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