Birthdays | Priscilla Halterman

Happy Birthday, hubby!

May 20, 2011 1 Comment

This beautiful little boy had a birthday today…

And the more I look at these pics, the more I realize our baby girl really does look like him. Especially in this one:

As I said in my Father’s Day 2010 post, seeing him with AJH is the most beautiful thing in the world to me. He is patient, he is loving, he is gentle and he is attentive.

Just last night he was able to soothe our little girl after she cried off and on for 3 hours with new teeth and double ear infections.

Thanks for being the best daddy ever and supporting our family with all you do.

You make all our dreams come true.

And finally, I heard this song a few months ago and have been saving to share it at the right time. I heard it on Pandora after the hubby had sent me the nicest email, and it was perfect timing. I didn’t want to post it and be one of those really sappy, annoying braggy bloggers. So I waited.

But I think today is just the right time to say “I am the luckiest.”

This song reiterates everything I already know but sometimes forget to say out loud.

“The Luckiest“–Ben Folds
I don’t get many things right the first time
In fact, I am told that a lot
Now I know all the wrong turns, the stumbles and falls
Brought me here
And where was I before the day
That I first saw your lovely face?
Now I see it everyday
And I know
That I am
I am
I am
The luckiest

What if I’d been born fifty years before you
In a house on a street where you lived?
Maybe I’d be outside as you passed on your bike
Would I know?

And in a white sea of eyes
I see one pair that I recognize
And I know
That I am
I am
I am
The luckiest

I love you more than I have ever found a way to say to you
Next door there’s an old man who lived to his nineties
And one day passed away in his sleeep
And his wife; she stayed for a couple of days
And passed away

I’m sorry, I know that’s a strange way to tell you that I know we belong
That I know
That I am
I am
I am
The luckiest

Happy birthday, hubby, from the luckiest lady on earth

Filed Under: Beautiful Family Tagged With: birthdays

30 Balloons

May 16, 2011 Leave a Comment

On Saturday I celebrated my 30th birthday in style…

My hubby and good friend, Emily, planned a “legendary” fiesta themed party, complete with a tent, balloons…

…a pinata, chicken fajitas (my fav. food), and Emily’s to-die-for homemade guacamole.
I was in heaven!

Everyone worked SO hard to make it a perfect day…and it was!
Ben and his family even constructed what I like to call The Biggest Tent Known to Man to keep us dry during the party. Ben also hung pretty lights and also did about a hundred other projects outside to “make it beautiful…” literally.

We decorated the inside with some pictures from my childhood that my mother had used at my bridal shower (almost seven years ago!)

I dressed AJH up in her first Matilda Janeoutfit (we’ve been saving it for a special occasion) and the bonnet she got from my grandmother for Easter.

I looked at her and said, “She is exactly what I have always imagined my little girl to be.” There is no better birthday present than to see my dreams come true in the physical form of a daughter.

Our little family…

I had best friends from college drive long distance to be there…

Both ALM, and KKW (as well as my sis, T.) were also in my wedding.
You can see K’s sweet post about the day here!

There is nothing like spending time with best friends and “souls sisters”!

The pinata was very festive…

…but a bit harder to bust than I expected!

Henry wanted to help, of course. He did not get away empty-handed, though. Throughout the night he had five brownies and one whole loaf of homemade bread…

A great time was had by all…

And of course, I was very much in my element!

********************
If you’re wondering about my outfit…
DRESS: Ryu “Heirloom” dress in brown, found at Urban Gypsy
SHOES: Michael Kors via T.J. Maxx
NECKLACE: T.J. Maxx
RING: “Mother of Pearl” ring by Pandora (my push present)

********************
Thank you so much to all of those who were able to make it, including my mom, dad, sisters and brother, and my special long distance friends, and all of those who helped out! I felt very loved!

Filed Under: Beautiful Family, Beautiful Life Tagged With: birthdays, parties

More Black Lab Birthday shots…presents, cake, and the birthday girl!

March 22, 2011 Leave a Comment

Here are some more shots from AJH’s black lab themed first birthday party:

Opening presents…

And more presents…

And “eating” her smash cake

She handled her “smash cake” quite daintily. Instead of eating it, she insisted on giving it away. She took a few bites, made some funny faces and then turned it upside down and cried to get out of her high chair.Like mother, like daughter…I’ve never liked sweets and don’t enjoy getting dirty, either.

And winding down…

Overall, it was a wonderful night and I must thank all of those who helped out and came to celebrate with us. We are our so blessed to have such an awesome circle of love surrounding AJH.

In other news…I will be launching a “Weekly Fashion Parade” post tomorrow chronicling my outfits from the past week. Stay tuned!

Also, a friend from college started her own blog recently and mentioned me in her first post. Thank you, Megan, and please know that it makes my LIFE when I hear that I have inspired others to join this journey of writing and healing.

