Shots, Cupcakes and Swings

Poor baby had his shots today.  Although I believe they are necessary, I LOATHE shots.  I just hate to see Landon so miserable and he is usually sad and clingy for hours afterwards.  Not this time though.  This time we BOTH did so well!!  I didn't cry at all, and Landon cheered right up (Ben always does well, he is tough for all three of us).

Most of the cheering up was in response to a chocolate cupcake The Wombat received shortly thereafter.  It was an impromptu idea, thus the white shirt! 

There's Ben in the background.  Like father, like son.

He was content as could be, wandering around with chocolate frosting and cupcake in both hands.  He took a little nap in the car on the way home and then I plopped him in the stroller and we walked to the park to cheer him up some more.  It worked.

What a difference it makes when kids are old enough to spoil afterwards!  Cupcakes and swings apparently erase all trauma after shots.  And seeing my little boy so SO happy after those dreaded doctor visits eased my trauma too.  I think we have a new tradition.  Although Ben said he is limiting himself to one cupcake next time :)

Christmas in March

March 25th is a day my husband and I refer to as Christmas in March. It is marked that way on both of our calendars. Five years ago it was the day he asked me to be his girlfriend.

Weren't we so cute back in college? I had like ADHD when it came to my hair but the red was actually an accident. I was trying to go from blond to a light auburn but it turned pink so then I went red to cover it up. It sparked Ben's first line to me which was "You make red hair look good."

This was the first picture we ever took together when we hiked McCloud Falls.

To celebrate, tomorrow we are going to go see The Hunger Games while my mother in law babysits. I cant wait! We both devoured the books. Five years ago we probably would have gone to the midnight showing but now we are old people parents and the thought of staying out past ten is exhausting lol.  Speaking of, it is 9:39 pm and I gotta get to bed!

A Very First Birthday Party

We had a little Nemo party for Landon's first birthday.  We invited immediate family only, which was a difficult decision since I wanted pretty much everyone I know to see my Little Wombat dive head first into his very first cake.  But I also didn't want him to be too overwhelmed and didn't think I could cram many people into my teeny tiny house.  Plus some of our family members don't get to see him all that often so I wanted them to be able to get some quality time with L.  I am incredibly thankful that we had so many awesome family members (some of whom traveled six hours round trip!) who were able to spend this special occasion with us!

{Cake Stands}       {Garland}

It is nearly impossible for Ben to get time off work so my poor husband had to go to work and then come home just in time for the festivities. Luckily, my parents and sister came down the night before to help out or else I'm not sure how I would have pulled this off. 

When everyone arrived, Landon quickly realized he was the center of everone's attention.  We are all putty in his hands and I swear he already knows it. He was eager to show off his new moves (walking).

He walked, he clapped, he waved and most importantly he had fun (which is the number one rule according to my mother). 

His cousin Ella helped him open his presents to speed things along.  Landon usually gets very distracted by bows and ribbons :)   I had to post this next picture because he is actually still wearing his shoes!!!  They are my favs for him to wear, but they are his favorite to take off.

Ben is an Air Traffic Controller, so I about died when I found this:

Pure joy while being tickled by his Auntie Jaclyn.

Our family photo. Somehow we ended up with a blue eyed, fair haired child.

And of course, the moment everyone had been waiting for: THE CAKE.  Landon took a few bites of cake and then was more interested in destroying it. Typical boy. My favorite part was when Ben said "This time, they won't find Nemo." Hahaha.

All bathed and enjoying his spring horse from Grandma and Grandpa.  This was originally supposed to be kept at their house but it is somehow still taking up half my living room! (Hint Hint Mom)

It was a great day and I am so glad my little man seemed to thoroughly enjoy himself.  I still CANNOT believe he is one.  It flew by.  It seems like he was just born yesterday and yet at the same time if feels as if he's always been a part of our family.  Year one was such a blessing and I can't wait to see what adventures year two brings :)

___

Linking to:

I Heart Nap Time

Serenity Now
Ni Hao Y'all
The 36th Avenue
Crafty, Scrappy, Happy
A Turtle's Life For Me

DIY Garland

I just love garland.  It gives any event a little extra flare.  A while ago I pinned a homemade Pom Pom Garland that was just to die for and I knew I had to try it.

