My Baby is 1...

A recap of the last year....

5:37pm, September 24th, 2010. 6lbs, 13oz, 19 3/4".

2 weeks old....absolutely perfect in every way.

My first Halloween...October 2010

Just before Thanksgiving we took family portraits for Christmas cards...the company failed miserably and NEVER delivered them to us. But, we still have the pictures from our family shoot.

Christmas Day 2010.... a tad overwhelmed by his parents erratic behaviors, I'm afraid.

Cereal! What a hit...for a day or two, then he was over it and I never forced it again.

Developing a personality. He was smiling and cooing a lot at this stage.

First trip to the beach....success!

Visits to the GREAT grandparents houses. One in Pennsylvania and one in Florida.

Our first 4th! Boy oh boy, what a great time we had. GAB loved the fireworks, the pizza we enjoyed, and the weather! It was such a nice trip!

He's mobile! Officially a walker and officially into EVERYTHING. This was his latest stunt...the fireplace. (He started walking at 10 months.)

A few shots from his 1 year shoot. He's busy, busy, busy and 100% boy.
And last but not least....the cake...

Not dad, nor mom remembered the camera for GAB's FIRST birthday. Parents of the year...that's us! Fortunately, all the aunts, uncles, and grandparents had theirs on hand. Here's a shot of the demolished smash cake GAB devoured in moments and him offering to share with Uncle B all the remains.

Happy Birthday, GAB!
Love,
Momma

It has been a fabulous year. I'm blessed to say, he's mine!
Thank you Lord for favor and your abundant blessing!

Frustrated

Okay, so we'll just go ahead and put it on the table that I'm venting. Totally...completely....100 percent venting. The last two days have made me question WHY on EARTH do I sign up to be treated poorly? Why am I not courageous enough to quit? Do I have that little faith that God will provide? I don't know. I don't care to know, really. What concerns me most right now is my family. I thought one of the reasons I selected "educator" as my profession of choice was because it was such an awesome way to be a mommy and yet impact the future. Apparently, I was wrong. Our PTSO is hosting a Family Fall Festival that is open to the public on the same day that just so HAPPENED to be re-scheduled to my baby's FIRST birthday. Yes, first as in he will be turning 1. HUGE! This is a milestone in child rearing. It is well planned, well thought out, and of course, takes lots of time and money because it is completely about celebrating our precious gift and HIS special day. Our family doesn't live all in the same town, so we have people traveling and it is a big to do with my family and closest friends. Well, like all other PTSO sponsored events, we are strongly encouraged to volunteer our time. (Let me just insert I am a DO-ER. I feel I give more time, money, and resources to this profession than necessary majority of the time.) I always volunteer to assist with these fundrasing events after working lllllooooonnnngggg days teaching 2nd grade. I am not a complainer and in fact, am always willing to go above and beyond to see to it that they are never left short staffed. So, this fall festival interferes with my child's party. We were given 3 reasons we would be permitted to miss. Yes, 3. Would you like to hear them? Here goes: 1. Death in immediate family 2. Hospitalization and 3. College class. No other excuses would be approved for absence. REALLY? Well, first birthday is none of these. I, being the do-gooder I am, made a point to send a sweet email simply stating the predicament I am incurring. Having family in town and all, I will not be able to attend. I am so sorry, I will need to sit this ONE instance out. Do you think that was acceptable? ABSOLUTELY NOT! Not only was it not approved, I was talked to like a dog instead of an educated woman, and I was told to RE-SCHEDULE my child's party. REALLY? One week from the date? I think not! Regardless, that is not an option. So, I am now being bullied into a "compromise" of
A) working before the event ON SEPTEMBER 24th setting up or B) working after the event on SEPTEMEBER 24th cleaning up and breaking down. That is not a compromise! A compromise would be working a few shifts at another fundraiser. What makes this whole thing even worse, I'm being forced. I was told a substitue i.e., a teacher with freetime cannot pull my shift. I HAVE TO WORK. So, being the do-gooder I am, I agreed to work at 6:45 until 9 only to find out that there are MANY teachers who won't be working at all because there are no other slots that need to be filled. Isn't that conveinant? I'm told to reschedule my child's party, and other's are free to do as they like because "oh! The sign up sheet is ALL full!" I am beside myself. This is not over! I will be persuing this to the fullest. 1. I am not a dog, animal, or a child and 2. I should have some sort of educator rights! This is not a dictatorship last I checked. VERY, VERY insanely frustrated!  Sad part...this isn't the first incident and as long as I stick around, it won't be the last.