a party for one

It was a good, good day... as evidenced by the amount of chocolate involved.

A chance to celebrate the life of our precious son... our treasure, our joy, our sweet, sweet boy.

We started off the day with fireworks--well, sort of--and opening pretty packages with Gigi and Gramps over skype and Nanny and Bop in person. How wonderful it was to have all of Levi's grandparents present for... the presents.

And then of course was the party. There were lots of banners... big, floating balloons... party pies and sausage rolls (classic Aussie kids party food)... adorable and animated munchkins under three feet tall... many wonderful friends... brightly wrapped gifts... party hats... and of course cupcakes... many cupcakes. (We are still eating cupcakes.)

There was a make-shift photo booth... for laughs and memories and future blackmail material.

There were squeals of delight... and well-wishes... three generations... and free play... live music performances by the little ones... and "helpers" for Levi when he opened his gifts.

And of course there was chocolate... the first timid tastes of sugar which built to kneading and mashing and stuffing of the face... moments of hilarity... and lots, and lots, and lots of mess.

Oh sweet, sweet chocolate... all over our sweet, sweet boy...

There were impromptu fake beards... and very dirty clothes... and kids sent straight to the tub.

And after our little birthday boy was tucked up into bed... there was more celebration: toasting, laughing, and reminiscing. There were sincere prayers of thanksgiving and a few little tears of joy and gratitude.

It was a good, good day.

It was a great day.

And, although we most likely will not put such time and energy into parties to come, to mark this first year with a bang felt right and appropriate. Levi's life (and our parenthood) seemed worthy of our best effort. We thank the good Lord for the miracle of life and for the ability and means to celebrate well.

Dear friends, near and far, thank you for making our occasion so special.

enjoying the afterglow,


P.S. Just so you know, I did the party for quite cheap... lots of construction paper, ribbon, my laptop, a printer, some felt, a few sticks, brads, magnets, and wooden clothespins, a visit to the dress-up box that lives under my bed... and of course my trusty little glue gun. The most "expensive" thing was getting a few helium balloons. I'm convinced that making something feel extravagant does not have to cost a fortune... but rather some planning and some creativity!! Oh, and I made Levi's cake from a box, set it on a plastic plate that I found in my cupboard, and stuck a couple of handmade pinwheels on there with a candle - simple and cheap and cute! Betty Crocker, I am not my friends. :)

adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2011 
do not reproduce without written permission

twelve equals one

We did it.

We made it to one.

I've got my party hat on and I'm off celebrating my boy's life... and the fact that I am a mom and my beloved is a dad.

It's been a good year... marked in months and milestones and many sweet memories.

If you want some mushy, sappy, sentimental, lovey-dovey reflections on motherhood, you can read this one from yesterday about sharing Levi with the world, or this one from a few days ago about celebrating my first "momiversary".

I loved pouring my heart into these two posts... and I hope they will touch your heart too.

No doubt the sentiments of motherhood are universal and timeless.

And for Levi:

Heaven blew every trumpet 

and played every horn

on the wonderful, marvelous

night you were born. 

-excerpt from On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman

Dear friends, thank you so much for all of your well-wishes and prayers for Levi's first birthday. It's a great day and we're very, very happy. 

so grateful,


p.s. I've got some good things in store for after all the festivities settle down.... but for now, I may just take a few days to... enjoy turning this page. See you again soon.

photo credit: sue stendahl


adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2010 
do not reproduce without written permission

twelve months

Since Levi's three favorite things right now are his books, his guitar, and walking... I thought it only fitting to mark twelve months accordingly. Although these are not the best photos from a technical perspective I do love them anyway. They show how much fun he is and how cute he is at the moment.

Ah, twelve months...

{he takes story-book reading very seriously these days.}

{this was more of a run than a walk... yikes!}

{i'm swooning over this one.}

{so. much. fun.}

{"are you watching me mama? are you listening?"}

{doing a little jig while playing a tune. love!}

{i adore those chubby feet.}

My how times have changed...

{nine months - all about the standing and cruising.
his personality really began to come out around this age.}

{six months - all about the sitting, "sorting", and examining.
it was nearly impossible to rip his focus away from his toys
and get him to look at me for a photo at this age.}

{three months - all about the pushing up and learning to roll over.
i remember thinking he looked like such a big boy when i took this...
but not so much when i look at it now. just a wee little babe.}

Oh, and a bonus word of advice for other first-time-moms out there: There are certain books you shouldn't read during the lead-up to your firstborn's first birthday... I'll Love You Forever or Oh, the Places You'll Go! or The Giving Tree or The Runaway Bunny. It's all just a little much.

My boy will be one in two days.  T w o  D a y s.

Dear friends, just a photo dump on the memos today. I know you don't mind a dose of cuteness every now and then. And to my mama-photographer mates, a question: How do you keep a very busy little toddler in focus?! I'm having the darndest time taking decent photos lately, *sigh* and it's beyond frustrating!

help?


