Blogging Binge

I just happen to have a little time on my hands at the moment and I thought I'd make good on the last few tag/prompts and other things I've wanted to share recently.

First off - I made this pillow for my sweet sister for Christmas (this is so embarassing - she actually had to teach me how to make it first - ha, big surprise! and then i didn't finish the set and give them to her till last week). Nevertheless it's probably the thing I'm most proud of making (besides my daughter - bel is prettier and more complex, so I'm more proud of that creation) but these pillows look fantastic on Abby's leather couch, mmm.

Next, I got a random photo tag - 4th photo in your 4th folder and explain...

Bel decide she was a fan of the binkie at 6 months - we had to do a special photo shoot to commemorate the ocassion. (also, every time we go outside she picks up one of the leaves from our lawn - she loves to play with them). When she wears this hoodie - I call her my Jedi Princess.

Next... 25 things about me - I love reading and writing these, but it takes me a while to come up with 25 interesting things...

1-I am completely myself around my husband and vice versa - it's the most incredible thing in the world to me, and it feels so good to be together. You know you have a true friend when you can be together without saying a thing and it's good to just be together - my mom aptly calls it companionable silence - to me this is a sign of a quality relationship.

2- I ate yogurt off Bel's face yesterday (it may or may not have already been in her mouth) - that's right folks, it has happened... I'm a shameless mother.

3- I feel better about life when my bed is crisply made and my kitchen sink is empty.

4- There is a stop sign by my house that I am more likely to stop at while on foot (as opposed to in the car)

5- I have random spurts of dancing ability when (I flatter myself) the rhythm and moves just rise up inside me and I can dance like a natural born groover. (I don't know where this comes from or where it goes and I'm pretty sure only Ryan has seen it, and not many times - it's actually so unnatural to me that I'm kind of embarrassed about it - but there it is, now it's out)

6- My personal cures for being sick, sad, distressed or upset in anyway - eating breakfast (regardless of time of day), brushing my teeth, taking a long shower and going outside and breathing fresh air

7- One of my favorite memories of my mom... She came skipping into my room one morning (i was still in bed) and before i knew it she was laying on the bed, her hands and feet in the air (doing the action cheerleaders call stars - i hope this paints the picture) showing off what I am fairly certain is the only professional manicure and pedicure she has had in her life. "Don't my feet look so pretty Christiney?"

8- If I could take up one hobby tomorrow it would be rowing (or sculling if you want to get technical on me) Doesn't this look like the perfect way to start your day???

9- I love to watch movies made for tween girls (even though I haven't been one for a while now)

10- I feel the need to live in Australia for a while, but I haven't figured out how to make it work...yet.

11- I really enjoy asymmetry.

12- I am so excited to plant these bushes in a couple weeks!

13- I prefer the raw version of baked goods - cookie dough, brownie, cake, muffin batter, etc

14- I am currently addicted to podcasts. Based on your needs my favorites are : quest to be a lifelong learner - Grammar Girl, Nutrition Diva, Stuff You Should Know, Stuff You Missed in History Class or if any of you need a good story - This American Life or some charming radio personalities to keep you company - Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me

15- One of my favorite words is bibliography

16- I wish I were a fantastic singer

17- I am incredibly vain about my daughter - I'm convinced she is the prettiest baby I've ever seen.

18- I love dandelions.

19- I miss my '89 Acura Legend.

20- The other day, I cried while reading Hailstones & Hallibut Bones (it's a book of poems about the colors - I highly recommend it, not sure why I cried though- nope I'm not pregnant)

21- I honestly enjoy grocery shopping.

22- My legs once got sandwiched between 2 car bumpers, when a truck slid into my friends car and nothing happened - it was crazy.

23- I had a crush on Bobby Flay (food network chef) when I was 14

24- I wish I had a tantalizing vocabulary

25- I cried after I took my last final - I wish I could take one college class a semester for the rest of my life.

The Birthday Festivities

Bel was lucky enough to have 2 parties for her first birthday. The first with the Miller's via webcam (thanks for being so tech savvy!) and the second with the Wood grandparents at the Olson's (thanks for letting us get frosting all over your house too!). White cake served the first time and Chocolate cake the second. I am convinced that the introduction of birthday cake into her diet has made Bel a pickier eater - because let's be honest would you rather eat green beans or cake??

I love this video, she is totally sketched out by the cake until she tastes it and then she starts eating faster than I have ever seen her eat.

