Becoming a Godmother!!!

July 24th @ 11:48 PM, my phone rings. I think, "Who the heck would call me this late??? Have they lost their mind?" Ignore...the caller immediately calls back...I think, "Oh! SnAp!!! I bet it might be Carrie!!!" I answer the phone to a calm soon-to-be mommy who informs me that her water broke:

Me: What were you doing?
Carrie: Sleeping.
Me: Are you sure?!
Carrie: Yeah. I'm positive!
Me: Are you sure you didn't pee the bed?
Carrie: *chuckle* No! My water REALLY broke. I'm going to take a shower and go to the hospital.
Me: Okay! I'll meet you there!

As I drove to the hospital, I realized that there was not going to be sleep in my near future (not to mention, I did wake up at 6:45 AM that morning), and that I had until 9:00 PM on July 25th to complete an assignment that was already granted 2 extensions...and I had only finished about half (which already took 2 hours). I know...oh, poor me! How selfish! How un-cool for me to be worrying about my own darn self while my bestie was about to deliver her 1st child! It must be my only child syndrome.

So, fast forward to the Labor and Delivery room at Sunrise Hospital. I had an over abundance of energy (adrenaline...I'm sure!) So, as my bestie was agonizing over Pitocin induced contractions, I tried to work on my assignment with no success. Around 5:15 AM, the nurse (and what a fabulous nurse, Maricel was) had her "practice push" (which she really didn't need...she was a natural...or maybe it was from being in my delivery rooms...or maybe it was all the countless hours of watching TLC's A Baby Story and MTV's 16 and Pregnant). Anyhoot, she pushed for about 20 minutes and stopped to wait for Dr. Jameson. Once the Doc showed up, it was like 10 minutes of pushing and...

Baby Maxim James "a.k.a. Max" tipped the scale at 7lbs. 1oz. and stretched 20.5 in. long. He joined the party at 6:08 AM on July 25th, 2010. And he was worth the long wait, the missed sleep, the stress to get my assignment completed, the missed birthday party (on Sunday), and the 3 hours of sleep I eventually got.

P.S. It was so amazing to be a part of Baby Max's arrival. I thank Carrie for the opportunity to be part of such an intimate, joyous, spiritual, emotional, and surreal experience. It was so crazy! I had an emotional breakdown. My legs were sore from trying to hold my composure and refrain from shaking...as I unsuccessfully fought back my tears. I can't even explain it! It really brought me back to that place when I had my girls...only, I had so much going on that my emotions didn't affect me in the same way.

The story of how a pig and a cat became besties...

So, being the animal lovers that we are, Mike and I were on the lookout for a nice indoor pet. I didn't want another dog (for many reasons-potty training, shedding, etc...). I really didn't want a cat-since I am allergic. However, I have always wanted a pig...since Charlotte's Web (the 1973 cartoon...and don't do the math because the movie is several years older than me...LOL!). The only problem was that little pigs...become big pigs...become gigantic pigs. I couldn't have a 200 lb. pig running around my house. Ewww...imagine the clean-up...gross! So, when I heard about a mini-pig, I was determined. After several weeks of research, I found the pig of my dreams...LOL.

Meantime, Mike was on the look out for an exotic cat. He thought a hairless would be perfect for my allergies, and he stumbled upon the Bambino Sphinx. They are like the Sphinx, but they have short, thick, wide legs. Well, it just so happened that we were able to arrange for both pets to come home on the same day. (Cat (VooDoo) was coming from Florida, and Pig (Spartacus) was coming from Kentucky.) They have been growing up together ever since and are the best of friends. They snuggle up every day and night in their bed, play together, and endure the torturous love from the "little giants" (Maysie and Mylie). Both have great personalities and have made our farm...I mean home...complete. (Although I'd still like to have a pet wallaby...LOL)

Baby Shower for my BeSTiE!!!

Okay...so obviously June is by far my busiest month. And to add to my madness, I hosted a baby shower for my bestie, Carrie (who is carrying my godson, Maxim James, in her belly), on the same day as Maysie's dance recital. (Yes, I am a mad woman!) No really though, June 19th was the best day for the party and everything worked out wonderfully! Here are some special "facts" about her shower:

- Dr. Seuss' "One Fish, Two Fish..." theme

- Approximately 50 people in attendance

- Hired a Taco Lady to serve up fresh tacos

- Served ceviche, rice and beans (from Cafe Rio), chips and salsa, salad

- Had a chocolate fountain (Thank You, Melissa!) complete with: rice krispy treats, pound cake,

strawberries, pineapple, apples, pretzels, bananas, and gummy bears!!!

- Played "Measure Mommy" (Ha! And a boy, Jimmy's cousin, won!) and a few raffle games

- Filled out advice cards and wrote silly messages on diapers (I bit these ideas from Melissa's

shower...thanks again, girl!!!)

