The Prissy Mommy Chronicles

Chase Attends His First Birthday Shindig!

image source: Picture Book

You may remember, a few months back, when Chase had his first play date with his buddy LT.  LT is the son of Derek's good friend and law school buddy, Lester, and I adore his wife as well.  Bebe and I were pregnant at the same time and LT is about a week and a half older than Chase.  So hanging out with the Taylors is always a good time - as we have lots in common!  The boys had fun together at their first play date, and I got lots of cute video footage as well.

LT celebrated his first birthday last Saturday and we made it to the festivities even in the blizzard!  It was important to us to share this very special, milestone birthday with our friends.  So we bundled up in our warmest winter wear and headed out.  There were many guests at the party, family and friends.  The food was soo delish (my mouth is watering thinking about this shrimp/pasta with pesto dish that Bebe prepared) and the drinks were flowing!  :-)

Derek and I had a nice time, chatting and mingling with the other folks while Chase got acquainted with other little party guests!  But I think Chase had the most fun of all!  

LT staring at Chase in confusion after the birthday song was sung. 

This is Chase and I with Chandler, who is the adorable 5-year-old son of another one of Derek's long-time friends

Chase fascinated by the blue balloon next to him - he's had a "thing" for balloons since he was born.

Relaxing for a bit with Daddy after playing on the mat with the other kids

Chase dancing to the Christmas tunes playing in the background

 

"I had fun today Mommy! I hope we come back soon!"

  

Wordless Wednesday

  

Santa's Little Helper
Chase @ 11 Months, 2 Weeks, & 6 Days

Crib Games

 
image source: Picture Book

When I lay Chase down for the night he's generally pretty tired (yawning, rubbing eyes, the whole bit).  Nevertheless, he likes to call out to me (in a pseudo-urgent tone) after I lay him down, to get me to come back in the room and play some more before he falls asleep. I enjoy these nightly games just as much as he does, so I usually will entertain this a couple times - going back into the darkened room to find him standing or crawling around the crib.  He'll burst out laughing when I enter the room, because he believes he got mommy to fall for the "fake cry." 

Well last night we went through our little routine a few times, then I kissed him and said with finality in my tone that this was it - mommy is leaving the room now, and it's night-night.  He generally understands that this really is it, and will call out a few more times then fall asleep shortly after once I don't respond.  So we played our little game then I went into the kitchen to prepare dinner.  In the middle of cooking I was surprised to hear him yell out in a sharp tone, which I ignored.  Silence.  Five minutes later he called out again. Again I don't respond. About fifteen minutes later, when I figured he'd fallen asleep, I decided to peek into his bedroom.  I didn't want him to see me if he was awake (lest he think I was coming back to play) but at the same time wanted to just double-check that his foot or leg hadn't gotten stuck in the bars or something else uncomfortable/unsafe. 

He was laying still in the crib and appeared to be asleep. I crept a bit closer and peered at him in the glow of the nightlight.  Once my eyes had adjusted to the dim lighting I was surprised to see him wide awake and looking back at me, grinning.  His eyes gleamed with mischief.  Something looked awry, but I couldn't put my finger on it.  I studied him carefully.. and looked around in the crib... and then looked at him again.

Chase had taken his diaper off in the crib!  This is the first time he's ever done this.  I used to put him to sleep in those one-piece footie pajamas, but since his room is so warm now I prefer to just lay him in a onesie. I generally don't snap the bottom closed, as I don't want him to feel confined.  Well apparently he felt free as a bird!  I looked at this boy, with his onesie hoisted around his waist and naked from the waist-below, all the family jewels on display.. and struggled so hard not to smile.  But I'm pretty sure he heard me choking back laughter as I firmly told him that this wasn't okay, and that he needed to keep his diaper on.  Fortunately there wasn't any poop in it.  He gurgled happily as I scooped him out of the crib to put on a fresh diaper. This time I snapped the onesie firmly between his legs.

When I laid him down again I told him firmly that it was night-night and mommy was leaving. He smiled sleepily, and somewhat triumphantly, having lured mommy back into the room for one final crib game.  He snuggled under the covers and was asleep in minutes.

Oh, the games we play!

Princess and the Frog Giveaway - I Won!

Guess who won a Disney "Princess and the Frog" MomTV Giveaway Prize Pack?  Woohooooo!!!!

I'm a member of the MomTV community and, one day while perusing the site, was excited to come across a video that MomTV Co-Founder and Executive Producer, Stephanie Piche', had posted of Princess Tiana's debut in Magic Kingdom.  Stephanie was fortunate enough to be in Disney World for the processional and official welcoming ceremony of the new princess, and she captured it all on video - lucky duck!  After I finished watching the video and squealing with delight (because I really did feel like I was there!) I decided to enter the accompanying contest for a Princess and the Frog Prize Pack, which included the Official Walt Disney World Princess Tiana doll, a Princess and the Frog card game, a Princess and the Frog reusable shopping bag, and other goodies.

I never in a million years expected to win though because... well, there were a lot of entrants and, quite frankly, my luck just isn't so hot when it comes to the various blog contests.  But since I wanted this prize pack sooo bad I said to myself.. why not not just go for it?

I'm glad I did!!! *cheesing* Thank you Stephanie!!!! I literally just tore open my box of goodies and am like a kid in a candy store.

Just to back up for a minute... you folks know just how excited I am about the upcoming movie, right?  I even dressed my entire family up for Halloween as Princess and the Frog characters. This was my way of celebrating and welcoming this beautiful African-American princess who has been such a long time coming!  So umm, yeah, I've been just a little bit obsessed with the new Disney Princess Tiana.  I'm just so happy that we'll finally have "our" princess, you know what I mean, girls? I even made a point of beginning my Princess Tiana memorabilia collection.

I'm excited to now add my new Princess Tiana doll to my collection of African-American NRFB collectible Barbie Dolls.  She will fit in quite nicely.  

With only weeks before the theatrical release of The Princess and the Frog, the excitement for film-inspired merchandise seems to be building in a big way as anticipation for the film intensifies. Since its launch just a few weeks ago, retailers report that the merchandise has already begun out-selling other Disney Princess items by double digit percentages.  Wow!  I'm glad I started my collection when I did, as I have a feeling these items will be gone from shelves within the upcoming weeks.  Can you believe that more than 45,000 dolls have sold in less than a month with 17,000 selling last week alone? Yes, really!

Are you as excited about the newest Disney Princess as I am?

Wordless Wednesday

Daddy, Chase, and Mommy at the 2009 ING New York City Marathon
Chase @ 9 Months and 4 Weeks Old