Friday Flashback

AKA "I swipe a Mother's Day post from my other now-defunct blog"

 

 Remembering the Cake Lady

Mom was always "the cake lady." Whether she was making cakes for her own kids' birthdays, graduations or weddings or creating elaborate cake concoctions for the celebrations of friends, neighbors and friends of friends, for several years there, it seemed like she was baking and decorating cakes 24 hours a day, seven days a week (she probably was!).

Sometimes the cakes were a source of fun and creativity. A lot of times, they were a source of headaches and annoyance. But everyone who knew Mom knew she was "the cake lady." And everyone always commented on how beautiful her cakes were.

This was long before Ace of Cakes and the dearth of fondant on cakes. Mom created scenes -- from roses to critters -- for the most part using butter cream frosting. Sometimes she would use royal icing, chocolate molds or marzipan when it was absolutely necessary.

Like so many of her talents, I didn't inherit the cake gene. I can bake a cake, but I can't make it look the way she did. She once made a cake that looked like a huge basket of strawberries -- the basket was "woven" with butter cream frosting, the handle was royal icing over wire, and the berries were made of marzipan. It was amazing.

Update: Since taking a cake decorating class, I feel better about making cakes for Milo and/or the S.O. but I'll never match Mom's talent. I sure do miss her.

Friday Flashback

Look at these little ones from Milo's first birthday party.

Milo

Caden

Kaylee

Robbie

Darian

Abi and Braeden

The same kids a year later, at Milo's second birthday party.

Milo

Caden

Kaylee

Robbie

Darian

Abi

Braeden

Friday Flashback

Milo and I are going to the zoo today with some friends. I think Milo will enjoy it a lot more than he did the first time we went.

 

He may not have gotten much out of the zoo, but at least it was relaxing.

Friday Flashback

My little Easter egg hunter, shortly before his first birthday last year.

Friday Flashback

Milo was jaundiced when he was born -- apparently a fairly common occurrence in Colorado. ("In Colorado babies are 39 percent more likely to have newborn jaundice compared to newborns born at sea level.") He slept in a light bed at the hospital. We called him our little Tron baby.

Friday Flashback

A boy and his dog, then and now

Friday Flashback

Don't you scowl at me, Mister. I invented that look.

Friday Flashback

Two years ago (almost to the day), I was pondering and worrying about prenatal tests I was offering as a pregnant lady of advanced maternal age.

In the end, I declined the invasive tests. Obviously, it all worked out. Thank goodness I worried about it.

No test would have told me how cute this kid would be.

Friday Flashback

Trying to sit in the recliner last September:

Flop!

And now:

 
And making Mommy nervous by showing how fearless he is:

Rawwr!

Friday Flashback

Two years ago, in one of my first posts on this blog, I wrote:

"The most frustrating thing of all, though, is the extreme drop in my energy level. Before I became pregnant, I was working out five or six days a week. I alternated kickboxing workouts with Boot Camp. I was doing all kinds of crazy moves, like push-ups with my toes on a stability ball. I'd crank out 12 or 15 reps, while the 20-somethings around me just gawked. Now, I'm lucky to do about 10 kneeling push-ups at a time. Still, I tell myself it's a good thing. I was in probably the best shape of my life before the pregnancy, so now my surplus energy is going to Nubbins. That way the nubs can become actual arms and legs and the tiny little brain stem can grow into a full-fledged brain."

Look at those nubs now!

Size 6 shoes!

Totally worth it.

Friday Flashback

Milo recently celebrated his one-year anniversary at The Little Gym.

Bubbles have always been one of his favorite parts of every class. In the beginning, he enjoyed bubbles like this:

Check out that baby Mohawk!

Now, he can chase them all by himself.

I can't say enough good things about The Little Gym. Milo and I have made some good friends there, and he always has so much fun. It's amazing to see all the changes and advancements. I'm looking forward to watching all his fun in the years to come.

Friday Flashback

Last August, Milo was getting his first taste of "solid" food.

Now, he chooses what he wants to eat and feeds himself.

Friday Flashback

Remember when I freaked out about this:

Yeah, I was silly.

Friday Flashback

Milo, last August, hanging with Daddy.

Milo, now, watching the trains with Daddy.

 

Friday Flashback

Milo enjoying the Renaissance Festival last July:

Friday Flashback

This time last year, the boy was just starting to try to roll over on his own.

Now, he's constantly on the go -- busy, busy, busy. There's no stopping him.

Friday flashback

Milo one year ago today:

Look at him now:

Where did that year go?

Friday flashback

Turns out I've posted this picture before.

 

But it wasn't until recently that I saw a resemblance to this guy:

Yeah, you!

Guess he really is mine.

Friday flashback

My little bunny, last Easter, just a few days old.

My little bunny, this year, squeezed into the same hat. Such a big boy.

Friday flashback

One year ago today, I was strongly anticipating the birth of my first son. I was 36-weeks pregnant and had just seen my doctor:

"I am now 36 weeks pregnant and officially four weeks from my due date. However, at my appointment yesterday the doctor said she thinks I have about five weeks left. I'm really not sure what to think of that but I'm going to stick with my prediction of April 15."

Milo was born just one hour and 51 minutes past April 15. He should have been born April 15 but decided not to turn his face the right way.

Based on him not turning as he should have and him waiting just a little past my predicted date, I think he's going to be just a little contrary his whole life. But I'm OK with that. He's so damn cute.