Birthday Party - Part 3 - Cupcakes Glaore!

This is the final installment in my three part Birthday Party Blog Series.

Anybody who knows my mama knows she likes to throw a party, and she doesn't just throw any old party, she throws an AMAZING party!

Seeing that I am completely in love with cupcakes mama had no choice but to create a cupcake extravaganza! 

Mama and I hand made all of the invitations to my party, how cute are these?!?!

The cupcake pulls out of the wrapper to reveal the party details.

Mama's next creation was the party favors for my friends.

This is what was in side.  Thanks to Pinterest mama learned how to make your own custom shirts.

Of course, I had to dress the part.  I got my dress at Crazy 8 in Rochester and it has cupcakes all over it!  (That is me and my Great Grandma Joan.)

Of course, no party is complete without some great food and drinks.  Of course there was a cupcake stand.  Mama had veggies for the adults and peaches, kix and cheese and crackers for the kids!

Mama even found plates and napkins with cupcakes.

Mama says no party is complete without a few bottles of wine (for the adults, of course).  Turns out there is a brand of wine called "Cupcake".

Even the wine glasses have cupcakes!!!

Cupcakes Galore!

Have a good weekend,
Linden

Birthday Party - Part 2 - Friends

As promised, I'm back!  (if you missed part one check it out).

Mama planned my friends party for Sunday afternoon.  I was so excited I couldn't sleep! (Mama and daddy weren't so happy that I didn't take my nap before the party...)

Getting ready for the party was a lot of work.  Daddy put up all of the decorations.  Mama got all of the food and drinks ready.  And I had the difficult job of picking out my favorite toys so we would have something to play with!

I had a lot of friends show up, and we had a great time.  Almost all of my friends were born within a few weeks of me.

Here are some fun photos from the party!

As you can see, we had a great time.

I think I have blogged enough for tonight, but there is one more part to my Birthday Weekend post. 

Stay tuned,
Linden

Birthday Party - Part 1 - Family

Alright ladies and gentlemen, I have neglected my blog long enough, and to make up you will be receiving more than one post today.

I didn't just have a birthday party, I had a birthday weekend.  When you are as special as me one day just won't do.  My birthday weekend started on Friday (my actual birthday) celebrating with my mama and daddy.

When I woke up from my nap on Saturday Great Grandma Joan, Grandma Carolyn, Grandpa Tim and Auntie Megan were at my house.  It wasn't too much longer before Grandma Nancy, Grandpa Bob and Auntie Heidi arrived.  It was time to PARTY!

I had a lot of fun opening presents.  The tissue paper was really crinkly and was fun to rip into little pieces.

I got a lot of great things, here I am reading my new Clifford book.  It has little places where I can feel different textures.

Auntie Heidi, Grandma Nancy and Grandpa Bob got me a Little People tractor and school bus. 

I am really glad it came with instructions, I found out all sorts of neat features.

After presents we had lunch then I had to take my afternoon nap.  Not long after I woke up Cousin Tyler and Auntie Wendy arrived!!  Here I am with my cousin, he always seems to play hockey right before he comes to see me.  In fact, the first time I met him he had just gotten done playing hockey.  (I don't think I want to be a hockey player...they are smelly!)

The party didn't end here, but I already showed you my cake pictures so there isn't much else to say.

I'll be back!
Linden

Digging in!

I had a FANTASTIC birthday weekend!  The quick version...I got to celebrate with mama and daddy on Friday, had a family party on Saturday morning, the Chili Cook-Off Saturday evening, and a friends party today!

I can't fit the details of all the events into this blog so I am going to start with the sweet stuff...FROSTING!!

My Cousin Tyler has a birthday really close to mine so we celebrated together.  Mama and daddy got me a little cake that I got to eat all by myself (I'm not sure why nobody wanted to share...) and everybody else ate Cousin Tyler's ice cream cake.

My cake was really cute...

I was really excited when I saw it, although I wasn't really sure what to do with it at first.  There were really cute little flower sprinkles so I decided to try one of those first.

The first sprinkle was pretty good.  As I was picking up the next sprinkle I got a little frosting on my finger and it was DELICIOUS! I decided I had to go in for a bigger taste.

Once I got down to the cake I was hooked!  This birthday thing is AMAZING!  I couldn't help myself...I picked up my cake and tried to take a big bite!

I didn't eat my entire cake, but I did eat quite a bit.  Did I tell you it was amazing?

I had a great birthday weekend, I can't wait to do it again.  I need to go to bed, we have another busy week ahead.

Linden

Sliding into One!

Happy Birthday to me!!

