Stay-at-Home Mom Files: Birthday Treats

For Lincoln's birthday party, I created gift bags using old jeans pockets, cotton fabric, cookie cutters, and the magical wonder under.

I cut out the pockets, traced the boot and one on wonder under-ed fabric, ironed it on, and voila! I stuffed them with bandannas, sheriff badges, and cowboy rubber duckies.

Lincoln tried to distract me from my work, but I finished early. I'm already thinking about next year--a dinosaur party?

One Year in Five Days: Happy 1st Birthday!

I got to tear up some paper today. I'm not sure why, but it was fun, and I got a great book from Auntie Jennie.

It was hot today, so I got to wear my shorts pajamas. I walked with my cart, too.

We went on a walk and saw a bear. I stared it down. Mama said she and Auntie Jennie were bears, but I don't think that's right.

I got to swing a lot this week, and I like swinging. It's fun to be big now--and tomorrow I get to party!

One Year in Five Days: A Wintry 9 Months

Adept fingers and superior hand-eye coordination began to seek out new things like cheerios.

Stacking cups and rings became playthings of choice.

He could even stand to look at books.

And he could hang out in the big tub with sharks. How did he get so big, so fast? Check back tomorrow for special One Year pics.

One Year in Five Days: Half-Birthday Time

As he celebrated his first half birthday, he discovered wrapping paper.

Sitting--a whole new world has opened up for the wee lad.

But even while sitting, somehow life can still be upsetting.

Sitting on dad, however, is much more fun! Now we can play with him!

One Year in Five Days: Three Months In

After only three months, the new Cool is already trying to get away.

He is already curious about the world around him.

He is already working on his charm. The first smiles are one of the best things ever.

Little did we know that our time to put him in funny headgear was limited.

One Year in Five Days: The New Cool Arrives

Lincoln coming home--the outfit that we had thought the smallest was still way too big.

I think this picture illustrates both Mr. Cool's tender loving care of tiny Lincoln and the sleep deprivation we both suffered during the first weeks of his life.

Here Mr. Cool demonstrates his mastery of the burrito wrap. If there are any expectant fathers out there looking to perfect their swaddling, call Mr. Cool for a lesson.

As we close in on a year, I still find it hard to believe that this has happened--that we made a new little life--and that I survived surgery and maintained my sanity (mostly) while taking care of him.

As we continue through the week, we will be revisiting this last year, watching this tiny burrito become a wobbler.

A Hat for My Mother

Meret Mystery Beret in Terra Cotta Cotton-Ease

I think this is my best hat-model picture ever. My very lovely mother looks fantastic in her hat--and as my first lacy project it was a joy to knit. Now I need to knit her another one!

Cutie Pie Thursday: Random Melencholy Cuteness

I've been teething a lot. It hurts, even when I'm taking a bath. Sometimes all I can do is chew on a dolphin. Sorry, PETA. (Momendum: He scooped this up with his mouth--no hands!)

I played the piano at Grammie's house. It was fun to bang on the keys, but I really wanted to chew on the sheet music.

My first meal at Grammie's: she made me peas, hamburger, and potatoes. I gobbled it right up.

Next Week: Lincoln turns 1! Amanda finishes a knitting project! And did we add, Lincoln turns 1!!!!!

Cutie Pie Thursday: More New Swath Skills

I can come down the stairs the safe way 99.9% of the time.

That is, of course, after I climb all the way to the top.

I pushed this bowl over and climbed up on it so I could get my wiffle ball. I am a problem solver.

I stacked my blocks all on my own!

My First Mother's Day

Pick me up, mama!

Today is my first "real" Mother's Day. As my babe turns 1 at the end of this month, I have been a mom for almost a whole year. A huge shout-out to my mom, for whom I have even more appreciation and love, now that I have experienced this motherhood thing. And now, a Mother's Day Top Ten.

Top Ten Things I Like About Being a Mama

10. When Lincoln is asleep and I can read, knit, surf the web, clean, or chat with someone, at a hugely more efficient rate than I ever have before.
9. When Lincoln is awake and I can chat with him!
8. When nursing with me is the most comforting thing in his universe.
7. When people in the store comment on how cute he is.
6. When I see how happy my parents are with their grandbaby, and my sister is with her nephew.
5. When he gets so excited about cheerios and eats them so precisely.
4. When he gets so excited about squash and wolfs it down.
3. When he concentrates on something--like the blocks he stacked this week!
2. When he dances to music.
1. When he snuggles up to me, and I realize that though I could also make a Top Ten list on the things I don't like about being a mama, the things I do like are worth so much more.

Cutie Pie Thursday: New Things

So, were you wondering what's new with me? Here's the update!

I can make all sorts of great faces when I'm excited. Here I recently liberated mom's oh plah bracelet. I am impressed with my skills.

I can also giggle when mommy says funny words, like "burp," "toot," "zipper," and "droid."

If I drop my book on the floor, it's no problem. I can easily bend down to grab it. Sometimes I drop it on the floor just for fun.

I can pull myself up in my crib really easily. Why am I still here? Why hasn't mommy rescued me yet? Oh--and only 22 days until my birthday!

The Painted Desert Inn

I'm still having camera issues, so I'll leave you with more of Mr. Cool's great pictures of the lights at the Painted Desert Inn. Again, these lights were all created by the CCC. Thanks for the comments and thoughts on my long rant of last week, and I appreciate the disagreement! I know the New Deal and the CCC were not perfect, but if government doesn't support artists, who will? The church used to, but most local churches aren't commissioning painted ceilings or pietas. Maybe they should be!