Almost There

November 6th 2011 

Eithan has been trying really hard lately to figure out this whole walking deal.

He'll stand up on his own from the floor, wobbling, and then try to take a few steps.

For the most part he is successful, for a short time, and then he falls to his bum.

I have been really impressed with his balance, and his determination.

He will simply keep trying and trying.

It has been so much fun to watch him pick up a toy, and then stand with it in his hand in 'victory'.

Then wobble step towards something else.

Watching him learn this new skill has been exciting.

I love to learn, and I love his determination to learn.

He loves figuring things out.

Thus, life around here has involved a bit more of this...

and this.

Don't you just love the t-shirt and diaper combo?

I do.

It makes him still seem like a baby to me...

even though he's turning into a toddler.

Easy Wedding Present

Collin and I are going to a wedding reception on the 19th of this month.

I am really excited to go, because we haven't been to one in quite some time. 

So, I was also excited about creating a unique but useful gift for the couple.

This is what I came up with.

I found this adorable Crate and Barrel platter online.

And because I wanted one too... I bought two.

It is part of the Rectangular Rims Collection at Crate and Barrel.

Then I found this adorable ornament idea here.

And created one similar to it.

I simply cut their wedding invitation into strips,

then wrapped those strips around a pencil,

and finally stuck those strips into the clear glass ornament.

Attach some cute ribbon, and you're done!

All in all, a cute, yet functional wedding present.

And because I was so proud of my present... I simply couldn't wrap it all up in a box... 

attach some extra wide sparkly ribbon and the present becomes it's own wrapping!

Baby Steps

October 31st 2011

Eithan took his first 'baby' step today.

It was his first slightly wobbly, unsure of foot placement tiny step.

And we couldn't be prouder.

November 1st 2011

He did two of the aforementioned steps today.

My baby is starting to become a toddler!

I am so excited for this change to come in his life.
{and yet at the same time... absolutely terrified of all the new things this will bring.}


 

Pumpkin Patch

10-14-2011

We needed a pumpkin for a friend's birthday party.

And I decided that I did not want to go to Walmart and just buy one.

Eithan had never been to a pumpkin patch.... so we went to a local patch.

It was a half hour drive away... and they only had pumpkins, nothing special... so it was a quick trip.

But here are some fun pictures from the excursion.

It was chilly by the time that we arrived. 

So Eithan stayed bundled up, and really didn't want to get down.

{plus, I didn't want him to get dirty.}

But he really did like the pumpkins.

And Collin and I had a blast looking at ALL the pumpkins.

We'd find one that we liked... but then there were so many more to see... 

that we had a hard time picking one.

It was the first time in a long time since I'd been to a pumpkin patch.

And I have to say.... definitely worth it!

I would do it again in a heartbeat.

So... go find yourself some pumpkins people!

11 months

10-18-2011

Has really started to develop his personality.

{He does not like being told what to do.}

{Meaning: really has an attitude.}

Is an 'assisted' walker.

{He will stand up next to everything and walk along.}

Is starting to figure out how to climb.

{Today he was sticking his toes into the baby gate and pulling himself up.}

Has started making more coherent sounds.

{'papa' is the only one we can understand.}

Loves being around people, and does not like to be left alone.

For a while, he decided that he didn't really like solid food.

{He was drinking many more bottles, and not really eating anything solid.}

Is almost sleeping through the night.

{Collin and I put our feet down and have really been working on getting him to sleep well.}

{So.. he's still waking up at least 1 or 2 times.}

Has really started to figure out the more complex parts of his toys.

{Watching him learn and figure these things out is amazing!}

Is so curious and loves to explore everything.

Loves being outside.

{I need to take him out more often.}

Puts his face next to yours when he wants kisses and hugs. 

Still my little 'pumpkin'... and we love him so!

 

 ********

This is just a cute picture I had to throw in here.

Eithan loves his bath time.

In case you couldn't tell.

{smile}

 10-17-2011

falling

10-13-2011

It finally happened. 

I had the fall of all falls over the baby gate blocking the kitchen.

{Collin said he knew it was coming someday... I just wish it hadn't been me.}

I can't even describe it adequately.

My foot caught on the gate.

My inner thigh hit the outside of the gate.

I knew I was going to go down.

And down I went.

It was so painful.

I cried like a baby.

The pain, the shock, the fall itself.

Collin carried me to the couch right after.

{I know he's a sweetie.}

I was limping all night. The next day. Today.

But I didn't really know how badly I hurt myself until I saw this.

On top of this injured foot. 

I have a lump on my shin.

I have a bruise on my knee.

And a bruise on my inner thigh.

I must say:

lesson learned. 

I will be lifting my leg ALL the way over before stepping to the other side. 

Close Up:

{forgive my unkempt toenails... haven't had a pedicure in a while.}

growing up

10-10-2011

Today was a big day for our little guy.

He had lots of firsts today.

#1 He pushed his little toy "bumblebee car type thing" around on all of its wheels.

{like all little boys do with their cars}

It was so fun at first... and then I realized... my little guy is growing up.

 He has been having lots of fun since pushing around that car.

He looks like a little boy now.. instead of my little baby.

#2 He walked around pushing a cardboard box.

He was holding on to the box... and then he started walking around while pushing it.

I thought... why spend money on those fancy walking toys... when he can push around a box!

{same concept... but much much cheaper.}

#3 He started singing with us while we were singing for FHE.

He started humming/cooing/singing along after a few seconds of the song.

We didn't notice it at first because it kind of sounded like his normal jabbering.

Then we noticed he would go up and down with us when we went up and down in our notes.

Plus he was looking at us for his 'cue' when to start and stop.

It was so adorable.

#4 He has started putting little objects into toys that are bigger.

So, a plastic cup that he carries around... he has started to put his little toys inside of it.

He'll put it in, and then take it out. Put it in. Take it out. {repeat}

He may have been doing this for a while now... but I just noticed it on Monday.

All in all... He's growing up... into a sweet little boy.

{ I love the look of pure delight on his face. }

**********

Joyously Crafty Delights:

I found {this} kitchen towel on Etsy.

I was in love... but at $10 a towel. I simply could not afford it.

So... I decided to make it.

Here is what I came up with. 

{In the towel above you can see that the ends are "ragging" which is part of what I loved about it.}

I thought that it would be a relatively simple process.

But I had to make it difficult.

It took me about 4 days to make 5 towels.

{obviously with lots of breaks in between}

But I think they turned out wonderful!

And I love having some simple, homemade kitchen towels to add a little "home-y-ness" to the kitchen.

Plus.. these cost around $3.50 a towel... and my time.

I call that a great deal!