Downward Dog

I am seeing a lot of this,
and this lately. It's a new take on talk to the hand. It happens mainly when I am saying no or be careful. It's Van's way of protesting. He does know how to make me smile!

Just Livin...

Van went to Conner's office the other day for a visit, and he learned that headphones are awesome especially when mom is talking...... hmmm

Van's excited he just found out advent is coming out with a BPA free bottle in summer 08! We are smart about our plastic bottles and sippy cups now!
I just added some new cards to the vanerwin.com collection they can be for girls or boys. If you would like to place an order please feel free to email me.
$12 per 8 or $23 for 16.... Great for birthday gifts, cause all kids need to learn how to write thank you's. They are printed on 100% recycled 100lb pape (thick paper). enjoy.

Feeling not so groovy, baby.

We took Van into the ER on Saturday night, he had a fever of 104 and his heart was beating so fast. He had short breaths, was not eating, and was sleeping way too much. On top of that he was lethargic and completely out of it. I felt so helpless, this was the first time I could not do anything to make him feel better. This past week was long, and drawn out. I felt completely exhausted by it. Worrying about your children takes all of your energy away, doesn't it?
The only thing that seemed to take his little mind off of his state was taking a walk in the bob, or watching baby einstein in our bed. Did I mention that he only wants to be held? I love holding him close when he is not feeling well. I know he has just felt scared lately and probably wondering why he is feeling so bad. It is a test of patience however, I am hoping tomorrow will be a little easier for all of us. The Dr. at the hospital told us he had a virus but my friend mentioned this specific virus to me today I just researched it and this is what I think he has.

1. Coxsackie virus – It usually affects children ages 6 months to 3 years. Symptoms include:
   • High fever – often up to five days.
   • Severe fussiness – this is often the worst part of the illness.
   • Severe mouth pain or sore throat
   • Copious drooling
   • Refusal to eat or even drink
   • Rash – small, red or white spots may, but not always, appear on the hands or feet (thus the name of the illness). A red, lacy rash can also appear anywhere on the body.

The funny part was while we were in the hospital Conner was eavesdropping on all of the other people who were in the emergency room. Especially the illegal immigrants who the police dragged in after getting into a fight!

My Boy

I love you little buddy, you brighten my every day. Thank you for being mine.

A Warm Heart

Van's Grandmom Mimi left today after a wonderful week. This past week was eventful and Van grew to love her so much. Every time she walked in the room, he would get a big smile on his face and lift his arms out for her to pick him up. She was a teacher for several years and being a grandmother is just second nature for her. Van keeps crawling into her room and looking for her, and my heart sinks. Mimi is a warm spirit, she wakes up happy and singing, a rare trait to find. She spent so much time just being with Van. Taking him on walks, letting him explore the outdoors, reading to him, playing in water, singing to him, and just kissing him. I love to see him developing relationships with the people who love him, creating bonds that will last a lifetime. She got to see him take his first steps last week.

Mimi took took us out to dinners, brought us books and music, new shoes and a pedicure to match, clothes for Van, toys, gas for the car, groceries in our fridge, a babysitter, and a warm loving heart. Thank you for all you do you are so cherished by us.

Red Balloons

I am 1...

Van started walking today, it was amazing we were all in the kitchen. Mimi, Conner and I and he just walked right across the room like it was no body's business. He seemed as if he had known how to do it for months, years. Anyways, it pretty much blows my mind to see this little thing walking across the room with a drunken wobble and a crooked smile. He is so proud of himself and when he sees us clapping in disbelief and sheer happiness, he claps for himself too with a puffed chest and a grin from ear to ear.

His carnival came to town this weekend and it was fun, just right for a one year old. He had all of his friends there to share his day with him. It was definitely a birthday that will be remembered for ever. Thank you all who made it to celebrate his first year of life. We really do appreciate your presence in his life & ours.


I decorated the house with paper bunting that I made out of scrapbook paper, hole punched colorful circle confetti for the table, and cut out circles for his home made carrot cake, out of fondant. The mini cupcakes were covered in butter creme frosting and sprinkled with carnival sprinkles. The cake balls I made were filled with choclolate cake and covered with candy melt chocolate and sprinkles. We did a weird kind of raffle & an animal cracker guess. The party favors were carnival toys, and recycled baby food jars filled with jelly bellies tied with raffia. To view more photos from the party click here &
here.

