11 months

Our baby girl is 11 months old today. I realized yesterday I hadn't taken any "official" portrait of her, as I try to do each month the first year, and so we threw her in the book bucket after naptime and put on her pretty hat (the pretty hat I was so excited about, but that she continuously pulls right off as quickly as I get it on!)

Something I wish I got on film (of the video variety) is when we were undecorating the tree and it started tipping over and I heard a little voice say "uh oh!" I looked through the branches only to find that it was the sweet little voice of Aspen! Now she will throw things on the floor and say "uh oh" because apparently, it is hilarious. Love her!

I have a few more pics I'd love to put up, but honestly, folks, I just don't have the time. Like the series of her ripping the hat off. And the cute little smiles where she squinches her nose all up and shows off the buds of her little teethers trying to break through (she did, I might add, get her two front teeth for christmas - just barely broke through, so not much to see, yet). It will be fun to see how she looks with a mouth full of chompers one of these days. (btw I love that my kids are "late" teethers - lots more time to enjoy that gummy goodness!) Anyway, I'll save those shots for our family album or her book.

But I did want to put up one, cuz she's just the cutest little button around. We love her so...and enjoy immensely watching her grow. I am enjoying being a mother and don't feel like rushing it. Having two close together was fun, but I am in no hurry to be done with the "childbearing" years. Even though my clock is a-tickin'. I want to enjoy it and not rush it. (do I hear an echo? do I say this every time I post about her growing a month older? I'm pretty sure I do!) Time, please slow down a little bit! We certainly are hoping and planning to add to our family all in good time, but, for now, we are just enjoying what we have ;) Too often I feel we are rushing to do this and that and forget to just enjoy what we have RIGHT NOW. Or maybe that's just me? Well, I have a Birthday Brunch to plan, invites to design, decorations to make, a couple of from-the-heart gifts to sew, and presents to wrap - all within a month of vacationing, our 4th wedding anniversary, my 34th birthday, and the usual busy-ness of life -- so I'll be signing off now. I'm not sure when I'll be back. I need a little break :)

Wishing everyone a wonderful and exciting new year ahead!

Christmas 2010

Christmas was fantastic.

Kind of sad it's all over ('til next year!)

We undecorated the tree tonight.

And are looking forward to new adventures in the New Year!

Okay, so I felt like I didn't take many pics, but really, I did. I always do, right? Maybe not the ones I envisioned, exactly, since my kids are little and not going to just sit there by the tree in the cute pajamas I made them just so I can take a picture of them - NO WAY! They were much too excited and ready to just DIG IN to Christmas! So, I set the camera down. But I did get some ;-)

First though, I have to share a story that is already a favorite memory...

We always try to do something for others for Christmas. Others...perhaps less fortunate than ourselves. Most of these "things" we keep private, because that makes it a treasured gift to us. However, I want to share one because it melted my heart as it was Sawyer's first time doing something like this on Christmas - first time that he "got" it, at least a little bit.

We frequent the public library. Sawyer loves the puzzle they keep on the table in the Children's area just about as much as the books when we go. The puzzle that is old and missing pieces, that is. So a few week ago, as we were sitting there, I suggested to him that perhaps we could give a new puzzle to the library for Christmas, so that all of the children who come could enjoy it. He LIT UP with excitement, so it was decided. I took him to the store to pick out a puzzle. He picked out a classic, beautiful, wooden puzzle of safari animals. We put a big ribbon and a bow on it, and he helped make a card explaining our gift. The night before Christmas Eve (since they would be closed for the next few days) I took Sawyer to find the Children's librarian and to give his gift. As my small little son handed over the gift, the librarian's eyes filled with tears. She explained to him that sometimes people cry when they are very happy. Oh man. When I saw her read our note and start to cry, I was touched too and a few tears welled up in my eyes. The librarian was so excited about the gift, she took Sawyer over to show the other librarians the gift. "I think Santa will be good to you this year, because you did such a nice thing for the library. Thank you." I appreciated the big deal they all made out of Sawyer's little act of kindness. Honestly, experiencing that small act of giving - and teaching - with my son was my greatest gift this Christmas. Thanks to my mother for teaching me how to give "those" kind of gifts.

