I finished up this 3-6-9-12 month framed collage this afternoon, displaying Paxton's first year portraits. Rather than matching Ayla's framed collage, I ended up going with a completely different frame style and photo opening layout. I figure...different kid, different project. Separate and unique, but equal. Paxton's pictures were all horizontal anyhow, so it was kind of necessary to do something different. :)
Initially my intent for doing this was to show how much each kid changed over their first year, wearing the same white onsie with a black background (and I tried to include a prop - flower for Ayla and stuffed monkey for Paxton...but that didn't go over well after 3 months!). It's funny how in the end, these portraits actually ended up showing how much they looked the SAME all year! Though Paxton does get a little rounder in each photo! Perhaps if I had to do it over again, I'd choose to dress them differently each time...nah, probably not. I still think it was a good idea even if it didn't turn out quite like I planned. :)
Here's Ayla's, which I did several years ago - the openings are wallet sized w/one 5x7:
And Paxton's - which has four 3 1/2 x 5" openings:
So there we go. Two kids, two frames, two first year collages -- done, and hung.
With all the pictures I take, it's about time I framed a few. :)
I've had this collage frame sitting in my "to do" projects forever, and finally decided that a bathtime baby bathroom collage would be the perfect use for it. So, I printed several bathtime baby photos of both of our kids in black and white, added some patterned paper & Imaginisce "Splash Dance" rub-ons and stickers and viola! A cute little bathroom collage.
While I was working on this project, I flipped the Splash Dance packaging over and was surprised to see a familiar face looking back at me!
For Paxton's 1st birthday party, I continued (and maybe concluded?) his monkey-themed year with monkey decorations. I kept the decorations very simple, using his banner, some stuffed monkeys from his bedroom hanging from the chandelier and candle holders, and a bag of balloons.
We had a very low-key party. Just the local aunts, uncles and cousins over for dinner (shishkabobs) and dessert (monkey cupcakes of course).
I can't claim credit for the design of the cupcakes, though I did make them. I just searched Google images for "monkey cupcakes" and I got LOTS of ideas. :)
Since Ayla has a birthday banner, I knew I'd need to make one for Paxton as well and since his birthday is only two weeks away...well it was time to get crackin!
This canvas pennant banner from Maya Road was the perfect product to make it with (especially since his name fit so perfectly on six pennant triangles!)
I painted each triangle either orange or brown with acrylic paint, and then alternated colors to create the background for the banner.
I added his baby photos, chipboard letters to spell his name, and used the Little Sprout collection kit from Crate Paper as well as several zoo stickers from Doodlebug and monkey stickers from Reminisce to decorate each triangle.
Since Paxton's nursery is decorated in zoo animals, and his monthly photos are taken with a stuffed gorilla, I figure it's only natural that his banner have the same theme. I plan to use the banner every year on his birthday -- maybe not for party decorations (because I doubt the zoo theme will keep his interest for much longer), but at least I can use it for family birthday breakfast decorations!
Ben took the kids with him grocery shopping this morning so I could hang out alone and do some scrapbooking (I know...I'm VERY lucky). I managed to get caught up on Paxton's album, at least through the end of January. Only a couple months left before his year is up!
Instead of doing all the things I *should* be doing today, I was inspired to make these photo tags for each of our Christmas stockings as I was in the middle of decorating the house for the holidays:
I made Paxton one too...but he doesn't have a stocking yet! I gotta get on that...
I used to say that spoon feeding baby food was the worst part of having a baby. Since Paxton arrived I've had to revise that statement. Not just because he's a screamer, is needy, and overly sensitive. But because he actually LIKES to eat (most of the time). So, spoon feeding him isn't all that bad.
With Ayla we were rollin' in the big bucks (well, compared to now) so I didn't think twice about buying lots of baby food jars for her, tossing leftovers, and moving on. But with Paxton, money is a little tighter, so I thought I could try making my own baby food -- at least partially. It *is* cheaper (or about the same price) and is actually more convenient because you tend to buy more "bulk" that you will have on hand. Plus, I like that I can try some other foods that don't normally come in the jarred baby foods.
applesauce - I bought a big jar of no-sugar added applesauce. He loves it and we add it to anything he doesn't love quite so much...and the jar is WAY easier than trying to cook & peel apples (no thanks).
green beans - just mushed up the canned ones we were all eating (need to mush them more next time!)
carrots - mushed up canned carrots
Next on my list:
pears
chicken (dare I?)
canned sweet peas
frozen broccoli
canned corn
any other suggestions?????
Any one want to share their baby food experiences?
I've always liked my Baby Bjorn and carried Ayla all over Rochester in it her entire first year (and a little beyond!). Paxton is going to prove to be a little more difficult to carry with it, because he's so big!
A friend of mine here in Birmingham uses a sling that she made to hold any of her three kids (3, 1, and 1 month), and it's SO cute. She was nice enough to make me one too (I even got to pick the fabrics), and I'm in love with it.
Paxton loves it too. I carried him around tonight for about an hour when I went to pick Ayla up from VBS, and he never made a peep. Just sat there and enjoyed the ride with his little hands folded in front of him, smiling at everyone.
Thanks to Hilarie (who SO needs to open her own Etsy shop with these and the adorable bags she makes) who made it for me! (She didn't ask me to drum up business for her, but I could probably convince her to make a few more if any of you want to buy one from her...just let me know!)