P.S. If you're the praying type, please pray for my little man. He's been fighting a cold/cough/fever all week and today it really took a turn for the worst... I held him for hours this afternoon as he just cried and cried and went in and out of short bursts of sleep. He's miserable and really needs healing... Not sure if it's teething related (same thing did happen the last two times he cut new teeth) or if it's just a flu. In any case, it's nasty!! Of course we're hoping that we won't have to cancel his birthday party which is happening in two days. Not to mention the fact that we don't want to get his little friends sick either! Oh, and my in-laws arrive tomorrow to stay for a week. Not the best timing for a sick bub! But most of all I want to see him well for his own sake. It's so hard watching your baby suffer. boo. :( Thanks for your prayers! xxo

on saturday...

photo credit: sue stendahl 

adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2010 
do not reproduce without written permission

celebrating my first momiversary: the year that my life was turned upside down… and came out rightside up

Your child’s first birthday is a big deal. You may have had a celebration at his birth or at his baby dedication… but celebrating his first birthday is just, well, different.

It’s big.

There’s something about turning one that really reinforces the feeling of transition from babyhood to toddlerhood. Maybe it’s the determined attempts at walking or talking. Maybe it’s the fact that he will now be joining the ranks of people who don’t count their age in months. (I just did the math and I am 399 months old.)

Or maybe it’s the fact that he survived your first year of parenting.

I’m so happy to be celebrating Levi’s first birthday on Saturday. But I’m also excited to celebrate my momiversary.

Everyone says that being a mom is the hardest and best job in the world… But for those who’ve yet to have children, no doubt it can be tiring to always hear about all the challenges.

Yes, sleep-ins have all but vanished.

Yes, I have been pooped on, peed on, sneezed on, snotted on, spit up on, and thrown up on.

Yes, the family expenses have increased… as have the laundry and the dishes.

Yes, things move a lot slower with kids (meals, errands, etc.).

Yes, sometimes my time, my body, and my brain does not feel like my own.

And yet there are so many wonderful things that far outweigh the lack of sleep and the ring of crying in your ears.

Like the fact that you learn how to love more completely.

And you start to see the world with more wonder.

And you think more consciously about your values.

And you live more purposefully.

And then there are the other things, the baby things:

Sweet baby breath on your cheeks.

Those precious newborn coos... music to your ears.

The first laugh, sending excitement shooting through your veins.

Hearing “mama” for the first time as your heart melts into puddles around your feet.

Those first slobbery kisses... no, all of those slobbery kisses.

Hugs and cuddles... and glances up from your child, which say without words that you're the most beautiful person he's ever laid eyes on.

The feeling of being loved unconditionally and trusted completely.

There are so many good things. So many life-altering good things.

The highs are epic. The lows are crushing. But the ride is absolutely thrilling.

During this last year I have cried harder than I ever have in my life. There has been sobbing in the shower, breakdowns in the kitchen, and desperate wails of “why” and “help me God” in the nursery.

Being a mom has pushed me to the limits of what I’ve experienced so far in my thirty-three years.

I’ve felt crushing insecurity at times and steady confidence at others.

I’ve been exhausted and exhilarated.

I’ve been confused and I’ve questioned.

Sometimes I’ve trusted my gut. And other times I’ve floundered.

I’ve spent hundreds of hours reading books and the internet looking for answers and help and tips and ideas.

I’ve patted that tiny baby bum a thousand times to help him fall asleep.

I’ve rocked him in the night and held him through teething and illness and growth spurts and needles.

I’ve swelled with pride and joy, and I’ve stood in awe.

I’ve sang thousands of lullabies and read thousands of stories.

I’ve nursed and I’ve nurtured.

I’ve danced and I’ve paced.

I’ve prayed.

I've laughed.

I’ve watched and listened and savored and recorded.

I've felt like an amateur and felt like a pro.

I’ve filled my hard drive and the facebook feed with hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of photos.

I've sought advice... and sometimes given it. 

I've sought validation and I've sought empathy. 

I've sought encouragement and I've sought affirmation. 

I’ve been amazed and overwhelmed, grateful and relieved.

I've learned sacrifice. I've earned wrinkles.

I've acquired a few badges of my own.

I've found a depth of strength that was yet unlocked.

I've. Given. Birth.

I’ve seen Grace. I’ve touched Love. I’ve tasted Mercy. I’ve found Forgiveness.

I've been humbled. I've grown up. 

I've become more of who I am meant to be.

I've. Had. Fun.

Becoming a mom is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. It’s helping me to see myself and see the world and see God in a whole new—more glorious—light.

So here’s to the tears! The joys! The questions! The lessons! The heartache! The breakthroughs! The love! The affection! The learning curve! The discovery! The process! The growth! The reality! The dream!

Here’s to motherhood! Here’s to parenthood!

Happy first momiversary to me!

My heart is so full that... It. Might. Burst.

I will never forget this first year of motherhood… the year that my life was turned upside down… and came out rightside up.

