August is Over

Since today is the last day of August, I'm going to wrap up my posts on Landon's birthday month. I know, I know...you were probably ready for me to do that a long time ago, but Landon's first birthday was a pretty big event...a chance to openly celebrate how much joy he has brought into our lives!

To make his celebration unique and special, I spent a lot of "momma love" crafting, organizing, and standing on wobbly chairs!

First the theme - vintage toys, accented by classic men's fabrics (madras, seersucker and argyle). Then comes the "Martha" and "Bob Vila" part.

Phillip helped me expand my tech skills by working side by side with me to find some vintage toy clip art that I liked. We saved, edited, blew up, and flipped images that I wanted to use throughout the party; settling on four classic toys (wagon, tricycle, jacks, and paddle ball). I used the icons on cupcake toppers, treat bags on the dessert table, glassine bags full of different-flavored potato chips, and the "thank you" sign. Using the same blue madras print throughout the party, and using the same blue font in all of the printed items reinforced the theme.

Phillip and I also spruced up our new back deck with some plants and trellises to ensure that people enjoyed the backyard as much as the house (the beer and cornhole didn't hurt either)!

I purchased blank invitations in the same madras print as Landon's actual invitation, then printed some of our favorite photos from Landon's first year and mounted them on the madras paper to string into banners. I also used the madras invites to craft menus for the party.

Then I added a few finds from Etsy like vintage blue-striped paper straws, miniature red wagons, and colorful polka dot poms...voila...instant party. And when I say "instant", what I really mean is that I worked on the decorations every night for about a month!

And don't worry, his very first cake was homemade and a classic - an eight layer yellow cake (eight for his birthday month of August) with chocolate frosting!

Just To Prove My Point...

In case you want proof that Landon is a boy and no longer a baby...when we had dinner with our friends the other night...Landon ate an entire piece of (a large!) pizza. Pretty good for only six teeth.

Where Does the Time Go?

Whew - what a busy week! And how quickly it flew by!

Landon and I spent most of this week shopping for outfits to wear for his FIRST BIRTHDAY PHOTO shoot. I can't believe it...his first year is behind him. Looking at him, talking to him, and interacting with him though, it's entirely believable. He's such a boy now - he even enjoys boy things now - like Golden Tee! That one must be hereditary.

Even though he is a boy and no longer a baby, I envisioned beautiful pictures of him on UNC's campus...wearing a traditional sailor outfit and navy leather sandals. So I bought that vision/outfit.

Then I popped into Strasburg, saw an outfit that reminded me of the beach (because Landon met another baby boy in Kiawah named Allister, became instant friends with him one night at dinner, and Allister was wearing this particular jon jon). So I bought that vision/outfit.

Then, I realized that I had two traditional, bordering on prissy outfits, and that I better buy an outfit that Phillip would like...polo and navy shorts perhaps? So I bought that vision/outfit as well!

Since Landon is a one year old boy, and doesn't enjoy costume changes as much I do, he only ended up wearing two of the three outfits for his photos. Maybe next time I will buy myself three outfits instead? That's probably best; I would hate for any items of clothing to go to waste. Yep, that's what I'll do.

Can't wait to share some pictures with you, very soon I hope...

"We'll Have to Find Another Baby, This One's Too Happy"

Phillip, Landon and I headed to the Apple Store to have the genius bar guys fix the space bar on our laptop. The space bar and Landon had a showdown, and Landon won. That kid wins every time against technology!

Of course, after we finished at the Apple Store, the Lewises headed to some other shops...all three of us enjoy clothes shopping, although I am the only one who will admit it.

Anyway, we were in Banana Republic when a group of young college girls approached us and told us that they were on a scavenger hunt and needed to find and photograph certain things within the mall. They asked us if we would let them take a picture of Landon, although according to their list, they needed him to look upset or unhappy. We told them that we weren't sure if we could help them, as we have a very happy baby, but that we would try to help if we could by taking out his pacifier, and seeing if he made a reaction to that. So we did, and wouldn't you know that Landon broke into a huge grin, looked around at all of the pretty girls surrounding his stroller, and then gave a big wink!

One of the girls said "Look how happy that baby is!". Another one said "he just gave me a giant wink!" and a third said "We'll have to find another baby, this one is just too happy". Yes people, that's right, this baby is just too happy, and that's the way we like it in this household!

Home Sweet Home

The Lewises are back...and feeling refreshed! No internet and no phone for me for almost a week, and it was quite nice indeed! Kiawah was AMAZING. No other words to describe it. Part resort, part nature preserve, my kind of place.

We continued Landon's birthday celebration on the island. We stayed in Charleston Sunday night, drove over to the island on Monday, and headed to the beach straight-away. First we made a little stop at Newton Farms though to stock up on gourmet snacks, drinks, and of course, a second birthday cake (cupcake this time) for little Landon. We had his birthday dinner at The Sanctuary's Jasmine Porch; quite different than either of our first birthday dinners, so we will have to keep it real this week with some Hamburger Helper!

Landon loved the beach and loved playing with his "sister" Steele. She is the daughter of some of our dear friends whom we vacationed with, and the two of them have a good time together. I think they especially liked floating around in the resort's pool drinking their very own raspberry slushies with straws! We quickly realized that the kids needed their own drink, as I always share whatever I order with Landon, but was not going to share my strawberry dacquiri!

