Edge of the Ocean

We took Jocelyn to the beach for the first time a few weeks ago. Brian's Aunt Kathy and Uncle John were visiting St. Augustine from New Jersey. We just went up to their condo for the day, which was enough for me. I can't believe how stressful it is to have a baby at the beach. According to my sister in law, we were "that" family that brings our whole household down to the beach! Luckily we are able to drive on St. Aug beach, or it would have taken many trips with all our stuff ;)

Anyways, Jocelyn LOVES the water! She is definitely her daddy's daughter. We took her in and I was so nervous that she would get saltwater in her eyes and freak out. She got the water in her eyes, but it didn't faze her one bit. At one point I was like "Okay, she's had enough, let's take her back to the blanket" She would have none of it. She cried until Brian turned around and put her back in the ocean!

After her poor little eyes were all red and she seemed to have enough of the water, we took her up to the sand. This is where I got stressed out. For one, I hate the feel of salt water and sand on me. So I just imagined that she did too. In all reality, she probably couldn't have cared less. With all that stuff we brought down, the only thing we forgot was a jog of fresh water  to wash her off. So, we try to get off her bathing suit and diaper and she just wants to roll away and crawl in the sand. Then, of course she is tired and wants to nurse. There was no way I was going to let that happen with sand rubbing between us.  So we took her up to the pool and washed her off then up to the condo.

Looking back, I was much more stressed out that need be (as usual) Next time I will know to chill out and let her have her fun!

My sister in law Jennifer, took these pictures:

On the move!

My big plans of multiple new blog posts didn't pan out as I imagined... I'll tell you about the trip when I upload the pictures!

Anyways, I left for work on Saturday morning and Jocelyn was taking a few steps and diving at us as soon as she got going. This had been going on for a few weeks. As soon as I walked in the door, Brian told me..."We have a walker!" She walks across the living room, squats to pick something up, stands up and keeps going. Sometimes she turns and continues. I am amazed how quick she went from one stage to the next. There wasn't much in between. She will still crawl when she can't get there fast enough.

She changes so much all the time. As I have said before, I think each new stage is my favorite, although I miss her being small and needing me for everything! She doesn't need me to hold her bottle anymore, doesn't want to be held much, won't be still while I change her diaper. She is a wiggle worm who always wants to be going!

She is also drinking from a straw! It is so cute, and actually pretty convenient when we are in the mall or something. She loves drinking water. She also loves drinking tea. We tried it when we were in Kansas because she was throwing a fit thought "Aw what the hell"...Yeah we figured out later exactly why that was a bad idea. As you probably expected, she didn't take a nap ALL day and it took her FOREVER to fall asleep on the 30 minute drive to the hotel (and this was at 10 pm) So needless to say, no more caffeine ;)

Here are some cute pictures of her first "ponytail" and looking out the sliding glass door.

It's almost Party Time

Jocelyn's first birthday is right around the corner. As you know, I have been planning for at least 3 months.

 I decided that her "theme" will be... 

Black, Pink, and Skulls!!!

I am so excited for this party. I have been scouring Etsy non-stop. I found a couple things that I ordered and a few more that I can easily make myself.

So far, I ordered her a "Happy Birthday" Banner, Cupcake toppers, Birthday Onesie to match her tu-tu, Return address labels and invitations:

Seller: Sillymedesign on Etsy. LOVE her!

I am making tissue paper balls to hang, and a cute wreath I found on "As The Forest(e) Grows" (Thanks Mrs. Foreste!) I also found the coolest cardboard die cut skulls that I am covering in glitter! I absolutely love Martha Stewart glitter. It is beautiful.

I am going to try and make a "welcome" sign to hang in the door. I have all the supplies, I just have to figure out exactly how I want to put them together. And, if time allows I am going to decoupage a galvanized tub in fabric to put the drinks in. We will see about that one.

I am having a hard time deciding what to do about cake/cupcakes. I bought the toppers, but there are only 12. I am going to need at least 24-36...So I can either do a mix of different ones, or do a few cupcakes and a cute cake. Ahhhh I am so torn. I definitely want her to have her own little smash cake... Decisions Decisions. Love these:  

Anyways, I will post more pictures afterwards. I can't give away all my secrets ;)

Going on Holiday.

We are leaving early Thursday morning (think 3 am) to drive half-way across the country in a motor-home.

Six adults 3 kids (Ages 4, 15 months, and 12 months) and we are driving straight through.

Sounds a bit like the Beverly Hillbillies to me.

Anyways, the trip is going to be about 20 hours give or take so I plan on posting a whole slew of new posts...Get Ready!

Until then, I will leave you with a naked baby in a kitchen:

These boots were made for walking...

Well almost...

Jocelyn got this ride/walk toy for Christmas. 

Being the nervous mommy that I am, I was too scared to let her try and walk with it until last week.

This video is from the day she started using it. She knew what she was doing all along.

Now, if she sees it and I don't want her to use it...Major Meltdown.

Needless to say, she gets to walk A LOT :)

Jocelyn and her walker #1

Jocelyn and her walker #2

She will be walking on her own any day now!

On the River

Last week, Jocelyn and I got to meet Brian for lunch!!! That NEVER happens. We went out to Port Canaveral and ate at Grills. I have been dying to go there and it is always way too crowded to take Jocelyn for dinner. She loved the sweet potato fries, and vegetables. I would have given her some of my tuna, but I think that rare tuna is  still on the no-no list for babies ;)

After we ate we went out and looked at the birds and people on the river.

Dinner with the Girls

We always have Sunday dinner at my parents house. A few weeks ago, they were out of town, so Brandi and Jeff brought their girls out here and we all went to Dogs R Us and ate wings. I couldn't believe how well all of the kids behaved. It sure makes me want to go out to eat with Jocelyn a little more often. Especially now that she is eating some of our food too, it is much more fun than giving her baby food in a restaurant.

Jocelyn, Makenna and Carsyn

Brian making sure they don't fall.

Family picture.

The Bees Knees

I was sneaky and threw my husband a Surprise 32nd birthday party last Saturday! 

There was a theme and everything: Roaring Twenties!

I started planning this thing back in January. Do you know how hard it is for me to keep a secret that long?

Extremely.

Anyways, I pulled it off. I told him we were going to a friends costume party.

In true Brian fashion, he didn't ask any questions, just went along with what I asked of him :)

The plan was that my parents were watching Jocelyn, so that was why we stopped by. 

Little did he know thats where the party was!

My dad was waiting by the door for the password...which was Wooden Kimono.

SURPRISE!!!

Awesome costumes? Check!

Flapper Ladies

Kasey and I

Getting the party started....

End of the night.

We had so much fun! Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate with us :)