1st Birthday Inspiration Board

Well, it's the final stretch until Ledoux's very first birthday.  So hard to believe that last year at this time, Lee had just returned from Afghanistan, and we had NO clue how much our lives would be changing.  Whoa!

I am a bit behind in the party planning department (in fact I still have invitations that need to be sent out!) but thanks to my beloved Pinterest, I have crafted my Ledoux's perfect party!  I introduce you to the inspiration behind Ledoux's first birthday: Pink and Gold.  In all its bold, over the top, gaudiness. And I cannot be more excited.  

Her cake smash outfit is all from Etsy! 
Tutu here
Crown here
One onesie here

Garland is from here and here

And who wouldn't love a cotton candy party favor?  Are you serious?  Awesome.  Found here.

Perhaps my most favorite party purchase thus far is this print.  It will not only be in her photos, but also displayed as guests arrive.  What a perfect and awesome keep sake to capture her first year!  I was able to add everything she loves, into one awesome print!

Of course, I have been in present buying mode as well!  These are the gifts Lee and I have decided on:

The book is from here  I plan to have all our guests write a little something in it, and keep it for her for years to come!  I love that it is personalized with her name and birthday throughout the book!
The Teepee is from here.  I admit, the teepee might be a little more of my obsession.  I have been wanting to buy her a teepee for months.
The lunch box is from here.  Now that Ledoux is a big girl, she brings her lunch to school, and naturally needs a pretty lunch box!

I cannot wait to share pictures of the actual day- but since we have 2 weeks left still, its time to keep shopping and planning!  I am thinking of gold spray painting everything.  Too much?

Ledoux is 11 months old!

OMG! I am getting anxious just writing this... my baby is 11 months old!  And she is hardly a baby anymore... in the last month she has become even more un-baby than ever!  She no longer wants a bottle-in fact, we are down to 2-3 a day (a huge contrast to the 8+ she was drinking a few months ago!) and wants to eat nothing but "big girl" food.  She actually has a traditional breakfast/lunch/dinner meal now, which blows my mind.  Where did the time go?!?!?! 

Stats: No new stats this week since we didn't have any doctor visits.  One thing for sure is this baby is loooonnnnngggg- wearing 18 month clothes and size 4 shoes! Holy canoli!  I tried to squeeze her into a 12 month onesie yesterday, and it was busting at the seams!

Sleep: Like a little champion!  No sleep issues with this little doll.  Lee and I were just talking about this the other day- we have been so lucky with her sleep habits pretty much since she was born... that if we ever have another, we are certainly screwed.  The next baby, with our luck, will never sleep!  Doo goes down about 7 pm every night, and sleeps til about 6:30 or 7 every morning.  She also takes 2 naps- one in the morning around 9:30 am, and another in the afternoon around 3:00 pm.

 

Eating: Like I mentioned, she really wants nothing to do with a bottle.  She gets one before her morning nap, one before her afternoon nap, and one before bed.  That's it.  She now eats real food- and loves raspberries, strawberries, avocado, string cheese, and bananas.  She goes ape shit (no pun intended) over nanners.  Holy cow!  She sees a banana and screams until she gets it.

Health: No problemos!

Milestones: We have a WALKER! Shiz just got real...she is legit walking.  Technically, she started yesterday, but took her first real steps about a week ago.  Lee and I were blown away to see her just start cruising.  I don't know if I am ready for this next chapter of little mobile Ledoux.  Slightly terrified! She also got a top, front tooth (finally!) so her tooth count is at 3.

Likes: She loves to play in her tunnel! She goes back and forth through it, over and over and over.  She also loves feeding the dogs her food (she laughs and thinks its hilarious!)  Other loves include anything with water (drinking it, playing in it, etc.), pulling the cat's tail, peek a boo, Raffi (the children's singer- especially Baby Beluga!), and her curious George monkey.  Actually... monkey anything.  She has a strange attraction to monkeys.

Dislikes: Strangers.  She has major stranger danger still (unless mom/daddy are holding her.) She doesn't like the swimming pool still (which majorly sucks because she has about ten suits to wear!) but I am hoping over time she will start to like it.  Its odd- because she loves to play in water, but there is something about the pool she doesn't enjoy.  (Maybe because it is cold water?!)  Ledoux also doesn't like when other children try to play with her toys.  Ledoux will go to school, crawl right over to a baby, and take their toy...but when they do it to her, she loses it.  Case in point: Ledoux had an extra bow at school, and one of her teachers put it on one of the other little girl's head.  Ledoux noticed the other baby had one of her bows on, and she crawled right over and snatched it off.  Thinking this was a fluke, her teacher's tried it again, with a different baby wearing the bow.  Ledoux did the same thing. Since babies this age are far too young to be "mean", I think of her as an emerging leader :)

Trips: We went to the Grand Canyon!  It was so much fun to take picture of Doo there (even though she won't remember it!)  If you haven't been, you need to.  It is ahh-mazing. 

Mom and Dad updates: We are doing great!  This new house keeps us busy- trying to make it our own.  We are slowly but surely making progress on that!  We have a list a mile long of things we want to do eventually, and are slowly nicking away at the list.  Mom's new job is cray- so busy and it never seems like there is enough time in the day...but adjusting to it.  Daddy is doing awesome, his job is great and he is a natural leader (duh!)  We miss our home in San Diego, but are slowly getting used to this new city.  Such a huge change!

Happy Memorial Day + Promo Code for BOWS!

I hope you all had an amazing Memorial Day weekend, and took time out to reflect on the real reason we are able to have this Holiday...In thanks for the ultimate sacrifice the men and women of our Military have made in exchange for the freedom that is given to all Americans.  Without these brave men and women, we would have nothing like we do to today...so please remember that!  If there is one thing I am, it is Patriotic.  The sight of American flags, and red, white, and blue gets me teary eyed with happiness and so thankful to live in such an amazing country.  It also makes me want to jam out to Zac Brown and Toby Keith music all day, drink beer, BBQ, wear my stars and stripes, and sit on the patio reflecting on how lucky we are to be American.  Regardless of if it is Memorial Day, or just another day... always stop to thank the Military service members you see and say "thank you."  It is, after all, these people who work and dedicate their lives to protect your freedoms.

Of course, Memorial Day also holds a special place in my heart, because my honey has been deployed 4 times, and served almost 10 years in the Marine Corps and just recently got out to start his civilian career.  I tell him I am thankful for him each and everyday...

We spent our Memorial Day weekend doing home projects- Lee built a headboard for our bed that I found on Pinterest (I will show you in a future post), and I re-did Ledoux's room, also from Pinterest.  How often do you actually get around to doing even one Pinterest project?  Much less two!  Wahoo!  Chalk that up to a successful weekend!  We also spent time outside, in the pool, and taking in the gorgeous weather before it gets ridiculously hot outside. It only got to 95 degrees or so (Gesh, that seems so hot...but it didn't seem like it at all!) Now that Memorial Day has passed, my sights are set on my most favorite Holiday...the 4th of July! My Pinterest is busting at the seems with ideas on how to celebrate every day for the next month and a half... so excited! I also found some awesome ideas for the daddy's of the world for Father's Day that I am going to share in my next blog post, so stay tuned!

Don't forget to check out my Etsy store for special 4th of July deals- 20% using promo code "America".  Check back in the next few days for a special line of baby boy bow ties, and baby head wraps!

Have a great (short) work week, friends!