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The Best Mother’s Day Gift

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Corinne’s Monthly Updates

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Corinne – Two Months

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Corinne – One Month

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Siblings

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Pregnancy Update

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Painted Easter Eggs

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Our Family is Growing!

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First Birthday Parties

Cullen’s Bow Tie Bash

January 29, 2014

We had Cullen’s birthday party the Sunday after his birthday party.  I had been planning his party for months.  I went back and forth countless times on theme, colors, decor, and food.  In the end, I think it turned out pretty great.

Disclaimer: This post has enough pictures to make you feel like you were actually at the party.  I couldn’t pick just a few, so there are about 40.  Enjoy!

We had a house full of friends and family.  We were cramped, but it was so worth it.  Cullen had a great time!  He is one loved little boy.

I decided to go with a Bow Tie Bash theme.  We had bow ties for guests to put on as they came in to match the birthday boy.  I made most of the decor and food, which would have been a lot easier if I had made decisions a lot sooner.  Most of this was done the week before the party.  I’ll do better next time.  








We had an area for guests to write Cullen a note.  My plan is so do this every year and save them to give to Cullen when he is older.  Just a little way to remember everyone who came to celebrate with him.




After Cullen had his fill of cheerios, goldfish, apples, and cheese, it was time for cake.  He was a little hesitant at first, but after the first taste, Cullen went at the cake with reckless abandon.  After, of course, he realized he couldn’t pick up the whole cake, he settled on fistfuls he could barely fit in his mouth.  


 He opened maybe two gifts before deciding a friend’s goldfish were way more interesting.  So he snacked some more while Corey and I oohed and awed over all of the cute clothes and fun toys.  Cullen had no problem playing with the toys after everyone left though!

It turned out to be a pretty great day.  We all had a blast celebrating a whole year of our sweet little boy!  Thanks to everyone who made Cullen’s first birthday terrific!




First Birthday Monthly Update

Twelve Months

January 24, 2014

We officially have a one year old.  My little baby is now a toddler.  Excuse me a moment while I wipe away a few tears.  OK.  I’m better now, so let’s talk about this ball of personality living with us.



 Cullen took his very first step the Saturday before Christmas.  It was only one step though.  a couple of days later he started taking two and three steps throughout the day.  By the first of the year, he was taking five or six steps at a time, but was still a little unsure of himself.  By his first birthday, walking was his default mode.  He is still a little unsteady and falls a good bit, but he almost always starts off walking. He is now chasing Macey in circles around the kitchen table.



Mealtime has become a little more difficult lately.  Cullen loves yogurt, grapes, quinoa, and snacks.  Everything else has become a struggle.  We are trying mostly finger foods, and at dinner are giving Cullen what we eat.  Most of the time he will try what we give him once and then play with it, but he usually eats well at breakfast and lunch and he does well at dinner on occasion.  I’m hoping that if we just keep offering, he will eventually eat better.  But I hear most little ones are picky eaters at this age.  Plus, Cullen seems to be growing right on track.  He is in the 58% for weight (21 pounds, 12.5 ounces) and the 93% for height (31.25 inches.)  Not sure where that height is coming from!

Cullen now has eight teeth.  And he shows them off with the best cheesy grin I have ever seen.  His whole face wrinkles up so much that his eyes close.  It is my absolute favorite!

For the past month, at least, Cullen has been saying ‘dis’ (this.)  He points at everything and says ‘dis.’  It could be something he wants, something he is just noticing, or something he has seen a hundred times and just wants to point at.  It is super cute!

Cullen’s favorite things to do these days are playing peek-a-boo behind the curtains, chasing Macey around (I’m glad she is so good with him!), clicking pens (not sure how he learned that, but it’s so cute!), getting chased by adults, and reading books by himself. He loves to sit with a pile of books and flip through page by page; seriously the sweetest thing ever!  We are having so much fun with this little boy!



Side note: this kid can throw a temper tantrum.  Every single time he doesn’t get his way.  Have the terrible twos started super early?  (But most of the time he is awesome!)
First Birthday

One Year Ago

January 17, 2014

My baby is going to be one tomorrow.  Honestly, I am dealing with it a lot better than I thought I would.  Instead of being sad because a whole year has gone by and because we now have a wide-open toddler instead of a snuggly little baby, I am excited for what’s ahead.  I am excited about Cullen’s first birthday party, more steps, more words, and everything else that comes when you leave the baby stage and enter toddlerville.  I am excited about learning more and more about this little boy and who he is growing up to be.


As much as I love the little person that Cullen is now, I’m not being completely honest with you if I don’t admit that sometimes I do miss that super cuddly newborn we brought home from the hospital.  I absolutely loved that newborn stage; when Cullen fell asleep on my chest, that sweet newborn smell, not having to chase him around the house.  But every stage seems to be better than the last, so while trying to soak up every minute and enjoy the now, I can’t wait to see what this little boy does next! 

Exactly one year ago today, Corey and I were busy packing our hospital bags and going out for one last dinner just the two of us (without having to get a babysitter.)  We were so excited about the next day and finally getting to hold our precious little boy.  

