Sleepover!

Last week, Sawyer and Aspen went to their first sleepover with friends, and I got to tag along.

To be quite honest, it was my first sleepover in a very loooong time, and I was super excited, too!

We all had a great time!

While the boys were off chasing each other around and being dinosaurs or dragons...the girls were very proudly sitting on the porch and eating their drippy popsicles for dessert.

I can't get over their faces.

Such cutie-pa-tuties!

It's so fun that they are getting old enough to really play together. We know they were friends up in heaven.

I am so thankful for good friends. That my kids have such great people in their life. And, I LOVE that their friends' mom is one of my best friends, too! We both whipped out the camera (both happen to be photographers) and we were sitting their shooting away and I was laughing because most people would think we are just silly girls...but we were just enjoying every minute. It's so nice when you are kindred spirits, soul sisters.

Thanks goes out to Allegra, Max, and Ruby for showing us a great time - for playing, eating, tubby time,late late night girl talk, sleeping in, and a yummy brunch. We might just have to do it again sometime soon! And extra thanks, to my very best friend, Jacob, for letting us steal away for a night.

Good times! Good friends!

Aspen's First Painting

Artist: Aspen Jane Carter

Medium: Handmade Seattle Mud on Recycled Paper Plate

March 21, 2011

Nature School at P-Patch Garden

We LOVE Nature School. I am going to do a whole post about Nature School one of these days (maybe when there is no threat of rain and I can get a few photos of the kids and their darling teacher). I mean, really, it's the coolest school EVER. And this morning we met at one of Seattle's Neighborhood P-Patch Gardens and had class. The art activity was very "Hands On" you might say. Sawyer didn't want to stick his hands in the mud/paint (although he had no problem digging into the mud outside the bucket or planting his seeds with handfuls of dirt) Aspen was happy to give her first painting a go. And me? Well, smiling because we were outside getting fresh air - and I could not only smell Spring - I could see it, too. Hooray for Spring! And GOOOOOOOOOOD Riddance, Winter!

the good stuff

When you're one, all of a sudden you get the go-ahead to try some new things (first being cake and ice-cream!) The week of her birthday, Aspen was thrilled to try a peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich, just like her big bro. loves to eat. She is quite the little lady with her table manners. She prefers to use utencils - or motions for a nearby adult to put her food into her mouth for her - as I guess she just doesn't like either the texture, or getting her hands dirty. I think mostly it's the texture of certain foods - because others (like goldfish crackers) she loves to stuff in her mouth. She also loves to suck on apples. I cut them up really small, and she just kind of gnaws on them for 5 minutes. Must like the juice. Silly girl. She eats like a little bird! A cute one, at least!

Aspen's nest

Welcome to the little spot where Aspen sweetly slumbers...

I've been working on doing the kids' shared room for a loooong time.

Since Aspen is now one, that means she gets to finally sleep in her beautiful crib. I sometimes wonder why we even have cribs in our family - we have chosen to share sleep (aka "co-sleep") with each of our children the first year.

Well, at least that gave me plenty of time to make bedding! I have to admit, I had *cute enough* bedding from Pottery Barn that I had got a while back on sale. But once I had her, and thought about the shared room of a boy and a girl, I just didn't want to feel pigeon-holed into "yellow and green". Ya know?

So, I opted for yellow and gray. And white. And maybe a splash of pink in her corner ;)

I'm still not quite done - just a few details left and then I'll give a tour of their room. Sawyer's side is awfully cute as well ;)

Mostly, I am waiting for a print to arrive, and trying ever-so-hard to decide which prints I should (if any) hang on the walls. I think it's kind of weird to put up a lot of prints of yourself by your bed. Maybe that's just me? But maybe one or two...? Ahh, decisions! You would think since I take a gazillion pictures my walls would be covered, right? Nope. I can never decide! If anyone can help me, here, please feel free!

Okay, without further ado, here is her new cozy little nest...

In case you're wondering:

I made the poms with fabric (the big one took FOREVER!)

