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