The rest was fun, too...

there were pretty girls

and

lots of rockin' around the Christmas tree

two of my beautiful sisters were able to spend time with us

Aspen only wished she could sit at the kids' table for Christmas Eve dinner...she just loved the little animals I glued to the center of the make-shift table I made for Sawyer and Alyssa. Maybe next year?

Jacob was the chef extraordinaire. Admittedly, I did nothing but help set the table. He is amazing - and so was all of the food! My sister, Kaitlin, brought yummy pies for dessert, too!

The kids had a little gift exchange. It was the only gift they each got to open on Christmas Eve, and they were beyond excited.

I was excited to see how Alyssa would like the little apron I made to go with her cookware. I think it was a hit!

All Sawyer asked for was "Mater" (from the movie "Cars") and a candy cane from Santa. He's been talking about it for weeks.

We wrote a note for Santa and left him some cookies and milk.

He even wrote us a note back! And left both Mater and a candycane in Sawyer's stocking - lucky boy!

Santa also left both of the kiddos Sock Monkeys. Sawyer has already named his "Pirate"

I made a big girl apron for Tia. By the way...it was HILARIOUS having her here, and seeing how confused the kids were. They were genuinely confused! After a day, Sawyer would walk up to one or the other of us and ask "are you Mommy? are you Tia?" and finally after a while, he would point, decidedly, and say "YOU are Mommy! and YOU are Tia!"

oh yea, the pajamas. I made these cute little vintage-y Christmas pajamas for the kids and gave them to them the first day of December to wear all month. I am usually not into seasonal attire, but I found this near-linen print that reminded me of wrapping paper my grandparents used to use, and so I thought I'd make pjs to wrap up two of my favorite things in this Christmas. (although for Sawyer, a shirt is at time optional ;-)

there's really so much more I could say. But I'll leave it at that. It was a nice Christmas - we skyped with family and we missed having our extended family around us, but we also had a marvelous time starting some of our own family's Christmas traditions in our own home.

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas - and as the new year rolls around this weekend - Happy New Year to all!

Lunchtime today...

Excuse the messy faces, please - but during lunch today we were having so much fun playing peek-a-boo, I didn't take the time to clean off their faces before snapping a few to remember the moment.Oh, and yes, she now rips off her bib (wonder who taught her that?) so I think my next little stitchery project will be some new bibs with SNAPS (the current ones have velcro...)!

It just kills me when Aspen puts one chubby little hand up by her eye - or ear - and thinks she's hiding from us. SO FUN! I love that they like to play this game together. Love it, actually!

The small and beautiful moments amidst what sometimes seems like the daily mundane, yes...those are the best :)

ps-if you look really closely in the second image, you can barely see the tip of Aspen's first tooth!

10 Months Old

In the hustle and bustle of the Holiday Season, I don't want to forget to note that Aspen is now 10 months old.

Isn't she cute?

We think so :)

It is such a sight to behold little babes as they discover the wonder and magic of lights on the Christmas tree.

We invested in shatter-proof ornaments several years ago and boy are we glad we did! We don't have to worry about the kids getting hurt or ornaments breaking. In fact, we don't mind if she bats at the "balls" to see how they swing or see her reflection looking back at her. Truthfully, though, we are just lucky that our kids adore the tree so much they don't tear it apart.

We have a bell from Santa's sleigh on our tree, Polar Express Style.

Any other Believers out there?

Can you hear it???

Sweet Aspen,

You are getting so big, so fast.

This month, your first tooth erupted. Your brother says sometimes, "Look, her teeth are coming out!"

