Oh, The Places You'll Go!!

“So be sure when you step, Step with care and great tact. And remember that life's A Great Balancing Act.”
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You'll Go!

Oh what an Easter, an Easter we did have. Of  missing church, Tears, and another ER visit. 

       It seems that no matter what when Papa Bear is gone trouble seems to follow me anywhere I go.  I usually seem to have a problem with the car, something in the house breaks,  and life in general seems to go downhill. So why should our Easter Sunday be any different?

We had big plans.  Baby Bear and I made treats for all the kids in his nursery class at church. We made smores for the kids with Peeps, chocolate, and graham crackers. They were pretty darn cute.  We wanted to do something with friends or family like dinner or an egg hunt. But that didn't work out at all. In fact we even got blown off. (that kind of hurt) 

As we were headed out to church we were all packed and ready to go when I opened the bathroom door to let Harley in so that he cold eat his food and have water while we were gone. The door stays closed most of the time as Baby Bear isn't allowed in the bathroom.  Well as I was putting on my shoes....my little Bear snuck in and knew he wasn't supposed to so he tried to close the door a little. I called to him and as he was trying to hurry out and so I wouldn't notice. He tripped on the rug and his little dome hit the edge of the door he had tried to close. I could hear him scream...I rushed into the room and he was crumpled on the floor. I picked him up and he had this horrible gash and lump on his head.

I grabbed the diaper bag and we ran out the door. I wasn't going to risk anything by not taking him to the Dr. So we rushed to the ER.  We took him when he pulled the 30 lb. pump onto his head and he didn't look even half as bad as this. So I drove as fast as I could and took him on base to the Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton.  And of course this was the second visit in a week. ughhhh I felt like such a horrible piece of crap of a Mom.  They said he was okay and to just keep an eye on him. They didn't even do anything when last time they gave him a CT scan.  I wasn't sure if we were getting the best of care or not. But we said okay and that was that.

     We headed to Walmart where I got him some Chicken Pot Pies because apparently he finds those scrumptious. lol And then we drove home. On the way Baby Bear fell asleep. So when we got home I ran inside and decorated the patio with Easter Eggs and put out his Easter basket.  I let him sleep in the car for a bit and then when he woke I brought him in to see his big surprise!!!!!  He thought it was pretty darn awesome!!!

We ended the day with some frozen lasagna, and some playing. ;0)

XoXo-Andrea Carla

Baby Bear's first Birthday's!!

What fun Baby Bear had for his first Birthday! For his actual birthday we went out to dinner thanks to our Marva Bear. We ate at Claim Jumpers and had so much fun.  We bought a few balloons for Baby Bear which he LOVED and he kept a good grip on them the entire dinner.
He had an awesome Birthday party at the house which was loads of fun. We got to see people that we hadn't seen in ages!!  Papa Bear manned the BBQ, and I made cake and more cake, and more cake. I think it is very safe to say that I went way overboard with the cake.  We had tons and tons of food. I am thinking way to much food. But that also stemmed from his birthday party was going to be a whole lot bigger than it actually was. Baby Bear had a lot of fun, and I think was loving being the center of attention. lol

       Next Baby Bear and I flew back home to get his 1 year pictures taken. Now this turned out to be a real challenge. Baby Bear was awesome during his first flight.......but soon after arriving.....he turned into mister cranky pants. As it turned out his two top front teeth were coming in and I had no idea so he was pretty miserable.  I felt bad that I wasn't more aware. The pictures were a challenge as he was hurting and just wanted to be held by his Mama.  Through my  un-artistic eye I was convinced we didn't even get one good picture at all. But My amazing sister took some stellar photos of him. She just released them this week, and wow are they fantastic!!! I could not see what she was seeing in the pictures......but she sure is talented because she caught some great shots, some funny faces, and some perfect moments. She caught him making faces that showed his everyday cuteness and that just melted my heart!! Because normally when you go to a photographer you get the generic smiles and poses. But she got his personality in the pictures!!  AMAZING!!! She is soooo talented....and I am not just saying that because she is my sister. When I get the photos I will share some.   If you are curious who my amazing photographer sister is.... you can see her work here at Caitland Photography .

   We had a small family Birthday party for Baby Bear with my parents, and Sister's family. Baby Bear had soooo much fun playing with his cousins. He played, and played, and played!!! And this was all without any nap that day!! He didn't even have a meltdown! I know.....it was pretty amazing! I loved watching him play with his cousins. It made me a little sad knowing that he can't play with them all the time. But I am already looking forward to when we can go home for a visit again and he can hang with his cool cousins again. lol

The trip turned out to be pretty stressful as Baby Bear's teething, and clingy behavior  were a challenge. Plus we didn't have a car to run into town with.  Next our trip was cut short and I had to move up my flight due to Papa Bear's last minute notification from the Marine Corps that he was heading to North Carolina for a few months before I was set to return. So we had to rush home without seeing anyone else just in time for Papa to leave.

