More Birthday Party Pics

1st Birthday Party

We had face painting

All the kiddos that came to play with Rhowan

An art center with paint and water colors

Chalk to draw

And Rhowan's favorite...the bouncy house! I wanted the kids entertained!!!!

After months of planning and prepping the day was finally here where our princess was turning one. TJ has always been against 1st birthday parties, saying they are for the parents and pointless because the kids don't remember them and have no idea what's going on. I will agree that we don't remember our 1st birthday parties, however, who doesn't have pictures to show for it in their baby books???? That is an absolute must. Was it a lot of work? Absolutely! Was it expensive? Yes, but with help of family not too, too bad. Was it stressful? A little, considering we had an entire crew here the night before helping made it easier (thank you Ana, Grandpa, Mark, Joe, Brian, Uncle Tom and Grandma for watching Rhowan) that helped a lot and the day of everyone pitched in so that I could be a host, walk around, say quick hellos and play with Rhowan! Was it worth it? ABSOLUTELY! It turned out great. We had good food, lots of drinks, yummy desserts, tons of candy from the pinanta, and a good turn out of people. All our close friends and family came to share this special milestone and it meant the world to us. I am sorry we didn't get to visit more with each and every one of you, the day got away from us with so many people and so much going on, but it was such a success and I couldn't have pulled it off without the help of everyone who pitched in! THANK YOU. We are truly blessed with friends and family that care.

1st Trip to Disneyland

I had just gone back to work on Rhowan's birthday week with one more week of planning for all her party to do's. I had been wanting to take her to Disneyland, so I kept that promise to her, well to myself really, who am I kidding, she doesn't know yet! lol. Anyway, she went to daycare for half day and Amy had baked a cake for her and did the whole nine yards of having all the kids sit around the table and sing to her and then eat cake! It was so cute and she was beside herself with excitement. Then off to the Happiest Place on Earth we went!

Oma (my mom) and Grandma (my mil) both came to join in on the fun. It was a great day, all decorated for Halloween and we even bought year passes! I loved going to Disneyland as a kid, who didn't. I have so many memories of going with my family when I was a little girl and my dad taking us on all the rides we loved to go on. While I was there with Rhowan it brought back so many memories.

OMG, time flies...

Ok, so I have had many complaints/comments (haha) as to where the hell I have been this past month...well I guess working full time has pretty much taken over the extra hours of my life that aren't with my beautiful baby girl and hubby. I am working an 8-5 office job, blahhhhhh (such a huge change from my teaching hours and going from something you love and are passionate about to just a job), pick up Rhowan from day care, feed her dinner, give her a bath and then its time for bed, not to mention, half the time I put her down, I fall asleep with her! So there goes my night, my hours to blog, to do laundry, pay bills, catch up on my dvrs, and the list goes on! I really love the money, but I hate the hours it takes me away from Rhowan. I hardly get to see her during the week. She is so exhausted after I pick her up, she plays hard all day and even with a 2 hour nap, by 6:30 she is ready for bed! So, to say the absolute least, its been a real hard adjustment. I am blessed to have work and have the extra money at a time like this, however, my biggest fears have come to life...daycare raising my daughter and her getting to see them, more than her own parents. That makes my heart ache in so many ways, I can not explain it to you. So all those hard times of staying home, bad days, frustrating moments, adjusting to life as a stay at home mommy...I take it ALL back!

So that is where the hell I have been! LOL.

In the meantime, we've had Rhowan's 1st Birthday Party, last month (wow, time flies), 2 real bad "accidents," Rhowan is a bruiser and going to give me grey hair before I hit 30, Mine and TJ's 4 year Wedding Anniversary, Thanksgiving, a new car and oh yeah...we are EXPECTING again!!!!!! I am finally able to officially announce it as I am past my first trimester! :) PHEW, what a crazy month you all have missed out on.

Now be patient, I am going to catch you all up on everything, but bare with me. I am sooooo extremely tired ALL the time with this pregnancy, new job and my busy, busy princess, so I will promise to do one post a night until we are all caught up.

Stay tuned for Rhowan's First Birthday Party pictures and updates. It all turned out so well. Months of planning and prepping made it a success with the help of many family and friends. :)

Muah, more tomorrow!

xoxxoox

Our Princess is Turning 1

Dear Rhowan,

I want you to know just how much you are loved, however there aren't enough words, actions, thoughts or things to show or say just how much that is. You are truly a blessing in our lives as well as our families. You have brought together so many memories for me and your daddy that I can't put into words just how happy you make us.

It was one year ago tonight that I was sitting in the hospital room, going through the motions of being induced and wondering just how long the process would be for me to finally get to meet you. I had a flood of emotions going through my mind awaiting for you to arrive. You were a dream come true, a reality finally coming into our lives that we would be a family and parents.