You are so excited to keep up with your brother and you love him sooooo much.

You are getting much more into finger foods these days and you loooove graham crackers, bananas, avocados, and whole milk (cream top maple and vanilla...mmmmm) yogurt.

You clap your hands in a very lady-like fashion.

You sign - and now say - "all done".

You say HI, ALL DONE, MAMA, and DADA

You have the very cutest giggle.

You can stand unassisted for several seconds now and I think it's safe to say you'll probably be off and running by your birthday.

Your birthday....

I can't believe it's coming up! I've been thinking about it and now I am starting to plan your first party.

You are so so cuddly and snuggly.

You still sleep right between Mama and Daddy most nights.

Sawyer is getting excited for you to come share his room...

I think Daddy would be okay with it, too...

but me, well, it's cozy sharing sleep with you and it's a special bonding and reconnecting time I have thoroughly enjoyed sharing with you.

I suppose I could go on and on about how much we love having you in our lives...but I should really get to bed because it's late.

One more thing, though -

your first pigtails.

OH MY CUTENESS!

Have a magical first Christmas my sweet girl,

Love always,

Mama

Happy Birthday, Jacob!

*sorry for the horrible picture quality - it was super dark and I snapped before checking my settings!)

Yesterday was Jacob's 33rd Birthday!

It was a Preschool evening (Sawyer's co-op class goes until 7:30pm) so...we picked Jacob up from work (he usually bikes) and our whole family spent a nice evening at school with our big and little friends. During snack time, a chorus of cute little voices sang "Happy Birthday" to Jacob (aka Sawyer's Daddy :) Then, we scurried over to the Taco Truck which has a reputation for being the best Mexican food in Seattle. We brought our food home and it did not disappoint! We got tamales, fish tacos, gorditas, some rice & beans, and horchata. We couldn't eat it all!

Then, came time for the Birthday Cake. A carrot cake (my mom's recipe=THE BEST) with cream cheese frosting, by request. Sawyer, it seems, was slightly dismayed that we didn't make cupcakes. He kept talking about cupcakes for Daddy (maybe because most birthday parties he attends there are cupcakes involved). But he didn't mind that it was a slice of cake once he took a bite :) After we sang, Jacob blew out a candle to make a wish on, and Sawyer was sure excited about helping him blow it out. Aspen was just happily observing and enjoying the whole event. She was a little sad she didn't get cake...so we gave her some whole milk, natural maple flavored yogurt (pretty much tastes like melted ice cream) and she was a very happy girl :)

After helping me wrap presents, one night Sawyer told Jacob he was getting a coloring book for a present. Jacob laughed. I laughed "do you think I'd really give you a coloring book?" (I did, this one) I guess if I want to keep things under cover Sawyer can't help wrap things anymore. We also got him Charley Harper: An Illustrated Life. It's an amazing work of art. Our family are big fans of Charley Harper. The first real print we ever bought is a limited edition giclee, "New York Harbor, 1947". It hangs above our sofa. Anyway...the book was for fun and the coloring book was a cue for the "Big" gift, a gift from the heart.

I have to preface that our birthday present budget is small-ish. $50 to be exact. So even though the gift from the heart was a mix of lots of ideas and planning on my part, I had to secretly dip into our Little Red Wagon funds to make it (well, the going out part of it) happen.

Simply put: We never go on dates. Our entertainment budget for the month is about half of our birthday budget. Babysitters are $15-20/hr where we live and there are literally about 2 youth in our church congregation (and I can't just leave my kids with any ole' teenager). We could perhaps pay for a babysitter for an hour and take a walk if we wanted to stay in our budget. Also, having a nursing baby makes it just plain hard to leave. It takes me a long time to feel "ready" to leave my children with a sitter. Also, we've both been so busy with freelance and being parents lately we hardly have the energy to do anything once we have a minute to sit down (which is pretty much never - I kid you not we have not independently sat down to watch even a DVD since before Aspen was born -- wait, I lied. We have watched a couple episodes of The Cosby Show - they are only 20 minutes long and funny enough to keep us awake:). Anyway, there are lots of reasons and lots of excuses to just "give up" on date nights sometimes. Lately, though (or maybe for the past several months) Jacob has been saying "It would be nice if we could go on a date sometime"...and I did get the hint. I decided to just make it happen.