Much love!

Filed Under: Beautiful Family Tagged With: birthdays, parties

Black Lab Themed First Birthday Party

March 22, 2011 5 Comments

AJH’s big first birthday bash was a hit and I’d love to share some of the intimate details.We went with a black lab theme because our black lab, Henry, is one of her favorite things. She loves to watch him run in the yard with his cousin, Hokie, and feed treats to them through the window. Since birth, she has been very attached to her Henry dolls (we have one in pink and blue to avoid too much wear and tear, and,of course, match her different outfits) so when I sat down to really plan her first party it seemed only right to go with the one thing she really understands and loves at such a young age. As she gets older and understands things like The Wizard of Oz and rock-and-roll, we’ll definitely branch into those kinds of fun themes, but for now, her life is all about HENRY!

I couldn’t find where I packed my “spring” doormat so I had to buy a new one. I thought this would be fitting for the party theme.

from Walmart

I would say our amazing cake, modeled after AJH’s Henry doll, was definitely the highlight of the decor.

From Buttercream Dreams, LLC

The cupcakes were made my mother-in-law. I printed the black lab silhouette, cut them out, and attached them to toothpicks to make my own cupcake toppers.

I was inspired by these adorable baby face cupcake toppers from the “One Year in a Flash” birthday party on Hostess With the Mostess and decided to make my own. I just cropped a picture of AJH’s face, attached a party hat on Picnik.com, cut them out, glued a mini-pom to the top of the hat, and glued it all to a toothpick.

The cake table.

Party Poms by Martha Stewart (next time I will use clear fishing line rather than white string to hang them). The “Happy Birthday” banner is from Old Navy.

“A” picture holder found at T.J. Maxx. Polaroid shots taken at AJH’s 2.5 month photo shoot with Jason Keefer Photography.

The birthday girl having fun!

Shirt from Stitch This Etsy shop. Skirt from Target dress-up aisle. Shoes from Target. Headband from 2 Little Birdies Etsy shop.

The food table (missing some of the food).

Circle garland from Lazy Catepillar Etsy shop.

Animal crackers in mason jars with gingham ribbon and personalized stickers from Zazzle.com.

“Puppy Chow” made by my sister-in-law.

Check out this post to see her recipe. Dog bowls from T.J. Maxx.

Pictures of AJH with her Henry doll from 2 days to eleven months old, hanging from an abandoned window pane that’s been in my basement for a few years. It’s my favorite color…antique aqua/teal blue.

Paper Pennant Bunting from Lazy Catepillar Etsy shop.

The favors were dog bone and black lab sugar cookies, made by my mother and sister-in-law and party bags for the kids filled with puppy stamps and puppy silly bandz.

Favor tags printed from Print Your Party Etsy shop. Stickers on bags from Zazzle.com. Personalized party tub from Ida Claire.

Sonogram pictures hanging from our book shelves.

Some favorite pictures of AJH over the past year, hung in my favorite antique window pane frame.

A birthday greeting on my homemade chalk board (also made from a window pane).

Her birthday cake eating attire, which didn’t last long!

Matching hat and big from Dainty Couture Etsy shop.

And, of course, the party wouldn’t be complete without some black lab puppy ears, which also didn’t last long!

More pictures of the birthday girl and presents to come tomorrow…

…but for now, how could I resist posting this gift from her brother, Henry!

from Rhoadworks Etsy shop

xoxo, P

Filed Under: Beautiful Family Tagged With: birthdays, parties

Birthday Girl

March 16, 2011 1 Comment

This post is probably more enjoyable for family, but for all those interested, this is how AJH’s birthday went down, with a few views on mommy hood at the end. Enjoy!

We woke up AJH and sang “Happy Birthday”…

And she got a little shy…

And then smiley…

Then she had her “birthday bottle” and I danced around and sang “Brown-eyed Girl” to her (which so perfectly came on my Pandora station)

Then she walked over to Daddy’s office to see her special sign…

And model her special birthday outfit…

Being birthday princess must have been exhausting.

When we got home from work/daycare she really enjoyed opening her birthday cards.

And said “dog” as soon as she saw the front of this one from Mamaw…

…and got her trademark dollar

which we save in a special envelope to be deposited in her savings.

She got another doggy card from Granny Sally..

And was completely mesmerized by the singing dogs…

She loved it…

And kept opening and closing the card to hear it sing…

Finally, when dad got home we went for a walk to the park to the try the swing…

which she hated. Much like her bath, she decided it was no fun after only a few times.

She did, however, love the slide…

Then she got a special ride on daddy’s shoulders…

which she loved.

Finally, we walked to our favorite pizza place to pick up some food and AJH played patty-cake on cue…

…”and throw it in the pan!”

She also said “hiiii” to all who entered…

Overall, it was a great day and we’re very excited for her black lab themed party on Sunday.