Now that I have a curious little toddler who likes to climb things and eat bugs, I love finding easy to put down and pick back up again projects.  This craft was definitely a winner and will be making more appearances in parties to come...

I wasn't too worried about the quality of the yarn, so I just picked out some cheapo stuff at Walmart.  Start by wrapping your yarn around a wooden serving fork (any will do).  Take a small separate piece of yarn and tie tight knot around your creation.  Then simply slip the whole thing off the fork and cut the loops to make your pom pom!

For the next step, use a needle and yarn to string your poms together.  I tacked mine to the wall and then made some simple flowers out of napkins.

I'm so happy with the way the garland turned out....just wish I had taken some better pictures!!

The Wombat Turns One

My baby turned one today.  I'm still processing how in the world this year flew by so fast.  Everyone warns you about how they grow up too quickly and it's SO true.  There is nothing that prepares you for it.  I feel like just yesterday I was sitting in the back seat on our way home from the hospital staring at this new little life we had just brought into the world.

I filled out a page in his baby book and here is how it went:

At one years old:

You say mama, mommy, dada, byebye, and hi.

You say mama when you are tired, hungry or sad. You say dada when you want to play.

You not only walk but CLIMB everything.

You LOVE grapes.

Your favorite place to go is the park. 

You love the swings.

You have ten teeth.

You love to push your car around the whole house.

You love baths.

You love walks.

You growl.

Your favorite book is Brown Bear, Brown Bear.

You love spaghetti.

You wave to anyone and everyone.

You love to clap your hands.

You copy just about everything your daddy does.

You can play peek a boo.

You like to share your food.

YOU are loved. SO loved by your daddy and me.

_____________

Today he got to eat his very first cupcake.....Saturday he gets a whole cake to play with in front of the rest of his family that is traveling from all over the place to celebrate the first year of my sweet little boy.

Crepe Paper Flowers

So I have a couple showers to go to and since my last crepe paper flower was a bit of a hit, I've pretty much been making them for every present I wrap.  The more I make the easier and faster it gets.  I made these ones during Sesame Street:

All of my wrapping paper is from the dollar store...they have crepe paper there too!  If you would like to see my tutorial you can head on back to my original yellow crepe paper flower post :)

Linking Up:

A Turtle's Life For Me
Crafty, Scrappy, Happy
The 36th Avenue
Whipperberry

Days at the Park

The park cures all cases of the crankies.

Teething? Park.

No nap? Park.

Rough night? Park.

Tired mom? Coffee and Park.

It works, for all of us.  Every. Single. Time.

We also go on days when we aren't cranky :)

S'mores

I saw this very cute idea for Campfire Bars over at Sweetened with Honey.  Oh my goodness, she makes her own graham crackers and fluff from scratch!

Right, well I decided to do this the lazy easy way and bought my grahams and mallow fluff :)

I spread the marshmallow creme on the graham crackers, dipped them in melted chocolate chips and stuck them on parchment paper in the freezer.  Half hour later they were ready and DELICIOUS! Actually the one that I ate before freezing was pretty darn good too.

Definitely gonna have to make these again :)

Bridal Shower

My little sister Jessica, is all grown up and getting married.  I am so SO happy for her and her fiance, Logan.  Wayyyyy before he even proposed I informed her that she should marry him...then I told her she couldn't get mad because I was pregnant and therefore got a free pass for such ramblings.  And now I am so  honored to stand at their wedding, to witness what my entire family has been praying and hoping for pretty much ever since we all met Logan.  And I am excited for my son Landon to get his very first official uncle (and he's getting another one in September when my SIL gets married too!)

ANYWAYS, kicking off the wedding festivities, my littlest sister Jaclyn (yep all J's) and I just threw Jess  a bridal shower up at my parent's house.  Here is a little peek:

Crepe Paper Flower Tutorial

Chalkboards

The whole lot of us:

Sisters
From left -  Jaclyn, Jessica, Me: