Family Field Trip: Parran's Greenhouse

Just as i was ready to give up on my annual task of planting flowers in my window boxes and dropping in hanging baskets around the house in the front yard and back patio - i came to the realization i could NEVER go a spring/summer without all my flowers and asparagus ferns!  So i solicited the help of my husband this year with my trip to our local Michigan nursery up here.  Usually i can handle this on my own but with Stella - no way.  It was a nice family field trip and BONUS....we bumped into Stella's Great Aunt Cassie and Uncle Billy!  Stella has missed them very much as it's been since we left for Florida in January when we saw them last - we were so happy to see them.

CONGRATS Aunt Amy!!

Amy and Todd got engaged on May 16 while in NYC for Amy's Stationery Show!!  We are so very excited for them and Stella can't wait to call Todd "Uncle Todd!"   He's going to be the best uncle ever, honestly, he's awesome.  And more so then that - Stella cannot wait to be the flower girl in their wedding...if they choose to have one of course!).

For anyone wondering what amy was doing at this NYC Tradeshow....check out her beautiful letter pressed business Alice-Louise Press.  It's where Stella gets all her trendy and chic letter pressed invites and personal play date cards and note cards!  Thank You Aunt Amy!!

Now when is the wedding date!?

Stella Turns 9 Months Today!

So our little Stella turned 9 months old today!  And little is the key word here as she has just moved from her Newborn size diapers into her Size 1 AND she's still able to utilize much of her 3-month old outfits  (phew - i'm actually getting my money's worth on her endless wardrobe, thank god for that one since her closet is jammed packed!).  I think she weighs a whopping 14 pounds right now.  She continues to be a gem....um, with a dash of whining here and there of course.  And smiley as always.

Stella's Visit with Lola

so this is quite the unusual photo of Stella.  Not Smiling.....but instead looking dazed and confused.  it was the super bright flash on Emilee's cell phone camera (it was just shy of damaging her retina, but she's fine ;)  we had a wonderful time in Bellbrook - thanks for the great hospitality Emilee, Lola and Aaron!

Stella Cheers for local Crystal Bowersox!!

Go Crystal!!  yes - that is what Stella would have been yelling if she could speak.  Our very own local Toledoean, Crystal Bowersox is, at this point in time of posting, in the TOP 3 of American Idol.  I can't explain how exciting this is for me!!!  and of course Stella.  Jeamma took us to to see Crystal and Stella is a HUGE FAN as evidenced by the relentless effort she put into holding her little Crystal poster sign all by herslef for over 35 minutes while we cheered her on at the Toledo Mud Hens game. My effort...raising Stella up and down relentlessly in hopes to get the camera man to notice the cutest being in the whole crowd of thousands that day.  i can't believe i still have my arms to type with - they felt like they were going to fall off by the end of all of that.  I suppose it's now safe to say i can barely bench press 14 pounds. wow that's pretty lame.

Anyway, American Idol filmed her all day in Toledo, here we saw her sing the National Anthem.  it was Very cool.  And Stella could not have been cuter....she better be on film Tuesday night when we watch this!

Bishop Stella?

Well "A" for effort to Jeamma (A.K.A. Jeanne, my mom) as she whipped up one of her many handmade items for Stella.  This was given to her in her Easter basket.  Upon my request, i wanted Stella to sport a super duper cute aunt jamima headband thingy but the fabric was a little too stiff for the job.   Compared to the Bishops out there, i would say she's for the sure the cutest one of them all - as i have provided a photo for comparison....and proof of that statement.

Happy 40th Jeamma & Ter-Bear!

My parents, known as Jeamma & Ter-Bear now to Stella, celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary on May 9th! 

1970's engagement ring:  under $2,000 i'm sure.  1970's Rental Hall for Wedding:  under $500 i'm sure.  Being married to this man for 40 years – PRICELESS, i'm sure :)

My First Mother's Day...and the letter

Oh I had a wonderful 1st Mother's Day today.   If there is no photo posted yet, it is because i haven't been home yet to upload it (i am staying with my parents while Justin is out of town this week and forgot my camera cord).

Although Justin had to head out this evening for a treacherous week of insane traveling via truck and; plane, back and forth, to and from New Hampshire & N.Carolina - the entire day and into the early evening was spent together along with our Stella and our families..... and, i was given this letter from my husband.  It is too wonderful not to share and will show you why my First Mother's Day was so very special.  and YES - i made sure Justin didn't mind me posting his letter on Stella's blog!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

AN OPEN LETTER TO A WONDERFUL WIFE AND MOTHER:

Jen,

I would've handwritten this, but i have been working on what to say for awhile, so i've saved it on my pc....

