Blake Turned 1 Yesterday

Yesterday, my little squid had his first birthday party. He loved it and even skipped his second nap so he could keep partying. It was a Hurst Hoedown with ponies (albeit stuffed), cowboy boots, and hay bales. It was great to reminisce about his grand arrival a year ago, but eating cake is much more fun than the throws of labor. He is my favorite little guy and I have enjoyed a whole year of sweet, baby bliss.

The horse corner:


Blake with Grandpa Tom:


Cousin Mia, Kyle and Aden (who I nannied for) and Blake enjoying sidewalk chalk:


Chanler, Jocelyn (note her adorable cowboy boots), and Jessaleigh:


His birthday cake (white cake with chocolate chips inside):


His first bite of birthday cake:


Loving it! He put his head down and looked sad when we sang him Happy Birthday, but he didn't cry:


Opening presents. All the kids helped out (Blake is in there somewhere):


We had such a great celebration with family and friends. It is truly a blessing to bring a child into this world with such supporting and loving people around. I can't believe we are now parents of a one year old and I can only imagine it all gets better from here on out. Now onto another year of learning life's important lessons that help us try to figure out this mysterious world. Explore on little squid.

It's Been A While

For the last few weeks, I have been laid up with an annoying cold and cough. I haven't been productive so the blog fell by the wayside. Now I am feeling better and am excited that Blake will be turning one this weekend. He is getting new teeth all the time and tests the limits of everything man made and natural. I love how he can say "Da Da", but only when we aren't looking. Once we ask him to say it he gives us a proud smile and keeps his words to himself. It is only a matter of time before we have to ask him to stop talking.

Here are some photo updates.

The baby kicking bag I knit for my friend Dara. It is a wool and nylon mix from KnitPicks and is super soft. Blake's zebra is my faux baby model.




The waistband is a pretend cable (I will learn those someday).


Here is Andrew and Blake on St. Patrick's day holding the remaining cabbage after I used the other half to make corned beef and cabbage. Yummy.


We get a weekly veggie box from a place called Eating With The Seasons. I have decided to use canvas bags instead of their paper bags for our delivery. I used some remnants and sewed on an "H" to help my bag stand out from the rest.


Then when it was my friend Danika's birthday I decided to create one for her. Here is the front.


Here is the back.


I hope everyone enjoyed the rain and wind. The sun is out so Blake has enjoyed watching the neighbor boys play soccer outside. Today, they even let him play with the ball.