I can't believe I was doing this... this time last year! OY VEY!

When do I start? 3-4 weeks before!

A party planning guide and planning is the key to successful birthday parties, because they don't happen by magic. It is important to remember that any child's birthday, after the first one, is not for you, but for her.

Engaged you child in the planning, ask her what she wants! The party must be fun for her and her friends.

Keeping it manageable, yet flexible, is the secret of success!

Party Countdown Planner

3-4 weeks before!

1. Budget

Even the simplest party cost money. You should spend what you can afford, the more you create from scratch, the less you have to spend!

2. Theme

To decide upon a theme is very important, you need to decide upon a theme, to know how the invitations, cake, banners, activities... are going to be! If your daughter is big enough let her pick a theme.

** Dr Seuss

3. Indoor or outdoor?

Are you going to have a carnival party or a fairy party. Some parties are better made outdoors and some better indoors. Depending on the theme and budget, decide were the party is going to be!

If you have an outdoor party, maybe you need to consider where you can have the party, (restaurant, venue... etc) and book it.

** Probably at one of the Pavilions on Redstone

4. Date & Hours

Plan the party when it is convenient for you, weekends are best, if you want help from friends. Also most kids will be free. Aim for the time that is best for you, late morning or afternoon.

** June 30th August 6th at 2 PM

5. Guest List

Ask you daughter who she wants to invite, (not who you want to invite), and add family and friends to the guest list!

1. Claudia Pawlowski
2. Meagan Rice Ottum
3. Charlene Cox
4. Ursula Andrews
5. Brittany Berghammer
6. Marissa Mabes
7. Misty Roberts
8. Vicki Pearson
9. Brittany Culley
10. Amy Sears
11. Stephanie Nichols
12. Sarah Bigelow
13. Michelle Singleton
14. Alexandria Black
15. Barbara Hayes
16. Christine Hood
17. Danielle Locicero
18. Heather Zull Hysell
19. Jennifer Dewitt
20. Kristen Shipps
21. Kyla Lynn Barrett
22. LD Gale
23. Tony from NG
24. Amy Greenwood
25. Lily Cross NG
26. Maureen McGill
27. You?

6. Entertainers?

Do you need to hire entertainers like clowns, pony rides etc.

7. Invitations, decorations, favors, prizes, paper supplies, games, activities, costumes...

Depending on your budget, decide if you are going to make or buy invitations, decorations, favors, prizes (if any), costumes, paper supplies, supplies for activities.

What do you need to make or buy for the games/activities?

The more you do from scratch the more you will save. We have lots of ideas on how to make your own invitations, decorations, prizes... look at our general themes or character themes section for ideas on this.

If you are going to try to make most of it, make a shopping list. What do you need to make invitations, decorations, favors etc, and go shopping!

8. Supplies?

If your budget allows you to, buy invitations, decorations, party bags etc and pick a supplier who can offer you good prices. Do research!

2 weeks before!

9. Send out the invitations

1 week before!

10. Who is coming?

Check who's replied and chase up any you've not heard from.

11. Food, drinks and cake!

Decide on what is going to be served at the party and go shopping! If you are going to order a cake, order it. If not, start preparing the cake!

Days before!

12. Games, music, camera and video recorder!

Learn the games which are going to be played, see if you have enough music, and a working CD or cassette player. Do you need a video recorder, do you have batteries???

1 Day before!

13. Food Preparations

Make the food preparations which can be made before hand! Try to make most of the preparations before hand, so the day of the party will run easier.

14. Make all the decorations needed!

On the day!

You only need to prepare the food!

Be flexible and adapt to what the birthday girl and her friends want to do, you don't have to follow all our steps in our party planning guide.

I hope our party planning guide will help you plan a perfect party.

Hangers?

I figure I can use small toddler hangers or baby hangers to hang all Williams clothes. I will need to hang 90% of everything. So where do you get the best hangers at the lowest price?