Happy Mother's Day!!  Today is your first one as a true Mom and I am so, so very proud of you every time i see you and our daughter.  You have taken to motherhood in such an awesome way that it almost brings me to tears when i see how happy our Little Stella is with you.  You never cease to amaze me with your patience and caring.  Our Baby Girl has a wonderful role model in you, and even if she only grows up to be half of what your are, she will make someone very happy some day.  Your compassion and understanding will empower her with the confidence to take on the world, and yet find the time to appreciate all the small things life has to offer.

Jennifer, My Heart truly swells every time you do even the littlest "motherly" thing for our daughter, and hearing the word "Daddy" from your lips when talking to Stella makes me melt.  I cherish everything you are, everything you do, and all your hopes and dreams.  You have been angelic in your support of me and RTB when the going has been toughest.  I would NEVER have been able to do this without you.  You truly are the "wind beneath my wings" for everything i do...and i will never forget it.

I look forward to those not too far distant days, where we will have the great quality family time that we both deserve.  I can't wait to be able to "play" with you again.

I love you Baby, more than words can describe....

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

In addition to that tear jerker, i was lavished with the following gifts from Justin, my mom, my mom-in-law, my sister-in-law, my aunt snookie....AND my father-in-law and my dad.  And this all was topped off with enjoying a pretty much whine-free, smiley playful Stella that unusually lasted into the hours that are way past her bedtime, what a great way to bring the day to an end - at 10:00pm (thanks baby girl!)

• new digital camera, thanks hubby! (for the Mama-rattzi that i am!  that term was cleverly coined by my dad-in-law)

• handmade hankies, yep i said hanky...i have a post nasal drip year round (nice, huh), and am sick of using tissues to dab my nose all the time so i asked my "I am NOT Martha Stewart Mom" to whip me up some cute hankies.  and not to mention - they will come in handy every time i re-read justin's letter to me.

• a large "Stella's Stuff" tote that i've been needing as an overnight bag for she and i (thanks mom!)

• the cutest elephant knitted socks for Stella, from my dad, for me also because he knew i would love them on her (photo coming soon)

• beautiful bracelet (thanks mom-in-law A.K.A JoNanna you know i love jewelry!)

• awesome wrap/shaw that i was admiring deeply back when we were in Florida and i completely forgot about it - so what a nice surprise!! (thank you Grampy Peter!).  i am all about the wraps you see - as it conceals my post-pregnant belly that still looks like i am "with child" ;)

• Godiva chocolates (thanks again Peter - :)

• this cool and comfy white dress (i hope my post-pregnancy butt can fit into it!), thanks Hadley!

• and handmade copper hammered earrings that were presented on one of my Hanky-poo cards, of whom i am still missing being a "dog-mom" to, thanks aunt snookie, you also know how much i love jewelry and my hank!

So there you have it - the many details of my Very First and VERY SPECIAL Mother's Day.

(i'm a mom!)

– pics will be posted in a few days when i go back home –

I hope my mom, mom-in-law, and all my friends and family moms had a great day today.  Happy Mom's Day!

Our "ZOO-sday Tuesday"

Stella and her good friend, Davis kicked off their weekly field trip to the zoo today.  Jill and I have set a date for 10:30am every Tuesday to meet at our ever so spectacular Toledo Zoo.

To recap the day:

1. Stella and I actually arrived ON TIME.  put that one in the books ya'll

2. Although you can't tell by the pic above - we moms here were much more entertained by the Great Apes than our babies...as Stella and Davis were staring at each other in awe rather then the loud pounding of the glass and the wrestling match between these two apes that was going on inches from their precious little faces.

3. Stella was pretty bummed that the one and only animal she didn't see today at the zoo was...uh, you guessed it, THE ELEPHANT.  a true disgrace, i know.  But soon the construction of the new elephant exhibit should be open to the public and worth this terrible mishap.  at least she got her pic taken with all these elephants instead to make up for it.

4.  Jill and I thought we'd get at max one hour in at the zoo before one of our babes, if not both, had some kind of fuss session or a  meltdown of some sort....well they proved us completely wrong as we put in 3 1/2 hours with not ONE whine from either Davis or Stella.  And both of them topped their field trip off with a strolling nap - and a new friend.  Check out that duck - he just stared at them like this for several minutes.  it was wierd.

Stella and I look forward to seeing Jill and Davis 3x each week:  Kindermusik on wed mornings, swim class on thurs. and our "Zoo-sday Tuesdays"  :)  And now i leave you with this cute video of Stella monkey'ing around....

Happy Stella Happy