Taelyn's 1st Birthday Party

On March 20, 2011 my little baby Taelyn turned 1 year old. I have been stressing out about her birthday party that I "said" was not going to be a huge event, but honestly I don't know any other way. I was so worried about the weather and the food and the activities and the guests and getting everything done before everyone got there... as you can all see, I worried a lot! The night before I couldn't even sleep. I was so excited and anxious. I finally gave up on sleep at 4:30 am. I got up and started the cupcakes. I made cupcakes for the kids to decorate and cupcakes that were meant to eat. I made some last minute signs and when Todd finally woke up, he started transporting everything from our house to my mom's. It took 3 trips. Thank God she doesn't live far.

Taelyn woke up and was pleasant as ever. She had breakfast and played while I finished the cupcakes. Todd and I got ready and left Taelyn in her pj's. We decided it would be easier to dress her at my mom's. The moment I got to my mom's house, it was work, work, work! I set up the tables and chairs, with the help of Todd, Eddie and LaQualia.

We got all of the tables cloths and center pieces together and ready to be seated.

Next was the Candy Bar:

The Nacho Bar:

I had a chocolate fountain with fruit, pretzels, marshmallows, Oreos, and candy.

I had lollipops everywhere. They lined the driveway to get the back yard, they were hung on the poles and the windows. (Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of any of it) I had signs for everything. I had a table set up for the cupcake and gingerbread man decorating.


Finally, I was done with everything I could think of, all that was needed were the quests. And boy were there guests!!! People came from everywhere. The weather was HORRIBLE! It was cold and windy, but because I have the most AMAZING family and friends, they braved the cold (sightly rainy) weather and still came to celebrate my little miracle baby reaching her 1 year milestone. Grampy and Grammy came from ARIZONA. Others came from: Temecuala, Costa Mesa, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Victorville, Perris, Moreno Valley, etc. all for my baby! I truly felt the love and I fully appreciate their presence.

My mom made Filipino food as well as the food that we ordered. The quest were overwhelmed with a variety of things to eat, just the way we like it. The kids, who honestly didn't feel how cold it really was, enjoyed the jumper.


We had a Pinata, the kids really got a kick out of that thing! Watching the kids try and hit it was hilarious. We decided not to blind fold them because most of them were little ones anyway. By the time we got to the 9th or 10th kid, the candy came pouring out and the kiddos scattered all over the floor with their bags and collected the candy. Great fun for all.






Moving right along, after we did the Pinata, I gathered everyone into the dining room to sing Happy Birthday. Taelyn did so well. She didn't cry with all those eyes and loud voices singing for her. She actually seemed to enjoy it.






We had a great time and just as everyone slowly started to go their separate ways, I started the gift opening. I felt like it was my baby shower Part II. There were soooo many gifts. I honestly was dreading this part of the party. Taelyn got so many wonderful gifts. I am so excited at the amount of books she received. We are going to have a great time reading those together. Taelyn got lots of toys and clothes. This little girl was so blessed by everyone!



So all in all, Taelyn's 1st birthday party was an EXTREME SUCCESS! The weather could have been warmer, but other than that, I was so happy with the way things turned out.







Happy Birthday to my little Miracle!!! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!!

Busy Last Week

I have been crazy busy this past week. Everyday there was something going on. I'm not complaining, but I haven't felt this productive in a very long time. I kinda miss the days were Taelyn and I were searching for things to do, kinda. I am exhausted! I have been doing things for Taelyn's party which has become way bigger than I had originally planned. I just don't know how things got so out of control. I just have too many small details that I have to get together to make it the way that I WANT it to be. There is REALLY NO need for me to stress and worry because I know that it will be fine, but I just don't know any other way. PLUS with the recent earthquake in Japan, the weather here somehow got affected. I have been checking the weather for the 20th since January and it was "predicted" to be in the 80's until this past week, NOW its supposed to rain! This throws a wrench in EVERYTHING! So I rented a tent... easy fix? Lets hope so.

Monday: I cut labels for the "Candy Bar." Todd, Kat, Taelyn, Jessica S. and I had lunch at Red Robin. Then we went to Jessica Hekman's house so she could take Taelyn's 1 year pictures. This was HARD for me. Not only is my baby turning 1 year tomorrow, she smashed a cupcake and got all DIRTY!! I had to walk away at one point because it was too much to handle. But the pictures turned out amazing as usual thanks to JessHekmanPhotography. Then we dropped Todd and Taelyn off at home and Kat and I went to get pedicures while Todd started to BBQ. Dinner was delish!

Tuesday: 3 year Anniversary for Todd and me. I took Kat and Taelyn with me to get my hair done. Now everyone who knows me, knows this is one of my most favorite things to do in life, and I like to do it alone! It was so nice that Kat was there though, she took care of Taelyn so I could enjoy my "Maine Time" in peace. Afterward, we had lunch at Rosa Maria's. When we got home, Todd was home fast asleep. So I woke Todd up and left Taelyn with Todd so Kat and I could go to get massages, my next favorite thing to do in life. It felt GREAT! When we were done, we picked Todd and Taelyn up so we could have our Anniversary dinner at Thai House, YUMMY!

