Get your pads and pens ready because it’s time for the Week In Review.
The Week In Review is a list, in its purest form, not of the things you still need to do, but of all the things you have done in the last seven days. It’s an achievement list, an ode to yourself, a celebration of sorts, and a virtual pat on the back or smack on the ass. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge.
Need more details? Head here.
♫ You can do it, put your list into it. ♫
Let’s get listing:
Holy shit you guys, Ave is officially one year old.
I now understand why people say the time goes so fast, even though that’s not entirely true. The first three months were so difficult, overwhelming, and exhausting, that if she wasn’t standing in front of me, I’d say the whole thing was a wild hallucination without the fun and funky fungi, not that I would know from actual experience.
There are also days where time seems to stop. Take last Friday for example, her actual birthday. It took me six attempts and three plus hours to put the mini-minion down for her morning nap. Meanwhile, Samantha, my frisky feline, hurled all over the first floor, and Oscar took a giant liquid crap on the rug going up the stairs or maybe it was down the stairs; I guess it depends on your perspective.
The short version is those days don’t exactly fly by; instead they unfold in slow motion, like a horrible hokey horror movie, where the unsuspecting victim always bites it, usually while semi-naked.
Last Friday called for a shower beer, and let me tell you, it was everything.
In any case, the real reason people say time flies is because the tiny humans change so drastically much in such a short span. One minute, they’re an an immobile amoeba, who can’t even handle the weight of their own head. The next week, they’re a mother trucking toddler, traversing the stairs with the best of them. Alright maybe it takes a little longer than seven days, but you get the point.
While there were some really lovely things that happened last week (an actual date and dinner out with the Hubby, hooray), I’m going to focus today’s post on the birthday girl, which only seems fitting.
Her birthday was Friday, April 7th, and she told me that morning she felt wiser already. I’m not surprised considering she babbles constantly, sings songs, and says Hi to anyone and anything, usually the second they turn their back. She’s a smart little cookie with an impressive vocabulary, not to mention fine motor skills.
For the big day, we opted to keep things simple with an easy family dinner filled with some of the babe’s favorite foods: avocado, cheese, beans, olives, and chicken; basically pretty much anything edible since she’s not above tasty floor lint. For the adults, there were margaritas and a full blown taco bar. Dessert was spiced carrot muffins from Amanda’s cookbook, topped with homemade whipped cream.
She particularly enjoyed the whipped cream and since I’m typing this post while eating spoonfuls of the same, it’s clear we’re related.
On that note, it’s your turn. I’d love to hear from you. Link up and get yo’ list on.
What are three things you accomplished in the last week? Big or small?
Miss Polkadot says
Happy belated birthday, Miss Ave! Lookin’ cuter than ever – especially in that picture you already sent me. You can really give yourself a good pat on the back for raising such a smart and amazing little one, lady! Accomplishment of the past year? I think so.
Even though I’m just an aunt not mum I -so- get you on the Impression of how incredibly fast [yet not actually] time flies by. I want to stop it sometimes. Then again, the more the little ones grow, the more they can do and actually talk to us. From what I’ve heard children say some of the funniest things ;).
Whipped cream by the spoonful – Ave sounds like me as a wee one. Oh the joy she’ll find in licking the [extra cookie dough or cake batter-laden] beaters once she’s a bit older.
Miss Polkadot recently posted…Letting my mind run wild and free [ToL]
meredith (The Cookie ChRUNicles) says
awwww happy first birthday to ave! i remember my son’s first birthday like it was yesterday. such a special time 🙂 those first few months like you said are just brutal but you made it through the first year, congrats lol. i swear it gets sort of easier now, in an odd sense of the word.
meredith (The Cookie ChRUNicles) recently posted…Return To Citifield & Lots Of Salads
Cora says
Happy Birthday beautiful Ave!! Can’t wait to celebrate many more <3
Cora recently posted…It Was A Week Where… (Week In Review)
Jamie says
I can’t believe Ave is ONE. You did it, my friend!!!! You survived all the hard, dark stuff and that tiny beautiful spunky girl is proof that you’re an amazing mom and the perfect one for her! There are so many more mommy/daughter dates in your future. I remember both when Charlie turned one and the twins…both felt like the biggest milestones in my life. And they were. They ushered me into a new era.
Jamie recently posted…The Chicken that Triggered the Baby Train (of Thought)
Brittany says
D’aawww, tiny human turns one! Celebrations all around and MUFFINS FOR ALL! Two for you.
Brittany recently posted…Tumwater Falls Park, Olympia WA
Patricia @Sweetandstrong says
Happy belated Birthday to Ave! I love the idea of the taco bar party, so fun!
Patricia @Sweetandstrong recently posted…Healthy Baked Turkey Meatballs
Grandma Lala says
Clearly, Ave is part mine in some spiritual way! Uh…the whipped cream thing. And I’ll bet she loves a great high end (low water, grass fed) butter and good cheese also. Happy Birthday delicious baby girl! I am positive the tantrums are not on their way as you begin this enlightening, more mobile second year…without good reason, from your perspective. Perhaps write a note of intentions and expectations for your momma for this next phase, because now that you’re communicating more, it would be great to let her in on what you’re thinking and possibly demanding.
