Long Time No Post.

It's been a long time with no post.

You want to know why? Because the evil sick monster visited our house last Sunday and didn't leave until Saturday, and that was only because I dropped Liam off in Mississippi with my parents. I still think he has a little bit of whatever it was that hit him (teething plus a diaper rash plus a virus). Let's just say it was a long, tiring week, and I hope to God whatever it was is gone by the time he gets back to Birmingham.

But, this leave of absence has been unlike other times. Usually, when I am absent from the blog for a long period of time (i.e., 4 days), I get emails from friends wondering when I'll make another post so that all will be right with the world. But this time, I didn't receive any of these emails. Maybe people got sick of reading about Liam's birthday and ditched my blog? Probably. At least my mom still reads it...sometimes.

Anyway, with Liam on vacation, I don't really have much to blog about. So, I'll blog about an adventure we had earlier this month.

Several weeks ago, I took Liam to a birthday party at I-Jump, which is the Six Flags of inflatable jumping apparatuses.



My friend John was sweet enough to take Liam into one of these bad boys (I had on a dress and wasn't really in the mood to flash a bunch of 3 year olds and their parents). Liam screamed bloody murder. He would much rather watch people jump and eat ice cream, and that's just fine with me. I'd rather eat ice cream, too.



I-Jump had a toddler room, which Liam actually liked. It was filled with rubber balls (that other mean kids threw at Liam). He also liked for me to roll him around in a foam tube (see below), that is, until he fell out.





This lovely lady was painted on the wall in the toddler room. Could her boobs be any closer to poping out? INAPPROPRIATE I-JUMP!



Morgan

Happy First Birthday, Liam!

Although I've been talking about his birthday for months, Liam's birthday is actually TODAY!

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At 6:11 p.m., just one year ago, we were blessed with an adorable baby boy who has changed our lives forever. He is happy and healthy, and we are so very lucky!



Happy First Birthday, munchkin!



I'll stop talking about Liam's birthday now. I promise.

It's Party Time!

Liam's first birthday party was this weekend, and I've designated it a major success (phew)!

As you know, I've been planning this party for months, and I am so, so glad it turned out just how I hoped.

We had a good turnout, enough food and drinks, mild weather (for July) and some awesome gifts. I was so happy to see family and friends (especially those out-of-towners) and to have a very special day for our sweet baby boy, who will be ONE on Wednesday.

And, more importantly, I think Liam had a great time, too!

Enjoy the photos.



The birthday boy before the party.



The house before the party.



Our #1 balloon.



The porch before the party.



Gifts!



The birthday boy with Emme and Popi.



The food table before the party.



The amazing birthday cake!



More decor.



More gifts!



Cookies. Good job, Winn-Dixie girl!



Still more decor...



The family before the party.



Liam and his Ms. Ju Ju.



The birthday boy and his daddy.



Playing...



More playing...



Still more playing...



Emily and Jackson.



Party favors!



Family.




The birthday boy's smash cake.



He wasn't too sure about the cake.



But he warmed up to it.



PRESENTS!



MORE PRESENTS! (of course, from my dad)



EVEN MORE PRESENTS!



STILL MORE PRESENTS!



PRESENTS, PRESENTS, PRESENTS! (excuse my boobage)



YAY PRESENTS!



The after-party.



This was the best I could do. Liam wouldn't stop swaying like a crazy person.

WHAT A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!

Morgan

The First Chicken McNugget.

Liam had his first chicken McNugget today.



It was a very special moment for the both of us.



Might I add that he put the entire McNugget in his mouth and gobbled it down. Poor Otis didn't even get a scrap.

Ragged.

Planning a first birthday party is running me ragged.

Ragged.

I have been plotting this small party for three months now, and the to-do list just keeps getting bigger, not smaller.

I've designed invitations and addressed them all.

I've darkened the doors of Woodlawn's ghetto post office for stamps so I wouldn't have to wait in line for years at the Mountain Brook office.

I've been to Smith's at least 4 times for party supplies (cellophane bags, raffia, wrapping paper, gifts, invitations, etc.).

I've been to Party City.

I've been to Wal-Mart more times than I can count.

I've been to Publix.

I've been to Winn-Dixie.

I've been to K-Mart.

I've been to Target.

I have stocked my basement fridge to the point where I think it might explode.

I've cleaned our entire house and hand polished, yes, I said hand polished, all of our hardwoods.

I've sent Dow on a wild goose chase for red matting board so I can properly frame Liam's invitation to display.

I've ordered a Texas sized cup cake for the birthday boy.

I've ordered cookies with "1" on them.

ARE YOU TIRED, YET?

I've coordinated with my mom on Liam's big cake and strawberry cupcakes. I even drew the cake design on a napkin. I hope it is remotely close to what I wanted.

I (well, Dow) has put new straw, mulch and flowers in the entire yard.

I (well, again, Dow) has reorganized the basement so people don't call Hoarders on me when they see it.

I've bought a proper birthday party outfit for Liam with a birthday onesie for him to sleep in the night before.

I've made party favors.

I've bought new serving pieces.

I've decorated the house.

I've secured a highchair and video camera for use.

I've made sure my mom is picking up guest bathroom napkins.

I've ordered nuggets from Chick-fil-A and called about 10 times to confirm they will be ready Saturday morning.

I've bought a giant frog baby pool and a sprinkler. Dear God, it better not rain.

I've bought extra beach towels and sunscreen so no one is burned or cold.

I AM SO DAMN TIRED YOU CANNOT EVEN BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND.

And, the party is still a week away. I still have to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, pick up the fruit (and slice it), and get ice, flowers and balloons. Oh, and set-up outside.

If I'm not actually at the party, it's because I've exploded.

Next year, Chucky Cheese here we come.

Morgan

Saturday Morning Helper.

He was more of a Saturday morning destroyer.

Go Team Liam!