Once you were born it was instant that I knew God put me on this Earth to be a mommy. There is no other feeling in this world that can describe my love for you. I still remember day by day from the moment we were in the hospital together to coming home. I can never thank you enough for all the joy you have brought into my life and all the lessons you have already taught me as a mommy and person. I am still learning and always will be. I am learning there is no perfection on mommy hood, just love, laughter and life. I cherish every moment we have together to play, read, rock you, snuggle with you (yes, you are still in mommy and daddy's bed), walk with you, teach you words, etc. You have grown up so fast and this year has truly gotten away from me. My eyes are filled with tears of joy as I can not wait for the years to come, yes, even the puberty years of hell that will arise with attitudes and all! LOL.

Thank you Rhowan for being an angel sent from above, mine and daddy's biggest blessing and lesson to life that you only live once, so love and cherish one another and family is always your core, your rock and where it all began. Happy 1st Birthday Princess!!! (Mommy can't wait for your big party this weekend!) :)

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

1 Year Pictures

Constant battle...to work, not to work. Career Mom vs. Stay at Home Mommy????

So, I did it...I got an interview and landed a full time job, starting Monday morning. I went into it, not sure what I wanted from it and extremely torn. I've loved the time off I've had with Rhowan and the freedom of time, being home with Rhowan, doing what we want, when we want, etc. I have really learned the balance of being a stay at home mommy and keeping my sanity, thanks to daycare twice a week. I have listened to everyone say, "Take advantage of this time, you will never get it back with Rhowan." I feel I have done that and I'm not ready to stop doing that, however, it's time for me to contribute financially to give us more financial stability and freedom. I went into the interview with the attitude, literally making it very clear, that I would NOT work just to pay daycare. That is half the reason I am not subbing. The work isn't consistent enough to make enough to make it worth it with daycare.

Now, I am not saying I am walking away from teaching. As I stated in my interview when asked if this was long term for me, as that is what they are looking for and am I leaving teaching. I do not know where I will be in my life when the education system turns itself around. I can't keep putting things on hold waiting for that opportunity to teach. It is still my passion and if I meant to be in the classroom, God will make it happen. Just as he has with everything else in our lives the past two years with things "falling" into place the way they are meant to be. I am up for the challenge of a new career path. I do not want a job, I want to enjoy what I do every day and like going to work if I am leaving my daughter for it. With this new job, as an admin asst. for Goldsmith Co. (TJ worked for them for the past four years, they are big boosters of LB State and took very good care of him.) it is flexible, casual, and a family owned business that cares about their employees. If I am going to work, that is the job and environment I'd choose.

I accepted the job, as they loved me after the interview, duh, who wouldn't! j/k...now I am not business savvy, but I am fresh eyes and mind ready to learn and be a sponge. I am a fast learner and can take on the task.

With that being said, it was a very hard decision...I was extremely stressed and torn. I was worried about putting Rhowan in full time day care, half day Fridays as we work only half days every Friday (huge plus!) :) I was also worried I haven't taken enough advantage of the time I've had with Rhowan and now its going to be gone. But it won't be gone. We will have weekends and Friday afternoons. I will miss her incredibly to where it will pain me, but I think I am doing the right thing for me and our family. After much debate and advice from friends and Rhowan's day care care giver, I was re assured that Rhowan would be great, it will be harder on me, she loves it there and parents all over the country do this and the extra money will be good for us.

I accepted and wanted to start after this coming up week, with Rhowan turning one we have lots of appts. However, they want me now and will totally work around all the appts. So I gave them the appt schedule up front and will work a few half days and will start this Monday. Wow, its all happening so fast. I am nervous, yet excited. Sad, yet re assured that Rhowan will be fine. Stressed, yet relieved that we will have more money to build a cushion (hopefully, the more you make the more you spend as we all know too well.) So, I am going with it. I am taking this as God's plan because it all just un folded so quickly. I feel good I was open, honest and communicated my struggles and hesitations with them and as they told me, "at the end of the day, Family comes first." That is all I needed to hear. Let's hope this is a positive move and I am able to balance motherhood, baseball widow, working full time with daddy's crazy schedule, etc. I pray for easy transitions and all turns out well. Please send your prayers my way for this as well.

With that being said, Rhowan's 1st Bday is almost here, so stay tuned for lots and lots of updates and pictures this upcoming week! :)

My baby girl is growing so fast. I could go on for days, but will wait! ;)

Well that pretty much sums up my last week and updates us here in the Bruce household. Mommy is going back to work, daddy is working like a horse, and Rhowan is doing fabulous, getting so big! We love you all.

xoxoxo

Full Moon????

