2/52

                                    " A portrait of my boys, once a week, every week, in 2013 "

Bear: This little guy is just getting too big. Taking his brother for a stroll

Wolf: Such an independent little guy. So full of curiosity. 

Well, week two of the 52 week challenge is done. I am excited for the new week as I have slowly gotten back my motivation and inspiration to blog again. I have a few ideas and things in store that I am slowly working on and am excited to be putting them in action soon. Until then this project at least keeps me wanting to check in and say hello. 

Wolf says "MOO"

My little Wolf. He is growing much too fast. Learning so much already.

Disclaimer: I am NOT one of those parents that think their kid is a genius (although I have used the words, very bright, and brilliants before) :)

But there are those moments when you least expect it, and then "POW" your kid blows you away.

Take today for example. I took the boys into their room to change their diapers. Diaper changes are a squirmy battle so I distract with anything within arms reach.  While changing Bear I handed them both books to look at. W opens his book to a picture of a cow and all of a sudden he says "Cowww" . Then he turns the page and there is another picture of a cow and this time he points straight at it and says it again, "cowwwww". Then out of habit I asked "what does a cow say?" Then he looked at me with a very proud smile on his face and said "mmmmmoooooo" and started laughing.

This is a boasting mama moment because not only was a totally proud, I was shocked. It is just one of those moments when you realize how hard your babies brain is working trying to  put things together. This is kind of W style. He lays low and acts like he isn't paying attention to a thing you are saying and then all of a sudden when HE is ready he will just hit it out of the ball park. All with this confident smirk as if saying "yeah I knew that already".  Oh boy somehow I feel like I am in for some extra fun with this little guys.

The many faces of Wolf 12 month edition

This month has been a biggie. Not only because we have hit the big ONE year old milestone but because he has learned so much. 

• He can drink from a regular cup. Although you only can give him a sip at a time because if he gets bored he will spill the water over the edge of his highchair.
• he experienced the beach for the first time, he also tasted sand for the first time if that is a milestone
• he mastered eating a sandwich neatly (this is huge because Wolf and eating neatly don't go together) 
• he tasted his first official processed sugar (birthday cake) Don't get use to it buddy you won't see it until your next birthday
• He took his very first steps in a very memorable way. (read story HERE) 
• he unwrapped his first present
• He sailed a boat... genius I tell ya

He loves books, and pushing cars around while making engine noises but most of all he loves trying to steal brothers toys. This is probably my hardest battle of the day, all day, someone always ends up upset. Luckily there aren't hard feelings for a long time. B and W are quick to make up and be best pals again. Let's see what this month has in store for us. 

party highlights {Kids co- op}

I cannot be happier with how the parties tuned out. All the kids seemed to have a great time especially the birthday boy. It doesn't get any better than that. 

Sail Away Birthday Decorations

The treat boxes had crayons, watercolors and a kazoo

sand buckets were filled with Swedish fish, Goldfish, and Clementines

balloon pit and newspaper hats

dollar section target boxes and stickers to customize

watercolor station 

Day 2 party the table was set a little different 

W high chair day 2 ready for some cake 

handmade banner made with burlap and hand painted 

So as I was going through all the images of this weekend. Trust me there are a ton! I couldn't pick just a few of  the entire event for just one post without completely bombarding you with pictures. I decided to break it up into two post. One of the decorations and the party plan and the second post about the actual parties.
First off I decided to split the party into two days. The first was 100% kid focused with only two little guests invited for a total of four kids(and parents of course). It was only scheduled an hour long and early in the day before the kids afternoon nap. As I have mentioned before I like to keep the guest list small for young parties as I like to be able to do a little extra and have a little more focused play time.
The original plan was to have a water play party since it was nautical themed but the morning ended up being a bit chilly so I decided to do a balloon pool pit instead. I also got the idea from my MIL to set up a watercolor station. I served a light snack of goldfish crackers, sliced apples and peanut butter and clementines. It was a total success as all the kids loved both activities and  also enjoyed running around in the backyard chasing each other.
The second party was the family party. Although we had the same activities set up for the little ones this party was more focused on all  the adults getting together and passing W around and swooning over him (both set of grandparents were here, there was a LOT of swooning) we BBQ'd and actually cut a cake and sang happy birthday at this one.  W was so thrilled to have so much attention and as a parent I think there is little that can make you happier then seeing how much your little ones are loved by so many. Such a blessing to see so many people travel so far to celebrate with us.

