Twas a Grand Day

You know a day is wonderful when you replay it in your mind over and over again. I have been planning Coco's birthday party for the last couple months and all of the preparations culminated yesterday in quite an extravaganza. The whole day was marvelous!

When we started thinking about her birthday, we were met with the dilemma of our small apartment and the abundance of family and friends that we wanted to invite. We explored several options for location, and then amazingly, my friend from school, Arlene, offered her home as a party site. Needless to say, I was both surprised and excited by her offer, and when we accepted Arlene was thrilled! Now, I am convinced that Arlene and her family are the sweetest people in the world! They opened their home up for 40+ people, Bob (Arlene's husband) barbequed, and her three kids helped with corralling toddlers. I really wish I would have taken a picture of their front yard, because it looks just like the "Father of the Bride" house.

We invited a bunch of friends and family and the evening will be forever impressed in my memory as representing those who truly love our family. Only bummer is Coco will not remember...but we have some amazing photos to document the memory! Also, Matt and my gift to Coco was a plate that everyone signed. I imagine her using it one day in her own home to serve cookies or cupcakes...sigh. That's a little tear jerker. Alright, enough of my rambling. The photos are what really matter!

In keeping with her name, Cosette Amelie, we went for a Parisian theme with pink poodles as an inspiration ;)

The lovely centerpieces...Candace made them.

Unfortunately, we did not get a picture of the entire cupcake display :( I am terribly disappointed about that, because they were fabulous! But I did catch these shots before they fell apart...these are the leftovers.

Oh, and that is the plate we got for her. Sweet, huh?

Sawyer was showing his mama the lights.

Tim caught in a domestic moment.

Some of my most favorite peeps!

This is Coco as she looks out at the party scene. She was a little overwhelmed at first, but did very well. Notice the Eiffel tower and poodle on her dress? :)

Look at little Evie wearing the outfit I got her!

They're pretty tight.

Coco with her Grandpa, Daddy, and Great GrandPop!

This is the "We have the same birthday pose" that those related to either Hayes' or Leonards have heard numerous times since her birth...the horse is dead, Jack. Haha! Just kidding!

Quite happy with her audience...as usual.

I love this picture! It was so wonderful to have two of my oldest and dearest friends come down! I love you, Cara and Amber!

Also of HUGE importance are my English peeps! Charles, Vanessa, Becca, and Arlene--you all are so wonderful and make school so much fun! We have quite a little nerdy community, don't we?

Our bestest friends in Riverside! Uncle Dave and Aunt Em are a HUGE part of Coco's life! She loves them :)

Coco stole Sawyer's bat, and Grandma did not correct her.

Sawyer got it back on his own.

Is he not the most adorable little boy ever?? I love him!

Waiting for her cake--she has NO idea!

Yay! She saw the cake!

I must confess: she really was not that into her cake...I had to help make her look like the typical one-year old and get it all over her face. Once she tasted it though, she really liked it. She just kept looking up at me and waiting for me to say "no."

Opening gifts. There were A LOT of them. She got so many wonderful outfits and not too many toys. However, the toys she did get were awesome! Thank you everyone!

Haha! Sorry Candace! I could not resist. You worked so hard to get that thing out of there!

She knows she's loved.

Bob the barbequer!

This is Arlene--the wonderful hostess! Coco grabbed these pot-holders and would not let them go.

All of Matt's family who came down! Thank you guys for making that drive! We love you!

My beautiful niece, Josie!

This is what love looks like :)

Can we say sugar high?

Where's your belly-button?

"Where's your belly-button, Coco?" Grammy (Leann) has taught Coco to point to her belly-button. Granted, she does not always point directly to it, but she gets the general vicinity down every time. Strange to think that the 7 lb. 11 oz., gooey, trembling little body that they slapped on my stomach a year ago is the same precocious little toddler who proudly points to her belly-button today. I look at that belly-button in amazement, remembering the emotional tidal-wave that flooded over Matt and I as he cut her cord, and the care we gave to that belly button over the weeks, waiting for the last remnant of birth to fall away.


It's been an incredible year for Matt and I. I've heard my Mom say multiple times that life really starts when you have kids. I totally agree. Matt and I had a special time before Cosette came into our lives, and I am so thankful that we were able to bond as a couple first, and share in some big things before she arrived. But both Matt and I find more joy in raising a child than in anything else in life. I know that since we've become parents we've enjoyed a deeper bond in marriage, and a greater appreciation for God's creative nature. Before I became a Mom, I would hear Psalm 127:3-4 tossed around a lot. I thought "yah, yah, kids are a blessing," and I knew they would be...But now those words: "Children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward" resonate in a deep and powerful way. I struggle to describe it, and I am sure I am not alone in that. How do we articulate something so innate?
All that to say--Happy Birthday to my beautiful little girl. You have given me so much joy each day of your life. I have learned that this love just grows, and so I am already overwhelmed at the prospect of what each year will bring! It seems that Daddy's and my song "I love you more today than yesterday" will ring true for you as well. I really do love you more today than yesterday, but not as much as tomorrow.