My gift:

A moleskin planner, full of DATES, 52 to be exact.

52 date nights.

12 are "going out" dates, all prepaid, over half of which already have babysitting arrangements (thanks SO MUCH to my friend who was willing to trade family photos for 6 months of babysitting!)

The rest will be "staying in" dates. Once a month we will have "late dinner" after the kids are in bed - and for the rest we have a date box full of ideas. Jacob can add a few he really wants to do as well. (That was where the coloring book came in...we are both of the "artsy" variety, so why not listen to some favorite playlist on iTunes while coloring Charley Harper's very-refrigerator-worthy birds?) I have gathered so many ideas - we are so excited to look forward to a date each week! If anyone is interested in some fun ideas, perhaps I will post some as we go.

Our first date is this coming Saturday night: A concert at the Triple Door. It will be so fun to get dressed up to go downtown with my man, and sit and eat scrumptious dessert while listening to live music. While this "Date" gift is for Jacob...I definitely get to reap the benefits!

Happy Happy Birthday, Jacob! I love you so!

If you didn't get a chance to wish him a happy birthday yesterday, feel free to do so today!

I Like Days Like These (...and Aspen is 9 months old!)

Today was Beautiful.

It was sunny.

It was warm.

It was a perfect day to spend all morning at the park,

by the beach,

bare feet and all.

It was the perfect day to...

gnaw on rocks

:)

(the best teething toy, ever, if you ask Aspen)

or, perhaps, just watch Sawyer

he likes rocks, too.

Skipping rocks (or trying to, anyway)

*I kid you not, my kids would be happy to get rocks for Christmas!

Yes, I like days like these.

*and*

Aspen turned 9 months old over the weekend!

She now says "Mama" and means it.

She signs "all done" after meals.

She loves to stand up, all the time.

She loves to giggle - especially at Sawyer.

She can make car noises, and girly squeals, too.

She can stick out her tongue, "neener neener" style.

She doesn't have any teeth...yet.

I honestly can't believe that when Sawyer was her age, I got pregnant with her. Yikes. I am understanding now why many people have the first two close together and then space the next one out a little. She's still a baby. And growing up way to fast. Strangely, people always ask me if they're twins. (Don't they notice one walks and talks and the other doesn't?) I want to soak up all of her baby-ness before we have another. I am loving our two babes and want to just breathe for a moment and enjoy them for a season. I'm sure we'll be gettin' that swagga' wagon soon enough. But for now, we'll keep on car dancin' in our beat up old Civic :)

We love to see the Temple

This past weekend we took a little roadtrip down to Portland. There, we met up with my parents. They babysat for us while Jacob and I attended the Temple. (If you would like to learn a little bit more about LDS Temples, click here.) We had not had the opportunity to attend the temple for quite a while. We truly appreciate my parents providing us with the opportunity to be together in the temple for a couple of hours. It was a good to be there together and reflect on our marriage, our family, and our relationship with our Savior.

Just last week, for our Family Night, we looked at a picture of the temple, sang a song about preparing to go to the temple, and then built our own temple out of legos. It was somewhat spontaneous and it cracked me up when Sawyer got out the little lego Sir Topham Hat and told me he was going to go to the temple, too. Seriously? Kids are sponges. They really do soak up what you teach them and the behavior and habits their parents and peers model. Anyway...it was fun that we could take Sawyer to the temple and let him explore a little bit of the beautiful grounds.

