4/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Owen: A lions mane to keep this cheeky little bubba warm on a rainy afternoon.

I'm enjoying taking part in this project with Jodi and so many other bloggers (even my sister in law)!

Pom pom garland: DIY

I am a sucker for garlands! I have had so much fun making garlands with pom poms made from yarn. They are fun to decorate with or give as gifts and they are so easy. Several of you asked me how to make them so I thought I would try and show you! 

What you will need
-A fork (medium fork = medium pom poms/small fork = small pom poms)
-Scissors
-Yarn
-Embroidery needle 

Step 1: Wrap your yarn around the fork like spaghetti. The thicker you make it the more full the pom pom will be. You can choose to use one color or many colors or yarn. When using multiple colors make sure and catch the loose ends with the next piece of yarn as you start a new color. I like to try one pom pom and see how it comes out and then go from there. Owen likes to take the dud ones and play with them. 

Step 2: Take the end of your yarn and stick it through the bottom center hole of the fork under your wrapped yarn. Take that same piece of yarn and wrap it around the top to bring it through the middle prong hole of the fork. Once the end of your piece of yard is wrapped completely around pull it tight and tie a knot. The yarn will look like a little bow tie on a fork at this point. 

Step 3: Take your scissors and cut under your yard along the side edge of the fork on both sides. Once you are done it should look like you have a pom pom on a fork. 

Step 4: Pull your pom pom off the top of the fork, fluff it up and trim around it to make it look round.

Step 5: Take whatever string you would prefer (I used twine in this picture but you can use your yarn, fishing line or embroidery thread), thread it through the embroidery needle and pull it through the center of your pom pom. Adjust your pom poms based on the space you would like between each pom pom and VOILA you have an adorable pom pom garland! 

3/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Owen: "Ah Ball!" Rather its a seed pod fallen from the trees, a round Christmas ornament or any old ball laying around the house, they make him happy! He loves to throw them, kick them and even sleep with them on occasion. 

I'm so excited about my sister-in-laws new blog! She is also joining in with the 52 project and has some really cute pictures of her puppy and my brother. You can check out all the bloggers participating over at Jodi's blog.

Christmas memories

Christmas came and went so quickly. After spending time in San Diego with Paul's family we headed home to celebrate with mine. We were all able to come together, under the same roof, for 10 whole days. It was 10 days packed with walks in the park, a trip to the city, get togethers with friends, treats, birthday celebrations, card games, driving around town in a 15 passenger van and lots of Christmas traditions. It was so relaxing and fun spending time together celebrating.

When Christmas morning came Paul and I were so excited to give Owen his gifts. We had each picked out something special for him. With Owen's new love for hiding under blankets and making forts I wanted to make him a tee pee. I made feathers out of fabric, a matching elephant pillow and some mustard pom pom's to go with it. He woke up to find it set up amongst the other packages under the tree, just like I envisioned. The rest of the morning he wanted to take all his presents and all of us in it. Paul picked out some soft dinosaur fabric he really wanted Owen to have a blanket made out of. One of Paul and Owen's favorite things to do together has been reading dinosaur books. Owen hasn't been attached to blankets or stuffed animals yet but Daddy knew he would love it! On Christmas morning he opened the blanket, wadded it up in his arms and crouched down on top of it to give it a big hug. He calls it his "deep-dee", I guess thats sounds like "blankie" to him. He likes to take it everywhere we go. It brought us so much joy to see him enjoy his gifts! He got so many fun things from everyone!

It seems like every Christmas theres always that one gift that makes all of us cry. This year it was when my Grandma opened a package from my sister and brother in law. As she pulled the frame out she got teared up before we could even see what she was looking at. It was a beautiful picture from our trip to the San Juan Islands this past summer. My Grandpa had always wanted to take her there. The bottom of the picture said, "Remembering you Grandpa. Friday Harbor, San Juan Island". We always miss him extra around the holidays.

One of the sweet memories I won't forget from this Christmas was when Owen first saw his stocking. We each have a homemade stocking, sewn in different fabrics, made with love by each other. Last year my Mom and I made Owen's. Paul and I picked a fabric with a manger, Mary and Joseph, Baby Jesus and some sheep scattered around on hills. Owen has a Little People Nativity that we get out at Christmas with all the same characters. We would always ask him, "where is baby Jesus?", and he would bring us the baby out of the manger. When he first saw his stocking he looked closely at the picture and then pointed to the baby in the manger and said, "Baby Jesus!" It was the sweetest thing! 

What is a memory you don't want to forget from the holidays?

2/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Owen: A blown kiss for Mommy from across the patio. 

Here is Owen's portrait from last week! I'm joining in with Jodi for the 52 Project.

San diego christmas

We caught a short flight down to San Diego, before Christmas, to celebrate the holidays with Paul's family. Owen had so much fun despite coming down with a fever the first night. This year we have two new girls in the family! Two of Paul's brothers got married this past summer and fall. I am sad, in the midst of Owen being sick, I didn't capture any pictures with them. They are both so sweet and I am glad to have them as sisters. It was so fun to have four of us girls to go shopping, make dinners and chat. With Owen being sick we spent more time resting and playing games around the house. The guys took several trips to the beach for surfing while we stayed in for naps. It was a good time with family.

18 months

Our boy at 18 months

-He loves to dance. He spins in circles till he gets dizzy.

-When he was younger we taught him the sign for please and more. For some reason he has stopped signing it and now to say please he slowly nods his head up and down with big eyes. 

-He is better able to communicate what he wants. We were walking through the mall today and as we walked by the pretzel place he started saying, "Mmmm", "Mmmm", "Mmmm" and pointing. He wanted a pizza pretzel, that's his favorite. Pizza anything is his favorite.
-He has started talking so much. It seems like he says a new word every day. He likes to repeat words after us. 

-He loves when he hears a firetruck or airplane outside. He gets quiet and listens hard and then tries to imitate their noise.
-Playing chase and being chased are some of his favorite things!
-He is the snuggliest snuggle bug. We love him! 

1/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Owen: Playing in his room with mommy and jumping on his bed. I love to make him smile.

 I am excited to start the 52 Project with Jodi from Che and Fidel. I will be posting my portrait of Owen each week on Sunday. I'm looking forward to having a collection of pictures capturing his everyday life as he grows and changes.  

2012: A great year together

I loved living life with our little family of three this past year. Owen's cheeks have gotten less chubby and his face has gotten more like a little boys. Paul and I will have been married five years in April. I am grateful for so many things as I think back. I wonder what this next year will hold?

I like to make a long list of goals when a new year rolls around. Some I take more seriously and some I like to just dream up. Drinking more water, eating less sugar, getting a lemon tree and raspberry plant for our patio, spending time reading my Bible at the beginning of Owen's nap everyday, spending less time with technology and more time with family and friends, going on a 30 minute walk each morning, having less worries and choosing more joy. What are your goals for this new year?