanie at "Mel’s Coffee Break," has tagged me in a blog post. I've never been tagged before, so I hope I get this right.  Basically, she asked me the following 7 questions, and then in turn, I get to ask 7 other bloggers, 7 new questions.  I'm looking at you, blog friends.  I'm about to get my tag on.

Stop, Sherri.  Just stop.

1. What is your life slogan / verse / motto?
Zephaniah 3:17—The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing.

(Btw, that was a paraphrase.  I hope I didn't just misquote the Bible.)

2. What one piece of advice would you give to your "younger" self if you could?
Just say no to perms, bangs, and acid-washed jeans. Oh, and those boys you liked? They really aren’t all that great compared to who you end up with.

3. What do you enjoy most about blogging?
Probably just sharing my randomness with the few people who care to read. And keeping up with things that are going on in life. Since my journaling attempts tend to last, oh maybe a day at best.

4. Do you have any dreams that have been on the back-burner that you still would like to achieve?
I’m kind of embarrassed to answer this question. But I’ve always wanted to write a book.  Despite no knowledge of how to do so, and the fact that my only qualification is that I like to READ books.

Also, I’ve always wanted to be one of Justin Timberlake’s backup dancers.

I think both of these dreams fall somewhere between highly unlikely and completely impossible.


5. What is something new you would like to learn?
I’d really love to learn how to sew. And if you knew me in college, or really just at any point in my life, you probably just fell off your chair laughing. But, I do like to create things, and although I am not very Martha-inclined, maybe I could save myself some $$ when I need curtains.


6. What is something about you that we would be surprised to learn?
I was the spelling bee champion of my elementary school. I won with the word “gubernatorial.”


7. If you found $100 bill, (lucky you!) what would you buy?
I should probably say something selfless, like diapers or baby clothes. But in reality, I would head straight to the nearest Anthropologie.
Hey, just being honest here.

Okay, so now I make up seven new questions, and tag seven new bloggers.  So I can get my tag on, and you can get your blog on. 

(I promise not to ever say that again.  Maybe.)

I'm tagging:

Caroline at O-Baby
Betsy at Three B's in a Pod
Candace at The Smith Faily
Kelly at The Denbow Family
Jenny at The Ostensons
Kimberly at The Nelsons
Sara at One More Thing

And girls, your questions to answer are:

1.  What's your most embarrassing moment?

2.  How did you meet your husband/fiance?

3.  What is one thing you would change about yourself, if you had the chance?

4.  What is your biggest pet peeve?

5.  What's your favorite word?  (Mine's "satchel," in case you were wondering.)

6.  What is your favorite place in the world?  Be specific.

7.  If you could re-name yourself, what name would you pick? 

Did I do this right, Melanie?  Thanks for tagging me, girl.  It was fun!

Happy 1st Birthday, AG!

Dear Ally Grace,

At 5:03 on October 8th, 2009, you changed my life forever. 

(Well, really it was nine months before, when you started making me want to barf all day, every day. But let's not split hairs, shall we?)

(Excuse me, what do you have to be upset about? 

Clearly, I'm the one who should've been crying.)

I tried to find this sassy nightgown to wear to your birthday party.

You know, for old times sake. 

I can't believe we made it through our first year! I was literally terrified (what's that?  You didn't notice?  So sweet.) of all things motherhood--from holding you, to changing your diaper, to feeding you. 

Let's face it.  God is good.

One day you'll read this blog, and you'll probably think several things.  Like, "my mom is really random and prone to oversharing." Or, "she sure does talk about cupcakes a lot." Or even "jeez, she watches some truly bad tv."


But what I really want you to think is "wow, she's insanely crazy about me."


(In the good way, of course).


And in case I'm not around to say it (annnd, why am I talking about this?! I blame Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhmel, and their dumb movie coming out that makes me cry every single time I see the preview), I want you to know that you and your dad have made my life amazing. In more ways than one.

Happy birthday little presh!

Oh, Mexico

First of all, I have to say a HUGE thank you to my friend, neighbor, and apparent blog-reader, Lindsey!  She left an adorable UGA cheerleading uniform on my front steps while we were on vacation, and it was SUCH a fun surprise to come home to!  Thanks to you, Lindsey, I no longer have to craft a uniform out of garbage bags and tissue paper.