We had a great time, albeit pretty whirlwind, visiting with my parents. It's nice we are able to see them from time to time. Sawyer sure loves to see "Grammie and Granpa!" We also went to the pumpkin patch...but I'll save that for another post.

Whether of the LDS faith or not, would you all agree our temples are beautiful? Anyone have a favorite? I've always really loved the one in San Diego...it looks like a castle from a fairytale. But really, they are all beautiful in their own way.

Swingin' into Fall: 8 months old!

Has another month already passed us by? I swear every month I pose the same question: how does the time fly by so quickly?

The answer surely must be: when you're having FUN!

Fun we are having...but I still can never get over how fast time seems to be slipping through the hourglass these days. Does anyone else feel like it goes faster the older you get? I sure do. And according to wonderful people beyond me in years - it just keeps getting faster. Yikes!

I remember being a kid, when a day seemed like forever. I miss that. All the more reason, though, to be with my kids and love them and play with them and cherish them each day. I feel so blessed to be able to "stay at home" with them. Staying at home often means...walks to the park, playing at the beach, outings to the zoo, etc...lots of fun!

So on one of our walks to the park by our home this week, I snapped a few of Aspen (something I try to do each month the first year, if you haven't notice already :)

Dearest Aspen,

As you rounded the corner to 8 months, all of a sudden you just don't look like quite such a "baby" anymore. Well, of course you are a baby (and, just like your brother, you will always be my baby!), but you know - not quite like such a very young baby. Maybe it's the hair clip? Of course, I only put it in for pictures, because it's too small and you would surely eat it if you got your cute little chubster fingers on it.

I am thoroughly enjoying you being my baby.

A few things about you this month:

LOVE sucking on things and putting things in your mouth.

(there have got to be some teeth in there somewhere, anxious to erupt...but I'm not complaining - no teeth means no biting while nursing, ha ha!)

You have abandoned your army crawl for speed crawling.

You also decided you like to stand up. Any chance you get, you are pulling yourself up to stand. Please not yet! I just know I will blink twice and wish you a Merry Christmas and you'll be walking and we'll be serving you Birthday cake. Please wait to walk, just a bit longer? Pretty please?

You had your very first diaper rash. Poor girly. Poor little bum. Not sure if it was from changing the detergent I was your cloth diapers in, or from trying broccoli for the first time. Either way, diaper rash is the pits for cute girls like you!

You tried your first "real" solid food - finger food (oh, besides those puff things) - cute up banana. Yeah, having teeth will help with the table foods, but you sure enjoyed gumming the banana. Yummy stuff. This week I'm going to see how you like avocado. I have enjoyed making your baby food. And you seem to love all of it! You make the cutest little sounds, like it tastes just divine :)

Speaking of noises - you can be very noisy! I swear you are trying to imitate your brother - you have this cute gruff little voice and you try to make the car noises he does. You also make some really girly noises, which are quite delightful.

Overall, my sweet darling, you are delightful! We couldn't have imagined a happier girl. Or a cuter one, for that matter!

Doesn't she look SO BIG in the swing? Must be those 'jeggins. Yup. I can't believe I got a chubby infant a pair of skin tight jeans/leggins, but that I did. She has gotten many compliments - I mean, COME ON, peeps, they show off her curvy, sexy thighs so well!

Anyway...in case you think all I do is focus (pun intended) on my daughter - don't worry, her brother is always close at hand. He has discovered a way to "fly" on the swings.

Just call him SUPER SAWYER

and you'll get this big grin.

LOVE THIS BOY!!!

Yes, F-U-N. That is how time flies!

Seven Months

-The army crawl got her where she wanted to go, but she's traded it in now for her hands and knees. She actually does the "downward dog" really well, too...future yoga instructor, perhaps?

