One year ago...

One year ago at this exact hour I was in the hospital waiting to give birth to my first-born. In less than 5 hours, it will be my baby's first birthday. I am so filled with emotion. I can't believe my little baby is a toddler now. There are still days I can't believe I have a son. And then I remember and am instantly filled with so much happiness. This little boy means everything to me. He has given me a purpose in life. I love him so much...

On the trike his grandparents bought

My sweet baby boy

Hamming it up for the camera

Well, hello...

Big boy

He loves music

And likes to dance

And he loves his puppy

Exhausted and infinitely patient doggy

Having his first birthday cake (with husband's family)

My darling angel

We had a great time celebrating multiple birthdays with husband's family (my hubby, sister-in-law, grandmother-in-law, Jack, nephew, and soon niece all have birthdays within days of each other).  This weekend we are celebrating with my family. This baby is getting so much love. He has brought so much happiness to us all a year ago. We love you so much, sweet babe!

Randoms

My baby is almost 1 year old. I can't believe it. He is such a lovely little boy now. Just when I think it is not possible to love him any more, my heart grows a little bit more.

He is the best. My sweetie pie.

Other than being completely enthralled with my baby, I've also managed to knit a few things.

A slouchy fair isle hat for a friend

A lavender chunky cowl

Life is good.

A lovely day at home

This morning baby and I headed to work/daycare, only to find the roads covered in snow and ice. After seeing a long line of cars waiting and struggling to drive up a hill, we turned around and drove back home. And we had ourselves a fun day filled with artistic endeavors...

Snuggling with mama

Jamming on the drums with daddy

Love their identical expressions

Finger painting

Explaining art

Pretty colors

Then he crinkled the canvas

This creates a texture, he says

So pleased with his work

Jack's beautiful artwork

Baby and daddy hand prints

What a perfect day. 

The snowy day

We had a few snow days this week. That meant staying at home with my cuddle bug. We looked at the snow through the window and read a Keats book.

Mama's sweet curls

 Woke up early today coughing out my lungs, but glad I got to witness sun rise.

 Winter can be truly breathtaking sometimes, but I'm ready for it to pass and let spring in.

Soon...

My little Valentine

My sweet boy and I spent the day yesterday going to the library, followed by a visit to Menchie's for some frozen yogurt, then we visited our friends at Knitted Together for some yarn (soooo sad the store is closing), and finally picked up some cupcakes at the Scratch Cupcakery.

Whoa...All for me?

Ohhh...yumm

Mmmmm...

Then tonight we met with my parents and sisters at Red Rossa's for a Valentine's Day dinner. My wonderful parents bought Jackers an adorable little trike. He just LOVED it. So sweet of them. Can't wait for warmer weather so we can take him outside for a ride.

Sugar and spice

My sister-in-law is expecting her third child - a little baby girl - in March. Of course I had to knit up a sweet little hat for her. 

Now my niece Maggie wants one, too - so she can match her little sister. Too cute!

How I wish I had more time to knit...

Chunky cowl-ooza

I am yarn deep in knitting soft, textured, chunky cowls. It is of my own design (as much as you can claim the generic seed stitch design as your own), and I am in love with it. Wore one today and just felt like wrapped up in cozy, warm, love. Perfect for a bitterly cold Iowa winter day (wind chills approaching -20F).

Currently, I have apple green, lime green, denim blue, and chocolate brown (not pictured) in my Etsy shop. I'm working on cream, gray, lavender next. If I sell one, I might buy more colors and make more of these lovely things. To celebrate the new collection, I'm offering free shipping on these babies.

Lime green

Denim blue

Apple green