Thanks Great Grandpa and Great Nana

Thanks to Blake's great grandparents, he is now taking up the steel drum. I endlessly researched different drums for kids and came across the mini steel pan drum. Many websites argue that these mini pans are mere toys and are not authentic. I looked into authentic steel drums and the smallest ones start at $1800. I figured we were not that skilled so why not experiment on the less expensive version. Of course Andrew mastered the little thing within minutes, but Blake and I are still learning the basics (note: Andrew playing Happy Birthday on the drum in the background). I was originally looking for an authentic tom tom drum, but there aren't any high quality ones for kids anymore. They have been replaced with plastic ones. So here is a video of Blake playing his first solo. Rock on kid.

Beach Season Has Begun

Andrew and his friend Casey went surfing this weekend at Waddell Creek. This was a new beach for all of us and it turned out to be a nice spot. Blake loved being in the water and there were tons of starfish. I wasn't brave enough to touch one though (I don't do sea creatures). Here is Blake before I put dry clothes on him.


When I was packing up our stuff to leave I looked over at Blake and found him in this position. He stayed like that for almost five minutes. He was pooped. Check out Aiden's sandy feet in the background. Andrew caught a few waves, but said it was so cold that his body would creak when he would stand up for a ride.



I love the amount of sand left on a child's body when you get home from the beach. I also love how Blake's head still smells like sunblock even after a bath and a good night's sleep.

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.

Stitches West 2009

Today, our family went to Stitches West 2009 at the Santa Clara Convention Center. This is an expo for all things yarn and knitting (with some crochet). Andrew and Blake got roped into going with me to this extravaganza.

First off, here is a photo from when we moved. The Stitches West photos were taken with Andrew's cell phone because we forgot the camera. This happened to be in his phone when I was uploading the pics to post here.

Poor Blake squished in the Eurovan with all our junk.


Onto Stitches West...
So what does one wear to a knitting convention? A hand knit item of course. Blake is wearing the sweater that Sandy, Andrew's sister, made for him. He is slowly growing into it and it is the softest thing you have ever felt. Thanks Aunt Sandy. The Baby Legs are leg warmers for babies that Grammie so nicely provided Blake with. Not hand made, but super fun.


Here we are enjoying some wool. I wore my Beco baby carrier so Blake could enjoy all the yarn and the chest strap snapped two minutes into the show. I carried him around for the first half of the marketplace and then had Andrew carry him the last half. Jeesh, I pay a fortune for the thing and it lets me down when I need it the most. Andrew said we could have fixed it on the spot if only we were at a sewer's convention. Darn knitters with their huge needles.


So what does one buy at a knitter's convention? Um, Girl Scout Cookies of course. The only thing I purchased at the show were three boxes of GS cookies. We had to try the new flavor this year (Dulce de Leche) and to our dismay they weren't very good. Stitches West 2009 was a dissappointment and I don't think I will be going back every year. Maybe it will get better if I take some classes, but I have enough unfinished and yet-to-be started projects in the pipeline.

Freedom!

Blake took his first steps this morning while him and I were playing after breakfast. Shannon grabbed the camera and caught him trying walking a few more times. Check it out below:

On the Horizon

I just found out that the rental we moved into was built in 1964. My brain is now swimming with decorating ideas. I think I made Andrew move to a new house just so I could obsess about rearranging the furniture and sewing new drapes. The look I am going for will be indie-retro-bohemian. I would love for it to all look like this:



Andrew may not be into that much pink! Anyways, off to go collect more inspiring ideas.