photo inspiration

My mother-in-law gave me this yellow cake plate for Christmas. Today Isaac and I are eating lunch at the dining room table. I glance at the hutch and feel inspired by the pop of yellow to snap a photo. Here it is!

brown bear first birthday

Isaac's favorite book is Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See? We start reciting the book and he gets really excited. Often times he will then go looking for the book and start flipping through the pages. I had such a good time planning this party and making his decorations. Most of the credit I owe to Pinterest!

 

 

 

 

Baby I is ONE! We had family and close friends with baby's Isaac's age come over to celebrate. Isaac loved having people over and was going...going all afternoon he skipped his nap completely and was happy as a clam. He got spoiled with presents and ate two whole pieces of cake. He didn't make much of a mess, I think he was making sure it all got in his mouth! He loves his new toys!

the windy city

We flew to Chicago to be with my sisters for Thanksgiving. Although flying with a baby is far from a "vacation" it was well worth it to see my sister's new house and spend time with them. Isaac loves his aunts and Uncle Karl! I left my Iphone on the plane so many pictures will never be recovered from the trip but Peter and Karl snapped a few.

Isaac's first time in claw foot tub at Greta's house... lucky boy!

Isaac loves his Uncle Karl!

We thought this sign was appropriate for our first plane trip with Isaac!

The amazing view from Greta's work in the John Hancock building!

One of the residents at Greta's work owns the horse carriage company in downtown Chicago. We saw her when we were touring Greta's work and she asked us if we wanted a free horse drawn carriage ride, "um YES!"

This was taken in Geneva the suburb that Karl and Greta live in. We could walk to this park from their house!

This was taken after we ate amazing Deep Dish Pizza with the Swenson family and John and Linda Brorson, Karl's parents. So great to see the Swenson boys...it's been too long!

I'm sad I didn't get any pictures of the sisters! Aaah what were we thinking? Also no pictures of Sonja @ The Little Goat because everything was still top secret since it hadn't opened yet so no pictures were allowed. I also miss the great pictures I got of Karl and Greta's house that were on my phone :( Next time! Such a great trip and we can't wait to go back!

recycled architectural drawing wrap

I have to credit to Peter for this one. A few years back before we were married he wrapped his Christmas presents in his old work drawings. GENIUS! Let's see it encompasses all of my requirements. 

1. Simple
2. Free
3. Original
4. Green/recycled

The past few years I would ask him for them too late and he would have just thrown out a bunch. But this year I remembered early enough! I think it has something to do with having more time on my hands these days without having a full time job...well OK just a different full time job.

scandi pine

This year we picked a Pine and it even came with pine cones. Peter admitted to me later that he was skeptical that the tree would look nice (since it isn't your traditional tree) but he trusted me and he loves it. We picked out a little tree for Isaac too in hopes he could demolish it all he wants. When we put the tree up it looked so beautiful I didn't even want to decorate it but we started with lights. It was a little to bare for Peter so we settled on just the scandinavian straw ornaments and it looks simple and understated. 

There isn't a single safety hazard on the tree. No glass ornaments, no hooks, no hot lights. It's December 12th and (fingers crossed) not a single tree accident for my little curious and determined "elf."

Isaac's tree

christmas family tradition

Our first year doing this was in 2010 but we had to skip last year due to being far to pregnant to be going over the pass and hiking around in the mountains. So after our second time doing this it's starting to feel like a tradition. We were invited by the Mabbutt's (Peter's sister Elsa and her family)which I think this is their 15th year doing this. You pay $5 for a forest service permit and off you go hunting for your tree. The Mabbutt's always sled, make a fire, roast hot dogs and drink hot chocolate. This is such a fun adventure and Isaac enjoyed the snow, the dogs, and playing with his cousins...he couldn't have been happier! 

We weren't really prepared clothing wise for Isaac to be in the snow. He has already grown out of 2 snowsuits and I haven't found a good deal at a consignment store yet. So we pulled out some Carhart overalls and snow boots that were hand-me-downs that were about 5 sizes too big. We figured his feet will be dry and he can't walk in snow anyways!