I can't get enough of these beautiful cake face photos.

Cake - take 2 - chocolate catepillar with creepy huge eyes - but o so delicious

This is the first time in my life I've been prepared for a birthday or any holiday for that matter (case in point - Abby got her Christmas present this week too, yep it's almost March) and I've decided it's really fun to actually have presents and cake and a party - new life resolution for meI like playing with this toy as much or possibly more than Bel does - I've been looking forward to her birthday for a while now, so we could bust this baby out of the box. All in all I'd say the one year mark was a smashing success.

One Year!

It is crazy to think that Belén was born 1 year ago today! She was 21 1/2 inches long and weighed 7 lbs 11 oz. Today she is 29 inches and weighs 18 lbs 3 oz. She has been such a sweet girl to her parents and is breaking us in pretty easily. So on this exciting day I wanted to look back through the year.

Here's a month by month flashback

2 days old

4 days old

1 month (ryan and I think she looks like a little flying samurai in this shot)

2 months

3 months (I think she looks like a buddha figurine in this one)

4 months

5 months

7 months

8 months

9 months

10 months

11 months

...and that brings us to today : 12 months - 1 whole year!!!

And what a fun year it has been!

the belén update

For any of you who are wondering what Bel is up to these days, here are a few little nuggets.

anyone for a bit o cheese?

She is starting to eat real food with us. This is particularly exciting for me because it often takes me back to my own childhood. There was a time in my life when lunch meant sharing a "mountain salad" with my mom. I would sit on her lap and eat bite for bite off the same plate. The other day I had Bel in my arms sharing a yogurt - we were happy as clams - I welled up just realizing how much my mom loves me.

Bel is not too keen on lettuce just yet but she is a fan of cheese, canned peaches, bananas, oatmeal, animal crackers and the list is growing.

She has decided to crawl using the conventional method. She still uses the army crawl for commuting down the hallway in search of her parents, but has learned that being on her knees gives her a good view and a better angle to climb, grab objects and clear obstacles in her path.

She is learning to mimick us. This was so fun to watch her copy Ryan the other night. (Please excuse my breathy, supressed laughter in the background)

ps she loves her dad - this is my favorite thing in the world - they have so much fun together. I'm fairly certain that she is happiest when playing with her daddy. Just a few illustrations of her love...

The other day we were playing in the front room when Ryan came home for lunch. Before he was visible she heard the sound of the key in the door and all at once she stopped playing with her toys, drew in her breath and looked up - the she looked at me and smiled with anticipation, when Ryan walked in she started squealing and crawling toward him.

If he is studying in the office she will crawl to the door and start knocking on it and making little hoots at her dad - sometimes when he's gone she will crawl to the doorway and look at his empty desk disappointedly. I am pretty sure this little girl will be learning how to fly fish.

Don't worry though she is a fan of both of us - if we are standing close together she can't ever decide who she wants to be held by and will reach for the other parent, getting passed back and forth after being held for a few seconds.

(I posted twice tonight, so don't miss the promised skate park action below)

who's that man???

who is that handsome skater on the horizon?

wow - it's my husband, sharing his skating skills with the locals (they were impressed - five kids on separate occasions all said, "you're not from Kirksville are you"). As promised, a little bit of Ryan testing out the new half pipe.

my great white hunter

A couple things that have recently brought a little extra happiness into a certain young man's life...

Check out that rack!

I like to brag about my honey so for the record... this buck was shot with a bow, through thick trees, from 37 1/2 yards away, while standing on two 2x4's nailed in a tree 20 feet up. I guess he could provide food for the family in a crisis afterall.

Another reason for Ryan to be as giddy as a school boy...

Kirksville got a skate park!

(stay tuned for photos of the man himself rocking this very half pipe)

60 to 6 in a matter of days

Last Wednesday was unseasonably warm - the high of the day was 60 degrees! It was such a treat, we spent a few hours outside just enjoying the fresh air (that didn't hurt our lungs to breathe).

As you can see, Bel was really excited about our al fresco playtime.

A few days later we were back to the frigid temperatures of January. We still managed to make it outside for a family walk.

Don't be fooled - even though Bel doesn't look as bright eyed and bushy tailed at the prospect of this outdoor refreshment, she was still excited to be out. (I can't resist the resmemblance she has to the little boy in A Christmas Story in this coat - nope those arms don't go down)