As I think back to where we were this time last year, I want to take a minute and look back at some of Cullen’s newborn pictures.  I was waiting to share these until I had mailed Cullen’s birth announcements, but that never happened.  Oops!  So I am sharing them with you now. 

These first few pictures were taken in the hospital.  I love that we had the opportunity to capture these moments when Cullen was just a day old.




These pictures were taken when Cullen was about a week old by the same person who took my maternity pictures.  I am in love with every single one of these pictures!



Christmas Holidays

Christmas: What Cullen Got

January 5, 2014

Now that Cullen has had a chance to play with all of his gifts from Santa, Corey, and I, I thought I should share what he got and how he likes everything.

We knew that Cullen would be getting plenty of battery operated sound noise music making toys from other family members, so we stuck with quiet, mostly wooden toys.

1.  B. Zany Zoo Wooden Activity Cube This was definitely a hit!  It was the first thing Cullen went to when we got downstairs. (It was also the only one that was not wrapped, but I’m going to ignore that fact.)  He practically pushed the other packages out of the way and started playing.  Why did I get him anything else?  He loves playing with every part of this thing and sometimes the animals on it make him laugh out loud.  He loves anything with animals. 

2. Hape Shake and Match Shape Sorter Cullen loves to play with the shapes by themselves and help put them in the sorter.  As hard as he tries, he can’t quite get the shapes in the holes yet.  But, after letting him attempt on his own, if I hold the shape over the hole, he pushes it down with one finger.  And you can tell he is so proud of himself!

3.  Hape First Pounder  Honestly, he is not quite sure what do with this one yet, but he loves carrying the little hammer around.  He will get it one day.

4. Herschel Supply Co. Settlement Kids Backpack Now that Cullen doesn’t really need a lot with him when we leave the house, I thought it was time to trade in his diaper bag for a backpack.  This one is super cute for a little boy, and I hope he will be able to use it for preschool in a few years.

5.  Teepee.  Cullen loves hiding under tables and in the dog crate, so we thought it would be perfect for him to play in for years to come.  I love this one, but decided to attempt one on my own.  He hasn’t gotten much play time with it yet because I just finished it.  I’m sure he is going to have lots of fun hiding and playing in there though.



His stocking was filled with a few other goodies: some snacks, a Boon snack ball, a Kid O Go Car to push around, and a t-shirt with a Boston Terrier on it (in honor of Macey) that I snagged on clearance from Target.

I’m actually a little late in posting this, since right after Christmas we had to start getting ready for Cullen’s first birthday (more on that later.)  Hopefully now that all of the festivities are over, I can focus on more consistent and timely blogging (one of my goals for this year.)

2014 Goals New Year

Hello 2014

January 4, 2014

I intended to have this post up on January 1st.  But our whole house has been sick and not much as been accomplished over the last few days.  There are dishes piled in the sink, laundry still needs to be done, and I should be back at work.  Instead we have been breaking Kleenex use records, getting in lots of snuggles, and trying to get better.


Despite starting the year off not feeling so great, I plan on making 2014 a great year for our family.  In a few short weeks we will have a one year old to keep up with, Corey is working on growing his new business, and I am determined to focus on being a better mom and wife than ever before.

I don’t usually make resolutions because I know I won’t keep them.  But I am writing down my goals for the year in my planner so they are always there for me to see and I am putting them out here for you to see.  So feel free to help keep me accountable.  Maybe if all of the internet (or the few people that check my blog on occasion) can see what my goals are, I’ll be a little more motivated to work hard to achieve them.  So…without further ado, here are my goals for 2014.



1.  Organize/Decorate/Clean.  We moved into our house in July of 2010.  We have lived here for 3 1/2 years, and every room still needs some kind of organizing.  Drawers and cabinets need to be gone through, things need to be trashed and donated, and just about everything needs a permanent home.  There are also curtains that need to be hung, art to put on walls, and rooms that need to be pulled together.  This seems like a pretty daunting task, and I don’t expect that our house will be ‘done’ by the end of the year (is a home ever really ‘done’?), but I do plan on making this a priority.  I also need to streamline my cleaning routine.  Fewer and simpler cleaning products and a weekly schedule should help making house cleaning a little easier so the house stays relatively clean at all times and we have more time together (#3.)

2. Simplify.  Everything from products we buy, to the things set out on counters and shelves, to my to-do list.  Buying less at the grocery store and fewer clothes and accessories should help us save a little money and eat a little better.  Displaying less will help keep things tidy and relaxing to look at.  Simplifying my to-do list will help with #3. 

3.  Quality family time.  Corey has been working a lot lately (at least over 70 hours a week) and will continue to work a lot for a while, so the time we have together as a family is more valuable than ever.  I want to spend less time in front of the TV or on our phones and computers and more time unplugged.  (We are strongly considering cutting off the cable.  One less bill would be a plus!)  Cullen will only be this little for so long.  I want to spend more time playing and reading with him and soak up every minute of that little boy’s life.  Corey and I also want to make time for more date nights.  Even if it’s renting a movie to watch after Cullen is in bed.