Our chosen tree!

11 months

This is supposed to be my 10 month post but this picture was taken the day after Isaac's 11 month birthday yesterday. This is mainly due to Isaac breaking our camera and me being to depressed to think about how much is was going to cost to fix it. Luckily it was just the lens that was broken and I got a used one at a local camera shop, so money I didn't want to spend but it could have been worse. First babyproofing casualty and I'm sure many more to follow. This is what's new with Isaac since September 19th! He started walking! I think it was 9 3/4 months to be exact. He had taken one or two steps before that but we didn't start counting it until he strung a whole bunch together. He is so happy now that he walks and just loves scooting around the house. His favorite foods right now probably are bananas and peas. He loves (true story) brushing his teeth and reading books. He will find a book, sit cris-cross-applesauce, and flip through the pages. Peter even can start reciting a few books, like brown bear brown bear and he will go find the book and look at it. He constantly amazes me! He started holding things up to his ear like he is on the phone, especially when I am on the phone. He is in a "big boy" car seat but much to his dismay still backwards. One bummer was he got his first ear infection due to several colds strung one right after the other and the constant runny nose for a month and a half. He didn't complain much and LOVES his medicine. I'm busy prepping away for his first birthday party! It's been so fun but also reality is sinking in that it is such a crazy time of year to plan a party and that it is going to be like this EVERY YEAR!

do it while you can

Of course once you have a child the guilt sets in and will always be floating around in the back of your mind. So I've started a new mantra. DO IT WHILE YOU CAN! It all started with me feeling guilty (ok maybe not guilty but embarrassed or silly that I have speant so much time planning Isaac's first birthday). Then I thought to myself "who cares, do it while you can!" I have the time since I only have one baby and I know we aren't many years away from the requests of store bought Batman and Spiderman themed birthday parties. Why not have fun while I get to pick the theme! I often think too our 2nd baby will never get the same treatment, which I know is inevitable. Here are so more do it while you cans.....

Buying used Christmas toys at consignment sales or off Craigslist
Only giving him healthy food that isn't processed
Giving him a bath and rocking him to sleep every night
Continuing to breastfeed past a year


This is such a special age and of course we won't be able to do any of these things forever but I try to do what I can in the moment and enjoy every minute of it!
 

front yard before and after

We bought this house one year ago last May. Peter has put in a lot of blood sweat and tears into this front yard. I wish I could have helped more but being pregnant when we bought the house and having a new baby has kept me mostly watching from afar. There is still so much more to do but we really love everything we have done! The best part is that Peter really loves doing the work. I think he just loves being outside and coupled with feeling a sense of accomplishment makes him one happy guy. I don't think he will ever stop working in our yard which is good because the work is endless! This fall I have raked up most the leaves, sprayed down the driveway,mow the lawn weekly, and enjoy spreading mulch. Being home all day whenever I see the sun poke out between the clouds I bundle Isaac up and he eats dirt and leaves while I work. Can't wait to move on to the next project!

baby's first halloween

 Isaac was a chicken (ok Rooster) thanks to our friends Lars and Michaele for the hand-me-down. This is Isaac at Toddler group which happened to fall on Halloween this year. The babies and Moms did a costume parade around class. Isaac got to pick out a "treat" (which was a large yellow crayon) he then later ate half of it while I wasn't paying attention at circle time.

These are the babies of my Mom friends. We thought it would be fun to get the babies together for a costume party! Lots of ladybugs!


We went to our friends Ali and Phil's house in West Seattle for pizza and no trick-or-treating due to rain. The babies were in costume for a quick picture. Unfortunately, I couldn't get Isaac to sit still long enough to get one of him and baby Micah.

sand box vs. garden beds

The race is on to see what the next project will be. I've been desperately waiting for a garden and we have had to do so many other things first to make this possible. Rip out the old shrubs, spread 30 yards of topsoil to level it, build the fence, and then plant the grass. Peter has been dying to build Isaac a sand box. Let's see what will win!