For Mom and Dad, that first year was all guess work and so, so, scary, but also fun, hard work, and frustrating all at the same time, and that’s with all the love thrown in! So remember, little Ave, deep breathing, bananas, and using your words, are all key. Happy Trails Ave, may the next year have fewer blowouts and bumps, and lots of swings and whipped cream. (And butter, cheese and bananas)
Heather says
A very happy birthday to Miss Ave! Leave it to felines to show how they really feel about tiny humans in their midst by leaving the foulest of presents. Thank goodness for tacos and margaritas!
Heather recently posted…Currently…
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says
She looks a year wiser! And her party sounds perfect!! 🙂 YAY!! Happy Monday, Meghan! 🙂
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West recently posted…A weekend of food, fitness and relaxation
Liz says
I love this post! The first year is extra special, so many big changes! Happy birthday, sweet baby girl!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
You terrify me with some of these stories. Are funky mushrooms ok while breastfeeding? What if you pump and dump? Asking for a friend…
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted…Adopting a Natural Way of Eating
Suzy says
Hey–a lot can happen in 7 days. Didn’t God create the heavens and earth and people and animals and shit in that time span? I’m pretty sure children have super powers and it certainly seems like they can go to amoeba to pot-smoking teenagers in 7 days. At least in MY universe, anyway. Ha ha. Sigh… HAPPY BIRTHDAY AVE!!! Cutest kid ever. <3
Suzy recently posted…Week in Review
Pat says
Happy Birthday to Ave and congratulations to Mom and Dad!
Sarah @ LIfe from the middle says
Happy belated Birthday to your beautiful girl! I can’t wait to keep watching her grow into an amazing woman like her momma (who is after my heart with the homemade whipped cream!)
Sarah @ LIfe from the middle recently posted…Week in Review 9
Juli says
Happy belated Birthday to Ave! Give her a kiss from us 🙂 I loved following the two of you over the last year and I can’t wait to see you guys again hopefully sooner rather than later!
It’s crazy how fast the kids grow (up)! I have this recurring conversation with my almost 10 year old niece where I tell her what a tiny little bundle she once was and that she needs to stop growing now because my heart will break on the day when she won’t sit on my lap and cuddle with me anymore. She always laughs at me and then cuddles me a bit. I suspect it’s out of pity but who cares ;-P
Juli recently posted…Week in Review – The Messy Edition
Anne Kepner says
Wow, the kid is so cute! Happy birthday to ave! I remember my brother’s birthday. Whipped cream by the spoonful – Ave sounds like me as a wee one. Oh the joy she’ll find in licking the [extra cookie dough or cake batter-laden] beaters once she’s a bit older.
Thanks for your post. Have a nice day!
Jen @ Chase the Red Grape says
Love seeing that cheeky ray of sunshines little face this morning – I needed a good smile!
The cupcakes with fresh whipped cream sound like the ideal birthday cake, I’m glad you made some extra cream to enjoy on its own… Has to be done!
Jen @ Chase the Red Grape recently posted…Friday Favourites + Episode 21 of the Chase the Red Grape Podcast!
Lindsey @ livinglovingrunner says
How the heck is that nugget one already!? Time sure flys when they are little…
danielle says
We miss you and Ave so much!!!! Lulu especially misses her buddy, she stared at me this morning looking a bit bewildered and disappointed that she was missing her partner in crime. It’s ok I said, we will be back. I loved seeing you and Ave and the crew, what a special time that was for us. What a milestone! We will have to make it a thing… the visits. Not any of the nap rejection or craziness, I’m sure next time we’ll be crying or laughing or both over new forms of craziness. Tell me about why you had the shower beer today! I had a shower rita!!! we will laugh about this next year 🙂
Happy birthday Ave, you are SOOOOOOOOOO special and sooooooo amazing. Must have come from your awesome folks.
Amanda R DeWitt says
Me and your tiny human share a birthday!! And holy crap how has it been a year?!
Luce says
One year and I already spent a week with her! So proud.
Kaylee says
Happy happy birthday to her!!! Hope you celebrated your mommy-self too Meghan!
How are you feeling about the terrible twos?
Kaylee recently posted…Week in Review: Challenging the Guilt
Meghan says
I haven’t celebrated surviving her first year, but I feel like I should. I need a tattoo for each year or something. Ha.
Kaylee says
That’s an awesome idea!
Kaylee recently posted…Week in Review: Nourishing Oneself
Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness says
Awww, happy belated birthday to your tiny human! She is adorable. I love your 1st birthday party theme – fun for both adults & baby!
So hmm 3 things from my past week: I got about a billion things done for my clients, as we’re in the busiest time of the year; updated my media kit; and worked in my backyard to get it looking all pretty & ready for summer hangouts back there!
Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness recently posted…Weekend Getaway to Idyllwild: Where to Stay, Play & Explore