Images of a year

I have so many emotions running through my head about this one year mark. This year not only signifies the first year of our sons life, but it also stands for a rebirth of our lives as well. We became parents, role models, and life teachers to a child who stands for our future. The first year of a new life is so pliable, like a little ball of silly putty. I have loved this past year and I have taken it all in as much as possible. I just uploaded some photos, one from every month to flickr check them out when you can!

Check out what Conner has been up to this week.

Portraits of a one year old

I took Van to a portrait studio today to do some photos of him, I prefer the more photo journalistic approach but these are something I could never do myself. He is almost one and I thought since I haven't had any taken of him yet now was a good time. Not ones I would frame and hang on the wall however. I did find this one of Conner when he was a little one and it was fun comparing how similar they look!

I don't have a little girl yet but I love to think about what she will look like and things I will dress her in! I do love the Sophie & Lili Collection and they are having a huge tag sale, check it out! Also Ouef is having their first ever sale all clothing is 70% off.

Thank You Son.

For brightening my every day, for looking into my eyes and making me feel like I hung the moon, for holding me, for laughing at me when I am not even funny. For sleeping in my arms and keeping me warm, for sharing the bath with me, for letting it be so quiet at night that I can hear your heart beat, for letting me comfort you when you are scared, for helping me realize that you are one of my biggest priorities, for growing with me. For making me feel a love I have never felt before. Your laugh fills my soul and makes every day better than the one before. I soak you in each day and try to tattoo you in my mind because the next day you will change a little bit more. I love you Son.

First Birthday Party

Happy Valentines Day! I thought I would share the invites that I made for Van's first birthday. They took a while but I had so much fun doing them. I wanted to create a vintage carnival theme with all old timey feeling carnival images and brown tones. I found a vintage photo of some people riding in an old ferris wheel, I took them out and put a cute photo of Van in there. I thought it would be fun to create a circle theme on the inside and carry it through the party too. I printed little directions and used a vintage photo of old fashioned tickets on the other side. I found some carnival stickers and used them to affix the directions! I think they turned out really cute and I am excited to carry out this theme through the little peoples party! Vintage Carnival!
I am on the search for an old fashioned popcorn machine, a mini cotton candy machine & a fun littloe snow cone machine.... I am going to have some fun little goodie bags that tie in with the circle theme and the food will too. We are going to have a little book exchange as well!

Should be lots of fun!
I can't believe my son is already one, what a wonderful year it has been... Thank you Van for helping me to grow up! I love you.

The beach dayz

Not sure who these people are "butt" I thought it was a funny photo.


We let Van order his very own pancake this past weekend at our favorite breakfast spot. It was the first time he had food from a restaurant so it was a big experience. He really likes his pancakes, every weekend Conner wakes up and makes him his own little pancake. So he has experience with them, just never this large and buttery! Yum. things got a little out of hand and he was stuffing large amounts into his mouth so after half way through we knew he had had enough, we distracted him and took away the pancake. He looked stuffed.

He had lemonade for the first time this week, and drew with a crayon today at the doctors office today.
He was playing quietly in his play pen looking at a book of dogs yesterday saying "do-t" over and over again that is how he says dog! But anything with four legs & fur is a "Do-t".

There is so much hype on the news about the primary election, I am just glad I voted whew!

Have a good one!

This Is How I Roll

Check out van's new wheels. This is his first time walking with a little assistance. A natural already, running over zeke & doing a little victory dance!!

feeding a 10 month old

Conner fed Van tonight, things got a little messy!

Happy Martin Luther King Day!

Happy day today! I took a photo of my little fishy.

I think he likes the way his teeth feel on his lips now!
4 teeth, 10 months, crawling, favorite place to be in the water, favorite toy - mom's celly or the dogs.
Hobbies: giggling, and walking (holding onto mom or dads hands of course), patting people I love and hugging and kissing.
Things I dislike - getting my diaper changed, being strapped into anything.
I am in love with these little pieces of Art from modern dose,

So today didn't really seem like a normal day in a week, I guess since it was a holiday. Rainy, and I felt ill all weekend I took today to gather my thoughts off of the floor and organize them somewhere around eye level where I could make sense of them.

Baby Eats

Van eating his organic steamed carrots, more please mum!

Van in Vermont?

Van and Dianne are in Vermont for a week enjoying the "peace" and quiet and spending some time with part of the family. Don't expect too many Van updates until Monday the sixth as apparently they don't have "the information super highway" yet in the other cheese state.

This is the Google result of "Van Vermont"

On a seperate note, our congratulations to the Murray Family and the birth of their first son Kai Tucker Murray who was born 6lbs 4oz 7/31/07 @ 9:51pm

Van is so stoked to have a new surf buddy