- Opened oodles of presents (or "presidents"...as Maysie would say)!!!

- Gave boxed SUPER yummy Chantilly Cupcakes as a party favor (which was ALL

my idea...LOL...just kidding, another fabulous idea from Melissa)

- The shower was so much fun, even "Papa Bear" showed up to help open a few gifts...and the

compliments were just the cherry on top!

Now we just need to wait for Max to make his big entrance!!!

A Star is born...

Three days after our Hawaii vacation, Maysie had a dance recital. She has been attending a ballet/tap/gymnastics combo class at Preston's Class Act for about 3 months prior. Since she is a little ham, we thought this would be a great experience for her. She totally knew her dance and even performed it to the best of her ability at the dress rehearsal. But, when it was time for the real deal, she stood on stage like a deer caught in headlights, tapped her foot, did one "pirouette," and shuffled off stage with a smile and a wave! Although she practically stood there, she was way ToO CuTe!!! I can't wait to get the video so I can experience the WHOLE thing again. Here is a picture of my little StaR...and 2 of her many "FaNs," Justin and Kennedy!! LOL!!!!

The ABC's about Mylie (times 2)

Okay, so we all know (from 2 posts ago) how this goes...it is so fun (and sometimes a struggle) to watch my babies grow into toddlers...especially because both girls are now in the "I do it myself" stage. Everyday (difficult or not) is a new adventure. There are no more babies in our household (now comes the tears)!!! So, here are the ABC of Mylie (our baby forever):

A- aspires to be like Maysie, absolutely adorable

B- binky baby, booty shaker

C- crosses fingers & legs, CHoCoHoLiC

D- dog lover, dainty

E- edible cheeks, eyelashes

F- fragile, fancy

G- goofy, girlie

H- happy, "hold me"

I- intelligent, ice cream lover

J- jumper, juice

K- keeper, kicker (when changing her diaper)

L- lovey dovey, loud screamer

M- messy, Mys

N- nakie-nakie, natural beauty

O- overly cautious, orders everybody around

P- precious smile, princess

Q- QT pie, quick (like her big sis)

R- really shy, rockstar!!

S- scary, sensitive

T- timid, Terrible 2s (right now)

U- unavoidable, utmost caring

V- very kissable, velvet soft skin

W- wiggle worm, wrist sniffer (let me elaborate...when Mys gets tired, she put the top of her
wrist in front of her nose. We aren't sure if she is actually
smelling her wrist, but it sure looks like it!!!)

X- (Should X even be a letter???)

Y- youngest, Yo Gabba Gabba

Z- zooms, zany (also, like her big sis)

Beach Babes!!!

The girls had so much fun in Hawaii!!! This is just a quick post. I'll post more when I get a moment!! These were taken at Hanauma Bay...a day of snorkeling, sand playing, and OHANA!!!!

The ABC's about Maysie (times 3)

So..(sniff,sniff)...my oldest (sob, sob)...continues to....(WAAAAAAAH!!!)...grow up! Grrrr... SO, what better way to share a little about this fabulous girl than to list 3 things for each letter of the alphabet. Bear with me...I had to get creative at some points. Oh, and why 3??? Because Maysie blessed my world 3 years ago...and time has been flying by ever since!!! Well, here goes...(now is a good time to add in one of those catching your breath after crying sounds...hu-hu-hu-hu-hu-hu):

A- a"MAYSIE"ing, apple of my eye, above normal

B- brave, bold, big sister

C- crazy, Chinese speaker, Cafe Rio

D- daring, dancer, Daddy's girl

E- eager, early riser, ear full

F- flip-flops, fancy, Farty Toot

G- girlie, growing, gymnast

H- happy, Hop On Pop, hot headed

I- important, ice cream, intelligent

J- Justin Beiber fan, jumper, jovial

K- kind, kisses, Kai-Lan

L- lollipops, little sister, Lau-Lau's boa-bay

M- Mickey Mouse, mover (and a shaker), Mommy's princess

N- nice, nail biter, notices everything

O- outstanding, out going, obviously beautiful

P- Panera Bread, Pinkalicious, Pankie's pumpkin

Q- quick, quirky, questioner

R- redhead, radiant, runner

S-Silly Dilly Bear, stubborn, sweet

T- temper, talented, Tinkerbell

U- undies, unbelievable, unforgettable

V- vibrant, vivacious, victorious

W- wild, whiny (at times), Wow Wow Wubbzy

X- xerox copy of me, (give me a break on this one!!!)

Y- young, yo yo ball, yummy

Z- zippy, zany, zooms

Words alone can describe all the best parts of Maysie. She has brought life to our family and there is never a dull moment with her around!!! So here she is...my 3 year old toddler and her birthday breakfast: