Van’s Grandmom Mimi left today after a wonderful week. This past week was eventful and Van grew to love her so much. Every time she walked in the room, he would get a big smile on his face and lift his arms out for her to pick him up. She was a teacher for several years and being a grandmother is just second nature for her. Van keeps crawling into her room and looking for her, and my heart sinks. Mimi is a warm spirit, she wakes up happy and singing, a rare trait to find. She spent so much time just being with Van. Taking him on walks, letting him explore the outdoors, reading to him, playing in water, singing to him, and just kissing him. I love to see him developing relationships with the people who love him, creating bonds that will last a lifetime. She got to see him take his first steps last week.
Mimi took took us out to dinners, brought us books and music, new shoes and a pedicure to match, clothes for Van, toys, gas for the car, groceries in our fridge, a babysitter, and a warm loving heart. Thank you for all you do you are so cherished by us.
Van started walking today, it was amazing we were all in the kitchen. Mimi, Conner and I and he just walked right across the room like it was no body’s business. He seemed as if he had known how to do it for months, years. Anyways, it pretty much blows my mind to see this little thing walking across the room with a drunken wobble and a crooked smile. He is so proud of himself and when he sees us clapping in disbelief and sheer happiness, he claps for himself too with a puffed chest and a grin from ear to ear. His carnival came to town this weekend and it was fun, just right for a one year old. He had all of his friends there to share his day with him. It was definitely a birthday that will be remembered for ever. Thank you all who made it to celebrate his first year of life. We really do appreciate your presence in his life & ours.
I decorated the house with paper bunting that I made out of scrapbook paper, hole punched colorful circle confetti for the table, and cut out circles for his home made carrot cake, out of fondant. The mini cupcakes were covered in butter creme frosting and sprinkled with carnival sprinkles. The cake balls I made were filled with choclolate cake and covered with candy melt chocolate and sprinkles. We did a weird kind of raffle & an animal cracker guess. The party favors were carnival toys, and recycled baby food jars filled with jelly bellies tied with raffia. To view more photos from the party click here & here.
I have so many emotions running through my head about this one year mark. This year not only signifies the first year of our sons life, but it also stands for a rebirth of our lives as well. We became parents, role models, and life teachers to a child who stands for our future. The first year of a new life is so pliable, like a little ball of silly putty. I have loved this past year and I have taken it all in as much as possible. I just uploaded some photos, one from every month to flickr check them out when you can! Check out what Conner has been up to this week.
I took Van to a portrait studio today to do some photos of him, I prefer the more photo journalistic approach but these are something I could never do myself. He is almost one and I thought since I haven’t had any taken of him yet now was a good time. Not ones I would frame and hang on the wall however. I did find this one of Conner when he was a little one and it was fun comparing how similar they look! I don’t have a little girl yet but I love to think about what she will look like and things I will dress her in! I do love the Sophie & Lili Collection and they are having a huge tag sale, check it out! Also Ouef is having their first ever sale all clothing is 70% off.
For brightening my every day, for looking into my eyes and making me feel like I hung the moon, for holding me, for laughing at me when I am not even funny. For sleeping in my arms and keeping me warm, for sharing the bath with me, for letting it be so quiet at night that I can hear your heart beat, for letting me comfort you when you are scared, for helping me realize that you are one of my biggest priorities, for growing with me. For making me feel a love I have never felt before. Your laugh fills my soul and makes every day better than the one before. I soak you in each day and try to tattoo you in my mind because the next day you will change a little bit more. I love you Son.
Happy Valentines Day! I thought I would share the invites that I made for Van’s first birthday. They took a while but I had so much fun doing them. I wanted to create a vintage carnival theme with all old timey feeling carnival images and brown tones. I found a vintage photo of some people riding in an old ferris wheel, I took them out and put a cute photo of Van in there. I thought it would be fun to create a circle theme on the inside and carry it through the party too. I printed little directions and used a vintage photo of old fashioned tickets on the other side. I found some carnival stickers and used them to affix the directions! I think they turned out really cute and I am excited to carry out this theme through the little peoples party! Vintage Carnival! I am on the search for an old fashioned popcorn machine, a mini cotton candy machine & a fun littloe snow cone machine…. I am going to have some fun little goodie bags that tie in with the circle theme and the food will too. We are going to have a little book exchange as well!
Should be lots of fun! I can’t believe my son is already one, what a wonderful year it has been… Thank you Van for helping me to grow up! I love you.
Not sure who these people are “butt” I thought it was a funny photo.
We let Van order his very own pancake this past weekend at our favorite breakfast spot. It was the first time he had food from a restaurant so it was a big experience. He really likes his pancakes, every weekend Conner wakes up and makes him his own little pancake. So he has experience with them, just never this large and buttery! Yum. things got a little out of hand and he was stuffing large amounts into his mouth so after half way through we knew he had had enough, we distracted him and took away the pancake. He looked stuffed.
He had lemonade for the first time this week, and drew with a crayon today at the doctors office today. He was playing quietly in his play pen looking at a book of dogs yesterday saying “do-t” over and over again that is how he says dog! But anything with four legs & fur is a “Do-t”.
There is so much hype on the news about the primary election, I am just glad I voted whew!
Check out van’s new wheels. This is his first time walking with a little assistance. A natural already, running over zeke & doing a little victory dance!!
I am the writer & editor of vanerwin.com. I write on life, love, children, sustainable living, toys, organic food & interior design. I also work part time for my Dad on the Blondie Comic Strip. I have a funny husband, two brilliant sons, and two very hairy dogs!
Dianne Erwin