Good times, good times...

I love how even during the crazy-busy times, God provides moments of rest and fulfillment with little anomalies within our schedules.

Several weeks ago, Matt and I were thrilled to be on the receiving end of Joe and Candace's spontaneity as they randomly drove down on Joe's one day off and spent the night with us. This was really the first time I got to interact with my niece for more than fifteen minutes. Let me just say this, it is so fun (now that I'm an old, experienced parent--wink, wink) to watch my big brother and sis-in-law act as parents. Adorable is the best word to use. Josie, unfortunately, was getting sick when they arrived, and so what would have been a leisurely dinner at Olivia's rapidly ended with Josie's wails. She did not care in the least that her mama was craving a Riverside-only-cuisine. We ended up getting her some vicks, I bought a new humidifier, and exchanged happy hour plans with a babysitter for an evening at home :) I got a good hour in of just holding and absorbing her newborn nature. Sigh. Don't get me wrong, I adore my personality-charged 12 month old, but soaking up newborn essence is irreplaceable. It was just what I needed to bond with my little niece.

My niece is a beautiful little girl. Notice how I like calling her "my niece"? There's an element of pride that should be read in that phrase. Hope you picked up on that ;) I am so excited to see her personality come to the surface! I know that in just a few short years, she and Coco will dominate the Hayes household with dress-up clothes, Barbies, and hopefully other safe options for little girls to play with. I don't really know what we should expect, however, because the DNA on both sides is a little frightening.

Joe was a very driven little boy. In fact, besides some obvious monumental catalysts in his life, adult Joe bears a very similar resemblance to little boy Joe. He's always been a Marine, he just didn't get credit for it at five, if he did--he'd have a few more medals, I am sure. (He had an end-of-the-world survival kit that was well furbished with everything except antibiotics). I like to think that I am quite different from little girl Hillary. I didn't have it all together, like Joe, at age five. I was a bit of a wild child, and I am going to be on the look-out for those characteristics in my own kids. Yikes.

Unfortunately, or maybe this is fortunate, I didn't know Matt or Candace as kids, but I've heard enough stories to be concerned for future Hayes' and Leonards'. Now, this is pretty darn cute, but a little odd--Candace had imaginary penguins that she required her parents to seat belt into their van, and pray for every night. I think its safe to speculate that Josie could quite possibly resemble a cross between G.I. Joe and Alice in Wonderland.

Similarly, my husband was quite a funny little boy too, and I just love hearing stories about him. From what I've gathered, he was an extremely energetic child. His parents and grandparents will laughingly remember how Matt would eat really quickly, run around, and then puke at every family gathering. Isn't that just adorable? To me it conjures up images of Speedy Gonzales or some other crazy mouse.

His teachers thought he had ADHD, but in fact he just was very fast at accomplishing his tasks. He doesn't puke any more, but if I ask him to do anything around the house its like he has to break a previous record, so its a very efficient way to get things done around here.

Anyways, this is a bit of a digression, but what I mean to say is that I am thrilled at the prospect of Coco and Josie's childhoods. While we don't live close to Joe and Candace, our time spent with them is always precious and maybe even more so now that there is another baby. I think we've all agreed to be more intentional with spending time together and being there for those important moments in our kids' lives.

On a similar note, this month also brought a sweet visit from my wonderful friend, Amber. Amber and I go way back--junior high was the start of our friendship. I can look back to our days of passing notes labeled "For Your Eyes Only," to talks about wedding plans, to long conversations about pregnancy, and now the continuing dialogue about parenting. It is so fun to share in such big events with each other. Amber held an on-going record of beating me to everything including highschool, graduation, first kiss, college, engagement, and even marriage. And even though she was two weeks behind me in pregnancy, we were pretty sure she'd pop Sawyer out before Coco. But, I surprisingly went into labor first. haha. Not that I'm keeping a tally, but I think that all those milestones illustrate just how much we've been a part of each other's lives.

