It's Been Quite a Ride...

Whereas I dubbed 2010 'The Year of the Bump',

2011 was definitely 'The Year of Jake'.  And what an amazing year it's been...
Here's a look back on the coolest year yet : )

January:

Although still tiny, the Little's big personality was starting to show!

Dr. Nails was hard at work on our new house, shingling to his heart's content.

And while trying to wrap my head around the fact that my kid has cooler stuff than me,

I came up with the best idea ever!

February:

While I was busy navigating the hallowed (albeit rather poopy) halls of motherhood,

Jake was bouncing around, and doing things his own way.

And i wrote one of my favorite posts, on what i (rightfully) imagined the rest of my life to be.

March:

Now this was a cool month! 

We introduced you to Trendy Tuesday, Fun Five Fridays, and discovered how Artsy we are around here.

And he Little went for his first swim!

April:

The outside of our lovely little home was really coming together.

The boys did some serious bonding over, what else? Hockey of course!

And i was in awe of how fast someone was growing.

May:

The Little got a super neat addition to his room! Oh Dr. Nails, you never cease to amaze me!

Towards the end of May we headed out west to visit my wonderful family,

AND I had the pleasure of photographing a gorgeous wedding!

June:

While we were still in Alberta we spent some time at one of my favorite places,
and  whole bunch of amazing people threw an amazing baby shower for us!  You guys rock!
Once back on eastern soil, we gave the kitchen a (much needed) facelift,
and Summer was on it's way!

July:

July would be nothing without a summer kick-off party!
I struggled with finding balance in my life (and sill do, probably always will)
and someone decided it was time to move on up in the world.

August:

The Little was on the move in a big way, and my life was irrevocably changed forever.
Summer was in full swing, and we were soaking up every bit we could,
and for some reason we ventured out into the great outdoors for a camping extravaganza. 

September:

September is one of the best months in the Maritimes, and we managed to keep busy!
Dr. Nails was diligently working away at the back of the house.
My mom and dad came out from Calgary, and we all packed up and went to beautiful PEI,
where we had a screaming good time!

October:

Jake and i were really starting to have a good time, man oh man he makes me laugh!
For some reason (not that we complained) the weather was beautiful in October,
and we spent a gorgeous autumn day at the pumpkin patch - a new tradition is born!
And the best costume ever for his first halloween.

November:

Now this was a really big month.
I finally found another reason to get the little all dressed up.
It was also his first birthday!  And we had not just one, but Two parties to celebrate

December:

I was clinging to fall.  I love fall.  I can't wait until it's here again.
But, luckily for me, Christmas was on the way!
On Christmas eve we were excited, but truthfully it's a good thing he didn't quite understand,
 because the presents from santa had been under the tree all along : )


What an incredible year!
How fun was this post?  It was neat to go back in time and reminisce,
and remember how small the Little used to be.
It's amazing how far we've come, and I can't wait to see what 2012 will bring to our little family.

Happy New Year's!





Top 11 of 11 & Sunday Snapshot

Thirteen

Thirteen Months.

I feel like things have changed so much lately.

When i think of having a thirteen month old i feel funny inside,

and i'm all like, 'that's totally not my kid, he's just a baby, you must mean someone else...'

But then i look at you and you do something funny - on purpose - to make me laugh,

and i realize, 'whoa, i've got a little person here....'

whoa...

Your sense of humour is really starting to show,

and you like to laugh, even though it's sometimes a fake laugh 

just so you can hear us fake laugh back at you.

That's fun.

I am astounded at your energy.

You never stop moving, and the world is so interesting to you!

I get tired just watching you go, and i love trying to see things through your eyes.

What is so interesting about that tp tube?

Why do you like to eat dirt instead of this beautiful supper i made you?

Where the h%@#! are you going now?

There is so much music in your life,

you are surrounded by little drums you bang and horns you toot.

I catch you strumming my guitar in the bedroom, and you won't leave your dad alone when he plays.

Your aunty Sue and i watched you bust a move the other day, sadly it was to that 'i'm sexy and i know it' song, but whatevs,
you definitely have some rhythm.  

You snuggle sometimes, but are usually too busy.

You like to watch tv (way too much! and way too close!) and are starting to color, (sort of)

and i think you have inherited my sweet tooth.

You still like your books, hate getting dressed, and have started to drink your bath water.

But my favorite is when you are eating something good 

you clasp your hands and go 'mmmmmmm'. 

Keep growing my little buddy, and keep being amazing : )

Show off your shot

Ready or not....

...here I come!

Just tunnelling around.

Things have been busy around here, as i'm sure they are around everywhere.
Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!
Now on to the new year!

