Three Months

Jackson is three months now. I'm loving every minute of him. He is my heavenly baby. So good; so sweet. And he loves his mommy. Here are some fun facts about Jackson:

-he sleeps through the night, and I like to brag that he's been doing this since he was 8 weeks old.

-he has found his thumb and loves to suck it. But I'm a tough mom so I put mittens on him and he doesn't like it.

-he loves mommy's milk, but has caved into the bottle and drinks it with a "you've-got-to-be- kidding-me.-this-is-digusting" look on his face. I've introduced the bottle so daddy can help with the feedings.

-he loves to take a bath

-he likes to shriek in delight

-he loves to capture the attention of his sister and brother

Chocolate Party '09

The chocolate party turned out really great and was a lot of fun. This year I did chocolate fondue with fruit dippers. Each couple brought a chocolate dessert to share. We had quite the chocolate variety, and I thought the desserts this year out did last year's. Everything was delish. The winner of the chocolate dessert contest made chocolate cream puffs. Decadant! We also had a photo contest for the best couple's picture. I scounged up a few costume items from Stella's dress-up box and bought some fake mustaches and victorian masks. I threw an old sheet over our mudroom door for the photo backdrop and rented a polaroid camera. All the couples really got into it and were excited to take their photo home. After we played "the married questionaire game". We had new questions this year and of course it was hilarious. Definitely a fun way to get to know other couples. So, of course I had to award the winners with some saucy prizes, since it's a couples party. The three winners chose from the following gifts: get lucky dice, chocolate body paint, lovers vouchers and couples door hangers.

Decorations: red tulips and colorful paper cut-outs for table top. And to tie in the costume theme I got "pick your nose" cups.

I made food flags to tie in the look of the invitations and to help with numbering the chocolate for the contest. I also made contest cards for both the chocolate and photo.

A glimpse of the final photos.

Polaroid

Here's a polaroid picture taken of Seth and I at the chocolate party dressed up in funny attire. I did a "makeshift" photo booth with costume props for couples to take pictures of each other. I hunted for a polaroid camera and finally find one to rent at a boutique camera shop. Instant gratification. I'll post pictures tomorrow on the party.

Crumbs

We finally stopped by Crumbs this weekend and inhaled their large, yummy cupcakes. They were so moist and mouth watering.

Chocolate Invite

I'm excited for our chocolate party this weekend. I've been getting ready for it this week, and hope it will be as fun as it was last year. Basically we invite a small number of couples over and ask them to bring something chocolate to share with everyone. And then we play a couples game. It was hilarious last year, and I hope it will be the same this year. Here are the invites. I think they turned out pretty cute. I printed them at home. The only thing I wished I did was print them on heavier cardstock paper, but because of time I just used the 110 lb cardstock I had at home.

Wreath

I know Valentine's Day is over, but Stella's wreath that she made in preschool is still gracing our front door. When I picked her up from preschool last Friday, she had a bag full of Valentine's day cards and crafts. She immediately said to me when I walked in her classroom,"Mommy, it's now time to take done the Christmas wreath because I made you a Valentine's Day wreath for our front door." Yes, I'm guilty of keeping up Christmas decorations. I'm glad I have a little one to keep me right on the holidays.

Bright Colors

I'm loving all the spring colors I see in various stores. It makes me want to have cheery colors constantly around me especially when it's snowing outside (like today). This loft has got the right idea. Maybe I should paint my taupe walls a vibrant orange or green.

Fashion Week

It's Fashion Week, and they did a special tribute to Barbie since she turned 50 years old this year. The runaway show had Barbie-inspired clothing and models. Can't believe she is still going strong. Must be all that botox.

Fire Island

We bundled the kids up in their snow gear and headed out to enjoy the day on Fire Island. It's a little strip of island on the Atlantic side of Long Island. It was beautiful. Cold, but beautiful. Miles and miles of soft sandy beach. After spending the day there, we headed to the Pottery Barn Outlet in search for a big bed for Lucas. I was actually really annoyed. Have you noticed how outlet prices are now practically retail prices? You can actually get better deals at the retail store than the outlet. We did find a bed, but it wasn't a screaming deal so we passed. I did buy some new table linens though--60% off.

