7... 6... 5...

WOW This is the last week that my Baby will be a "Baby". I'm pretty sure that his birthday will be a mix of emotions for me. Happy. Sad. A little bit of everything. This past year has been wonderful in so many ways.
7 Days...
This was seriously one of the funniest/cutest things ever. Cohen was taking a bath and I was in the other room with Ethan when all of a sudden I turn around and E is gone. Before I could figure out where he had gone, I hear Co yell "E! NO!" followed by a loud splash. I went running into the bathroom and there was Ethan - all smiles and soaking wet - sitting in the bathtub fully clothed. He was so happy splashing around in his pj's.

6 Days...
I love love LOVE E's little feet (and apparently so does he). This picture just reminds not to take any of this for granted - not even for a single second. Time flies and life passes way too quickly. I want to forever hold this baby in my arms but before I know it, he will be too big.

5 Days...
My Grandma is the rock of our family. I don't think any of us would know what to do if it weren't for her. My Grandma has always been my biggest cheerleader and also my biggest reality check. She has always supported me in (nearly) every decision I have ever made. I can't express enough how awesome it is to be able to say that my boys have as many grandparents as they do, but especially how awesome it is that they have the GREATEST GREAT-Gramma there could ever possibly be.

9...8....

Down to Single Digits!

I think it's finally starting to hit me that my baby isn't such a baby anymore. The first year never ceases to amaze me... How much they grow, learn, change... Absolutely amazing.

SO Lucky!

I am so incredibly lucky to have so many amazingly talented friends who are willing to help me capture memories of my family. Last week, we had a fun mini-session with our good friend Mary and here is just a sneak peek of what she snapped:

THANK YOU MKC Photography!

11.... 10....

Down to 10 days... wow. What I wouldn't give to have my teeny tiny little monkey back to cuddle for just one more day... but I won't complain too much because now I have my rambunctious BIG monkey to snuggle with and even though he doesn't like to lay still with me for long, he is a HUGE Mama's boy and knows just how to make my heart melt.

Day 11 Memory:
Rachell is one of my very dearest friends. The day that Ethan was born, she dropped everything to rush to the hospital (and yes, bringing me some fabulous Taco Wagon like only a true friend would) and should have been Ethan's first visitor except for he had been rushed to the nursery... So instead, she comforted me, made sure I was comfortable and even "broke into" my house to go get everything I needed. As soon as Ethan was well enough to leave the hospital, one of the first places we went was to Salon Couture for a little pampering by our one and only "Auntie" Rachell. This was Ethan's first visit to the salon, and has since become a well known face to everyone there. He's the little "Salon Couture Baby".

Day 10 memory is just a picture that makes my heart melt every time I see it. It's one of those pictures that makes me realize just how truly blessed I really am and no one can take this away. These two make everything I've ever been through worth it.

12 Days.

Because of H1N1 last winter, only two people were allowed to visit Ethan during his time in the nursery. Since his father wasn't available to be there, Aunt Heidi had the other bracelet that allowed her entry into the nursery. I love this picture of Ethan's cuddle time with his favorite Aunt Heidi. Such sweet lovin's.

13 Days.

It's official. In LESS than 2 weeks, my sweet little angel baby will be a YEAR old. I'm not ready for this. Time is just flying by and I wish there was a pause button... or even just a "slow down".

I chose this pic of Ethan and my grandpa because it's one of my favorite pictures. They both look so happy... It means so much to me that my grandpa is such a huge part of my boys' lives. I feel like they are part of the reason why I still have him. My grandpa is a three-time cancer survivor. His last battle was fought while I was pregnant with Cohen. All I could do was hope and pray that he would be able to meet my son. And now, over 5 years later, he's still going strong and Ethan gets to share a piece of his GREAT-grandpa too.

Go. Fight. Win.

Today we visited the Wenatchee Youth Sports Fair to get Cohen all signed up for his upcoming sports... He'll be playing tee-ball and participate on a Jr. Ridge to River team this spring - along with swimming this summer and soccer in the fall - this boy will be VERY busy. Not to mention his weekly gymnastics lessons and hopefully we'll find some time for hockey! Whatever it takes to direct his never ending energy to positive channel (thank goodness he is very naturally athletic and enjoys all of it)!

While we were there, Ethan got to meet Walt the Wolf from the Wenatchee Wild Hockey team and the Applesox Coyote and LOVED both of them. He even gave Walt some kisses on his nose. It was so sweet!

True (E.Co) Love.

Earlier tonight I received a message from one of my best friends, Jeffrey, that made my heart so happy... It said:
"Be happy, never settle, don't let someone take your sparkle in your eye that makes everyone know that you will never give up. You are a strong, beautiful, wonderful mother and best friend. I look up to you, even though you have not been given the best of cards that guys have dealt. You have always walked away with the better hand....."

This message really made me sit back and think about just how true it really was. I've fallen in love, had my heart broken and experienced pain that I never knew was possible. But I survived. I've learned a lot about myself in the past 5 years... most of which I've learned in the past 18 months. I've learned to never settle for anything less than perfect. If you find perfect, hold onto it... but perfect is not something you are going to find in 6 months (Good luck with that). I've learned that when someone tells me I can't do something, it makes me want to do it that much more and I will never give up until I succeed. I've learned that you don't realize how strong you are until you are given no other choice but to be strong. And lastly, I've learned that I truly have walked away with the better hand. And I learned all of this because of two AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL, wildly intelligent, fascinating little men.

14 Days.

"1st Tooth, 1st Visit"
When Ethan was 10 months old, he had his first visit with the best dentists in the WEnatchee Valley: Dr. Ping & Dr. Delacruz at Wenatchee Pediatric Dentistry. This is the beginning of a perfect smile! He even LOVES to let me brush & floss his (5) teeth!

15 Days.

Ethan is already so used to my shopping addiction and is (usually) very patient with me... Black Friday was no different for him. E and I made it to Target at around 4 a.m. the day after Thanksgiving picking up some fun Christmas presents. He was a good sport all morning as we power shopped around town... he enjoyed it so much that I think I may have found myself another Black Friday shopping partner for next year!

Stylish Blogger Award

Awesome! I was awarded the "Stylish Blogger Award" by FRUGAL FAMILY FUNSPOT!! Thank you so much! Apparently I'm supposed to share 7 things about myself, so here goes:
1. I'm a full-time college student, trying to figure out what I want to be when I "grow up"... or to become a nurse. Whichever comes first!
2. I'm a single mommy to 2 AMAZING little boys who I am SO proud of (obviously).
3. I have the WORST luck in relationships and now have standards that are ridiculously high... I think to subconsciously protect myself.
4. My friends joke that my life would make a very entertaining reality show and unfortunately, I have to agree.
5. I believe in Karma... what goes around comes around.
6. I believe in saying "I Love You" all the time to the people I care about.
7. I have a crazy food obsession with Edamame.

16 Days.

E.Co Love.

My favorite part of the day is when I get to enjoy some E.Co Love. I have two of the most beautiful, caring, happy little men and feel so blessed that I get to spend every single day with them. Both of these boys are my life and own my heart.

17 Days.

When E was 5 weeks old, he took his very first roadtrip to Seattle... This was quite an eventful couple of days for him... but the most special part of the trip was when he got to meet his Auntie Sheena. Sheena is such a huge part of my life and was there from the moment I found out I was pregnant with Co to his birth and witnessing him take his first breath. It broke my heart that she couldn't be near me to be a bigger part of this experience with Ethan but I am so happy that she is a part of both of my boys' lives and will always be there for them.

18 Days.

The Prince will be 1 in 18 days! Ethan is the "Prince" of the family and he totally knows it already too. He has all of us wrapped around his tiny little fingers - especially his big brother. He is absolutely spoiled rotten... He is just so irresistible - how could anyone say no to that face??

Apple Blossomland Photography

Today we attempted to take Ethan's pictures for his first birthday. Key word: attempted.  Ethan didn't feel like cooperating. The weather didn't feel like cooperating. The 3 extra kids we had with us were being... well... kids.  But because my fabulous friend, Amanda, is so talented we still ended up with some pretty great pics!  THANK YOU Apple Blossomland Photography!! xoxo

19 Days.

The boys and I spent most of our summer days out in the sun... whether it was on the boat, at the park or just hanging out in the yard... they definitely got their share of Vitamin D.  Some of my favorite memories of the past year were from the summer and the relaxing days with my boys...

21. 20.

20 Days until the Little Prince's birthday!!  Cake is ordered, face painter is booked... Can't believe it's almost here.  I am not ready for the lil man to be a year old.  I want to hold onto him forever - knowing that he will be the last baby - I am just not ready for him to grow up. 

E.Co Love.

Time for a little E.Co Love.

*Both boys are wearing matching elephant pajamas from The Children's Place.
www.childrensplace.com

23. 22.

We are now down to 22 days until Ethan's 1st birthday!  I combined the last 2 days together because the pictures consist of the same memories.  This particular day, was Ethan's first visit to the Smallwoods petting zoo & pumpkin patch.  Smallwoods has always been a favorite place of mine and Cohen's and also a place that Ethan's father enjoyed very much.  I found it very fitting for Cohen and I to share this special place with Ethan for the first time last fall.  We spent some time feeding the super cute animals (goats, donkeys, llamas...), followed with a wagon ride around the pumpkin patch for the boys and finally... finding the perfect pumpkins for us to take home.  While there, I was also able to grab some fresh squash and other fruits and veggies to bring home to make some fabulous home-made baby food!

