One Year

Dear Diary,
I love this kid. Even when he hardly will crack a smile during our very important one year old photo shoot. Doesn't he know his mommy is a photographer...there is pressure to capture just the right photo! I still love you though. 


RECAP:
first word: "Guapo"- he's obsessed.
favorite thing to do this week: Tease Guapo and Dance
travels: Utah, Miami, Virginia, and New York
favorite object: Balloons- anything round really.
Favorite Snack: changes daily- this morning was yogurt.
Nixon is great at: shopping with his mom- he is a trooper!
Nixon is not as great at: Staying still while changing his diaper...is this normal? It's impossible.


Oh speak of the devil..I hear him now... Nap time is over- which means mommy blog time is over. More photos of his first birthday shoot will be posted soon.


Love, C Dame

Happy Birthday Papi Brad

Today is my dad's birthday! (Don't worry dad we won't talk about how old you really are!) Despite how young he still feels, he is now a grandpa- Papi Brad is what we'll call him. These photos were taken when they came to visit a few weeks ago. It was Nixon's first time meeting his Papi Brad. 

Nixon's expression makes me laugh! He loves his grandpa!

  

  Nixon loved just staring at his Papi Brad.  

Nixon got lots of loves.

    

I think Nixon may get his eyes from his grandpa!?

Words to describe Papi Brad:

Runner

Adventurer

Traveler

Animal Lover

Business Savvy

Educated

Hard working

Simple

Nature lover

Health nut

Creative

Happy Birthday Dad!

Time Travel... JUNE 2009

Time travel back to June...I had turned 27! Three years away from 30!!! Yikes! We had the privilege of spending my birthday at the country club with my family in El Salvador! I loved my cake!!


We also were in El Salvador for my cousin's graduation and what a party it was! We spent the day getting our hair and make up done and spent the night on the dance floor! It was awesome!

Sweet and Spice and everything nice...

Birthdays are sorta a huge deal for me. Okay not "sorta"- they just are. What’s the fun of waiting 365 days to celebrate one measly day… no no no- I like to celebrate the WHOLE MONTH for it is MY BIRTHDAY MONTH…so, gifts may continue throughout the duration of the entire month-won’t oppose to that! (Hint hint for Brooks) So, I made sure that I got started off right and began my birthday celebration last Friday and have realized that food is an important piece of a fulfilling birthday for me. I pretty much hit all my favorite obsessions this week- (I seem to not be able to get enough buffalo chicken and blue cheese lately!) Week in review:

Friday: Buffalo Blasts with extra blue cheese and chocolate covered ice cream from The Cheese Cake Factory, followed by a sweet pork salad from Costa Vida, topped off with a bag of caramel popcorn.
Saturday: More buffalo Chicken with extra blue cheese and Oreo Cheese Cake again- Yup. Cheese Cake Factory two days in a row.
Sunday: Bisquick pancakes with fresh strawberries and lots of chocolate cake!
Monday: chocolate cake for breakfast, more cake at work, enchiladas, glass of horchata, followed by a slice of flan.
Tuesday: My purse cake, mashed potatoes with gravy, more cake, cupcakes, and more cake.
Wednesday: Buffalo chicken sandwich and one last piece of chocolate cake.

Favorite Foods missing from tmy favorite food list:
Oreo Madness and Brownie Obsession from Fridays
Mint Oreos and skim milk
Root Beer
Pazookies
Home made chocolate cookie dough

Okay, so, I have had a major sugar buzz for the last 6 days- but I think it is coming to end because the thought of eating any more cake makes my stomach turn! Speaking if cake, my friend Erin has such a talent for decorating and making cakes and every year makes a cake for our birthdays.This year she made me a purse. Not just any purse but a purse with all the essential girly items that a gal carries around in her purse! I loved it…and we couldn’t help but eat cake before our food arrived! It was the best!

My purse cake in my favorite colors!

I couldn't help but nibble at it while we waited for our lunch.

Erin (the talented cake designer) and me

The girls: Lacey, Leah, me, and Erin

Lovin' my cake!

Quarter Life Crisis

Today is my birthday...okay, for some, turning 26 is no big deal. For me, this has been such a huge milestone. I am no longer considered being in my “early 20’s”…and unfortunately, entered into the “late 20’s” part of my life… and you know what that means- inching closer to being 30! So, I have been going through a little bit of a “quarter-life crisis” this week! (hence the drastic haircut-I'll post pics later) I realized this a few days ago when I practically kissed the checkout girl who asked me for ID when I was buying some sherry vinegar! Mua!- She didn’t believe that I was over 21…made my day! So, maybe there is hope. Maybe we can remain young forever? I know what some are thinking, “But 26 is so young!” Yah yah I know….but I am still having a difficult time coming to grips with the painful reality that I am in fact growing older and there is no putting life on pause. The aching pain in my knees after a long run and the subtle smile lines that are beginning to appear are a constant reminder that I am in fact getting older. These true realities are my little reminders to not only STOP taking life for granted but to STOP and literally take time out to “smell the roses!” As cliché and dumb as that may sound- how often do we really stop and take a moment to do such a small simple thing and appreciate all that life brings. Life passes us by way to fast! With all the hustle and bustle that this year may bring, I promise that I will live each and every day to the fullest and continue to recognize gratitude for the plethora of blessings I've been given. “One life... one chance…gotta do it right.”