So to say the least, this has been one hell of a week. I am not gonna lie, I am not gonna be that person that acts like everything is always peachy king and white picket fences. Those of you who know me, know me well and I tell it like it is. Whether it's wanted or not...I say the good, the bad, the ugly, the sad. Most people, who love me for this, I will call it open ness rather than bitchiness (haha), know to not come to me about things until they are ready to hear the truth, I can't be fake. It is not in my blood, I have NEVER been able to be fake or kill with kindness, which is a fault and a plus, I think. Anyway, back to the point. I tell it like it is, so here it is.

First my husband gets home late Sunday night from 3 nights in AZ recruiting, soooo extremely exhausted and back to work at 5:30 am the next morning. Well the rest of the week went like this. Home after 8:30 at night and up again at 5 ish back to work...I was as prepared for this with his new job as I possibly could be and always tease about being a baseball widow. However, it does get very hard, especially with Rhowan and I both getting over colds, me taking her back to the dr, up with her at night during her cough attacks, between my coughing and never getting that quality 5 minutes with my husband to say more than, "what are your plans for tomorrow?" It's hard, frustrating, but at the same time, I know he is exhausted too. But after two weeks of hardly seeing him except for in bed with our princess between us (Dr recommended crib training after she is back to 100 percent) and with the short kiss goodbye every morning at 5 something am it has taken its toll on me. I just want some quality time with my hubby to snuggle, feel loved, have a real life conversation about the plans for the upcoming weekends, Rhowan's bday, how our days have been. Something, anything. But I get the tired TJ, the I'm exhausted and going to bed. How can I argue that when he works his tail off? But I do cause I miss him too! Ahhhh, finding that balance, back to balance. It's always about the balance in life...sooooo hard!

Then I got a little excited, being today is October 1st and still no period from September. Hey, maybe I am preggo and our kids will be about 2 years apart, what I've always wanted. Then I took a pregnancy test, because I am obsessed with them, and it was a big fat NEGATIVE and I realized oh yeah, you have to actually see your husband and have SEX to get preggo! LOL. Sorry way too much info for some of you but when your husband works 15 plus hours a day what more can I say...I mean I am not complaining...yet, hopefully it doesn't take 2 years again to get preggo, but what is meant to be will be!

Then all this drama about the BIG one coming on Sept. 30th had me all in a frantic frenzy! I was googling, texting Ana my go to stresser and was just a HOT mess! Literally HOT mess!

Bringing me to my next topic...the HEAT in fall...yes, we didn't have much of a summer, however, I was pleased with the weather being we have NO a/c and live in an old lakewood home with no insulation and it is hotter in the house than outside. So we packed our bags and lived at TJ's parents for a week! Yep, on vacation in the a/c! It is like being on vaca with our own suite/bedroom upstairs with our own bathroom, king size bed, did I say a/c?! And even help with Rhowan so I can have a little break too, which helped the nights grandma and grandpa took Rhowan in bed with them so I can take medicine and get over my sore throat and aches! Then came back home thinking it was cooled off, and nope, not in our house, still freaking hot and back to middle of night cough attacks, steamed showers, full blast fans giving us all sore throats again. UGHHHH.

So, did I say this week sucked?! It's been a crazy week with other family things going on too with Grandpa's health. Grandpa Dave we love you, please get better soon so me and Rhowan can see you!

Oh and we had to go back to the DR for Rhowan because after two weeks passing from her conjunctivitis she developed a runny, green globby nose, a mucus cough, not eating much, etc. So back to the Dr and now she has an ear infection and is on antibiotics. Hopefully in the next 4 days the amoxicilin will kick in just as her dr said and then we can crib train and get ready to turn 1!

She is full on drinking out of her sippy cup now with the spill proof in there, she finally learned to suck from it. She is walking and running and loving every minute of it. She is copying everything I do and trying to repeat sounds I say. We sing, "clean up, clean up, everybody clean up" and put all our toys away and she actually helps, while smiling! Gotta keep that up!
She will give me things I ask for and know what I am talking about. She hands me books over and over to read and will touch and feel, flip the pages, point to things. She lines up the duckies with me in the bath and tries to say Ducky. She has a number and ABC mat that she plays with and sticks the letters in and out of their stencil type things. She can match them back in there and pat them in just by watching me do it once!

I know, I know, so many of you are probably like, what the heck are you complaining about when you don't work and all you have to do is take care of Rhowan all day. Well what I have to say to all of you is...you obviously have never been a stay at home mom! LOL.