I am sharing this on : Two in Diapers Mommy Brain Mixer , True Aim Mom's Library Link Up and Crayonfreckles Tip Toe thru Tuesday 

Birthday Weekend

Well, we are almost done with this hectic weekend.  It has been exhausting but oh so worth it to see this sweet boys face light up all weekend long. He is enjoying all the extra attention and love from all the family and I am enjoying the extra help. More picture to come. 

Birthday Planning inspiration

Well it is official. We are having a nautical themed party for this little Wolf. Above is the invitations I made (sans the address and info). We have both sets of grandparents coming up for the occasion, and we cannot be more thrilled about it. They are coming a few days ahead to help out with last minute touches as well as some much needed catch up time so the blog might be a little slow this week. 

I have most of the decorations purchased and made but that still hasn't stopped me from hunting down some last minute inspiration on Pinterest. Here are a few of my favorites. I am not sure if I will be able to capture something this put together but I really only have to impress a one year old right? 

 

1. Source     2. Source    3. Source

We love the library

1. scoping out the place before his first steps  2. meeting new friends at the Duplo table

 3. Our loot 4. this morning at story time

Yesterday we decided to make it a field trip day. We have been stuck in the house for a while now and with the the forecast warning of 100 degree weather yesterday we were desperate to find refuge from the heat.

We hit the library after breakfast. All was normal. We were finding new friends to play with, B found a compilation book of four Richard Scarry books in one. (He loves  those books) but something happened that turned our outing from a nice one to a FANTASTIC one.

There in the middle of the children's section of the library W took his first official steps. Four tiny wobbly ones with a look in his eye of sheer joy and determination.  As one can imagine my library voice went out the window for the moments, as I couldn't help but cheer him on. That little look on his face was so priceless and it is one of those things that I hope to never forget.

We made it home with some pretty good loot and we loved our time there so much that we went back this morning for story time.

Wolf first birthday present

I can't believe that W will be one in just a couple of weeks! This time has gone by so fast and our lives have changed so much since he was born. We moved from California to Oregon when he was only 6 weeks old. Insane! Now here we are wrapping up the first year of his little life as well as our first year back in OR. It is a little bittersweet. When B was turning one I was sad to see the baby stage go, but I was pregnant so I knew that I would be doing it again soon. But now with no plans for baby #3 yet I am even more sad to see it go. But in NO rush either. Just to be clear :).

Monday morning had a few interesting surprises (read more here) but this was one of the best. W received his first birthday present from my brother and his family.  Please note how eager B is to "help" W open those cars :) BOTH the boys have been very excited to play with W's new toys over the last few days. Thanks Uncle B!!!!!

The many faces of Wolf- 11 month edition

This little boy has really grown leaps and bounds  this month. He is moments away from walking  as he  is able to walk around with a mere finger hold. He is far more verbal and is able to say words like mama, papa, and car a lot more clearly. He will try to mimic most sounds he hears. His sleep schedule has gotten a lot better and really only wakes up once to eat lately. He is silly and happy most of the time although his temper is easily tipped. His separation anxiety has subsided a little and is now venturing a little farther from mama and I am sometimes able to do different task near him.
I am so proud to announce that he had his first finger painting experience and LOVED it (and only tried to eat the paint a little) His painting is proudly stored in  the boys art portfolio now, and can only assume this will be the first of many.

Kitchen Helper

While cooking dinner tonight I had a little helper by my side. As I have mentioned I keep my plastic containers and our play food  in the same cabinet so it was so nice to be able to pull it out and  have W keep me company and play along side while I was cooking. He is oh so close to walking and really only needs to hold on to a finger while walking around. I cannot believe that he is growing up so fast. Those little eyes of his get me every time!!!

The many faces of Wolf 10 month edition

Our little W has officially gotten in the double digit months already. I can't believe it! He is growing so fast I feel like I can't keep up. 

For one he has completely mastered crawling on all fours and it comes in handy when he tries to chase us around the house. After many bumps and bruises he is totally able to stand up on anything and is able to cruise on it. He is even attempting to let go although the result is always scary. But he is a tough kid and shakes it off and keep going. 

It took him a while to get use to solids but now he cannot get enough. He loves food!!!!! As you can see  in the picture of him with food stuck on his face. He is starting to take a liking to books and now he   enjoys story time with B and I. He experienced playdough for the first time as well as balloons.

He is starting to have separation anxiety if I leave the room  but is also becoming very comfortable with papi. As you can imagine husband is soaking it all up.

Sleeping has been a bit tough but we are slowly improving and I am sometimes getting a few hours of sleep in a row. Crossing my fingers that in the next few months that gets better but in the meantime I am trying to enjoy all the wonderfully sweet smiles this boy gives even if they are at 3am.