Dear friends, on Saturday night after the streamers are taken down, the cake is cleaned up, and Levi is tucked safely into bed, my husband and I will be clinking our glasses and toasting with close friends. We’ll celebrate the fact that Levi has not only survived our first year of parenthood, but he has thrived... and so have we.  How did you mark your first momiversary? 

almost bursting and entirely blessed,

{Photo Credits}
Photo of Adriel and Levi: Tiffany Lausen, Red Owl Photography 
Photo of Levi clapping: Sue Stendahl, Stendahl Photo Services.


adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2011 
do not reproduce without written permission

calling all party planners

We are now in full-force of the planning stages of Levi’s first birthday party.

I am a planner by nature. (Not always flawless at the following-through part, but great at the imagining/strategizing/planning part… and usually good at delivery. At least I try to be.)

I have been thinking about Levi’s birthday for months. Months.

And yet this is one thing that I refused to plan too far in advance.

Could it be that I wanted to focus on enjoying Christmas? Maybe…

Could it be that I had a lack of ideas? Hardly…

Could it be that the thought of a celebration didn’t excite me? No way, Jose…

Could it be that I was in denial about the fact that my baby is becoming a toddler? Ummm…

Well I can’t deny it any longer. He is as spirited as ever: exerting his—ahem—opinions, playing independently, feeding himself (well, when he feels like it at least!), learning how to talk, teetering on the verge of fully transitioning to walking (for more than a few steps at a time), and throwing far more tantrums than I anticipated for this age.

My baby turns one in two weeks.

My baby is disappearing fast... and a strong, funny, intelligent, curious, dynamic, spirited toddler stands in his place.

But this isn’t meant to be a mushy post. (I have the next few weeks to bomb the blogosphere with my sentimentality.)

This is a yay-we’re-throwing-our-first-birthday-party-and-it’s-all-really-fun-and-exciting post!

This is also a I’m-soliciting-the-best-ideas-to-finalize-our-party-plans post!

In case you hadn’t already guessed, we’re having a sock-monkey themed party. There will be hats. There will be balloons. There will be cupcakes. There will be a smash cake. There will be a surprise or two.

There will be perhaps a little more celebrating of this milestone than we’ll have at birthdays #2, 3, 4… Because, you know, there’s something really significant about celebrating our first born’s first year of life… Our first year of parenthood. (I’ll leave it there so I don’t turn this into the sappy post that is sure to come soon.)

So although I don’t want to go too crazy (there will be no jumping castle or magician or elaborate party favors), I do want to mark this occasion in a manner worthy of celebrating this important milestone… for Levi’s sake and for our own as parents.

And this is where you come in… I’d love your advice and/or suggestions about your favorite part of your child’s first birthday party. (Or another one you’ve been to.)

I’m all ears folks, all ears. My pen is in hand and I’m taking notes of your tips.

Dear friends, is the baby’s first birthday more of a milestone for the baby or for the parents?!!? Do you have any ideas about how to make our celebration special and memorable and oh-so-super-fun?

giddy with anticipation,

adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2010 
do not reproduce without written permission

what's the best first birthday gift?

It's hard to believe... but our little boy is turning one in two weeks! Although my husband jokes that he would like to "spoil" him with toys, I'm more of a believer in kids having a few quality toys... for lots of reasons that I won't get into at the moment.

(By the way, I don't count books or musical instruments in the same category - the more the merrier if you ask me. Levi loooves reading stories and loves, loves, loves his little guitar that he got for Christmas. Correction: he's obsessed with his guitar.)

We've already bought him a wooden Noah's Ark shape sorter toy for his upcoming birthday, and would like to buy him something else as well.

As we're thinking about what to get, I'd love to hear what you think are the best birthday gifts for a one year old! What was the biggest hit at your little one's first birthday?

Here are some of the ideas we've had so far:

love this fire truck by green toys - totally made out of recycled materials!

although we think a ride-on toy would be great, we're up in the air about the
specific one... but thought this pre-tricycle might be a good option.

levi loves the swings! a toddler swing would be a bit hit, no doubt.

is it crazy to consider purchasing a small drum? levi LOVES the drums soooo much.....

little xylophones are so much fun! this one by hohner kids has great reviews for it's tuning,
but is hard to find. of course there's always fischer price or little tykes...

another winner from green toys - made out of fully recycled materials.
a great precursor to the big, metal tonka trucks!

what parent doesn't hope their kid will end up loving legos?!
mega blocks are the prefect start for the little guys.

There also also push toys, wagons, little people toys... the list goes on!


Oh, how to choose?!!! I never really thought that toys were a big deal until I had a child of my own... and now I get it. They are so much fun! I want to choose well, spend our money wisely, and get him something that he enjoys that will also be durable and long-lasting.


Dear friends, what are your best first birthday gift ideas??

sooo excited,


p.s. This is not a sponsored post. All of these toys are just things we're personally thinking of purchasing.

adriel booker | the mommyhood memos | 2010 
do not reproduce without written permission