There was my blogging/venting session for the week. But I ended on a positive update of our growing princess so there! LOL. :)

Hope you all have a great weekend and let's just hope we are all safe, prepared for disasters whenever they are meant to happen, thanking God for each day we are given and staying cool over the weekend. After all, when I hear other peoples week, I'd gladly take mine back...I am blessed and thankful!

hugs and kisses to all

1 Year Old Pictures...

Here are just a few pics from Rhowan's First Birthday Photo Shoot. She did such a good job, considering I woke her up from a dead sleep nap and she hadn't slept all day!

She got into her first outfit, the one above, and rocked out with her fun personality and smile for the camera! She just smiles away and had so much fun with it. We did 3 outfits total in just one hour, so she was definitely a trooper! Angela has once again captured our princess giving us the most priceless gift of memories and keepsakes of our little girl growing up just before our eyes. She hurried to get me a few shots to include in her bday invites, which I randomly placed in each invite. Thank you Angela, I can't wait to get the rest of the photos and have them all developed!

Oh these pictures make me so happy and sad all at once. I look back at pictures of her just being born and throughout her first year of life and can't believe how fast it has truly gone. It's such a cliche when people say that, but it is true!

I am in full birthday planning mode. I literally get so wrapped up in stuff like this that I can't sleep because I just have ideas running through my head 100 mph and things I need to get done, etc. I love planning and doing these kinds of things, but I am just so anal and organized that I drive myself crazy! lol...I dream of zebra print, purple, party favors, games, activities, desserts, etc. And I have a million and one lists, so go figure why it is all still running through my head at 11 and 12 o clock at night!

Anyway, we are so excited to share this special day and her first year with our family and closest and dearest friends.

Stay posted for her modeling pictures for the clothing line she did this summer. She made front and back cover of the catalog too! :)

xoxoxo,

The Bruce's

Full on Walking

Well Rhowan is officially 11 months old and is full on walking. Can you believe our princess will be one next month. I got her invites yesterday, handmade with love from Steph, and will be mailing them this weekend. Rhowan has become more and more confident in walking, letting go of things to hold on, and just going for it. She walks from one room to another now all on her own. She is walking outside with all the other kids at daycare, loving every minute of it and wants to be more independent. I am so happy that she is a go getter and has taken on to each milestone so fast, however it is a bitter sweet. This time last year, I was over being pregnant, teaching full time and anxiously awaiting our baby girl to arrive. It feels like that was all just yesterday.

My sister and Lexi stopped by the other day to say hi, Rhowan was sick over the weekend and they hadn't seen her in a few days, and my sister was freaking out at how much Rhowan was walking and how weird it was to see her just go. It is weird. I can set her down now after getting her out of the car seat and she holds my hand and walks up to the house with me. No more carrier, no more carrying, just walking all on her own! She will be running in no time I am sure of it. :)

I am finally adjusting to being a stay at home mommy with a good routine. I pretty much just mimicked, for the most part, the routine she does at daycare two days a week, which she has taken to so well. She even naps and falls asleep on her own there! I know, a lot of you are like, why day care when you aren't working?

Well I signed a contract in hopes that I would be working full time by Sept. But things with the district got worse and I didn't think I would be out of subbing and teaching all together. I have come to terms with it and lets just say, am walking away from the bs of all of it right now, a little bitter, but trying to see that this is what God has planned for me right now is to stay home with my kids, which I do love and am finding balance to, however, it's just hard when you have worked your absolute butt off for something with all the state tests, student teaching, schooling, etc. to have your credential just sit there.

Anyway, yes, daycare 2 days a week from 9-3 has become a nice cleaning day, laundry day, errands for mommy and a good socialization and structure time for Rhowan. She has adjusted so well and I feel that is so important. It is hard for some kids to transition well to pre school and kinder when all they've been home with forever is their mommy 24/7. So its been working out for now and worth the $30 a day. We'll re evaluate once the new year comes and baseball season starts. For now its working for us and its been a good thing.

So I bought her some soft sole shoes type things, Robeez, you may have heard of them and with our princess' fat feet, its been hard to have her fit into a pair. So needless to say, Target was the winner and we found a pair for her. They are like leather socks pretty much that are soft sole, but so she won't be barefoot on cement walking. So I bought her some pretty purple ones, I know, purple are you surprised?! And lets just say, they come home black and purple! LOL. Rhowan plays so hard and is so busy, walking and crawling that she is an absolute rag muffin when she gets home! I think its cute, it shows she is having fun and happy. They play outside and aren't cooped in a house all day, which I really like. So my $12.99 was spent well, most the dirt came off with a baby wipe and they are ready for day 2 of daycare! Needless to say, I wasn't exactly the cleanest kid on the block either. I always played hard, never brushed my hair, hated baths and well just rode my big wheels all day! I am sure most of you are beside yourself reading that, but its the truth and I hear stories often to this day about how dirty I was. Well at least I was active! That will be Rhowan, I can see it already. All those fights I had with my dad of not wanting to come in when the street lights came on to take a bath, that will be me and Rhowan! LOL. I know my family is just cracking up at this right now because how did such a filthy kid become such a neat freak adult that hated to see my daughter get one spot on her outfit and then would change her! hmmmm...still trying to figure that one out everybody!