The Greatest Thing You'll Ever Learn...

...is just to love and be loved in return. Did you have a good Valentines? I saw Moulin Rouge over the weekend. I really do love this movie. Everytime I watch it, I'm crying and singing at the same time.

Not That Into You

I do want to see this movie. Girl's Night, anyone?

Method

I've bought The Tracy Anderson Method video in hopes that she might help my troubled post-pregnancy tummy issues. I hear she does some different abs exercises that "awaken" the dormant stomach muscles. She also adds a ballet influence in her exercises.

Address Stamps

Since we bought our first house a couple of years ago, I've been holding out on buying a return address stamp. But I think I may have to mark that off my list of things to get. Letter Girl has exactly what I'm looking for.

Valentine Card

Stella decorated 16 Valentine cards for her classmates. I bought a ton of stickers, glittery glue, markers and heart paper dollies and she went to work. She was much more involved in the Valentine craft this year than last year.

Matchbox Cars

Oh the joys of living with a car fanatic! All the cars perfectly lined up. I chuckled when I saw this, then gave a big smooch on my little guy's cheek. I know the picture is not the greatest but I had to capture the moment.

Busy

The week before Valentine's is one of my busiest times of the year for me. Not uncommon for me to be up in the wee-hours packing orders. Looks like some special ladies will be getting a special something in the mail.

Shower

This past weekend my girlfriend's Lindsey and Amanda threw a belated baby shower for Jackson. It was nice and casual--a perfect little escape for a couple hours. The best part, besides the good company, was the food. Oh, the food. It was divine and mouthwatering. All homemade with the look of a caterer. Serious talent. Thanks girlies for everything!

Giveaway

Stop by and leave a comment on Simply Healthful for a chance to win a gift certificate for some Valentine jewelry. Comments are accepted up to Wednesday night.

Ruffle Bride's Dress

Oh my! I LOVE this bride's dress.

{via frolic!}

Flower in Hair

Love this bright flower headband. Perfect for spring.

Made to Order

Check out Gaddie and Tood darling party decorations. So cute. You can order, and they'll make it for your next birthday party. Or if you are crafty you can do it yourself.

Speed Baby

I watched this once with my kids, and now everytime I sit down at the computer they request to watch the "dancing Jackson baby" (although the baby is not Jackson, it's Charles but any baby to them is called Jackson--gotta it?).


{via Cup of Jo}

Milk Bar

Next time I'm in the city I would like to stop by Milk Bar and order me some cereal milk or maybe try the pistachio cake. Yes, they sell cereal milk and a lot of other silly dessert items.

Paper Cup Doll

Stella made this paper cup doll one day at the library when it was craft day. Little miss paper cup doll has become more popular than barbie...for the time being. The other day when she was being transported from the car to the house and it was snowing outside, Stella made sure that the umbrella was covering the dolls curly hair so it would not go flat. She's a good mommy.

Rebecca Thuss

If you want some fun ideas for party decorations or packaging ideas check out Rebecca Thuss.

Calendar Print

My girlfriend Lauren started a tradition in our family. For my birthday one year she sent me a Walter Anderson calendar print. These prints are special because there is a different print for each day of the year, and there are only a limited number of prints for each day. So she sent me the print for my date of birth. When Stella was born, she mailed off the print for Stella's birthday and the same for Lucas's and Seth's birthday. Well, I just got Jackson's print. It's perfect and suits him well. The first picture is Jackson's and the second is my print.

What I Love Today

Snuggling with my baby.

Last week was hard at the Meier house--hence why I haven't blogged. We are going through a crisis in our family. But we will endure it and will survive. It's one of life's bumps in the road, and it's not going to stop us from being happy and enjoying the wonderful parts of life. We will be humble and come out of this trial better than we were before.

Superbowl Party

We went to a superbowl party and had a good time stuffing our face with lots of yummy appetizers. The food was fab, but I think I need to now run 10 miles. My favorite was the jalapeno poppers. The game was good--the small amount I watched.