24 Days.

It's now 24 days until E's first birthday... Looking back on pictures to choose to post today, I came across the pics from Ethan's first 4th of July.  It was a great day spent with wonderful friends, family and fireworks.  Ethan spent the whole day smiling and laughing and loving every minute of the excitement and attention....

Wedding Show.

Over the weekend, Co and I participated in the Northwest Bridal Premiere hosted by Katrina Anderson of Katrina's Bridal.  It was an absolutely amazing show which was held at Wenatchee's Town Toyota Center, featuring dozens of vendors such as photographers, caterers, rentals, etc.  I was fortunate enough to model a beautiful wedding gown as well as a fun, flashy prom dress and a gorgeous deep purple bridesmaid dress; while Cohen looked so dapper in a very well-fitted tux from Mills Bros. in Wenatchee. 

27. 26. 25.

Oh wow... I have been slacking on my "31 Days..." postings... but I think the next 3 sets of memories speak for themselves...

28 Days.

28 days until Ethan's Birthday...
Memory #4....

The day that I was discharged from the hospital, but Ethan wasn't was probably the hardest day of my life.  There is just something completely unnatural about walking into the hospital to give birth and walking out without a baby.  While I knew that he was in good hands in the nursery, I am a firm believer that a newborn needs his mama and her love more than the care that any doctor or nurse could provide for him.  So, even after I was discharged, I stayed by his side about 12 (or more) hours a day for 10 days straight.  Finally on Sunday, February 14th, I got the news that I had been waiting to hear:  Ethan was finally healthy enough to come home and he had finished his full 10 days of antibiotics for his pneumonia.  This was the best Valentine's Day I have EVER had and I couldn't have imagined a more perfect way to spend it than to be with my two beautiful boys.  E will forever by my little Valentine.

29 Days.

29 days until E's first birthday! It's going by too quickly!!
Memory #3:

Cohen was always my pride and joy and such a mommy's boy... He was so used to having me all to himself that I was a little worried about how he would react to bringing home a brand new baby; especially when it was only me to pass out attention.  As it turned out, I had no reason to worry.  Cohen took it all in stride and was so incredibly proud of his new baby brother.  He was always ready to do anything and everything he could to help out... to grab me a diaper or feed him a bottle... and even now, nearly a year later Ethan is still the first person Cohen wants to say good morning to when he wakes up and the last person he wants to give lovin's to when it's bedtime.  These two are so lucky to have one another.

30 Days.

So, I'm a little late on the 30 Days til Ethan's birthday post, since technically it's after midnight... but better late than never!

Memory #2:

E was born at 11:57 a.m. on February 4th, 2010 and my entire birth process from start to finish was nothing less than eventful.  First of all, Ethan decided to make his appearance 3 weeks earlier than anticipated.  Then, there was a lot of drama during the night before and morning of his birth on the adult end of things.  Not to be outdone by the drama of his parents, Ethan decided to stir up some more panic himself by being born with pneumonia.  At the time, this was devastating to me as my son was almost instantly separated from me so he could go to the nursery and be hooked up to antibiotics via IV's, an NG tube and oxygen.  Looking back now, I realize that maybe this was a way of snapping me back to reality and showing me what is truly important in my life and what mattered.  Ethan was in the hospital nursery for 10 full days and I camped out there by his side every single day from about 7 a.m. to 10 or 11 p.m. every night.  He was so little and fragile and I just wanted him to know that I was there... because I was all he had.

31 Days.

My baby boy will be 1 year old in exactly a month.  As his mommy, this makes me very excited but very sad at the same time.  This past year of my life has been one of the most trying, difficult, fulfilling and amazing years of my life.  Sometimes you don't realize just how strong you are until you are put into a situation where you have no other choice but to be... well, strong.  For the next 31 days, I want to post a pic everyday with a different memory of E (& my family) from the past 12 months.


So, memory #1.

The day that I found out I was pregnant, I was scared to death.  I was in a good relationship (or so I thought) but I also knew a baby was not something either of us wanted.  Ethan was a complete and total shock/surprise.  But there was just something about him when I looked at that ultrasound screen and saw that little peanut.  There was something telling me that no matter what, I could do it.  Little did I know just how much this little peanut would complete our family... and my life.

2011. Reinvention.

I have decided that this will be my New Years resolution.  It's always a good reminder to live life for YOU not for others and to appreciate everything... even the smallest details and experiences.

Happy New Years!

Bienvenidos 2011!!  I cannot wait to see what this next year has in store for me.  2010 was full of amazing surprises and experiences - none of which I could have ever dreamed of -  and I have no doubt that 2011 will be just as fabulous!