Today was a pretty great day.  It started off with mama and daddy singing Happy Birthday to me.  Then I got my first birthday present.  Then I realized that it was snowing.  Then I got to go hang out with my friends at daycare!!  When I got home from daycare I had another surprise, Auntie Megan was here!!!  It was a pretty great day.

Back to my first birthday present...Mama and daddy got me a slide!!  To be perfectly honest, I liked the pretty ribbons that mama put on the side of it better than I liked the slide, but I know that it is going to be my favorite toy pretty soon.

Turns out, being one is pretty fantastic.  I can't wait to see what this year has in store for me!
Linden

Last Day Being 0

Alright Ladies and Gentlemen, the countdown is almost over!  Less than 24 hours until I am no longer Zero, when I wake up tomorrow I will finally be ONE!!!

I have had a lot of firsts over the past year, but I think this is going to be the most exciting.  After tomorrow mama can no longer call me her baby, now I will be her big girl!  (I'm sure she is still going to insist on calling me her baby...probably until I am at least 13...)  After tomorrow, I am definitely going to be more grown up.

Mama and I have been doing a lot of work getting ready for my birthday weekend.  We have ordered all of the cakes (we are celebrating my Cousin Tyler's birthday as well), we have gotten all of the food, bought the balloons and decorations, and today we got the party favors put together!  I can't wait!

Off to bed, I need my beauty sleep!
Linden

My First Paycheck

A few months ago mama heard that a local company, Gopher Sport, was looking for babies to do some modeling.  It sounded like fun so mama signed me up.

I was very nervous the day of the photo shoot, I really wanted to make sure I did a good job.  When we got to the place there were a couple other babies there and playing with them helped me relax.

I got to play on these really neat play structures (Play With a Purpose) and had a great time!

Cruise, Crawl & Slide Infant/Toddler Loft

I think my favorite thing I did there was playing on the slide.  Once I discovered how it worked I was hooked!  I didn't want to stop playing.

Step and Slide Infant/Toddler Loft

I also like playing peek-a-boo in the tunnel.  The windows were pretty neat too.

Super Submarine Crawler

I had so much fun playing that I was surprised when mama told me it was time to go home, I thought I had some serious modeling to do?

I hope I get to do some more modeling soon!

Linden

(By the way...Two more days until my Birthday!!!)

Reading time with Auntie Heidi

Three days until my birthday!!!

I know this post is about a week overdue, but better late than never...Two Sundays ago auntie Heidi and Grandpa Bob came over to my house for lunch and some quality play time.

Auntie Heidi is a lot of fun and loves to play with me.  She helped me pull all of my toys out of my toy box.  She loves playing babies and "I'm going to get you" with me.  ("I'm going to get you" is the game where she chases me and I try and run away, she always gets me...she is REALLY good...)  And, she LOVES to read books.

I have a lot of books and Auntie Heidi would sit with me all day and read if I let her.  She even knows mama's trick to get me to sit still extra long...she gives me a book to flip through while she holds the book that she is actually reading.  I always fall for it.  I really like to flip pages in a book.

The only problem with how Auntie Heidi reads is that she insists that you have to hold the book right side up, and read front to back and not skip pages...can it get any more boring than that?  I like to be MUCH more creative with my reading.

Did I mention that it is 3 days until my birthday?  I can't wait until this weekend for my birthday parties!!

Happy Reading,
Linden

First Date!!

Last weekend was very special. Mama went dress shopping with one of her friends that is going to get married later this year. Since I had a date planned for the night I stayed home with daddy. In the afternoon daddy helped me get ready for my date. I hate to bore you with the boring stuff so lets get to the juicy details of the date. I was dressed super cute, and when we left my date opened the car door for me, and lifted me into my seat. He also drove like a chauffeur, it was very sweet it made my heart melt. Mama said real gentlemen, like daddy, do these types of things. When we got to the restaurant he opened the door again and carried me into the restaurant because it was cold out and I don't walk very fast. My date took me to Plaza Morena where we shared fajitas. I ate lots of rice, stake, cheese, and a side of fruit. My date was very understanding when others came up to talk to me during dinner. Some times I feel famous because people like to see my smile. When dinner was over my date carried me back to the car and helped me into my seat and took me home where we had dessert.  Then at the end of the night I got a good bottle and a good night kiss!

I hope my date calls and sets up a second date because I had a lot of fun!

Linden

P.S. I heard mama talking about a birthday week when it was her birthday so I am taking advantage of it. I talked mama and daddy into going out for dinner and I over heard that Grandpa Bob is coming to town tomorrow and that usually means we are going out to eat again!!

P.P.S.  In case you were worried about daddy slipping and letting me date before 35, my date was with daddy!!