Woot update. I will keep checking around but I was given a few links to check out so I will do that. www.hangersdirect.com and http://www.onlykidshangers.com/ Btw readers I don't shop at Walmart cause I have everyone telling me to go to walmart lol I won't go there not even for hangers :)

http://www.blogger.com/profile/09599539470544233570

Today

I finally wasn't awake all night LOL. I woke up at midnight (normal pregnancy potty time) then I woke up again at 4 am. I threw up and my hip was throbbing. So I laid in bed while Rick got ready for formation. I just laid on my heating pad and tried to go back to sleep but couldn't. I finally fell asleep and woke up at 5:33 panic'd about Rick not being at formation (he was already gone lol) Then I was mad because I need sleep and I knew my alarm would go off at 6 am. Normal 6 am schedule is to get Skylar's clothes out for school then get her out of bed, fed her, dress her, make sure I can send her into public without DFACS being called or embarrassing myself (it wouldn't embarrass her or Rick in the least lol) Between being sick and in pain while Rick is on no PT profile he has been able to help me with her she is a slow goose in the morning. Then either I have time with Rick but this morning I laid on the heating pad and eventually went back to sleep woke up very very sweaty yuck! So I think I will take it easy if I can today.

stats- 4/22/09

Gestational Age: 23 weeks
Fundal Ht.: 26
FHR: 150
B.P.: 103/66
Mommy's WT.: 153 lbs

My Lists

My Check list

What I do have

What Clothing is missing
believe it or not this keeps me sane

Can I get a Happy medium?

My husband is entirely too laid back for my liking. I need to be goal oriented. I have a friend that freaks over every penny short. My husband I think he's just trying to avoid the price tag of this baby. But like for instance the ebay auction for a brand new boppy and two covers for $30 and he passes it up. Does he know how much more that would hurt to buy at Babies R Us because I am gonna need it. I don't want him to freak out like my friend over every penny. But I wish we could discuss when and how we are buying these things for the baby.

So far we have clothes and bedding nothing else... I am worried. Should I be worried?

My close friends are miles away psychologically and physically. One of them probably my closest female friend kinda ignores the fact that I am pregnant, She doesn't ask how I am doing or anything. I think its because she isn't pregnant even if she tells me different. She's just SERIOUSLY distant from me. I could really use a preggo buddy even if they aren't preggo. Kinda like a girlfriend to get pedi's with or a maid of honor type role since hubby is seriously failing at it. I am tripping on depression dealing with all this chaos. I feel like if I let my husband be laid back then nothing will get done.

Who can help me set goals...

Make sure I have all the babies clothes by.....what date?

Since we are stuck in a little house until the Army lets us out. I am giving him a huge walk in closet for everything he needs... organize and set up closet full of clean clothes and etc ..... by what date?

Set up sleeping area in the master bedroom by ...... what date?

Buy all big purchases by..... what date?

In considering these dates I can be at double the risk for preemie birth...

What are some purchases you've already made and what are some your waiting on.

I plan on renting a breast pump from my OB before buying one to make sure the darn thing works for me since none other has worked. It was his suggestion.

Clothes we Still need

Preemie Size TCP Onesies
Preemie Size Gerber Onesies
Preemie/NB Winter Outfit (with blanket)
Preemie Hospital/Picture outfits
3 diaper covers up to 12 lbs
Newborn Booties
Preemie Pajama's
3 Kimono's
0-3 Month romper (just one more)
O-3 Month 2-3 Blanket Sleepers
0-3 Month 1-3 Sweaters (I won one off of ebay so it when it gets here i will knock one off
0-3 month Socks (you know that go with everything)
6 bibs
0-3 Hospital/ Picture outfits
0-3 month Winter sets (I need 2 with blankets)
0-3 month (5) T-shirts what for I am not sure?
0-3 month pair of jeans
0-3 month khaki's

For all my other baby needs you will have to see the full list *sigh*