Party Time

So I'm sure I mentioned Andrew's party theme was "The Very Hungry Caterpillar." With our little guy and his love of food and eating, it just seemed to fit. Plus the decorations were pretty simple to do (but very cute) and we had some great food ideas.

Well, his party was great. We did everything you do at parties. We ate some lunch, opened some presents, ate some cake, watched a little boy smash into a RED smash cake (I was reminded why I chose white for Sarah's first birthday), gave said boy a sink bath, and chatted with all our guests. It was a lot of fun and I was struck by how blessed we are to have all our family and a bunch of friends nearby to celebrate him.

Our banister caterpillar was the official party guest greeter

Almost walking 

Happy camper

Beautiful cupcake spread! My mother in-law made this, the head was the smash cake.

Opening gifts 

Something noisy!!

Happy birthday little man!

Finger lickin' good

Is there something on my face?

Cleaning up!

Over the mantel. 

His actual birthday was the Monday following his party. Daddy took off work and we spent the day just hanging out and enjoying our one year old. Unfortunately, Andrew had a bit of a cold, but he didn't let that get in his way. We had some hot dogs on the grill (Birthday Boy's favorite) with our family that evening and celebrated this little guy once again!

Andrew's First Year Photo Book

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Happy Birthday

Andrew is officially one year old today! This time last year I was soaking in the cuddles and love of a not quite 12 hour old baby. The first year is full of so many changes and transformations, it's really amazing. One day they are a sweet, immobile baby. And the next, fast moving, trouble makers! But we sure do love our little into-everything trouble maker!

From this:

To this:

11 Months

Tomorrow is Andrew's first birthday so I figured I better get in his 11 month post, while he is still technically 11 months old. I love this sweet boy so much!

Updates and Stats on him:

• Wearing size 4 diapers
• Wearing 18 month clothes a
• Size 4 shoe (when he wears them)
• Weighs at least 22 lbs if not more, we'll find out at his one year appointment on Tuesday!
• Pulls himself up on everything. He will use a person, furniture, boxes, animals, literally anything to pull himself up.
• Cruises and walks with push toys like a champ. He has even figured out how to maneuver the toy when it's stuck in a corner.
• Says a few words: dog, Zach, Papa, dat (that?), doh (sign of wanting something). hello (hewo) and No.
• He's no longer nursing, we stopped at the end of July (shortly after his 11 month "birthday) due to low supply and my desire to have myself back. It went over pretty well and he's on whole milk now.
• Loves "boy toys". He will play ball and roll cars all day as long as he's full and happy.
• He LOVES eating! Sometimes I feel like all I ever do is make snack after snack followed by meal after meal for him. He's not picky, just eats a lot of food, especially compared to Big Sis. Although he has a habit of throwing all of the food on his tray on the floor to signal that he's done. A little frustrating but that's what dogs are for right?
• Loves water, bath time or pool time. He loves splashing and playing. He really likes watching reactions around him when he splashes.
• He ADORES Big Sis. Like honestly, it melts my heart a little when they play sweet with one another. The way those two love on each other is amazing. Sarah knows just how to make him laugh or stop crying and he knows how to do the same.
• He loves talking on the phone. Cell phone, remote, toy phone, they are all free game. He loves saying "hewo" and talking to whoever is on the other line.
• Andrew brushes his hair now. He loves finding a hairbrush and running it over the top of his head to wait for cheers. 
• No walking yet, but I keep thinking it;s just around the corner.
• He's sleeping pretty well but has developed an internal alarm that goes off between 6:30 and 7:30 AM and then he;'s up for the day. Because of that napping has gotten tricky. He generally gets tired around 10 but if he sleeps then he barely naps in the afternoon and crashes in the evening. If I keep him up until the afternoon nap he's a bear but will sleep for a good chunk of time, but you can tell he's still pretty tired. So we are figuring out the weird transition from 2 to 1 nap. It's a process

I'm sure there's so much more I'm forgetting to mention, but those will be in his one year post. Tomorrow his daddy, sister, and I are going to soak up our little one year old and love on him lots. I am so thankful Andrew is here as a part of our family!

Sunday Unwinding

Things have been looking up since my last post. Yes, we are still at my mom and dad's house.No, it's not my ideal situation. No, we haven't found our own place as of yet. BUT I am working really hard on being content where I am. I realized that sitting around and moping about "being in transition" and how hard living in a space that "isn't mine" wasn't doing anything for me.

So I decided to do something about it. I talked with my mom and dad about the stuff that goes on in a house with 8 people. You know chores, hidden hurt feelings, who's cooking when, and so on. Well the air was cleared and now I don't feel as stressed about that kind of stuff as I was feeling a couple of weeks ago. And if I'm being completely honest, that took a huge weight off of me. Amazing what good old fashioned communication can do right?

But here's a few things that have been going on since I last blogged. I got so busy living life, that I forgot to 

write about it!

•  Car Washes!

• Falling asleep at dinner

• Campaigning for my dad and celebrating his victory!

Andrew helping out Papa's campaign!

We won! (Photo courtesy of KC Star)

• Painting on canvas AKA the mess of paint globs and glitter!

• Getting sick with the stomach flu for the first time ever

• First french braid!

• Playing together at the play area in our mall

I think this looks like Andrew is backing out and Sarah is checking to see if it's all clear. 

First ride on the carousel

And so much more. Seriously, things have done a 180 since my last post. We still have some lazy days, but they are purposeful lazy days without a thousand things to do! I am thanking God for continually showing me how to raise up these little people and take care of myself as well. 

I'm into the book 52 Things Kids Need a Mom for and it's dramatically helped me feel better about parenting and changed how I look at some things. And I've been working on getting back into some devotionals and back into the Word! The self pity, doubt, worry, and fear all came from me placing God on the back burner and realizing that life was falling out of order without Him! So here's to a journey with Jesus in my boat and a bit more calm and peace within myself!

Tune in tomorrow for Andrew's 11 month update (which is just a week shy of his birthday!)