Wednesday: I got Taelyn ready to be away from us ALL day! We left at 7:30 am and did not return until 7:30 pm. I have NEVER been away from her for that LONG EVER! It was hard, but she was with Adam and Alisia, so she was in great hands. PLUS they sent me pictures and videos all day so I wouldn't miss my baby so much.

We 1st went to some production studio so Kat could interview for an internship. Then we went to lunch at one of our favorite restaurants LaLa's. Then we went to the La Brea Tar Pits and Los Angeles County Musium of Arts (LACMA). We had a great time playing around with all the things to do there, then we headed over to get in line for The Tonight Show With Jay Leno. That was a crazy long wait, but we got awesome seats in the 1st and 2nd row. The quest was Matthew McConaughey and all of his cuteness! Talk about a great time. After the taping, we headed home and picked up Taelyn who was oh so happy to see mommy and daddy.

Thursday: We Chilled all day, recovering from our long day out. I did some final stuff for Taelyn's party, then we went over to the Felbergs to have dinner and watch the Jersey Shore, then go out for some drinks for St. Patrick's day.

Friday: I dropped Taelyn off at my mom's and I did all the last minute things I had to do for the party. It was just small things like get pictures for the center pieces developed, put them together, buy ribbon for the jars of candy, call the party store for confirmation on tables and chairs, etc. It was a full day of running around.

Saturday: I got up early and went to Amber's house to help her with her baby shower. Her shower was a success! When I left I picked Todd up at home and we met up with Chaz, Jess and Kat for dinner before she had to catch her flight. We had PF Chang's for dinner and Pinkberry for dessert. What a great way to end a fun and exciting week. My only regret is that I didn't take ANY pictures. Bad me, so unlike me too.

All About Todd

I have the most AMAZING husband. He loves me for me, I mean he REALLY loves me! I am nuts, if it were possible, I would leave my body to get away from me. For some reason, he stays, with all my nuttiness, he stands by my side. We have gone through pretty much everything together. We have conquered so many obstacles together and come out on top. When we exchanged vows, we really looked into the meaning of what our marriage contract really meant.







I am really upset with him right now because he deleted ALL my shows on DVR... yes, that is a silly reason to be angry, but I don't care. I am REALLY MAD! Some of the shows and movies he deleted, I had saved since like 2004. I was attached. Did I mention I am nuts? I really am coming from a place of LOVE. Sometimes in marriage, we need to remind ourselves why we love or are in love with our spouse.

For me, Todd is a class act. He is really great at EVERYTHING he does. It is kind of annoying how good he is at everything. He over achieves. He is a manager at work and I couldn't even count how many times his employees have approached me just to tell me how great it is to work for such an awesome boss.

He is a great Son and Brother. He is close to both his parents and that means so much to me because I come from such a close knit family. Although his family is spread all over the place, we manage to get some visits in a year and enjoy that quality time with them.







He is loving and always polite with my family which isn't always the easiest since we come from such different backgrounds. My family is LOUD and always around. Whenever I ask if he is getting annoyed or getting a headache (which is super easy with my side) He just says he is fine and sticks it out. I think that he may find comfort in my family's closeness since his immediate family live so far.







Todd is SILLY!!! I have NEVER met a kid that didn't like him right away. I don't know if it is because he is like a big kid himself, or if it is because of the crazy, silly things he does with them. That blue tape was all Todd's idea!





Todd is the best friend a guy could have. He is a man's man. He loves just hanging with the boys. He is the guy that you call when you need to move your entire life's belongings at a moments notice and he will be there dressed and ready to break his back for you... literally, and he has, on many occasions.



He is a die hard sports fanatic. His knowledge of everything sports is ridiculous. No one should remember that kind of useless information, but Todd does.




Even though I get forgotten during football season, its ok because I know his passion, and I am fine with that. He sat through Twilight AND New Moon with me on opening night despite all of the screaming teenage girls. He was reluctant, but again, he did it, and the only reason I can think of is because he loves me. He complained the whole time, but I think he just might secretly like the whole saga even though he states otherwise.



When I was on bed rest with Taelyn, I was forced to move downstairs to my "Island" aka the family room couch. I couldn't go upstairs so Todd slept downstairs on an air mattress so he would be close to me if I needed anything throughout the night. Every time I had a doctor appointment, I had to be taken in a wheelchair because I was not able to walk.





He got Taelyn's nursery together. He assembled everything that needed to be put together. He really stepped up in a time where I couldn't. I was amazed. He made me breakfast and lunch and left it in a cooler for me while he was at work and arranged for dinner whether he brought it home to me after work or had a friend bring me something. He thought of everything.



When Taelyn finally was on her way, he was a great coach, even though I was in extreme pain and scared out of my mind, he was there cheering me on and helping me push.



Todd is such a great daddy. Taelyn won't ever really know how lucky she is to have such a loving and understanding daddy.







Todd is my backbone and anytime I have ever needed him to be strong because I didn't have the strength, he always stepped up. When we lost our baby boy, I was so sad I couldn't even function and he put all of his feelings aside to make sure I was ok. I honestly couldn't ask for a better husband. I thank the Lord for him everyday. Although I don't show how much I love and appreciate him the way I should, I REALLY do! I am so happy and proud f the life we have built and are continuing to build together. I married well. :)