Amazing how time is just flying by, it blows my mind.
I feel like i need to make everyone stop for a few minutes so i can catch up,
and a certain someone needs to stop growing ; )
The other day i had one of those holy-sh#t! moments when i realized i have a 13 month old.
I also realize i shouldn't say sh#t! anymore.
(I'm totally going to be THAT mom, who's kid swears all the time and get's booted out of playschool)

I might make a resolution or two this year, 

which may or may not include an overhaul of my vocabulary...

Whatever, they never stick anyways.

Homeschooling here we come.

Sweet Shot Tuesday

Photo of the Week

Week #44

Sunday Snapshot & Favorite Photo Monday

Tonight is THE Night

I'm definitely more excited about this that he is...

Merry Christmas Everyone!

It's Almost Here!

I feel like this may be the last 'adult' year of decorating i get for

the next, oh, decade or so.

From here on it's going to be giant snowmen and elves that live on shelves,

Rudolph  and Elmo and Santa Claus.

I was out for a stroll in bloggyland and found some beautifully decorated homes

that i wanna be like when i grow up,  { look HERE and HERE }

but for now I'm going to embrace my inner child, embrace Elmo and hell, Frosty and Rudolph too.

Check back in the 2020's, I might get there eventually!

Happy Christmas Friday!!!




Inspiration Friday

What a Difference...

...a year makes....

Then:

Now:

sigh. 

This or That Thursday

A Snappy Ending

Boo, hiss. 

 I know i know, where do i come up with these one liners?

Fortunately i have you guys to take them out on, although Dr. Nails gets his fair share of them too.

He gets the snorts and knee slaps (seriously) that usually accompany them though.

Ah, i'm lucky he sticks around to hear my jokes...

Anyways, as the title of this post would suggest to the more astute of you,

we're talking about ginger snaps. Or in this case they're called Peppery Snaps,

'cause, you know, there's pepper in them.

  mmmmmmmmmmmmm.... 

I have this recipe in one of those magazine cookbooks, (you know, the kind that cost 11 dozen dollars)

but because i'm lazy and don't really feel like typing out the whole recipe

i found it online for you!  You can thank my nifty internetting skills for this one....

{ Recipe }

In other news, did anyone else know that raspberry jello stains?

Um yeah.  Little fingers and hands and cheeks and lips and foreheads and noses.....

Can somebody please warn me about these things!!!

Monday Monday

The best part about mondays?

Putting them behind you : )

Photo of the Week

Week #44

Sunday Snapshot

It's Beginning to Look

A Lot Like Christmas!

Have a Great Weekend!

{Home For The Holidays}

Short Stuff

Do you ever get those cravings that lodge themselves in the back of your brain

 and won't let you sleep at night until satisfied?

Yeah, i don't either...

But shortbread cookies and i have had an ongoing affair for some time now.

I can remember being a little girl and seeing them on cookie plates when we were out visiting,

- my mom didn't make them (it was for the best) -
and they were what i always went for.

Buttery and flakey and downright delicious; melt-in-your-mouth.  

mmmmmmm... what's not to like?!?!

{recipe}

Um yeah, there's a piece missing, no one's going to notice right?

The most dangerous part about being an adult is not having your mother 

around to make your choices for you ; )

One Word Wednesday

Peek!

Artsy is NOT Fartsy v.9

Hey, I'm just a slow starter.

And just because i am a little behind doesn't put me out of the game,

and just because Christmas is practically here doesn't mean that gifts from me won't happen,

they'll just cost me more to mail ; )

So to offset all those extra charges the post office is going to nail me with,

( and because i have a glue gun and i like to use it, )

I have been trying to cheap out  make do with things i already have or things i can make to decorate with.

My friend Lindsay put it perfectly - "Re-purposing Crap We Already Have"

(And you should definitely go check out her blog, she's done some pretty cool stuff : ) 

Anyways, here's some of the crap i've been up to around here....

I think it turned out kind of cute, and the total cost - $0,
since i just so happen to own scissors, a printer, and have a huge rather large stash of craft supplies : )
And that my dear friends makes me happy....


I got the idea here, and the templates for the birds here & here

Photo of the Week

Week #43

Sunday Snapshot & The Simple Things

A Photo Shoot Friday

As promised, (albeit a little late) here's the Little's b-day photo shoot.

I will warn you: this is may be an overdose.
But if you like looking at cute pictures of my kid in a sweater vest, carry on....

So now i've totally spoiled all of the photos i could have used for Christmas cards.

(did anyone else JUST realize that Christmas is in only TWO WEEKS!?!?!)

and I was the one scorning those who had all their stuff done in november.

hmmm, look who's laughing now. 

(ps.-it's not me)

Happy Friday!

Wordless Wednesday

Cruising.

That is all.