Anyways, Amber and Sawyer came down this week and spent the day with Coco and I. We had so much fun watching these "toddlers" interact. I think Coco was a little more into Sawyer than he was into her. Man, its like the film "He's Just Not That Into You." Really, these things start at birth. Amber and I ventured to Chili's for lunch, which was perhaps a mistake. Our table looked like a tornado had hit it, and neither of us had a bite of hot soup, but the chillens succeeded in convincing us that they needed a bath together. Muahahaha. I've always wanted to hold those kind of photos over someone. Poor kids. They are going to have no chance when they are teenagers. Their bath proved to be a fun social experiment, until Sawyer hit Coco in the face. She had it coming, what with constantly steeling his pacifier and grabbing his hair. Apparently, she can dish it but can't take it :)

Overall, it was a wonderful day spent with a wonderful friend. We may not get to live close to each other, but I know Amber and I will live up to our Junior High promise of being old ladies together. Its all planned: Amber will have pink hair, and mine will be purple. I look forward to it. Perhaps our grandkids will participate in the trend we set...

Thank you Joe, Candace, and Amber for taking time out of your busy lives to spend time with me and my family. If I remember anything from this semester, it will surely be the combination of time spent with all of you.

What Life is Like Right Now

I've noticed that its a common trend to say "life's crazy right now" when someone asks how you are doing. I admit, I say this a lot, and I wonder when it will be that I'll simply say: "life is so boring right now. There is absolutely nothing going on in my life." Based on observation, I really do not anticipate that those words shall ever trespass my lips.

I am not claiming that Matt and I lead a busier life than anyone else in the world; rather, I'm just noticing (and maybe this is nothing new) that people are always so busy and it feels as if we are all on this insane merry-go-round, just waiting to get off (boy, does that sound like a cheesy country song!). If I follow that train of thought to its logical conclusion, I end up at a very morbid conclusion with death being the only pit-stop. But really, I do not believe that life is THAT crazy, or THAT dizzying of an experience. Ever since I have experienced the joy of becoming a parent, I get reminded of how precious it is to just enjoy a moment, and savor it for all its worth. I want to squeeze out every ounce of pleasure from this short and speedy phase in Coco's life. I am daily blown away by how much love and adoration I have for this 22 lb. being. t is absolutely mind-blowing when you consider how selfish we are, that children elicit this self-less, overflowing love.

I think that being a mom is one of the greatest ways to enjoy life. While I have great hopes and goals for a career, I really do believe that being a mom will be the greatest thing I ever accomplish. I am getting a taste of the career life with my part-time teaching job, and while I am extremely grateful for it, I do find myself speeding home to Coco just pick her up and enjoy her squirming little body try to escape me. There is something very rewarding about preparing a lesson and delivering it to a room full of eager (ha!) faces. . . but this does not even come close to the satisfaction of hearing "Mama." Sigh. I hope to hear that from at least five different voices someday...

So, to stay on topic--life right now is crazy. However, God has given us grace in learning how to enjoy the little things. The only weekday evening that Matt and I are both home together is Friday night, and we look forward to that like a fat kid does cake! We've managed to figure out ways to have "quality family time" in the midst of hectic schedules. I love our occasional walks to Sprouts, sneaking a sleeping Coco into bed just to hold her, and "date-nights" at our kitchen table.

I love when I come home to my mother-in-law holding Coco on the balcony so that she can see me walk up the stairs. We are so blessed to have Leann nearby and willing to receive phone calls (often several times a month) at 5:00 a.m. just to hop into her green bug and take care of Cosette for the day. She never complains or even raises an eyebrow at our often messy, chaotic home--this is truly a gift.

I love my Tuesday adventures with Em, which always involve at least five bucks, but we get so much out of those days! I'm also grateful for the one weekend out of the month that my Mom comes down for her classes in San Diego. While I do not get a ton of time with her, it is so sweet to have her here and see Coco vie for her attention. I enjoy getting to have coffee on the couch with Mom, and hear all about her experiences as a student. This weekend in particular, allowed me to spend some wonderful time with Kirsty before she moves to San Luis Obispo. We had such a great time chatting in the morning, shopping together, and staying up late talking. Love my Sissy!

There are many other things that happen during the week that make me stop and savor this life. Yes, life is crazy--but I am surrounded with so many blessings that culminate into a wonderful, fun life! I will be glad when this semester is behind me because it will mark the completion of my first semester teaching; however, I am committed to enjoying the grace God's given me in the mundane.

Petite Mademoiselle

Beyond all the fun pictures I post on Facebook and this blog, I think I've failed documenting the little interesting facts about Coco as she grows up. When she was an infant, and definitely before she started crawling, I fastidiously journaled about all the developmental changes that took place. Things like "today she grabbed for her toy," or "rolled over for the third time in her life!" and of course all the mommy ins and outs of scheduling her sleep and breast feeding. Well, once our little girl began to crawl, and then start pulling herself up like the very next day, I've become negligent about documenting her changes. She's been walking for about two months now, and so acts more like a toddler than a baby these days. I wanted to brag a little (for the benefit of her grandparents and aunties) and just talk about the cute little personality traits that are coming out...

