1st Birthday Party Ideas

Bryson's 1st birthday is approaching! We're having a swimming party with a sock monkey/1st birthday theme. I bought these napkins to base my theme off of. I'm going to use orange and green plates/ballons that match........

I'm seriously considering making this cake and MAYBE the cupcakes- we'll see- we might end up with just plain jane cupcakes......

Still trying to decide on the invitation and how many decorations I want to put up, since we are having the party at a neighborhood pool....any ideas?

Evening Fun

We have such wonderful neighbors; we spend most of our evenings outside, playing with the neighborhood kids. Cousin Asher gave his old push car to Bryson, and he LOVES it! We usually pull him around in his wagon or push him in this car........

After bath time, Bryson likes to play with whatever toys are still out- stalling of course!

The other night he just plum tuckered out before we could even get him to bed!!

It's been a great summer thus far! I can't wait to see how his outdoor play changes as he can walk!

Eleven Months

This summer is just flying by! I took his 11 month photos after his bath, so his hair was still a little wet- it's really blond though!

Milestones for this month:

* Bryson took his 1st steps this week- primarily on Friday night!! As of this morning, he's taking about 10 steps at a time!

* Still wearing size 3 diapers, but will transition to size 4 this coming week

* wearing some 12 month outfits still, transitioning to 12-18 month clothing

* We're slowly fading the bottle. He's been resistant to taking formula from his sippy cup, but when he's hungry, he will. I hope to pack away the bottles this next week!

* Still sleeping from 8pm-6:30am every night.

* Bryson loves swimming- he's been kicking his little legs in the water and splashing so much more.

* He's been sucking his thumb more, especially when he's tired

His ears have cleared up some, since I've had a job transition this past month and have been home with him more. I'm hoping we're seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. He's scheduled to see an allergist/immunologist this coming week- so if there is any reason for the excess fluid, we should know soon!

Blueberry Banana Bread

I made this the other day- and it was so moist! I need to find blueberries on sale again :)

Blueberry Banana Bread
2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup sugar
3 tbsp vegetable oil
2 large ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 1/4 cups)
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups blueberries

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, vegetable oil, egg, vanilla and mashed bananas until smooth. Add in flour mixture and stir until just combined and no streaks of flour remain. Fold in blueberries with a spoon or spatula, then pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake for about 60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out with only a few moist crumbs attached.
Cool bread in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Makes 1 loaf
http://bakingbites.com/2010/06/blueberry-banana-bread/

Happy Fourth of July!

We had a low-key 4th this year. We stuck close to home and enjoyed fireworks with our neighbors. Bryson really enjoyed the show, and even went to bed at 9pm, while the fireworks were still going off. We're so blessed to live in America!

Balloons.

Sweet little Rance passed away Thursday evening. Today was his 5th birthday. His parents decided to honor this day and have a celebration, even though the outcome wasn't what they hoped for.
I joined several other people from our Sunday School class and numerous other people for a birthday balloon launch and birthday celebration this evening. I can't even put into words what it was like to see such amazing, caring, Godly people celebrate the life of their child.

I hope that if I was ever faced with this situation, I would trust in God and His will as much as they have.