Anyway, all is good. Rhowan is doing great and we are still in bday planning mode as October is just around the corner, literally, next week!

Talk to you all soon.

Hugs and kisses

Rhowan's First MLB Game

We finally got to go to a game as a family. With the season almost over, we made it to a Rockies vs. Dodger game to see Uncle Troy, Daddy's best friend, and a family day at the ball park. It is always nice to get to go to games together since its usually daddy on the field we are watching, coaching 3rd base. Grandpa has season tix so we all went for the day, it was a nice day! Rhowan was such a good girl, she wanted to go play on the field, she even napped for maybe an hour. I was real worried about her not lasting in the seats for very long, however Grandpa has two sets of season tix, with Uncle Brian and Rachael in the other ones (in the shade and by a passing isle) it allowed us all to get out of the sun for a bit and stand up, walk around and let the kids, Rhowan and Rachaels nephew Quintin play a little.

I love my life...

So lately I have been really down and out on myself and so incredibly hard and judgemental on myself. I had told myself, ok Heather, enough of this already. Then I read a post on a blog that I follow of a stay at home mom, whom I don't even know, but love to read her theories from a book she reads and follows along with some good advice she puts out there from being a mom of three.

Well come to find out, I am not the only mommy who struggles with balance and freaking out over the littlest of things in life. Like really Heather, if she only wants green beans every meal, who freaking cares! I need to learn to laugh more than cry as she so easily puts it. She says by the second and then third you really learn to do this better and she would stress, worry, freak out about all the little things that I so often see myself worried about. Then after her first she sees herself realizing, its not one size fits all. We are all doing our best and learning as we go. Enjoy it and stop stressing over so much. Such as naps, food and eating times, sleeping through the night, getting dirty, getting off her routine and schedule, etc. I need to learn to sit back, enjoy these moments and laugh more than cry and stressing out. I have it so good. I pretty much get to be home with my princess every day and get things done I want to get done that used to have to wait til the weekends. Being a stay at home mommy is wayyyyy harder than I ever imagined it to be. It has taken a lot of patience and balance to put aside things I know I won't get to do with Rhowan home with me, however, it beats waking up every day to go to work and leaving her. Although, there are times I do miss that. I took Nate to school last week, walked him up to his classroom, looked inside with envy of the teacher, she has my dream. I want that to be me with 20 little kinders around me that I get to teach all day. I walked away from the school feeling like a loser and that my dreams and passion have left me. I have gotten so frustrated with the bs of education and layoffs that I was over ever going back to work. I don't want to say I've given up, but if its meant to be it will be there when all, yes I said all, my kids are going into school. Maybe this is what God had planned for me, to be at home with my babies. In that case, I am blessed and happy to do it. Thank you hunny for allowing it to happen by working so hard and following your passion to see it come through for us as a family.

I have really taken a step back with all the sad stories I hear lately of babies, cancer, tragedies, etc. and put things back into perspective with my life. I love being at home...even after the rough days of teething, fussy, no naps on some days, can't run in and get a quick eyebrow wax because oh boy, it would be an ugly scene of Rhowan waiting for mommy! But I wouldn't trade any of that for the world.

Now that is, as long as I get my adult time too...my girls time, my date nights, and some interaction with others. I do find myself lonelier, not having as much adult interaction, so it is something TJ and I need to understand of one another that I need that too. Last weekend we had our first annual girls trip that we have decided to do once a year with our crazy, busy lives of Grad School, being wives, mommies, and just busy. It was much needed and a great time. I am so glad we did it, although it took some, well let's say several conversations to explain to TJ why I needed this "vacation" as he called it for a one night getaway. I think its healthy and normal and good for all of us. Rhowan needs to be with others than just me and learn to socialize and be ok without me. I want all her transitions and milestones to go well. Here I go again, stressing! LOL. Anyway.

There are so many goals I have of being a stay at home mommy right now...On the top of that list, scrap booking Rhowan's 1st year. I want to learn to cook. I have been jogging about 3 times a week and would like to keep that up while going back to Yoga. I want to join a mommy and me class of music and/or dance as Rhowan loves to do both! There is of course so much more I strive for while I am home with her to make sure I am the best mommy I can be and that she is the happiest baby she can be. But I have accepted not every day will be perfect, so stop being such a perfectionist and over analyzing EVERYTHING! :)

Well just thought I'd share that with you all and hope you all have a fantastic Friday and great weekend.

xoxoxo,

Heather

Recent Pictures...

