Things definitely change from your first bundle of pure joy to your fourth bouncing ball of energy.
I already mentioned my daughter's first experience wearing big girl panties was actually in her brother's Super Man underwear at the park because our busy-baseball-schedule-life prevented yet another trip to the store for diapers.... they're just super small mini milestones right?
I remember our oldest kid's first birthday was a monumental event. We both took the day off from work and took our not-even-walking and barely-talking 12 month old to the zoo. We had ice cream and a nice lunch to finish off the day trip.
The second born got almost of equal recognition for his special day, but at the time I was staying home with the boys and not working. As they got older and especially when the third boy was in the birthday planning mix, the birthday 'events' became less and less.... well, thought out. The planning months in advance complete with professionally ordered invitations, turned to text messages a week ahead of time. There are no more customized party shirts or homemade favors. My middle son, though, had a pretty awesome Spy Party last year, I have to admit. When did I prepare for the International Spy School party at the park? Oh just the night before and a couple hours that morning. It was an absolute hit and actually what I think is my best party to throw for one of my kids so far.... just proving that a few hours of poster board, markers, and a trip to the Dollar Store is all a mom needs for the 'coolest party ever' -- said the special 7 year old.
Our fourth kid not only has a birthday right around the same time as two of her brothers, it's also in May which is one of the busiest times for our family of public educators and busy baseball players. Last year her 1st birthday had to be moved last minute to Sunday because her Daddo and one brother had a tournament on Saturday. This year the same thing happened after I had sent out my well planned and cutely worded text message invite. But I decided that this time Daddo and brother would just have to miss the Minnie Mouse party while they
played their baseball. No big deal. It's just a two year old's
party. The weekend's events came and went without a glitch.
Everyone had fun and my fourth kid had a party. Mom duty done.
Everyone had fun and my fourth kid had a party. Mom duty done.
The present. We hadn't gotten her a present yet but planned on
getting her a little trike since she was starting to pedal her
brother's in the driveway. I had planned on getting one online.
Then I planned on running to Toys R Us while in the nearest big town. Then I had planned on running to the smaller yet bigger town to Wal Mart. Then the night before her actual birthday I had planned on running to the local Dollar Store and just getting her some panties since she's using the potty, and then some cute little girly toys for when she woke up. At 8:33 pm I was cuddling both of the littles while they watched a short cartoon and realized the small town store closed at 9. There was no way I was going to make it to the store before it closed. The thoughts of interrupting their cartoon and putting them in the car in their pjs flashed through my mind. I thought of the outcome if I just put them in bed real quick without their bedtime routine..... that's deadly. Then I imagined Daddo going to the store and picking out 'girly' things. Besides he was back from a practice football game and had just gotten out of the shower. In my mind, this was the best looking scenario. So I called out for him and asked him to make the trip. 'What do I get her?' he asked. 'Just grab a package of cute panties and some pink, little girl toys in the toy aisle,' I reassured him. Out he left.
Then I planned on running to Toys R Us while in the nearest big town. Then I had planned on running to the smaller yet bigger town to Wal Mart. Then the night before her actual birthday I had planned on running to the local Dollar Store and just getting her some panties since she's using the potty, and then some cute little girly toys for when she woke up. At 8:33 pm I was cuddling both of the littles while they watched a short cartoon and realized the small town store closed at 9. There was no way I was going to make it to the store before it closed. The thoughts of interrupting their cartoon and putting them in the car in their pjs flashed through my mind. I thought of the outcome if I just put them in bed real quick without their bedtime routine..... that's deadly. Then I imagined Daddo going to the store and picking out 'girly' things. Besides he was back from a practice football game and had just gotten out of the shower. In my mind, this was the best looking scenario. So I called out for him and asked him to make the trip. 'What do I get her?' he asked. 'Just grab a package of cute panties and some pink, little girl toys in the toy aisle,' I reassured him. Out he left.
I got the littles in bed by the time he returned. He laid a bag on
the counter and told me I probably won't send him back on that assignment ever again.
the counter and told me I probably won't send him back on that assignment ever again.
Just imagining my big burly man walking around the little Dollar Store picking out princess panties and looking through the completely-pink row of toys.... made me smile. It was so stinkin' cute and hilarious what this Daddo of three boys and family of brothers did for his fourth child and only daughter.
The next morning on her 2nd birthday, Cora Love got to open her presents from her Momma and Daddo: Dress-up punk rocker complete with pink weave and microphone; fake nails, polish and clipper set; and princess panties. She was obliviously happy.
Bless it.
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