While on the island we saw an alligator, a fox, several deer, hundreds of silk spiders (including one that jumped down on me Ms. Muffet style) and thousands of butterflies. We are planting a butterfly garden very soon - it was so lovely dining out on the verandah as the butterflies flitted around.

On another note, I have decided that I am single-handedly going to bring back some of the Southern traditions that mine and Phillip's family have enjoyed for years. Since I began staying at home, I have jotted down recipes, household tips, etc that I think every Southern woman should know. One day I would like to pass it on to any daughters we may have (don't worry, I will share my thoughts with Landon about how a Southern gentlemen should conduct himself as well). I have made some headway this summer, by making a very nice pimento cheese, and a lovely homemade peach ice cream. This trip to the lowcountry renewed my passion for all things Southern ...including the 800 landscape oil paintings in the Sanctuary that I drooled over, not to mention the antique furniture! I believe that Phillip was very scared that I wanted to visit some art galleries upon our return trip to Charleston, lucky for him (and our bank account) it began to downpour after our carriage tour, so we hit the road instead!

First Birthday Party

Today we held Landon's first birthday party...an exciting event, slightly bittersweet for me though, as my little sweet baby is undeniably a little sweet boy now...

We had a great time, made so great by all of the friends who could celebrate with us! More news and pictures after we return from our beach vacation this week, but here is a little teaser!

Aaaaaaaaaah!

Phillip is extending our AC condensation drip line in the backyard and asked me to head to Lowe's to pick up the supplies...not a problem since it's my second home! Landon of course went along with me for the adventure, and as I was picking out the PVC couplings to go with my already-chosen piping I heard Landon yell out a baby battle roar.

I turned my head and Landon was wielding a 5ft PVC pipe over his head, spinning it around and letting out Braveheart-worthy "aaaaaaaahs"! I'm not exaggerating either! I quite often do that in real life if the story calls for it, but on the blog I only speak the truth!!!

Good thing I was bending down to look at the coupling bins, or else Mama would have had an early haircut. Maybe Landon was trying to tell me something after all?

Good times!

This weekend we took Landon to the North Hills farmer's market so that he could dance on the green with the other children to the Saturday morning bluegrass music. He had such a good time, made some new friends, and enjoyed an italian ice!

The good times continued, as we did some coloring, then spent today out of the house today to let the housekeepers do their thing. We headed to the mall since it's the only cool place around these days. Landon had some chicken nuggets and his very first kid's cup (of water, but still), and found himself some new kicks!

He also seems to be having an especially good time now that he has learned how to shut me up - the other day while I was in the middle of a sentence, he stuffed his pacifier into my mouth, so the last few days have been more quiet!

Beach Baby

Better late than never right? Well, Landon and I had a great time at the beach for Kate and Adrienne's birthday weekend! It was also the perfect test run for our Kiawah vacation next week...I learned three things in particular: Landon hates sand just like his father does, Landon loves swimming in the ocean just like his mother does, and Landon does not like to waste vacations napping, unlike either of his parents!

It was the perfect WB trip...Intracoastal sunsets on the porch (in rockers of course), walk down to Trolly Stop for hot dogs, cookouts, babies, and good friends.

I almost feel bad that we live in the middle of the state now, as Landon enjoyed the beach so much. Perhaps when he gets older he can spend some of his summer at his Grandmother's house and go surfing. We are going to start slow though...as soon as he is old enough I am going to take him to Stand up Paddle camp so the whole family can learn a new watersport!

Look Who's Talking Two

Yesterday Landon had me in stitches with his talking. When he woke up and we walked downstairs for breakfast, he pointed to the painting in our hallway and said "pretty, pretty". I never even knew he had noticed it before!

Then at lunch, he was happing eating away when he realized that his mouth was too full (again) and that he needed to stuff some food back in there to prevent any "inventory shrinkage". Being a boy, he decided that the best way to do that was to take the back of his hand and wrist and wipe it across his mouth.

When I looked at the food all over his arm, I said, "Landon, would you like a napkin?". To which he replied in a drawn-out incredulous tone, "Whaaaaat?".

You Can't Touch This!

I've often said that Landon walks "like a drunken sailor". That's not a shot at sailors, because my dear grandfather is a former merchant marine. That's just the best way to describe Landon's walk...belly out front, arms tucked up in the air, with little fists balled up on either side of his ears. Plus, some general swaying - all because he refuses to walk slowly and would rather careen off all the furniture at a high speed.

Well, his walk was transformed into dance the other day! He lost his balance, shot his arms up, picked up his feet and backed up, then fist pumped again - doing his very own MC Hammer dance! Can't touch this!

If only I had the video camera out; in my opinion his dancing was right up there with Samba baby from You Tube...

Umm yeah, my bad

So I have been holding my breath for a few days now, waiting for Landon to say his first cuss word. And yes, it will be all my fault.

While we were down at the beach I was feeding Landon in his high chair. I looked down and noticed a large dead spider on the floor, all curled up. To ensure that sweet Landon wouldn't eat the spidey for dessert, I grabbed a napkin and picked up said spider from the floor. I was holding the paper towel when all of a sudden the spider starting moving! I can handle itty bitty spiders, but not this big 'un, so I immediately jumped 3 feet in the air and yelled "OH SHIT, IT'S ALIVE!".

Landon looked at me for a second, glanced at his grandmother, and then proceeded to chuckle for the next two minutes. And that my friends is the story of how I will surely be responsible for Landon's first swearing session.