Rhowan and Alexa playing in the pack n play. Rhowan says, "exi" and just loves her cousins. She sees Alexa at daycare twice a week and so I know she'll be ok, cause she wants down to play with her right away. When she sees Nate walk into a room, she goes crazy and wants to play almost immediately! You can already see whos the boss in this picture! lol ;)

Rhowan's first walking toy, still a bit hard for her because it isn't that stury, however she doesn't give up and loves the music it plays! I took these right after her pictures on Friday last week.

I did it mom! :)

Mammoth

A few weeks ago Rhowan and I went to Mammoth with Oma, Papa, Nate, Auntie Nichole and Lexi. I was super bummed that TJ couldn't make it for a weekend getaway, but that is the reality of his job, so Rhowan and I went to join the rest of the family. Oh, how I am soooo glad that we did. I think it is one of my favorite places now. I grew up going to Tahoe since I was a baby and it was always a family tradition to go the day after Christmas for a week and ski. I love Tahoe and always will. However, I am not really much of a skier anymore and it is a freakin looooong drive. So we thought we would try out a trip to Mammoth, yes its not snowing, however I would love it just as much during that time of year for sure. We stayed at the Westin, which was incredible, it was so nice...the rooms were amazing with kitchens, big bath tubs, huge comfy beds, a fire place, a reading nook with a bench at the window, etc. It was so nice. They even had a kids club for Nate with tons of crafts to do and movies, etc. The pool was pretty, however it was a bit chilly for that the weekend we were there. There is a lot to do nearby, walking distance. Across the street was the main plaza with shops, restraunts, bars, etc. It had the small town vibe to it. They closed off the streets for a band each night and all the locals and vacationers brought their chairs out and just hung out, had drinks, dinner and listened to the music. Then you can take the shuttle to the lifts and bikers use the trails during summer. You can go hiking, which I will never do again with a stroller or there is a gondola ride to the top you can take and have lunch. Then there were even a few outlet shops with a Coach store and I have to say, I was in Heaven and wanted every purse. ;)

It was only about a 5 1/2 hour drive, not too bad, we did two stops each way for gas, changing diapers and to eat. The girls were very good on the drive. I wish TJ was there to share the weekend with us, I really think he would love it. The whole kick back vibe and just hanging out low key was my kind of weekend. Thank you mom and dad for treating us and I look forward to maybe making this our new spot or tradition each year?! :)

Here are just a few pics from the weekend.

Rhowan's 1st Bday Planning!

Hello everyone,

Oh my, our princess is almost 11 months (next week), which means, next month she will be ONE years old. So bitter sweet. I am loving the age that she is at now and am loving watching her learn to walk, gain some independence, play, dance, etc. She so full of life and energy! She had her 1st Birthday pictures last week with Angela, which I am soooo excited to see. She does such amazing work and is so creative that I just love that she could do her 1st Birthday shots. We did 3 outfits, the first being her Official Birthday Outfit, which she will wear on her big day. Our good friend Steph made her a matching onzie to go with the tutu that my mom had bought her and bedazzled some converse for her to top the outfit off, omg, so freaking cute. We are doing a black, purple and zebra print theme, so fun, as I said before we'll save the characters for when she can pick it! Then we did a casual/fun outfit and then last her cupcake eating outfit. Now I kept the cupcake eating to a minimum, one because she has not had any sweets and I wasn't excited about the diaper it would leave me and secondly, I bought her Joe Jeans, which I couldn't resist, and didn't want them ruined. I know, go ahead, talk your sh@! I can hear it now, but they were only $40 and they were adorable on her. What is the difference if I spend $30 at Gap, huh?! So, we got some shots with her eating her cupcake and then cleaned up quickly to get going. I can't wait for the pics and most importantly for her birthday when she can really get after it eating her first cake!

Here is a picture of her invites, which Steph is hand making each and every one, they turned so adorable (Thanks Steph, we love you and wish you could be here for her special day)

We are having it here at our home. All the girls and my mom offered to help me plant and get our backyard into shape, which is MUCH needed and I will take them up on that! I want to keep it simple with sandwiches, side dishes and then the cupcakes and cake. I am ordering and looking online at stickers and labels for the party favors and am still thinking out ideas for entertainment to keep the kiddos busy. I can't believe our princess will be ONE. Tears are currently dripping down my face! LOL. Oh how the time flies.

