Big Birthday Party!!!

So this year, I decided to go a little nuts and do A WHOLE LOT for their birthdays and to SPOIL them as much as possible. Ava is a great age, 3, and learning so much and able to do a lot more now than even this time last year. Hailey will be 1 this monh and we celebrated both at one time. We have a huge guest list and I was NOT going to do this twice.

Last year we went to her friend Cari's party and they had face painting and a balloon guy there. They were really awesome.

not happy with strangers but liked her painting
2011

2011 party


So in January or February I emailed and asked a few questions and ended up booking the "Glitterbugz" company. They worked with our date, so glad I booked them months in advance, and I had one thing marked off my list early.

So all year I had been working on ideas and how I wanted everything. This past weekend it went into action. I think everyone had a good time. If they didnt, no one is telling.

The kids all had a great time I am sure, they had a line for the facepainting and balloon guy the whole time they were there.




with her BFFs


Emily


he was a busy man


blowing out her candles with daddy







Cant wait to see what I do next year to make them happy!

I love birthdays, they are a special day, as long as I am living the girls birthdays will be a special day filled with anything and everything they could have dreamed of.

Bottle Free, Formula Free

So after what has seemed forever, we are done with buying formula and bottles. Hailey has only slept through the night 3 times since coming home from the hospital. Most babies by 6 months are sleeping through the night but not our Hailey. It hasnt really bothered me except those couple weeks here and there that I am just flipping exhausted, on the run, work is crazy, and I just want a few hours uninterrupted...well....



Last week she was waking up about 4 times a night, I was switching between formula and water. I would try to give her water first but she wasnt satisfied and would scream so she would get a little bit of formula and go back to sleep. She was also going to sleep her normal time but waking up extremely early. I was getting to the point that something had to change and change quick.

Friday night we were up 3 times and up by 5. She did manage to go back to sleep for a little nap so I got a little shut eye before starting the day. Saturday was their big birthday party (post to come) and she went without a bottle all day, which she had been doing for us for about a week. That evening, I decided, she had gone 18 hours without a bottle or formula it was time to just try the night.



She did okay, up at 330 then at 5, got her back to sleep around 530 and she slept until almost 8. No bottle, only sippy cup of water in the middle of the night. Sunday morning, Kenny and I talked and thought 'cold turkey' is the way to go. We were out of formula anyways and I really didnt want to go get another whole container for her to not want it.

So we are on day 4 of no bottle and no formula. She is sleeping 10x better, getting more food since she is not being supplemented by the formula, and she doing great with milk.

Its been two months!

So Ava has been potty trained for two months now. All I can say is "Yippee" for only having one in diapers now. She has been doing great.

It amazes me how quickly she figures something out once SHE wants to do it. We have not really been pushing the issue because we wanted to give her time but once she realized what she was doing and decided that she wanted to do it, she has been potty trained ever since.

I will say it has taken adjustment from us as well. Remembering that we have a little one in panties and will have to potty before we leave for a trip, find a restroom in a store (which is disgusting but when she needs to go she needs to go), and making sure she goes before naps/bedtime.

Pickin in the Panhandle!

So for the 2nd year, Kenny decided to compete in the Backyard Competition of Pickin in the Panhandle. He is really into the BBQing and its a fun hobby. Better than what some wives and husbands call hobbies, hes home, hes not out and about doing God only knows and these are family events so the girls are welcome there.

He was a team of 1 this year. The guy that helped him last year entered the parenting world when his son was born in July so he was the only cook this year. His one buddy and shift member set up camp with him and also spent the whole weekend with him.

They had an awesome camp site, close to the stage, awesome view of the whole thing. The weather was awesome after it finished raining. It was cool and a perfect evening. The girls spent the evening with Nanny and Pap and I was thankful for it. We havent had a kid free evening in a while.

 

watching the main stage band

Once the weekend was over, Kenny brought home all the leftovers and we chowed down. This pork BBQ was awesome and he placed 9th!!!!!! I am so proud of him, he's already talking about next year and what he wants to change and keep.

A Fundraiser!

I am currently working on a fundraiser to help a Mother/Daughter team fight leukaemia. This fundraiser is my first with Thirty One Gifts and I am so excited to be a part of it. I have also decided that any individual orders I receive in the timeframe of their fundraiser (September 16-28) I will donate that commission to them as well. I feel so blessed to be able to help out. I cannot wait to share the results with everyone!

a Boy? Two boys? Another Baby?

Have I mentioned how busy August was for this family?!? Well did I fail to mention there is another grandbaby on my husband's side of the family...yep we have been some baby making fools these past 3 years....

Keith, the oldest Bowers, and his soon to be wife Jamie welcomed Brantlee to the family 2 weeks early in August.

When I woke up to a text from my brother in law, I assumed, she had 'gone' into labor and we would play the waiting game. But just as his big brother Adyn, Brantlee wasnt playing any games, he was ready to get out of that belly and meet the world. So I dont even think 6 hours after her water broke, he was here and my text was actually a picture giving me the weight and length.

So now this Bowers crew now has 3 little princesses and 2 little princes.

I had told ya before if there were anymore babies coming, it definitely wasnt coming from me...but the other boys may surprise us...SURPRISE!!

Absolutely a blessing, once again, and cannot wait to see whats in store when these 5 are a little older...Adyn and Ava are already running around causing trouble together....its only going to get crazier, busier, and more fun I am sure!

Such a good big brother already

Keith's new little family


he is a tiny little booger butt!

 

Vending for Thirty One

Being a vendor is not a new experience. I have had plenty of jobs before that required me to sit at a table and speak to people I dont know. When I was with Berkeley County Schools, we had a few times we were at the mall, with the CVB (visitors center), we set up a couple times of a year and I was able to go to the State Fair while there to help man a table.

In the month of August I got the opportunity to be a vendor at the Youth Fair and then Martinsburg Bike Night. Both nights were a little busy, a little slow, and a little interesting.

It was an experience, a eye opener, I know what to improve on, I know what to change, I know what NOT to do next time. I am sure the more I do it the better I will get at it.

Getting my business name out there and my chances of helping those that want to become more involved with Thirty One is a great thing with these vending events. I cannot wait until next year to start fresh and get on billet for several different organizations and different events.

If anyone that is reading this knows of an event that would be great for Thirty-One I would love any information, you can email me. I love meeting new people, I love getting out there and speaking with people about a product I love.