I got the print off of Etsy (love that Katie Daisy!)

The sheet is a hand-me-down from PB Kids - soooo soft

The monkey is from Santa

The bumper I made from cutting up a white coverlet I found at Target, then turning it into a bumper and finishing it off with flannel-backed satin for the trim and ties

The bedskirt is from a sheet I cut up - found the set at Ross and made Sawyer's duvet out of the same sheet. And trim to finish it, just ropey stuff I found at the fabric store.

The white quilt was made from the same coverlet and trim,

and the pretty blankie is Amy Butler fabric on one side, pink Minky on the other, and bound with satin.

I wish I could fit in her crib and take a nice, looooong nap myself, it is just soooo soft and cozy.

When I write that down it seems so simple.

But it took me days. And hours. Weeks. And months. To. Do.

So far, the transition from our bed to crib is going relatively well. She starts out in the crib and comes into our bed later - but the time gets longer each night. Last night she came into our bed around 4am. We believe training ourselves to be night time parents is easier than sleep training our babies. Sometimes, they just need to be cuddled, ya know?

Here's to sweet dreams, Miss Aspen!

ps-anyone who has two young kids who successfully share a room - any tips? they are totally welcome! (ie Sawyer now naps in the pack n play in our room so we can be consistent with the crib. He thinks it's da bomb :)

One Candle

The one thing I forgot at the actual "party" -

the candle.

yup.

of all the things I had to transport to the venue,

it was one candle I forgot. oops.

Actually, it was fine. That made her "real" birthday more exciting, when she got to blow out the candle. Sawyer was excited to help, too. There is something really fun and magical about turning out all of the lights and then singing to the dim light of birthday candles...of watching the birthday girl's eyes...of making wishes in your heart since they only come true if they're a secret...

Her eyes did light up, I tell ya.

And then it was dark.

and we ate that mini, pink, ruffly cake -

with ice cream, of course.

Sawyer then got to be the helper of the opening of gifts, another task he was happy to help with.

And this was the icing on the cake.

She already loooves her babies. And it was so fun to watch her be all proud and big girl like, pushing the stroller.

It was a good day. We finished celebrating our girl by watching home videos from the day she was born until present. Amazing how much they grow and change in one year. We also couldn't help but gasp at how little Sawyer was when she was born - only 6 months older than she is now. Yikes. He was a baby himself. The wonderful thing is, they are growing into such great buddies. They bust up laughing together quite frequently now. A few friends have told me that the closeness in age is hard at first, but later on it pays off when they become best friends.

It's been a wonderful year. We are excited to see all of the new and fun things Aspen will do in her second year! Happy Birthday, dear Aspen Jane - we are so lucky you chose us as your family!

The Party

Our cute one-year-old!

Go here to see a little bit of her party! (I am too tired to post all of the pics, those will have to just go in her book. So...I had this picture in my head and I became obsessed with making it real. The party planning was both fun and stressful and all of the details took me a lot of work. Thanks to Jacob who surely thinks I'm nuts - for being my helper into the wee hours before the party, just to make sure I had everything I needed and that it was all "just right". It was more that just right - it was beautiful. So, if you weren't there - well, take a look at the pics and you can imagine being there to celebrate with us!

*Ah Hem. As it turns out, both kids got an extra special gift after all the celebrating: sick. So we're laying low on this sunny day :) I'll post a few more pics from her "real" birthday when I get the chance ;)

Gifts for my Girl

Someone has a birthday coming soon.

And in honor of that little someone...

I have made a couple of heartfelt, handmade gifts.

(so glad I finished before the big day!)

The night before Aspen was born, I was up late.

I know, what's new? I'm always up late.

But, with good reason (usually).

That particular night, I was doing an experiment -

I wanted to find a way to make cute baby shoes, for her.

(and I did - remember?)

Well, to honor the year mark, I had to make her another pair.

They will go with her Birthday dress (it's super beautiful!)