-She says "Mama" but I'm not sure she really means it...yet. She makes the cutest little noises and has such a sweet little voice. (I should also note that while some of her noises are cute, sweet, and little, she has also learned how to screech and make some pretty loud noises thanks to her big bro.)She now gets upset (and voices it) when Sawyer grabs a toy away from her. We've been working on sharing and trading. She now has a few of her own cars to share and trade with her brother (I tried to pick out girly cars...pink cadillac, purple cruiser...)

-She continues to be fascinated with her brother. She loves Sawyer. She watches him and laughs at him and follows him around, everywhere. It is sweet.

-Food has never been a problem with this girl! I started making homemade baby food and she loves everything from Asparagus to Organic Peaches. She also likes those little "puffs" and is really good at grabbing them and putting them in her mouth. She has also learned how to drink water from her sippy cup. No signs of teeth, yet.

-It is getting difficult to change her diaper and her clothes...we call her Miss Wiggles...she likes to wiggle and roll and crawl away.

-She loves water. She loves having bath time with her brother.

And she is SUCH a little FISH! This summer we went to family swim once a week and she has no problem being dunked or thrown up for a big splash or kicking or back-floating. She makes very happy noises in the water and she flirted with way too many lifeguards. I love that she loves to swim!

-She loves playing outside, and going for nice long walks. She loves singing and reading stories (still have to watch out that she doesn't eat the book...) She also loves dancing.

-She loves playing with her brother's cars...and the duplo legos are a big hit, too. The better to suck on, I suppose!

-She loves when Daddy comes home...she books it towards his voice as he comes up the stairs in his biking gear. She gets giddy to see him and it warms my heart. I think he likes it too :)

-Sleeping...she still sleeps and snuggles right between us. We love waking up to her big smiles and little legs a kickin' to start a new day!

Overall, she continues to be the happiest and most chill baby I've ever met. She is content and sweet and we love her bushels and pecks! (I hope she continues with her easy-going and lovable temperament through her teenage years as well!)

"buildin' it"

Well, it was time. I mean, who has a business with "Little Red Wagon" in the name and doesn't actually own one? That changed when the doorbell rang last week and the Amazon delivery guy delivered my new, yet classic, Radioflyer. MMM HMMM. You might say it was a gift from my dear Grandpa Millard and Grandma Iris. I think they would have approved. I know it's kinda funny, but it means a lot to me, thinking of this as a gift sent from them, since they were such a huge part of my life and the beautiful memories of my childhood.

Just like his Great-Grandpa Millard (who was a Master Mechanic on everything from planes to trains), Sawyer is a guy who is intrigued by things that move. He is pretty much obsessed with cars, trucks, planes, trains, you know. SUCH A BOY. The new wagon sat in the box for several days and Sawyer kept asking about it. I told him we needed Daddy to help us build it. Well past bedtime last night, we all went outside in front of our garage and got to work. My heart did a little flip when I saw Sawyer helping his Daddy.

Me: I think we're ready to put the wheels on now.

Sawyer: (as shown above - carefully sets each wheel on top of the wagon, then announces:) I built it, Mommy, I put the wheels on!

Me: (heart doing little flips to see my son holding a tool in one hand, so proud of himself) Good job, Sawyer!

Sawyer: very proud smile. very proud. big. huge. smile :)

Anyway, we did build it. We built it, and then I pulled Sawyer around our driveway. And then Sawyer pulled Aspen around our driveway. And then, Daddy pulled Mommy, Sawyer, and Aspen around our driveway.

I am happy to have acquired this wagon to use as it as a mascot and prop in my Photography busines...but, more than that, I am so looking forward to the memories our family will create pulling this little red wagon along during their childhood. I imagine it will be the kind of thing that one day our grandchildren will love, and their parents will tell them about riding along in Mommy's wagon. Because that's what Sawyer calls it: Mommy's wagon. You know, I'm still just a kid at heart anyway. A kid kinda grown up, with kids of my own, but still just a kid. I think I pretty much always will be, if that's okay?

If anyone wants a ride in my new wagon, come on over!