Parenting In My Pajamas: Going out in style

Today is such a special day! We say goodbye to 2009 AND celebrate Madison's 6 Month Birthday!! Happy Half birthday my love.

We are CRAZY first time parents that celebrate EVERY little thing...and make a BIG deal out of doing it:) When my first nephew, Cameron, was born almost 8 years ago my mom would get a special cupcake every month until he was 1 year old. She continued this tradition with each of my other two nephews. After Madi was born, we told her she had to get a different flavor of cheesecake from the cheesecake Factory each month, because she was the first and only granddaughter/neice. (See 'Birthday Cheesecake' post).We took it up a notch for her 6 month celebration and got a little cake made special for her!! I got Madison a birthday cake from Nibbles and roses. Pictures from Madison's 6 month photo session.

It's my birthday. YAY!

Ohhhhh...this spells trouble! Mama should have known better!

I wanted her to have fun and be 'interactive' with her cake. Poor baby didn't get to try any of her yummy cake however, because I have not introduced foods to her yet. She is still exclusively breast fed. But she did seem to have fun putting her hand in it! This did require another outfit change for the day, however.

Cake aftermath. Still tasted yummy later that night:) lol

What we did today~

I took Madi shopping for her birthday this morning. I had to pick up her cake and run to the grocery store to pick up some last minute things for the New Years dinner I was going to cook for Grant and I. Usually, we would have gone out to a fancy smanshy restaurant with friends, having drinks first and enjoy a leisurely long dinner. Since I have never left Madi with a babysitter or for that matter, for a period longer than 1 hour (I know...attachment issues/seperation anxiety...A whole other discussion that I will post about) I decided to cook. Plus I love to cook and have not been able to get into the kitchen since Madison was born. Have you ever tried cooking with a child under 6 months?! Darn near impossible and nerve wrecking. Another post:)

Can't forget the OJ for my mimosas I will be enjoying tonight!!

Here's a picture of Madison this morning before we left to run our errands.

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New Years Eve~

We went to New Years Eve Mass. Madison is pretty good and only starts to figget after 30 minutes or so. Of course, we always go with my parents and usually my brother and his family, so there are plenty of willing and eager people to hold and walk around with Madison!

After we got home, I put dinner in the oven and we all changed into our pajamas for the night. Mimosa me daddy! I always enjoy a nice glass of wine or a cocktail to sip on when I am cooking!

New Years Eve Feast~

Sesame Soy Pork Tenderloin
Roasted green beans with baby grape tomatoes and garlic
Parmesan and garlic mashed potatoes (my specialty)
Avocado pineapple relish
*look for recipes under my page titled Recipes

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It was so wonderful to spend the evening at home with the two loves in my life. We watched all the New Years specials on television and played games. Both Grant and I had to admit, of all the New Years we have celebrated together over the past 8 years, this was the BEST one yet!! We used to get all dressed up and go to parties and get hotel rooms and go on vacations...but this year was quiet, calm and just right:) Best of all...we celebrate our little ladybug's half b-day!!!

This cake was soooo good. It was a lemon cake with raspberry filling. Nibbles in Tulsa, people. Good stuff! One of my top 3 bakeries. http://www.grandeuraffaires.com/