farewell bladder 'o the gall

on monday of this week I had my gallbladder out.

I had known I had a stone in there since my ultrasound when preggers with cole, but had yet to have it removed.

well, a few weeks ago I landed myself in the E.R. with a gall bladder attack.

worst.pain.ever.

(and I have had 3 chillins)

the verdict was it had to come out. 

that meant I needed lots of help since I wasn't supposed to lift and would be on medication.

I was spoiled. my mom and grandma came up to help.

Justin and I got in a free date night before surgery day. and I had one day to shop with them before I went in too.

everything went well, except they had to "bag me" a few times in recovery because I kept forgetting to breath. not really want you want to hear when you are coming to. apparently I am a "lightweight" when it comes to anesthesia. the nurse said it was because I was a redhead...until I told her it was totally fake. That is the third time medical staff have blamed my red hair for something. (the other 2 being...bad veins: I am a really hard stick, and then I was asked by my labor and delivery nurse if I was a bleeder since I was a redhead.) things went smoothly....although I am not a fan of being pumped with air for surgery...2 month olds cry for a reason when they have gas floating around in there!

Justin was able to take 2 days off and take care of me. and it's a good thing my mom and grandma were here for the week. they did everything for me. I can't remember the last time I slept through the night for a solid week! My grandma made awesome meals and stalked my freezer with cookies and texas chocolate cake brownies. (which tasted amazing after having to eat like a rabbit for the past two weeks since the attack.) They changed Pipers diapers (and everything else a baby girl could need), took Cole to and from school, helped him with homework, took Ali shopping, let me sleep as often as I could, and just generally spoiled us all. It was hard to see them go. Things are still returning to normal. I have a 20lb weight lifting restriction for a month, so good luck to me for the next 3 weeks with 3 kids. I am so glad it's over and that I never have to feel those attacks again. yikes.

the girlie girls guide to parties and piracy

when one turns 4 it is important to throw the social event of the season.  

picking the perfect theme is essential.

for me, the choice was easy, a swashbuckling soiree!

the first must have is a personalized invite

and as every good pirate knows, the best way to deliver such an urgent message is by bottle!

pirates know the value of branding...

and any girl pirate party hostess know that it's the personal touches that really make the difference.

marking the spot is a huge must do!

pirate party hostesses know that the key to throwing the perfect get together is to be just as excited as you would want your guests to be. 

it's also a good idea to have your stow away's dress to impress as well.

(note: willingness to wear a pink bandanna indicates a captain's true love for his pirate princess.)

and your final pre-party tip: get yourself into a true pirate mood. 

greeting your guests with "arrg mateys" and "aye scallywags" helps to establish the overall tone of the party.

now as any good pirate knows, a pirate girl is only as good as her sword.

and the only thing better than the perfect glittering sword...is a bedazzled one!

as a side note, providing cold beverages for famished deck hands is a sign of pirate politeness.

once your guests have been properly adorned in pirate garb, 

it's time to line up your crew for some entertainment.

(in the form of a pirate book, read by a pirate matron aka your mom)

it's important to take lots of pictures to document your pirate adventures...

even if some of your guests seem less than thrilled by such high seas photo opp's you will be glad you have proof of your journey later!

if you do a really good job selecting your crew, you might just be lucky enough to have them come baring gifts...unnecessary, but truly appreciated!

after all, all pirates love their booty!

  but they love their dear mate's even more. It's important to show your gratitude...even pirates can show affection once in a while.

pirates and party guests alike love their grub...especially in the form of pink pirate pastries! 

when it comes time for the pirate party hostess to make her birthday wish, it's hard for her to even imagine what more one could want after such pirate party fun!

after all guests and pirate crew members have gorged themselves, they will begin to leave. 

  

saying farewell to good mates' is never easy, but you can rest easy as the perfect pirate party hostess knowing that you have sent them off with full bellies,  pretty pirate attire, and swashbuckling memories to treasure. 

and that matey's is worth all that pirate preparation...savvy?
aarg!

first graders stay all day long.

Cole officially became a first grader yesterday.

and I spent the day missing my little man.

he had a huge smile on his face when I asked him about his day.

his favorite part was seeing all his friends and all the extra recesses.

We put a note in his lunch box. 

He asked me if I could do that everyday, but at least the first week.

he asked me after he had been home a while if tomorrow would be a shorter day?

and he asked if I had missed my big helper. and then added well you don't have to worry, I am home now.

Oh Cole, I will always worry.

but apparently I don't need to, because you have first grade under control.

bless you too!

today piper was blessed by her daddy.

the blessing was just as sweet and tender as this picture would suggest.

of course the day had to be documented with a photo session!

hmmm... getting 3 kids to look the same direction, by myself, while dad is at a meeting, not the easiest of tasks.

ah candid shots, that's better.

or just 2 seems to be easier...

or best of all just one cute little face to worry about capturing.

(here are a few with out the bow, since my family thinks they are weird sling shot looking things.)

 and one shot with shoes before she wiggled them off...

I know I know, picture overload...

but how could I choose?

we found her dress at the gap a few months back and fell in love.

recognize that blanket Wendy?

and now for the accessories...some golden foot apparel.

and the bow, oh the bow! 

If you have lived around me for the last 2 years you have heard me RAVE about my friends jewelry business (encantadorajewelry.com), if you haven't heard me, head to her site and be prepared to drool. she makes one of a kind bows, so they are not all on her website, but I knew how cute her stash was. So I enlisted her help to create the perfect touch for piper's big day. she whipped up 4 prototypes, and I couldn't choose between 3...seriously that's how good she is. so happy blessing day piper, Stacie sent you not 1, but all 3 that your mommy loved as a gift...as if I didn't love her enough already!

the gold matched the shoes, and the vintage button was the perfect touch. 

I was so afraid of having 2 girls,

now I can't imagine it any other way.

we love you piper. 

happy blessing day "pipes"!