Navy Baby Shower {Invitations}

The Airmail Shower invitations were a big hit. Here are a few shots of the printed invites just before I mailed them. Apparently the post office didn't have issues with map envelopes! Hooray. Seeing what the invitations really look like in person is much more fun than the "graphic" representation of the invitation design. More posts about the Baby Shower coming up!

Amanda's Beautiful Baby Belly

Darling Child

Hello my darling, can you hear me?
I whisper to you, softly, like tiny kisses
To touch you will be like heaven on earth
You are joy, like a soft summer breeze across my face
I close my eyes and the world stops, I feel you
A soft tickle, I imagine your laughter
Warm and perfect and sweet

Send the day, advance the hour
Rest your head and curl into my arms
Hands beyond small, delicate and new
You are life made whole, made real, completed
Tiny feet, eyes that will melt my soul
If I sing to you, will you hang on my every note?
Skin so smooth and fragile, like glass
Adoring and gentle will be my touch
I imagine your cheeks, to press mine against yours
Nose to nose, butterfly kisses and dancing with you in my arms

Hurry time, fly away minutes
I say a prayer. You are our greatest blessing
Tears run like water across my face, happiness and longing
For you see, we have been waiting for you
You are mine, you are ours
And we say hello little darling

This beautiful poem was written by Amanda when I was pregnant with Marin. Thank you Amanda for such beautiful words, today I return the gift. You are a radiant and lovely mommy. I can’t wait to see the baby, that snuggles close in your belly, enjoy the touch of her mommy.

I love you,

Krystina

Farewell Feathered Friends

We said goodbye to our four baby ducks yesterday. Caring for baby ducks was a fun experience and a good lesson learned. I should forever be limited to one pet. And more specifically a single cat. Anymore than that and I just can’t maintain sanity. Marin on the other hand, LOVES animals and will probably be much like her Grandma Karen. Their motto: the more the merrier. The ducks were given to a chicken farmer and will enjoy the rest of their days on a private pond about an hour from here. That makes me happy. The ducks really were sweet, and very resilient despite all of Marin’s “love” (aka holding them by one leg or by the throat….all the while mommy is repeating… “be soft Marin, be soft.”)

I was surprised how much the ducks grew and changed in just one week. Much like my baby…..Is she really a toddler?

Quacky Birthday Marin {The Dress}

When I tried to imagine something cool, comfortable and simple for Marin's party dress, a pillowcase dress immediately came to mind. I've been looking for an excuse to make one anyway. I found these instructions most helpful and easy to follow. I did make my own modifications as I wanted the dress to be lined in yellow bandana. I was happy with the final product and Marin enjoys wearing it. Win and win!

Quacky Birthday Marin {The Food}

Below are the chicken salad and pimento cheese recipes we concocted for Marin's party. Not bad for first timers.

Chicken Salad With Apples and Walnuts

Ingredients

Juice from one ½ fresh lemon
½ cup mayonnaise
½ cup Miracle Whip
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
3 ½ cups chunk cooked chicken (about one medium chicken)
1 cup finely diced celery
1 to 1 ½ cups Apple (Granny Smith or Galla apples) cut into small cubes
½ cup chopped Walnuts
12 medium croissants

Directions
Season chicken with Tony Chachere's to taste. Boil or bake chicken. Cool. Remove chicken from bone and cut in to small chunks.

In a bowl, combine the chicken, celery and apples. Add lemon juice and mix. Add salt, pepper, mayonnaise, miracle whip and walnuts. Mix gently. Serve on croissants.

Belvia’s Pimento Cheese

On 8oz pkg of Shredded cheddar cheese
One 4oz jar of pimentos (juice and all)
Add Real Mayonnaise to taste. About ½ cup.
Mix all three ingredients and chill before serving.

Thank you Beliva, for sharing your recipe and for the phone consultation.

Quacky Birthday Marin {The Cake}

Inspired by my Granny's book of Cut-Up Cakes, I fashioned my own duck cut up cake to mimic the duck on Marin's birthday party invitations. The eye and wing were made from Fondant. The icing is my mom's recipe. Cream cheese, powdered sugar, a splash of vanilla extract and whipped topping. Yum! This cake was made from a 10" and 12" circle baking pans. I wanted the cake board to match the invitation too, so I covered it in the fabric I used for Marin's party dress and then covered the fabric in clear contact paper. The package didn't say anything about not using it with food, but just in case, I cut pieces of wax paper to go between the cake and the board. I was happy with the end result. Mom added the duck feet sugar cookies to the base of the cake just before the party began. It made me giggle.

Quacky Birthday Marin {The Party}

Marin's 2nd birthday party was a smashing success. The weather was beautiful and everyone had a good time. Below are a few of my favorite shots from the evening.

Christy volunteered to make duck feet sugar cookies for the party. They were adorable and yummy too. Thank you Christy! The duck family on each table were made from yellow felt. I finalized the pattern if you want to make your own.

The party favors contained, duck beak whistles and flipping ducks, rubber ducks, and duck shaped bath fizzes. Oh, and a handful of lollipops (Marin's favorite candy).

Mom and Granny Parma put together this beautiful little arrangement with flowers from mom's garden. The duck container was given to mom when I was born. It was a special little piece of the past put to use once again in celebration. Thank you mom and Granny.

Marin didn't quite get the "blow out your candle" concept. So, Jack volunteered to help.

The Six Pac. It was wonderful having all of my siblings with me on Marin's big day.

Yes, we had baby ducks for the party and the kids LOVED them. I'm really glad we had them for the party, but I've decided I'm NOT a animal lover. These ducks have gotta go! Oh, but they are sooooooooo cute!

The party went late into the evening. The kids played with sparklers, we had fresh cold watermelons and the duck beak whistles were enjoyed by all.