First of all, this stage is so fun because she is becoming more and more affectionate. If we tell her to "give loving" to anything from the remote control, to her doll, and even food, she'll press whatever she's holding to her ear and hug it. Its so darn cute! You just have to be careful with what you tell her to love!

Another new development, and its quite recent--is what I am calling the "Linus trajectory," or, the blankie. She just started walking around with her blanket held up to her ear, dragging it all over the house. Occasionally, she'll throw it on the ground and then fall on top of it to "relax." She kind of reminds me of our late cat, Little, in that if there is anything on the floor she automatically assumes its for her, so if a pillow happens to fall off the couch, Coco will lay her head on it til we notice and smile at us. She loves her audience.

"There's more?" you ask. Yes, but you don't have to read it. Remember this is for the benefit of grandmas and family, and they gobble this stuff whole. So--another thing thats come out with the advent of toddlerhood is the word, "No." She manages to get into just about everything thats off-limits, so we are trying to train her to listen. At first, I used the old swatting method. But to be quite honest, it seemed to make things worse. She would hit back and get real feisty, but wouldn't cry. So after some trial and error, and "accidentally" discovering what works for now, our method is simply to say "no" extremely sternly while looking her straight in the eye. I don't know what it is, but Cosette crumbles each time. Its really sad/cute, because she'll stop dead in her tracks and just fall apart, and then come up to Matt or me and put her head on our chests. It works amazingly well, and the only catch is just to stay firm when she gives you a totally pathetic mini-meltdown.

I think that she just loves positive attention so much that it devastates her when it becomes negative. Now, I'm not saying I've got it nailed and this is what we're doing for every kid, forever. I strongly suspect that one of these days we'll have a little battle, and if not with her, with another child. I was a she-devil, and Matt, from what I understand, was kind of like Curious George. He had tons of energy and managed to get into everything. So, with that combo, we're certain to have at least one ornery stinker! But for now, I am enjoying having an 11 month old that obeys when I say "no"! Go ahead, you're allowed a smug response. Just know I am not swearing by this method or trying to proselytize anyone else.

One last thing--especially for the grandparents :) We have a photograph of the four of them on a table in our hallway. Several weeks ago, Cosette noticed this picture and got very excited to see their familiar faces. She's taken to walking around the house with it, "loving it," and most recently pointing to "pa pa." Sorry Jack, first she pointed to my dad and called him Papa. Sorry Dad, now the entire picture is Papa. She loves that photo though, and if I ask where Papa is, she'll hurry down the hall to point to their faces.

So, that's pretty much the latest developments. I'll keep you posted on language development...I'm sure you now eagerly await the day she tells ME "No!"

More to come...

So Much For Being Martha

"Give me my angry eyes!"

In case anyone was under the impression (given the domestic craftiness of my last post) that I DO INDEED manage to juggle the roles of wife, mama, student, teacher AND have a perfect house--these photos will help clarify that misconception. Friday, the end of my work week, always commences the beginning of catching up on household chores. Now, I didn't leave my house in this wreckage this morning--at least not as bad as the pictures reveal. But, I did leave my husband (bless his soul) and daughter, and the two of them managed to do quite a doozy on our apartment.

The kitchen...

The culprits (Coco's hiding by her toy farm)

How is this NOT on purpose??

Ok, this is my tell-tale heart of the morning. Toothbrush by coffee mug, and even more incriminating--the straightener.

But these towels are ALL Matt!

See his guilty little face...he thinks that by raising his shoulders it somehow endears his behavior...it sorta does.

Our room. Last person out of the bed makes it...MATT! And, in case you wondered, we don't sleep with the guitar. Cosette always wants it, so we have to put it out of reach.

Reparations were made :)

God Bless This Home.

Halloween Madness

So---my dear friend Emily persuaded me to embark on a trip to Micheals, which is always extremely dangerous for me. I went in, defenses up, and all it took was one little glance at the "Fall Decor" to get my decorating itch started! Oh Emily! Why did you unearth this dreadful worm? Ok, enough drama. But seriously, I went a little crazy. I decided to go "Macabre chic," thats what I'm calling it anyways. I don't know why, but I feel like somehow I merged Phantom of the Opera with a New Orleans funeral. Anyways, I like how it turned out...the only problem is that I'm going to have to take some of this down to prepare for Pilgrims and Indians. I just don't know if Sqaunto and sequins go together...maybe.

The little bags have English nerd quotes from Frankenstein, Dracula, and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

eh. This picture really doesn't look that great. This was my least favorite thing I put together. The "leftovers" if you will.

My lovely little wreath--this is what reminds me of New Orleans.

Ah! I love this season! Thanks Emily for getting me started!