Happy St. Patrick's Day

On this day last year I was (painfully) waddling my 9 days post c-section self to my brother and sister-in-law's wedding! I remember it was SO difficult leaving her in the NICU. I still was feeling awful and all we could think about was our poor little peanut at the hospital.

But this year our wee lass is a big girl now!

We attended a parade party at my brother and sis-in-law's house yesterday. Samantha's 1st parade!

Handprint shamrock craft I did with the girls!

An empty box? No fair!

Irish puppy that her papa got her at the parade

Cutie

Up on Daddy's shoulders

Bagpipers

Sitting on Nana's lap and watching the parade

Samantha's 1st Birthday Party!

Samantha's party was so much fun!! Here is a glimpse of her day! One year update post coming soon...

It's  my party and I'll cry if I want to!

Never really got a good pic of her birthday outfit but it was sooo cute! I ordered it through a local boutique. Her shirt had a number one and an Elmo on it with her name across it. And a matching tutu with polka dot bow. There was also a matching party hat to match the shirt and tutu!

Elmo's faves! Goldfish and crayon favors! And yes, that is a real goldfish there...

Sesame street board books from Target dollar bins! And my SIL in the background...

Samantha and her Mema (my MIL) and her new Minnie Mouse from Auntie LaLa

Land of Nod anywhere chair from her Nana and Papa!

Polka dot balloons? Yes please!

LOVED her cake! Matched the invite perfectly! 

Her monthly pics banner...

Smash cake...that didn't get smashed! ha She wasn't feelin' it...

Snack table

Oscar's Trash toss game

Sign for front door

Elmo balloon! Dollar store! She loved it.

Invite :) It says "Can you tell me how to get to Samantha's First Birthday Party?" And then at the bottom it says " This party has been brought to you by the letter S and the number 1."

Loving a mini cherry cupcake on her actual birthday!

Make a wish baby girl!

A Letter to Our Girl: 1st Birthday Edition

To Our Beautiful Baby Girl...


Today, sweet girl, is your very 1st birthday. You are one years old! And Daddy and I are in complete shock. When friends and family told us that this first year would fly by, they weren't kidding. I literally blinked and you have become big girl! As much as I wanted this letter to get across just how much we love you, I don't think it could do it justice. The truth is, is that you have changed our lives forever for the better. You made Mommy's heart whole again and you made Daddy's heart grow a thousand times bigger. On this day last year, you came into our lives so quickly (and so early!) that we didn't even get the chance to hold you that first day. You were so little but so strong and brave, and we knew that our love alone for you would save you if it had to. Thankfully, Peanut, you are thriving and healthy and amazing. You make us laugh everyday and just when we think it isn't possible for us to love you anymore than we already do, you go ahead and prove us wrong! We wish you could see yourself through our eyes. I thank God everyday for choosing to let things happen the way they did. For allowing you to stay in our lives as we know so many other Mommies and Daddies aren't so lucky. There are so many wonderful things I want for you, baby. And there are so many things I want to shield you from. I don't want you to ever feel heartbreak or pain, but I know that is just a part of life that we all experience. What I wish for you on your 1st birthday is a life ahead of you that shows you more love than it does loss. More smiles than tears. More healthy days than sick ones. And above all, I hope you always know how much your Daddy and I love you, how badly we wanted you and how we always be there for you. No matter what.

Happy Birthday Samantha Roselyn!!



Always,
Mommy & Daddy


**Tomorrow is her big birthday party! I will post pictures of the party and a one year update soon!!**

Our miracle was born at 32 weeks 5 days. March 8th 2012 at 10:51am  via emergency c-section.
The Peanut Princess weighed 3 lbs 11 oz and was 16 inches long. 

1 of her 27 days in the NICU ( I loved this preemie sleeper outfit. It had little strawberries all over it and the hat was a strawberry)

Cutie pie

                                         

Booty Rash advice

So I need some advice girls!

For the past few days my poor baby girl has had a bright red diaper rash on her little bum every time after she poops! She is never in a wet diaper long (I change her frequently) and never in poop long either! 95% of the time I see her trying to poop and change it right away. So it's not like she is sitting in poop long for it to give her a rash. She hasn't tried any new foods lately, so that can't be it! But I feel so bad for her! Especially when I go to clean her and the wipes sting! I have been using so wet washcloths or paper towels, since the cleaning agent in the wipes seem to sting her. I've been lathering her up with diaper rash cream, which seems to help right after. But after she poops it looks really bad! Even her vaginal area is a bit red too, which is making me worry she has a yeast infection or something? I don't know what to do. I could call the doctor but I'm not sure it's that big of a deal. I was just gonna watch it and if it didn't get better take her next week.

I'm just wondering what could possibly cause it! It's not like we tried new soap or food or detergent or anything. And it only gets bright red when she poops! It's a mystery. I am wondering if it could be the scrambled eggs? But she was eating them before and didn't get this rash after she pooped! I just feel so bad for her.

Any thoughts? Thanks for stopping by to read about my girl's poop and booty....ha!