For Joseph’s birthday party, I did a display with all of his monthly photos from the past year. It was so neat to be able to compare them side by side and to see how much he grew. I thought that it would be nice to share it here as well. Hope that you get as much of a kick out of it as I did.
I finally went and got some proper running shoes this weekend! I went to a local running store, Columbus Running Company, and have my gait analyzed and was fitted for the right shoes. Ends up that I over-pronate, so I needed something to really stabilize the inside arch. This explains why I was having such trouble with pain in the outside of my ankle and knee.
I was a bit intimidated at first about going to the running store, but I was pleasantly surprised at how helpful and encouraging the staff was there. I worked with Eric, and affable and extremely knowledgeable guy, who was great at explaining my gait and why the shoes would help. He was very patient and thorough as we tried on several different pairs of shoes until we found the perfect fit. I ended up going with a pair of Saucony Women’s Hurricane 15’s. I’m excited to put them to the test and re-start the Couch to 5k program. Wish me luck!
I decided a few months ago that I wanted to make another quilt for Joseph for his birthday. As you may remember, I made him one for when he was born and I wanted to carry on the tradition.
I decided to do a simple patchwork pattern and use the remaining fabric I had from Shawn’s old shirts and added in some blue chambray that I had laying around. I like that it goes well with the one I made before but is a bit more casual and “boyish” looking. I think that it should fit his crib perfectly for when we eventually convert it to a toddler bed. I backed it in green minky that I had left over from Roz’s quilt and did a scrappy binding with the last bits of the shirt fabrics.
My favorite part of this quilt is that I incorporated the shirt pockets into one row! I kept imagining Joseph hiding his little cars or action figures in them as he went to bed. Is that cute?
***Enough with the photos, mom!***
Just typing that title took my breath away. How is this even possible? One year ago today yesterday you were born and now you are such a big boy at one years old! You make me laugh and shake my head at your silly ways. I am so lucky to be your mommy and I love you so very much. You truly are my sun and stars. Happy Birthday, Joseph William!
I’m one! I’m one! I’m one years old! This past year I have grown (and grown!) into a healthy, happy little boy. I am constantly babbling and singing all day long. I still love to read and mommy often finds me in my fort -behind daddy’s chair- flipping through all of my books. I still love my vacuum and push it around the house. Walter is my best friend, I wrestle and play with him all day. I am still not quite ready to walk, why should I when I can crawl so fast? I went sledding for the first time and although I was a bit nervous about going down the hill with mommy and my cousin Luke, I had a great time being dragged around the yard. I am so excited for my birthday party and continuing to grow so big and strong!
I originally planned on making this quilt for my mom back in Wisconsin. I was going to take another quilting class and this was the project quilt. I purchased the fabric and pattern, then they ended up canceling the class! Honestly, I was a bit intimidated by the pattern, having never done flying-geese blocks and so much piecing before so i put it off in my “to do” pile of projects and moved on to other things. Eventually, I got up enough courage to tackle the project while I was still pregnant with Joseph. I worked on it here and there and finally got it finished n time to give it to mom for Mother’s Day last year.
I used some lovely hand-dyed batik fabrics for it in colors that my mom really loves. The green print has fern leaves in the pattern that you can’t really get from this photo, but I used it for the backing as well. These aren’t necessarily something that I would gravitate to, but I think that it was perfect for mom.
I have to admit that I struggled a little on this one. Those geese triangles were killer and I don’t think that I was accurate enough with the cutting before piecing them together. You can see here and there where they were eaten up a bit. I think that I learned a lot from this pattern and I’m considering trying it out again at some point. The good thing is that mom loves it and could care less about the imperfections. That my mom, finding the good in something and being able to gloss over the bad.
I recently received an iPad Mini from Shawn for my birthday. Amazing hubby, right? I wasn’t too sure at first about whether I wanted to keep it or not. I mean, I already have my iPhone and MacBook. Plus, we have a Mac desktop that is our “family computer” that I also use at times. Shawn has an iPad, and I never really got too interested in it. It felt too big and heavy to use, might as well get the laptop out, right?
Well, the Mini has converted me. It is the perfect size. Portable and light weight. So far I’ve mostly been using it for surfing the web, watching Netflix while crafting and putting a few apps on it for Joseph to play with instead of stealing my phone. It was really great to take to my parents for the week instead of lugging around my laptop and charger. My only complaint so far is getting used to typing and I’m not really in love with the cover I got for it. Otherwise, it’s been a great addition to my “gadget family!”
If you have any app recommendations, please let me know!
I can’t believe it’s been this long . . . it still stills my heart every day. It’s both easier and harder now with Joseph here. It keeps me busy and present and also helps me to cherish this sweet little boy all the more. But, it is also a constant reminder. Would Christopher be the same rough and tumble little boy, would Mary have the same blue eyes? Questions that bring a smile and tears at the same time.
I still struggle with the seemingly ever-present question “is he your first?” Such a simple question but so hard to answer. Most often, I simply say yes. It’s too difficult to explain and it’s most often people that want a simple answer. Little do they know of the tiny daggers that sting when I deny them. Please, my sweet angels, know that I will always think of you as my first (and second) born. I love you Mary and Christopher, Happy Birthday my loves.
Did this month fly by or what? It was a very busy month, full of traveling and celebrations. Let’s check out how things went:
Happy 6th Birthday, Walter. My sweet boy, I can’t believe that’s its been so long. You were such a tiny pup when we brought you home. Now I see gray on that snout of yours. Ever serious and sweet, you’ve been a constant companion. I’m so proud of how you’ve accepted your “little brother” and love him so. You’re beyond patient with his bulldozer ways, although I’m sure his food-sharing had made things more bearable. I love you, my fuzzy guy. Happy birthday, boy.
This month’s theme is inspired by the season’s awards shows and being red carpet ready. While, I won’t be walking the line anytime soon, I will be celebrating my birthday shortly, so I’m hoping these products can get me ready for my tiny spotlight.
Anyone interested in signing up for a Birchbox? Please click here so I get points for the referral. Thanks a bunch!
BTW: This month I’ve joined the Birchbloggers link party, please check out other blogger’s reviews for this month at The Nerdy Katie and Fabulous But Evil.
**Product Photo via Birchbox**
Widdershins 