4.  Be more consistent with blogging.  Even if I don’t have a ton of readers, I love having this blog as a way to document our family.  I love bloggers who get more personal and really let you get to know them.  I want to be open and honest.  I am going to share things I would want to read; this blog is for me after all.  (But I hope you enjoy it too!)

Looking back at that list, it seems like a lot to expect out of one year.  And I know I am not going to be perfect at any of these, but I am going to do my best.  I will try to update you on how I’m doing throughout the year.  And I welcome accountability; please ask me about these at any time!

What are your goals for 2014?  Any resolutions this year?
Uncategorized

2013: Our Best Year Yet

December 31, 2013

Am I the only one in shock about how fast the year has gone by?  It has been one crazy wonderful year for us.


At the first of the year, I still looked like this, and we were anxiously awaiting the arrival of our son.  Can you believe that was only a little less than a year ago? It feels like it has been forever since I was having to carry that belly around!
It wasn’t long though before we were celebrating the birth of our beautiful little boy.  What better way to begin a new year than with new life?

We have enjoyed a lot of firsts this year.  First snow, first Easter, first beach trip, first trip to the zoo, first football game, apple and pumpkin pickin’, first Halloween, first Thanksgiving, and first Christmas (post to come soon…I hope).  That is a lot of fun to pack into one year!

As crazy as it has sometimes been with a new little one, a new job for Corey, and all that comes with figuring out parenting for the first time, we have enjoyed every minute of this year.  I would not change a thing!

We are going to spend the last day of 2013 just the three of us.  I am going to get in every last snuggle, hug, and kiss I can this year from Cullen.  Then Corey and I are going to ring in the new year snuggled on the couch.  I can’t imagine a better ending to this year and beginning to 2014.

I hope you are spending today reflecting on all the good 2013 has brought and thinking about what you want out of 2014.  I don’t usually make resolutions, but I will be back tomorrow with some plans for the new year. 
Monthly Update

Eleven Months

December 29, 2013

As I mentioned yesterday things have been a little crazy around here lately, so at almost two weeks late, I figured it was time to update you on this little eleven month old we have cruising around.



Some stats for this month:  

Right at eleven months, Cullen weighed about 25 1/2 pounds.  Not sure about height…I didn’t even attempt that this month.

Cullen has five teeth and two more that are going to pop through any minute.  

Saying ‘Mama’, ‘Dada’, ‘hey’ and ‘no’.  My mom swears she has heard him say ‘GiGi’.  



This is more of a development in the past week, but Cullen is taking a few steps.  Usually just one or two then he decides crawling is easier, but he is definitely on the verge of walking.  For a little while now, he has been standing on his own.  It’s funny when he is standing and you can see him trying to decide if he wants to take a step or sit and crawl.  Such tough decisions for a such a little boy.



Sorry this has been so short, but we have a lot going on with cleaning up after Christmas and planning a first birthday party! (Which I am super excited and sad about at the same time!)  So I will leave you with two more pictures of our big boy, and I am off to shop for party supplies. 

Side note, does everyone else have such a hard time getting their little one to sit still for more than two seconds? Getting a good picture of him is hard work!

Christmas Photography

Christmas Pictures

December 28, 2013

The past couple of weeks have been absolutely crazy!  So bear with me as I catch up on some things I wanted to share with you.  Over the next few days I’m hoping to share some of our Christmas Pictures, what Cullen got for Christmas, Cullen’s 11 month update (only a couple weeks late), and some plans for 2014.  Let’s get started…


You have already seen the pictures we used on our Christmas card.  But, I wanted to share a few of the other pictures we took that day.  Last year, we used maternity pictures taken by an actual photographer for our Christmas card.  This year, I decided we would attempt this on our own. So, armed with a tripod, wireless shutter release, and a few props, Corey, Cullen and I headed to a little field in our neighborhood to capture a few festive photos.

I think we did pretty well.  I took about 200 pictures and only a few had everyone in focus with happy faces, but we had fun and I love any chance to practice my amateur photography skills.


While these are far from perfect, I am pretty happy with the results and can’t wait to frame a few! 
Christmas

Merry Christmas

December 25, 2013

We have a full day today starting with seeing what Santa brought Cullen, opening presents, visiting my family for lunch and Corey’s family after that.  But I wanted to take a quick minute to wish you a Merry Christmas.



























I hope you are spending time surrounded by loved ones and enjoying all the JOY that this day brings.  And while presents are fun to give and get, remember the best gift anyone could ever get: the love God showed us by sending his Son to become out Savior.


















From our family to yours, Merry Christmas!
Holidays Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 28, 2013
We just wanted to take a quick minute to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!
We have so much to be thankful for this year! At the top of the list is this beautiful little boy God has blessed us with. He continues to amaze us every day!


I hope you all have a wonderful day. From our family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!!!

What are you thankful for this year?