Is this not adorable? And if you think there won't be a gazillion pictures of AG in this uniform, then you would be wrong.

It's hard to write about our trip to Mexico without wanting to drop everything and move there immediately.  Because it's an amazing place.  Well, except for the drug cartels. 

Fortunately, we didn't see any of those. (Although I did ask John maybe 100 times if we were going to get kidnapped or something.  While checking the State Dept website.  And reading the Mexico travel warning about 27 times.  I'm sure this was adorable, and not at all annoying.)

Thanks to a job with some sweet perks, John and I got to go to Playa del Carmen for 6 days, ALL EXPENSES PAID.  Excuse me, WHAT?!   Yes, you read that correctly.  Some company actually makes it's employees go to a gorgeous, 5-star, all-inclusive resort for WORK.  There is actually a guy (sadly, not John) whose job it is to scout locations for company retreats.  Which means, he gets to travel to these ridiculous, exotic locales, let's say it together, shall we? For WORK. 

Not that I'm jealous or anything. 

We left for Mexico on Wednesday morning, and arrived at the Grand Velas Riveria Maya early that afternoon.  When I tell you that it's probably the closest thing to heaven on earth that I've experienced, I am not exaggerating.  Here are a few things that made it great:

• Did I mention all-inclusive?  Did you know that means that you can eat EVERYTHING in the mini-bar, every. single. day? 

I mean, I'm only assuming, because it's not like I would actually do that.  (Okay, I would totally do that.  And did.  Every day.  And if you think I didn't stuff the entire mini-bar into my purse on the day we left, then you clearly have never read this blog). 

• We had a personal butler named, Orion.  I'm not even sure what buttling entails, or why we would need a butler.  But he was awesome.  One night, we asked him about this particular restaurant on the property that's supposed to be the "signature" restaurant.  He told us that the food was, and I quote:  "weird, but delicious."  Like, I said.  Awesome.

(Here we are at the "weird but delicious" restaurant.  And he was totally right.  I almost never knew what I was putting in my mouth, but it was delicious.)

• Also, did you know that all-inclusive means you can order room service once an hour, if you so desire?  Few things are as fun for me as eating in bed while watching tv.  Just ask John, who on our second date, saw a half-eaten donut sitting on my nightstand.  And almost threw up in his mouth.  Because, apparently guys think there's something unattractive about eating donuts in bed.  Go figure.

• Pina coladas by the pool.  Apparently I like to enjoy treats while lounging. 

(Apparently I also like to take unfortunate pictures of myself and post them on my blog)

• Dolphin Discovery!  Although, it really should've been called "Discover Sherri Flashing" or something like that, because during the part where we ride the dolphins?  Well, let's just say that my bikini bottoms didn't stand up to the task.  And a big, sarcastic, thank you to the dolphin who dropped me off right in FRONT of the crowd we came with.  Awesome.  Thanks, Flipper.  (No pictures of that.  This isn't that kind of blog, people.)
• A security escort to go running around the property.  Well, this wasn't one of the best parts...it was actually kind of awkward, but it DID make me feel like the president or something.
• These fabulous boots that we (okay, John) bargained down from $575 (dollars NOT pesos) to $75!! 

John had to have a little pep talk with me before we went shopping, because this is usually what happens when we're in a negotiating situation like this: 

John:  Sir, how much are these boots?

Sherri:  I LOVE THESE!!!!

Store Owner:  $575

John:  Hahahaha, no really.  How much?  We'll give you $50.

Store Owner:  $250

Sherri:  Please don't walk away, please don't walk away.  Oops, did I say that outloud?

Fortunately, I kept my mouth shut, and John got us a great deal.  Well, got me a great deal.  'Cause if I catch him wearing my lady boots, we'll have a real problem.

(Also, I think I may have a serious boot addiction.)

Anyway, I could go on and on, but I won't because, I am a thousand percent positive that this is really only interesting to me. But I will say, GO THERE IMMEDIATELY, if you are looking for a vacation spot. 

And take me with you.