Tomorrow my baby girl turns THREE! Although she couldn’t be more excited, running around the house yelling “I am fwee!”, mommy is a bit bummed. And shocked. And confused. I mean it literally seems like last year we found out we were having a second child. Addison was four years old and was terrified of the idea of having a “stinky baby brother” so she was beyond excited when we found out she would have a little sister. Boys apparently don’t “run in our family”. I am one of four girls and Mark has one sister so when Winnie came along she fit right in.
Winter Hailyn is my little angel. Of course I adore both of my girl’s more than life itself, but Winter is my little sidekick. Addison is a die-hard daddy’s girl so thankfully Winter is attached to me at the hip. I often call her my “double the fun”. The year before I got pregnant with Winter, we lost twins. At 14 weeks, I miscarried identical twins. It was beyond devastating for us at the time. Our minds had wrapped itself around having two babies so much by the 14 week mark, that we envisioned this life with two more babies. We had it all planned out. But God had other plans. And although I still think about those two babies all the time, Winter is my “double the fun”. She has as much spunk, energy, love and personality for two little ones and with her, my life was complete. Maybe a bit deep for a little birthday party post but I’ve always felt the desire to share a peek at our story and my “obsession” with sweet Winnie.
For the last couple of weeks, I’ve had some major mommy guilt. Like how on Earth did I find the time seven years ago to purchase every scrap-booking sticker and trinket known to man and make a hundred page album of Addison’s first year? And how did I fit in swim lessons, gymboree, playdates, ballet, gymnastics… Agh! When Addie turned three, she basically had her very own circus for her birthday. Well at least that’s what Mark tells me as I am guilt tripping myself all weekend. I made her a tulle circus tent ceiling for goodness sake!!! And a matching tutu, rented a cotton candy machine, made a ticket booth… I just have to keep telling myself that Addie probably doesn’t even remember all of that. She doesn’t right?!? Because this go-round I’m like… “Hey babe can you run to the store before her party and pick up a gift???”
So needless to say this party is a bit slack. I tried to make it cute because that’s what I love to do but it was certainly no circus. Winter requested a Barney birthday and we then compromised on a Care Bears party. I am not the biggest huge purple dinosaur fan ever. He kind of creeps me out to be quite honest. So Care Bears party it was! Except that Wal-Mart AND Party City had absolutely nothing Care Bears themed. Target saved the day with cute plates, decor and Care Bears cups but that was the extent of a Care Bears party. Good thing it didn’t phase her a bit!
The cake kind of stole the show with a Care Bear’s rainbow theme and gorgeous bright colors. Once again I was super duper last minute and our local Sugar Kneads bakery saved the day with five days notice for this beauty.
Interrupting this blog post with an important announcement… Check out our new island countertop!!!! I am OBSESSED with it. Like no one touch it obsessed. I will be posting full kitchen updates to the blog soon but since I can’t share her birthday without sharing the new island, here’s your sneak peeks! It is Statuary White marble done by our amazing company, APF, Inc. and it is seriously STUNNING. I have been wanting to switch it out since before the original top was even installed. Mark wanted dark countertops everywhere so we met in the middle with white granite on the main countertops (Tiger White Granite) and dark (Titanium Granite) for the island. However, he surprised me with this gorgeous hunk of marble and I finally feel like our kitchen is complete.
And per usual, I put my camera down once the party got started, forgot to get it back out and my mom took over with cell phone pictures from there…
Thanks for reading!
Dress: Chicwish Shoes: Joyfolie
XOXO, Brittany Hayes
Happy birthday to your sweet girl! My girl is attached to my hip to and I love it. We have a boy due within the next 4 weeks and we are so excited to have him here! I am so sorry to hear about the twins. We started off with twins this pregnancy but one didn’t make it early on and it was devastating. I can’t imagine going 14 weeks and then they are gone. I cried reading that. Kids are seriously the best! Enjoy those girls!
Oh my goodness I am so so sorry to hear that! Well your one baby is a huge blessing and I know that he will also be double the blessing like my little Winnie. Thank you so very much for your sweet comment and many prayers and blessing to you and your family Soak up all the time you can with your daughter now as well before he is born. I sometimes miss all the time I had with Addie. XOXOXOXO
The party looks perfect!! All kids need are for things to look festive and fun and they are hap hap happy!!! You could have used construction paper! So cut yourself sme slack!! Hey you had a party!! ?
Awe thank you! Yes I so know that deep down but that mommy guilt always creeps up on me. Thanks for reading! XOXO
Your Winnie is such a little darling!! I hope she stays FWEE for a long time…. childhood is too fleeting. My daughter’s only one and yet I already miss the baby stage.
Thank you for sharing your story – my heart goes out to you- and I look forward to hearing more about your personal and family stories. You have such a lovely family:)
Wow thank you for such a sweet sweet comment! I appreciate it so so much! Soak up every baby second. Before you know it she will be three as well. Sad! Sniff sniff…
Aww..Happy birthday to Winnie! Strangely enough I share a similar story to yours. Considering we often plan our families, the children we grew to know and love might never would have been.
Yes I totally agree! So sorry you experienced the same tragedy. Thank you for your sweet comment! XOXO