So that was our crazy birthday schedule.  Here are some highlight photos I hope you enjoy

XoXo-Mama Bear

The 7 tier cake...... lol Yup I am a nerd!

Cake Balls!!!

Got Food?

Can't tell I made it can ya? lol

Our first ever SMASH cake. He ended up not digging into it very much. And didn't care to eat it either. lol go figure!

Marva Bear!

some of the decorations. 3 dozen balloons, and tons of signs, and streamers and little odds and ends. lol

March's Sunday Shenanigans

1-I LOVE watching you learn new things

2-I LOVE watching you make a discovery

3-I LOVE that you figured out how to dance to music

4-I LOVE that you wear your silly hats

5-I LOVE that you are my Baby Bear!!!

XoXo-Mama Bear

He climbed behind the desk and was peeking out.  Just call him TROUBLE!

Missing In Action!

Wow so sorry I have been M.I.A. lately!  Life has been moving non stop since January at a very fast pace. It's been up and down and all over the place.

At the End of January we had Baby Bear's official Birthday Party!!! It was so much fun, I worked my tail off getting ready for it. It didn't quite turn into my vision.....but it was still a lot of fun.

We had a Dr. appointment at Balboa Hospital for Baby Bear. They stuck him so many times with needles I couldn't be in the same room. I was in the waiting area and could ear him screaming. It was awful. It took everything I had not to break into the room and steal my bear away. Oh and the door was locked...so that made it a bit harder to get in as well. lol But he was such a good boy. 

On the 31st Baby Bear and I flew to Utah where we spent almost a month at my parents.  We didn't get out much, but we did get Baby Bear's pictures taken from Caitland Photography She really had a challenge since Baby Bear's front teeth were coming in and he was a huge fuss-bucket! But regardless of how fussy he was.....She did an amazing job. She got him to laugh and smile no matter what. ;0) 

Baby Bear and I tried sledding, and it worked for a few minutes......but alas we hit a small bump while I was pulling him in his sled.....and he was dressed up so snug with all his layers of clothing that he could hardly  move.....so he tipped over and face planted it right in the snow.  So that little fiasco ended our little snow adventure. lol

We had to fly home early because of the AWESOME Marine Corps giving Papa Bear a last minute notice that he was going to North Carolina for training for a few months. So Baby Bear and I jumped on an earlier flight than planned and flew home. If it hadn't been for this really nice guy loaning us his iPad during the flight.....it could have been a disaster because Baby Bear was fussy. But thank goodness for that iPad entertaining him!!! ;0)

We were home for a few days when we had to take Papa Bear and two other Marines to the airport. They gave Baby Bear and I gate passes so we could hang with Papa until he boarded his plane. I got the full frisk and pat down because I had food for Baby Bear with me. LAME! Yah I had a bottle which they tested, and then baby food pouches that were unopened. Now when we flew before we didn't have a problem with having these items in Long Beach or Salt Lake airports......But.....San Diego apparently said I couldn't have them. Ughhhhh When I told them I wasn't flying we just had gate passes......that is when they decided I had to have the full pat down.  I have to say I felt a bit violated! lol
     It was fun getting to hang with Papa Bear though. After he flew out Baby Bear and I went back to our car where we were assaulted with a $14 parking fee for 2 hours!!! Holy Moo Cow!!!

Our first week home I got the flu pretty bad. It got to the point where I couldn't even care for Baby Bear. So thank heavens I was able to call on the Military Missionary couple serving in our area. They came over and lt me rest and entertained Baby Bear and fed and cared for him. Wow they were such a blessing!!!!


Now we are just trying to survive. lol Baby Bear is getting his 5th tooth in. Yeaghhhh And I am trying to get the house in order, and organize my life a little. lol

Well that is my update for now. More soon I hope!!

XoXo-Andrea Carla

February's Sunday Shenanigans

1-I LOVE that you got to fly on an airplane for the 1st time, and you were an angel!!

2-I LOVE that you got to play in the snow, even though Mama accedentally tipped you over

3-I LOVE that you got to hang out with your awesome cousins from Utah

4-I LOVE watching you get bigger and learn new things.

5-I LOVE cuddling with you each and every moment of every single day!!

XoXo-Mama Bear