She has five teeth, she has taken about 6 steps on her own on a few occasions now, she only wants to eat things that she can feed herself lately, she is getting a little aggressive when she is tired or frustrated (hitting and pulling hair), we are on it though and making sure to stay on top of that, and overall she is an excellent baby. We get so many compliments on her demeanor, her personality, how happy and content she is. So all these rough days that I stress over has she eaten enough, slept enough, is she hitting the right stages, am I reacting ok, is she on a good schedule, is so worth it and I am learning to accept to laugh more than cry and take it all as a learning process, so once that baby #2 comes I will hopefully be able to be more easy going with. Hugs and Kisses to all and as always, we love and thank you all for your support.

PS...I have created a Wish List on Toys R Us for those who may want or need ideas for Rhowan's birthday. It has been requested to me that I do so being it is hard for people to know what she has and doesn't have, needs, etc. I feel a little weird about doing so because by any means, she has all that a princess could ever want, but just for some ideas for those of you who would like to shop for her, but please don't feel at all pressured to buy from this list or get her anything! :)

http://www.toysrus.com/wishlist/wishlistdetails/index.jsp?overrideStore=TRUS&wishlistId=30421076

If this link doesn't work, you can go to www.toysrus.com...click on Wish Lists and search by using her name.

xoxoxo

Labor Day Weekend

We had a great family weekend. It was the first weekend daddy had off in a long time. We were going to go to SD for the weekend and then decided to keep it low key and relaxing. So Saturday we met up with the Baca clan for a day at the street fair, then went to have some food and drinks on 2nd street while we cooled off from the heat wave of the day. The kids were so good all day, being it was freaking hot! Sunday we went to the swap meet, a pool party and home to bed. And Monday was errand running day...mommy and daddy bought a new bed, we are upgrading to a King size bed. I couldn't take the sleepless nights anymore of being scrunched in a corner from Rhowan waking up and joining us in bed. Yep, you heard it right, we haven't done the crying it out yet and just bought a bigger bed! Ahhhh, I have prolonged it knowing it will be a painful week when I finally cave in to doing it. So that was our weekend and here are some pictures to go along with it. We hope you all enjoyed your 3 day weekends as well. Now everyone is back to work and school (well I say everyone, but the teacher/school world), so I think it is about that time where summer has come to an end and time to get back on a good, regular schedule.

Rhowan and Daddy at the Orange Street Fair on Saturday this past weekend. It was so freaking HOT, but we made the best out of it and enjoyed our day. We met the Baca Clan for the day and had a great time!

Taking a break in the shade for a little bit...

Rhowan is learning how to drink out of her sippy cup and boy does she love it! We have to take out the non spill thing because she doesn't understand the concept to suck from her cup, so she gets a nice bath with her drink as well. However, she doesn't mind getting soaked because she loves, loves the water. Mommy just makes sure it is in an easy place to clean up after! :)

Say cheese Rhowan! :) She is such a big girl now, I can't believe she is almost one years old. Tear :( This was a picture I took on my phone to cheer up daddy one day last week while Rhowan was waiting for mommy to cook her lunch. She is eating much better, a little picky at times, but for the most part a good eater.

Rhowan at 10 months...

Well believe it or not tomorrow will be September and our princess is 10 months old already. The day after she turned 10 months on Aug. 21st, it was a Saturday and me, Rhowan and daddy were sitting on the front lawn, in the shade on a blanket (the heat wave made the outside cooler than the inside) and we were just playing and talking. I love moments like these, the down time...with daddy home and just hanging out. Like I keep saying, it is quality not quantity! Daddy and I were going on a date night with some friends of ours (first night out in a looonng time) so we were just getting Rhowan ready to go to Oma and Papa's. Well, long and behold, our little princess stood up, which she has been doing for about 2-3 months now and took, a step, another step, and another one, and omg...mommies eyes welled up and there she went, 4 whole steps without holding on! I was crying and almost screaming at the same time...Daddy was soooo excited...no neither one of us got it on camera, we didn't want to miss it, we just sat in awe! She was so proud of herself.

Well there you have it...10 months old and her first steps. She hasn't done it again on her own yet, however, she is walking like crazy holding onto just one of our hands or using the furniture to get around. So it's just a matter of time that she is running from room of the house to another. She already crawls around, following me from one room to another on days I am trying to get housework done. She seems to not like to be in a room alone. Even though all her toys are there, she has toys in every room, and her toons will be on, but the second she notices you walk away, there you have it, a whiny Rhowan! LOL.

These past few weeks have been a bit hectic. She has become more clingy than ever, separation anxiety from mommy to the max, especially at night. So, here goes our confession...She sleeps with mommy and daddy most nights! Yep, you heard it right. I have totally gone against my word. I am sooooo upset about this. I had her on such a good and strict schedule...people gave me such a hard time about being flexible, not being so regimented, etc. So I let loose a little and wanted her to well adjust to changes with our crazy lives and schedules. Well once we got home from Alaska she would come in bed with mommy at 4 am for her bottle and back to sleep. Well she got really used that so it continued even after Daddy got home. Then we had the heat wave and she wouldn't even start in her crib, she would start her night off in our bed. So, there you have it, back to trying to crib train. Last night, after an hour and a half of sleeping, crib, 20 minutes later, wake up, sleep, crib, 20 minutes wake up...daddy finally caved and brought her in bed with him. This is the story of our lives for the past few weeks and it is NOT good. We have to break it and the only way will be ferber/crying it out method...which FREAKS me out just thinking about it. I get anxiety hearing her cry. I hate to even think about it. I read up on this stage of 10 months and it seems this is normal...separation anxiety, learning they are separate people from us, scared we won't come back, clingy, etc. Well Rhowan is just happy as a clam spooned between daddy and mommy...yes, its cute to see us all cuddling and mommy and daddy holding hands between our daughter, but after a few no good nights of sleep, NOT so cute anymore! ;) Mommy and daddy need their bed back!

Oh, what to do what to do?????

Anyway, other than the rough patches we are hitting with sleeping and yes her temper...she is starting to hit and pull hair to show her frustration (my hair that is!) so we have to put her hand down firmly and say, "No!" Then show her, nice. Then she gives kisses. This happens about 10 times a day. Can't be terrible two's already, are there a such thing as terrible ones?! LOL.

She is surely coming into her own. She is still so happy and full of life and personality. She loves, loves to dance, she is getting to be a better eater, still loves her french fries (what girl doesn't, let's just hope she has daddy's metabolism), strawberries, rice, beans and green beans. She has 3 teeth and I see two more coming in...so I keep wondering, are these teething moments or 10 month phase moments, or is she just plain testing me?! ;)

She just started, one day last week and will go two days this week, a day care down the street from us. I want to send her two days a week through the month of September, in hopes that sub jobs will come up and things will turn around for me to work 2 days a week. I am also hoping this will help her get onto a schedule again and Lexi goes there so they get to play together and with other kids. Rhowan loves kids, she sees little ones and starts kicking her feet and gets so excited, so this is just a good socialization outlet for her and mommy. Plus if I can work two days a week that would cover daycare plus our "play" money for the month so we don't cut into bills. With TJ only getting paid once a month now with the university, it will be an adjustment and I want to help where I can. And, not to mention the sanity of getting a few days out of the house and still doing what I love. If subbing doesn't work out, I am going to stay home with Rhowan and might as well be a stay at home mommy until the kids are in school, which I have really struggled finding a balance with these past few weeks. I don't know if I am just not doing a good job, or if we just need to get into more of a routine, or what it is. I am so hard on myself and feel like I am just not doing a good job. Anyone who thinks staying at home is easy, well I will just stop right there, that is a whole other blog that will need to happen (stay tuned for that later!)

Well with September only a day away, that makes her 1st birthday less than two months away so...1st Birthday planning is in full force. I have her outfits set up for her pictures next Friday with Angela, our good friend Steph is hand making her invitations, so we got our theme, color scheme, not doing the whole character thing, she isn't old enough yet and when she can tell me who she loves and what she wants her bday to be, we will do theme with characters! I am so excited and can't believe our princess will be one!!!!! So bitter sweet.

More to come, pictures and updates from our amazing getaway to Mammoth this past weekend! xoxoxo,

The Bruce's

Our Water Baby

We love having daddy home early, its been a great few days being together as a family again. I love these moments and will never take them for granted. It isn't about quantity, especially with our busy lives and daddy's career, but quality, and that we have!

Family Day

Rhowan and I went to the park on Monday to get out of the house for a bit, she loves the swings!

And look who got off work early and surprised us?! :) We were both sooo excited to see Daddy and surprised. What a wonderful Monday it was.

It got too hot after just 15 minutes, so we went to Grandma and Grandpa's to go swimming after!
On Sunday we had our first family day since Daddy has been home. Mommy and Daddy had date night Saturday night, Rhowan stayed at her Oma and Papa's (thank you mom and dad!) and we had such a good time with friends we haven't seen in awhile. It was a great evening. Then the next morning we woke up, hurting with headaches (it's been awhile, we can't hang anymore.) then picked up Rhowan to go to the Irvine Spectrum for the day to walk around, shop and have a nice lunch/dinner. It was hot, but a nice day together.

Rhowan loves, loves water. She sees waterfalls, sprinklers, pools and goes crazy. Our little water baby!