To be honest, I don’t think the enormity of my little AJH and the last year has really sunk in. Sometimes it hasn’t even hit that I am a MOM. On days that I am out shopping by myself and have a brief moment of how it felt pre-baby, a sudden wave of “I’m a mom” will hit and I go into shock as I struggle to find my ~~fashion~~ identity in this new found role. “I can’t wear this, I’m a mom,” I will think. I find myself asking college girls for their opinions in Target on shoes and clothes, saying things like, “Are these cute for, you know,a MOM?”

It’s crazy to think that I am doing it. I am a MOM. This is something that used to give me so much anxiety. Would I be good? Would I know what I am doing? Would it all work out? As weird as it feels to realize “I’m a mom,” it’s something that also feels like second nature. It just kind of happens…and you do it. Like going into labor, and breast feeding, and sleepless nights and everything else I once felt anxious about.

The more I write, the more it starts to hit.

I am a mom.

And my perfect, precious baby girl is one year old.

Filed Under: Beautiful Family Tagged With: birthdays

A world of difference

March 16, 2011 2 Comments

This time last year I was about 25 pizza rolls deep and less than two hours away from going into labor.

My, how things have changed.

3-12-11

Tomorrow at 11:21 am, this girl will be ONE year old.

ALREADY!

(read her entire birth story here)

And I’m second guessing my decision to go to work on her actual birthday.

I know she doesn’t know any different,

and she will have a grand party on Sunday,

but now I am wishing I had taken the day off to celebrate

And just soak it all in.

Sometimes it feels like a blur.

And like all parents,

I want to freeze time

hold on to those cheeks

that crooked grin

those two baby teeth

(and one more poking through)

wispy blond hair

and of course

that belly

as long as I can.

LOVE.

Filed Under: Beautiful Family, Pregnancy Tagged With: birthdays, pregnancy

Too much

March 9, 2011 1 Comment

Image from Sidney Leigh Photography

I’m gonna be honest.

(when am I not?)

I’m in a bad mood.

I feel overwhelmed and cranky

and sad

and some people say I do it to myself.

It’s my fault I feel this way

because I’m the one bogging myself down with so many

THINGS

(birthday

party planning and

blogs and

crafts and

classes and

books and

magazines and

TV shows and

jobs and

emails and

texts and

phone calls and

cooking and

organizing and

clothes and

trips)

but in my mind

all of these THINGS are necessary

and all of these things are what I WANT

(to be good, and right and perfect)

but maybe it’s all too much.

Maybe part of it is that I WANT too much…I EXPECT too much

and maybe the other part is that I feel things are necessary

when they probably aren’t.

I guess it’s just the perfectionist in me

But I am starting to feel it weigh me down

and take me back to a place

I don’t want to be.

A place where I must take medicine to function

as a wife, mother, friend, teacher,

member of society.

The medicine stopped the symptoms of my anxiety

but it didn’t stop the cause…

when will I learn

to find a balance

between doing what is good and healthy and meaningful

and doing what drives me over the edge?

Sometimes I can’t draw the line between

doing a lot

and doing too much.

Wanting a lot

and wanting too much.

Loving a lot

and loving too much.

Working a lot and

working too much.

I want to help, love, work, create,

do,

but sometimes it’s just too much

and I guess we all need a break…

before we break.

Be back soon

as I contemplate

simplifying

all that has gotten too complicated, too much.

Filed Under: Beautiful Life, Uncategorized Tagged With: birthdays, parties, perfection

Happy Birthday, Henry!

December 4, 2009 2 Comments

On Thanksgiving day of 2008 our little man was born. He came into this world alongside eleven other pups, from a beautiful and gentle momma who was left tied up outside an abandoned apartment in Baltimore. It wasn’t until Christmas last year that we found out about our little “Thanksgiving blessing,” and on January 18th, at eight weeks, we finally brought him home to Virgina.

We can’t believe he turned one year old just a week ago. At 81 pounds he’s not really our “little guy” anymore, though, I think he will always be a puppy in my eyes. Despite his size, I still don’t think of him as a “big dog” and probably never will. When I look at his adorable face I can understand why parents say, “he’ll always be my little boy” no matter how much their kids have grown.

He’s been described as a “big, black bear,”and though he might look intimidating, he is so cuddly and sweet, loving to give and receive attention. We have gone through some typical “puppy” phases with him eating everything from underwear, to expensive packages and brand new rugs, but we really can’t imagine life without him.We can’t wait for him to meet his “little sis” this March and for all of the memories to come!

Henry’s first day home

(below)

On his first birthday: November 27, 2009

(below)

Filed Under: Beautiful Family Tagged With: birthdays, pets

Thoughtful Gifts

May 15, 2009 1 Comment

Ben gave me these beautiful lockets for my 28th birthday. He knows the way to my heart…anything that is full of sentiment and looks vintage is right up my ally!