On a Special Goodnight Moon

As an adult, one of my favorite children's books is Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown with pictures by Clement Hurd.  Maybe it's the vintage looking pictures that rotate between black and white and color or the ideal bedroom that is so roomy it houses a fireplace.  

For Colleen's birthday, she received a very special version of Goodnight Moon.

My mom, after having found Goodnight Moon fabric, created a cloth book for Colleen in the same format as the original story.  Only Colleen's version has family pictures.

Even the fabric surrounding the pictures represents the people in the pictures.  Here, you can see the baseball fabric for my dad and the sewing scissors fabric for my mom.

Colleen loves the book.

With family so far away, I love having something that Colleen can always have with her that has family members' pictures and names.  We read the story together all the time so Colleen is able to "see" her extended family often.

Thanks Mom.  Colleen loves it. (As do I).

On Easter 2012

On the day before Easter, at the last minute, we decided to color Easter eggs.  Colleen didn't understand why she was in her highchair and not getting feed, but she did enjoy the hard boiled eggs a few days later.

Since Colleen's walking still is a little wobbly, we had her Easter egg hunt inside.

She was glad to find the eggs full of goldfish crackers, puffs, and yogurt melts.

She also liked the sound the filled eggs made when she shook them.

Tom's mom sent this beautiful Easter garland in Colleen's Easter bag.  It is made out of vintage Easter cards and is currently still hanging up in our living room.

Colleen received some Annie crackers, a Peep stuffed animal, toothbrush, Puffs and tray from Grandma and Grandpa.

The Easter Bunny brought Colleen new socks, shoes, and food containers.

Happy Easter!

On a Twelve Month Old

Twelve Month Doctor's Appointment

Weight:  20 pounds

Height:  31 inches

Head Circumference:  18 inches

We are walking!

On a Trip to Africa

The day after my birthday, I went to Africa.

Well, actually, it was the African portion of the North Carolina Zoo.  Mama and Daddy have been there several times as well as my Aunt Kara.  However, it was the first time for Pop Pop, Nini, and I.

Come on and I'll show you what we saw!

Giraffes

Elephants

Gorillas

Lemurs

Lions

And lots of flowers and plants.

Then, we stopped for something to eat and Pop Pop and Daddy waited in a long line to get some ice cream.  Can you see them?

Pop Pop got tired of waiting.

Now, for all my stroller-traveling friends-I found a great way to see the animals without having to leave the stroller.  

Are you ready?

Watch this!

Alright, well, that about sums up our safari.  Oh, what Mama?  You want me to post these pictures too?  Okay, here you go!

I'm looking forward to our next trip to the zoo.  Maybe we'll swing by North America this time...

On a Letter to a One Year Old

Dear Colleen,

On Saturday, March 31, 2012 you turned one year old.  We were happy to be able to have a party for you on your actual birthday.  The morning of your birthday, Daddy and I went to get you up together.  You were happy to see us both.

Grandma and Grandpa came in the night before with Aunt Christine, Aunt Beth, and Cole.  While your aunts and Cole spent the night at a hotel, you were excited to spend time with Grandma and Grandpa for breakfast.

We spent many hours (probably more than your daddy would have liked) getting ready for your party.  We cleaned the house top to bottom and spruced up the yard and front porch.  We also hung up some decorations for your celebration.

We spent the morning getting ready for your party-making fresh salsa and cookies, setting up the table with all your snacks, and doing some last minute cleaning.  Then, you (reluctantly) took a nap.  When you woke up and realized that everyone was still here, you were in such a good mood.  And you were even more excited when your family and friends started to arrive.  You stood on the front porch waving as your guests arrived with a huge smile on your face.

You also got to put on your party dress and show everyone the snacks we had to eat.

Aunt Kara brought some toys that your cousins James and Owen used including a musical walker.  You had never seen it before, but started pushing it around like you've been doing it all your life.  You looked so big and grown up!

At first, your Daddy and I were worried that you might cry when everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to you.  But you just watched and smiled.  I think you knew that they were singing for you!

You tried the icing on the cupcake and were surprised at it's sweetness.  But you dug right in and had icing everywhere-squeezing it between your fingers at your clapped.  I am pretty sure that you played with it more than you ate it!

You spent the rest of the afternoon opening presents and enjoying time with your family and friends.  You even surprised them by showing them some of your first real good steps!

Mama and Daddy got you a water table since they know how much you love bath time.  You enjoyed chewing on the balls that came with the table.  Your friends also had fun playing in the water on the beautiful spring day.

The hammock was a big hit too!

You were nice to share your new push and ride scooter that you got from Grandma and Grandpa.  You loved how the horn made noise!

Silly Steve!

Colleen, we can't believe that you are one already!  You've change so much since your Daddy and I brought you home from the hospital a year ago.  When you first arrived, you couldn't even hold your head up.  But soon, you learned to smile, roll over, crawl, talk, and now even take some steps across the floor.  This year has gone by so quickly and we have enjoyed getting to know you.

We spent nine months waiting for you to arrive and you were worth the wait!  We hope you had a wonderful first birthday.  We love you Honeybee!

Love,
Mama and Daddy