Satin, pink, flowers...oh-so-girly.

Having a girl, in a way, brought out the girl in me.

(Can you believe I formerly hoped for only boys?)

When she was born, a new part of me was born.

(no...I still don't wear makeup more than 1/10 of the time...)

The sewing part of me was born. Who knew?

It's the part of me that wants to make beautiful things

especially for her.

Handmade dresses, shoes - and toys.

I actually got the pattern for this Happy Stacker a long time ago, even before I had a sewing machine. Now, I admit to being somewhat of a "rebel" when it comes to sewing (and a few other things) - for instance, I don't usually mark things, or pin things - I just kind of eye it and wing it - ie. the shoes. But for this project, I had to follow the pattern to the "T". It was tricky (think of making a donut and turning it inside out). But I did it. It was a labour of love, just for her. Thank you to Jacob for playing with the kids all of last Sunday afternoon so I could be sure and finish it in time for her birthday.

I've never considered myself super sentimental. As a minimalist, I don't usually hang on to a lot of sentimental "stuff" anyway. But I've found I want to hang on to more than I used to. I want to save just a little for her, of these special things I am making her - gifts from the heart.

There is no way she will appreciate these gifts now...but I hope that one day, she will look back and know that love comes in words, and deeds. And in her case, maybe, some loving stitches and sparkely new Birthday shoes.

I can't believe she's about to be one!

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!

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

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!)

You'd think it was Chocolate...

You would seriously think this was chocolate, the way she went at it. But it wasn't. It was prunes. I guess she loves prunes? I don't mind that she loved them...but I am not looking forward to the post-processing part of the deal. Silly girl!

Old Things

While in Oregon, I had some time to think about a lot of things. One thing I couldn't help but think about was "old things" as the kids and I explored Grammie and Grandpa's house and found many treasures. If you know me, you know I am a minimalist. I tend to lean toward more modern and contemporary, with as little clutter as I can muster in a household with two small children. My kids don't even have very many toys - only enough to fit on one small bookshelf in their room and in a basket in our main living area. But that doesn't mean I don't have some room for a few sentimental pieces, as well.

I found this quilt that my Great-grandmother made for my mother when she was a baby. It is perfect. Just perfect. I have been keeping my eye on quilts that I like - I am not a huge fan of quilts in general - but this one was simply perfect. The right colors. The right mood. Simple. Hand-stitched. Worn, and not too thick. I decided this is the quilt I would like to replicate. Well, someday, anyway...

I also went looking around in my parents huge garage and found this cradle that my Great Uncle Ed made for me when I was a little girl. I loved it then, to cradle my "babies" (who, by the way, were real, and if you called them dolls I would correct you). But now, I love it even more. It reminds me of him, and of my childhood. Of my world.

So, I put two very old, great things made by the handiwork of two great people, together with something rather new - my daughter. I wrapped her in the quilt in the cradle and there she was: perfect.

If I could steal that quilt, I would. If I had a bigger car, I would bring that cradle home. Lucky me, though, I get to have the real baby every day.

I do love old things like these.

What kind of old things do you treasure? Please, drop a note and share :)

PS - Happy 5 months today, Aspen!

Just Because...

Dear Aspen,

Every now and then, I get you all dressed up (or maybe all dressed down? Your cute little roly-poly bod is perfect as is). Just Because. Just for fun. Just because you are so beautiful and perfect. Inside and out. Just to look at you and recognize the blessing and joy you are to me and our family. And I get the camera out and I take a few pictures to remember a small moment by. These images are from one of those moments. They are some of my favorite to date. I suppose I am obsessed!?! Is that okay? I am your mother, and I love you. Oh. So. Much. I don't think you will ever understand how much until you have a baby girl of your own to look upon. And obsess over. And hope and pray over. And dress up (or down) for no reason at all. Or maybe, for all the reasons in the world. What a great responsibility that the Lord has entrusted you to my care. Thank you for choosing me to be your mother, and your friend.

Love,

Mommy