Letters to Sylvie: One Year

Dear Sylvie,

Well you made it! You're one year old. I can't believe time has flown by so fast. You've changed so much in such a short time. You are growing more and more each day and progressing and learning so much it's hard to keep track of it all.

A beautiful pic of you taken by Designs by Dreana

You are now highly mobile. You have mostly graduated from your army crawl and book it around the house on all fours now. You're also very good at pulling yourself up to stand. Every once in a while you pull yourself up and get stuck, not knowing how to get back down, but you're getting better at the down part. I love to see you stand there somewhat shakily with your little bum wiggling. It's just so darn cute. I know it won't be long before you're cruising around and walking.

I can't believe how smart you are. One day a couple months ago I put one of your shirts over your eyes to calm you down as I was changing your diaper. You then pulled the shirt down off your face and I said, "Peek-a-boo!" You giggled and immediately pulled the shirt up over your eyes and then down again, continuing the peek-a-boo game all on your own. It is now your favorite game and you will spontaneously start up a round whenever the mood strikes you. You even tried covering your eyes with your toothbrush yesterday. The cuteness is sometimes unbearable.

Lately you are all about pointing. You point at everything and nothing in particular. We'll walk by the spices on the wall in the kitchen and you'll point at all the different ones as I tell you what they are. You point out at the tree in the backyard at you're sitting in your high chair. You also like to "give" things to people. You'll hand off a cracker or your sippy cup or a toy and wait there patiently until it is received. The receiver must give it back though or there will be hell to pay.

Another one of your favorite games is chase. I have to start it out just the right way: "Syyylvieee... what are you dooooing?" and you'll immediately start crawling away as fast as possible, your little bum and legs going at the speed of light across the floor, giggling all the way, screaming with delight as I catch you. I never get tired of that laugh. Never never.

 You can hear her little giggle in the background (sorry my voice is so loud)

Speaking of which... you are ALWAYS smiling. You've taken to scrunching up your cute little nose and showing your cute little teeth whenever anyone is around to see you. Which always makes me need to immediately kiss your chubby cheeks and hold you and squeeze you. Who can resist that adorable smile? No one.

You love to open and close doors. Close, mainly. Which is really fine with me because generally closing a door keeps you more confined in one area! You also love to open and close drawers. There is a small drawer at the bottom of the cabinets in the kitchen and it is your go-to place to find new treasures. You open and close the drawer, pulling out all the big spoons and spatulas and whisks. I began cleaning out one of the drawers in your bedroom yesterday... pulling things out that needed to be thrown away. You immediately jumped in on the action and began pulling bibs out of the drawer in a frenzy. Always so helpful!

Food is a constantly evolving area with you. You are starting to prefer feeding yourself and do fairly well for the most part. You've recently taken a liking to pizza, crackers, and yogurt bites. You now have 5 teeth... both sets of front teeth and one incisor next to your front tooth. Sadly, all these teeth coming in have put a serious damper on your appetite. Aside from a couple small bottles of milk, you will only eat one container of Greek yogurt a day (which you LOVE) and maybe a cracker or two. Sometimes we can get a couple bites of pureed fruit and oatmeal into you, but you've been very resistant. Heck, you wouldn't even eat your birthday cake! Not even a bite! Oh well. You still have your little chankles so we're not too concerned.

 Yesterday Daddy took you to your one year check up. You weigh 18 lbs. 10 oz. and you're 29" tall. You have learned the ways of the doctor and do not tolerate poking and prodding very well. Good thing these shots are getting fewer and farther between.

For your 1st birthday we had a small family party with your Grandma Denise and Grandpa Fred, and your Aunt Annie, Uncle Eric, and cousins Belen and Marshall. I made a little pink strawberry cake for you which you demolished but didn't eat (you liked the pickle I gave you better). Aunt Annie gave you a whole pack of Greek yogurt and your grandparents gave you some little barefoot sandals, a cute outfit, and a walker toy shaped like a puppy. Your Aunt Corinne sent you a walk and ride car which I'm sure you'll love. Your Grandma & Grandpa Hanson gave you a toy cell phone and an adorable new outfit and your Uncle Scott & Aunt Amanda gave you a board book and puzzle. Daddy and I gave you a little pounding bench and a book that spells out your name. Your family sure loves you and spoils you with so many fun things!

Sylvie I am so proud to be your mommy. You have the sweetest disposition and your smile lights up the room. I am constantly amazed by you. I never thought I'd like being a mom so much. You make my life so rich and wonderful.

I love you buggie boo,

Love, Mama

Once in a Lifetime

One month ago, Seth and I were proud to be able to attend the wedding of our two good friends, Ramona and Gabe. This was not your typical walk down the aisle and say "I do" wedding. No. This was a traditional Navajo wedding. A traditional Navajo wedding on the Navajo reservation near Monument Valley. With the ceremony taking place in an honest-to-goodness hogan. How's that for awesome?

Seth and I were both super excited when Ramona told us that they'd decided on a traditional Navajo wedding and that they wanted us to come. There was no decision to be made. We were going.

Ramona and I have been friends for over 10 years. Seems weird it's been so long. She and Gabe have been together for longer than that so it was only fitting they seal the deal. Seth and I are so happy for them. What a great couple.

Now I won't go into a ton of detail because pictures say it better, but I wanted to show a few pictures of the preceding activities and the wedding day itself. What a cool experience.

The inside of the hogan. I love being in there.

Ramona's family butchered a few goats and sheep for the festivities so Seth got in on the action.

At Goulding filling up the water tank.

Ramona's sister, Joann. Best basket weaver in the West!

Hanging out in the shade house to get out of the heat.

After the ceremony. Aren't their wedding clothes amazing? I think that was my favorite part! (that's the hogan in the background)

Ramona and Sylvie. Best buddies.

Me and Joann. She's such a cool lady.

The amazing wedding cake Ramona's cousins got for her. No I didn't make it... I just got to do the final touch-ups!

My dad got to come along as the wedding photographer. Not a bad gig, eh?

 

 

There were a few baby goats around so they got some cute pictures with them (this is one of my dad's pics)

Ramona's mom making some dry bread. (another of my dad's pics).

 Those are just a few of the pictures I have. You can see a bunch more from my dad on his Flickr page. It was such a neat experience and I was so glad to have been invited to be a part of it. Ramona even let us participate in the ceremony which meant a lot. She has always been such a good friend to me. What an honor to be a part of something so special. Congratulations you two! We wish you the best in your new life together!