Closer to two.

How can you not smile at this face?

She’s over 19 months old. For non-parents, that’s over a year and a half! {Why is it that parents talk in terms of weeks for pregnancy rather than months, and months for babies rather than years? I never understood that!} It’s crazy to think that she’s closer to two than one now. Oh, I’m loving her sweet, spunky, sassy, loving personality! I’ve been seriously slacking in the blogging department lately, but honestly, I don’t really feel bad about it. I’m busy living life with my family, working hard, and {trying to} be present in the moments. That doesn’t leave much time for photos, editing, writing, and blogging, but at the same time, I don’t want to get to kindergarten registration and have no record of the happy, big moments. So here’s a quick catch-up on the little one. {I think I’m going to have to come up with a new blog-name for my girl…she’s not quite so little anymore!}

It was warmer today {above freezing}, so we bundled up to burn some energy outside while shoveling the driveway. She loves putting on her hats. Miss independent.

She’s such a happy, easy-going girl. Just like she was as a baby. I love that she takes after her very “chill” daddy.

She’s still waiting on a few more teeth, but most are in now. You can’t tell in these pictures, but her hair is getting really long too. It’s about shoulder length – really makes her look less like a baby and more like a little girl.

She is all about trying whatever she sees someone else doing. Momma shovels, she shovels. Momma coughs, she coughs. Momma folds laundry, she “folds” laundry. It’s so fun to watch her little mind be challenged with each new activity she insists on trying. And I’m continually amazed at her ability.

Her newest thing is saying “CHEEEEZZE!” anytime she sees a camera or phone. I guess we’ve entered the fake toddler smile stage. It’s still pretty darn cute if you ask me. :)

She’s also very stubborn. {Probably gets that from me, unfortunately.} If she wants something, its very difficult to persuade her otherwise. I try hard to find a balance of encouraging her independent thinking but also maintaining strong, clear parental veto power. {I sound crazy here, don’t I?!}

She has a serious silly side to her. She likes to sneak up behind people – usually her dad – and surprise/scare them. She and her auntie like to make silly faces back and forth, and she thinks it’s funny to make some really odd noises.

If she’s eating something she likes {i.e. chili, hummus, cheese, crackers, pretzels, cereal} she will eat like a sumo wrestler. No kidding, this girl can eat an adult portion plus some of chili. She’s not so good at eating healthy, fresh food, but we’re still working on that.

She has quite an extensive vocabulary. She’s strung a few words together to make phrases, but for the most part the words are usually used singularly. Skip past this part if you’re bored…some of her words {other than names and animal sounds} include: ball, cat, baby “bebbies”, sleep, eat, cracker, arm, bath, book, Bible, milk, cheese, down, up, help, poop, ice, rock, apple, hot, ouch, door, dip, bowl, yep, no, go, dark…the list goes on. I’m excited for when she begins speaking even more. I can tell we’re on the cusp of it because she’s getting really frustrated lately – like temper tantrum frustrated – when she wants to say something but just can’t figure out how.

She’s great at independent play, but she much prefers to boss willing people around to play with her {namely her Nana and her Grandma!} Her favorite toy is her baby, but her favorite activity is probably listening to music {I Saw the Light by David  Crowder & Speak Life by TobyMac are her requests.} She sings, but that deserves a post of its own. She’s currently obsessed with Dr. Seuss books. I’ve read Mr. Brown Can Moo and Green Eggs and Ham around 15 times each day the last week! She also loves to go to Eugene’s school. She plays in the gym, walks the halls, climbs the stairs, waves at people, and watches a variety of sports games. It’s her little slice of heaven.

This has been such a fun ride, and I feel so privileged to get to ride it. I can’t wait to see how much more I can add to all this as she begins to head into toddlerhood. I have a feeling she’s going to be quite the two-year-old!

Cute as a button & so much fun.

I broke the rules and threw the little one a rather large birthday part. “They” say that the first birthday party should be low-key and include only a few people; however, we were finishing most of our house renovations – mainly our kitchen – and we haven’t had anyone over since we moved in {since the house was always torn apart for some DIY project.} Luckily, the little one has been to many, many family functions with Eugene’s family that involved lots of people, so she was comfortable with a crowd.

I went with a “cute as a button” theme. Seemed appropriate since the little one loves pointing at her button light, and I liked the colorful theme. Her invitation said: “Cute as a button & so much fun, the little one {but it said her real name} is turning one!”

I used a great sugar cookie recipe I found on Pinterest to make these button cookies. I used a mason jar to cut the large circle, a baby food jar for the inner circle indent, and a drinking straw for the button holes. I’ll definitely use the cookie recipe again; they held their shape perfectly and tasted good too!

I printed buttons on computer paper and taped them to toothpicks for the funfetti cupcakes…

I made caramel kiss, M&M, and pretzel button candies. Tasted great, but looked a little messy since I picked caramel kisses rather than the normal kiss.

I made the “1” sign using a leftover piece of wood, spray-painted pink. I drew on a “1” and hot glued buttons. Eugene’s grandma Dottie donated tons of buttons to the birthday party cause. {She has an incredible stock of craft/sewing supplies!}

Another Pinterest idea – ice cubes made using a muffin tin with slices of lime…

More printed signs/labels I made using Publisher.

My favorite detail of the party was the garland. I used scrap fabric pieces and baker’s twine to make the top garland. I hot glued buttons to colored paperclips to hold the monthly chalk-board photos, and I used Dollar Tree plates to make the large buttons.

It was neat to see her growth from month one to twelve displayed at her party.

I also sewed her a button-themed dress. Well, it was a dress when I made it a month ago, but the little one must have had a growth spurt because by the time of her party it was too short for a dress! I’ll have to post a separate blog on how I made it some other time.

I realize I’m super biased, but I really think she’s totally cute as a button. :)

She got some quality time with family & friends. Here’s the little one with her Great Grandma Goldie. {So much sweetness in one picture!}

She played with her cousin, Cate, and friends Griff & Brooks…

She thought it was hilarious to hear Eugene’s family sing their usual butchered version of “Happy Birthday!”

And she enjoyed her banana muffin birthday cupcake…

It was a fabulous time, and I’m so thankful for all my family & friends who helped and attended to celebrate the little one’s first year of life. {Wondrous thing overload!}

Taking down the photos was a little emotional for me {in a happy, humbled, overwhelmed with gratitude kind-of way.} I won’t lie, I may have shed a tear remembering how little she was and how much she has grown. God has blessed us incredibly.

Twelve months.

She’s 12 months old. Just like that.

She loves oranges & crackers, is obsessed with her toy car, being outside, waving at anyone and everyone, wrestling with Dada, and pestering her dog. When asked, “What’s the ___ say?” She can actually answer with the appropriate animal sound for dog, monkey, duck, cow, lion, and cat.” It’s so cute to watch her “Moooo!”

She’s a walking pro now. Loves it.

{Thanks to her Aunt Kelsey for the adorable romper & shoes.}

Just like that, she’s a year old.