My first Movie

I feel miserable!  I have terrible diaper rash and I am getting multiple teeth!  It is bad enough that mama broke down and bought me some Orajel.

Daddy felt bad that I feel so miserable so he decided to go to the movie store and rent me my first movie!  I don't know what it is called but it is kind of fun to watch.  There is a little baby and he crawls around and plays with all sorts of fun things.  As you can see, I was very interested.

Well, for a minute that is, and then I moved on.  I would much rather play with all the fun and exciting toys I am lucky enough to have.

5 more days until my Birthday!!
Linden

Going for a Walk

I've been so busy being almost one that I have had no time to blog!  7 more days!!!

Seeing the weather today, you would never believe me if I told you that just two days ago mama took me for a walk OUTSIDE!  On January 10th??  In Minnesota???  Well, I made daddy get some proof...

It wasn't exactly tropical, as you can see I am wearing my snowsuit and mama has mittens on, but it was 50 degrees!  On January 10th!  In Minnesota!!!

It was pretty great being outside and getting some fresh air, I definitely miss it now that it is 10 degrees and the wind is blowing like crazy.  We enjoyed it while it lasted, now bring on the snow!

Off to dinner with Grandpa Bob!

Linden

Look at me, I'm Bottle FREE!

NEWS FLASH....13 days until my birthday!!

Turns out, becoming a one year old is more than just a party...there is a LOT of responsibility that comes with turning one.  One of the biggest changes so far, no more bottles!

The first day I wasn't so sure about mama's plan, but I am getting used to this sippy cup.  It helps that Auntie Heidi found the best sippy out there (believe me, I know, mama and daddy have made me try them all!)

After the first day of using a sippy I was getting the hang of it, and now, I really like it.  I am such a big girl!! 

I wonder what my next big girl change is going to bring,
Linden

Another Guest Post

Happy New Years Ladies and Gentlemen!

It is time for another guest post from none other than my amazing mama...prepare yourself, it is about to get sappy...


Amanda here.  Every year around Christmas we take a step back and reflect on the year.  I have always been able to look back and see that I live a very blessed life, but never before has it hit me like this year.

2011 began with a mix of emotions, excited for the life I was about to bring into the world, anxiety over when and how the entrance was going to take place.  Excitement about watching my sweet baby grow into a little person, fear that something might be wrong or that I might not do a good enough job.  Joy for the possibilities and opportunities she will have growing up, concern that she might have to deal with things such as bullying, peer pressure and negative media influence.

Trying to put the negative emotions aside, I aimed to focus on the present and watched my little girl blossom right in front of me.  As a working mom it was my fear that all of Linden's firsts would occur at daycare, I was lucky enough to experience many of them (even though I am sure there were others that I missed).  I got to witness her first smiles, the first time she rolled over, her first foods, her first giggle, her first boat ride, her first swim in the lake, her first attempts at crawling and her first steps.

The other day a friend of mine posted about her little boy turning 8 months old (aYearOnPins) and she made a list of her son's likes and dislikes, noting how his lists of likes is so much greater than his list of dislikes.  Her post got me thinking about Linden's lists:

Likes
   - Fruit, especially peaches and pears
   - Reading books
   - Meatballs and meatloaf
   - Swimming and bath time
   - Destroying towers of blocks that daddy builds
   - "Wrestling" with mama on the floor
   - "Petting" the dogs and cat (unfortunately, they don't share this love)
   - Pushing buttons, especially on TV remotes, cell phones, the laptop and TV
   - Walking all over, crawling is over-rated
   - Saying "Hi", she knows many words, but I am certain this is her favorite
   - Shiny things like jewelry and the tags of the dog's collars
   - Music and singing, which leads to some pretty adorable dancing
   - Climbing the stairs, both up and down
   - Playing at daycare and baby class with her friends

Dislikes
   - Being told "no"
   - Taking naps
   - Cucumbers
   - Being sick / Getting her nose wiped / Taking meds
   - Being confined

It is amazing how when putting these lists together it was so easy to come up with the likes, and so much more work to find the dislikes. 

Blessed.  That is the first word I came up with when thinking of 2011.  I have an amazing husband.  A Beautiful, happy, healthy daughter.  A warm house with plenty of food, clothing, entertainment and joy.  A family who loves me, and who I am lucky enough to get to love back.  Amazing friends who I know are there for us in both our triumphs and sorrows.  A great church community where we have made friends and feel welcome, even though we now have an active toddler.  Great jobs that allow the opportunity to travel and enjoy all sorts of fun experiences.  A safe city where I can take Linden on walks and not worry.  The list could go on and on.

If you haven't taken a moment to reflect on the past year I encourage you to do so now. 
Happy New Year,
Amanda