Wednesday, August 28, 2013

How Big is Savannah? Sooo Big!!!

I honestly don’t remember having one growing up but all of a sudden a growth chart sounded like a great idea. I checked around the internet and didn’t see anything I really liked but found some ideas to just make our own.

 

I ended up putting it on the side of the archway (??) between the laundry room and the kitchen. Or is it across from the half bath and next to the coat closet. Whatever, it’s in the space with narrow walls and light switches that will be a pain to decorate if I ever even get off my butt to do it.

 

Initial thought of a growth chart was writing on the wall. But I hate pencils. And I can’t say how long we’ll live here which means if we moved we’d lose it. However, I didn’t want to mount a plank of wood, canvas or paper 5+ feet tall. So I ended up using my Sihouette to cut Vinyl to use on the wall. It’s very forgiving if when I make mistakes and if we move it comes right off without leaving a mark. Yes, if we move we will “lose” it in a sense but I can stick them back up in the new house or make a new version to Savannah’s liking when it happens.

 

I started with the big numbers for the feet marks. We’re not the biggest fans of pink so I used teal which I figured Marc would be ok with – it’s a blue dangit!! In my head it seemed really easy – just measure the wall and mark where I need to put the numbers. Haha.. Right. Yes, I did measure and mark where to put the numbers height wise but didn’t consider width. So I ended up with 6 numbers all over the place. I mainly see the four sneaking off the right of the wall.

 

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I was going to try to fix them but figured do the next step first as I was sure it wouldn’t be perfect either and I could fix everything at once. So out came 6 big lines (foot), 5 medium lines (1/2 foot) and 50 small lines (inches). Shocker.. It got even harder.. I was using a measuring tape so holding it with one hand and sticking the line to the wall – IN THE RIGHT PLACE let alone straight – with my other hand was laughable. In the “this chick is a dumbass” kind of way.

 

Marc was smart enough to avoid me – I’m sure I was cursing and annoyed at the wall and the vinyl and possible making threats.. I was so grateful when I realized he was cleaning the floors as I wasn’t sure I was going to have the gusto to do it whenever I finished the growth chart.

 

Anywho, I got all the lines up and was so happy with myself. And happy to be done. For about 20 minutes..

 

Full chart: IMG_20130825_210032

 

Semi-Close Up: IMG_20130825_210055 

 

Close Up to see the lines:IMG_20130825_210106

 

Then I decided I wanted it a little more fun. So I cut out a “S” to put at the top and a few flowers to use as the markers where her height is. I’m going to look up a few of her previous heights and add them but the flower on the wall now is at her current height.

 

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The final result as of last night:

 

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I love how it turned out with the exception of the crooked lines – I’m trying to convince myself that it’s handmade so it’s not supposed to be perfect. We’ll see if I believe myself in a few days.

Monday, August 26, 2013

One Year (And One Week)!!!!

I can’t even find the words – I still can’t believe that Savannah is a year old!! It has been wonderful and a whirlwind and sounds crazy and impossible to me but I love her more every day.

The pictures this month have been a mess. The first round I couldn’t get the light right – all of our ceiling fans have browned (yellowed?) tint so on a gloomy day I had no chance. Which is even funnier that the problem with the pictures was TOO MUCH light! But I tried.. As long as Savannah lasted which wasn’t long..

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Over the weekend we tried again but she was not having it at all. I’m guessing teething as she was not her happy self off and on for a few days.. I didn’t get a single shot..

This morning we tried again and it turns out our camera is the problem, not the lighting. All the pictures look like someone flashed a bright light in front of the camera. So I turned to my un-trusty – needs to be replaced –hates me as much as I hate it phone. Not overly happy with the pictures but since we’re already over a week past her birthday they’ll have to do. Coupled with pictures from her actual birthday and family pictures we’re having done I think we have enough total.

 

So here they are – minimal smiles but she did give us a couple silly looks :)

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Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Savannah’s Birthday Party–Night Party

We decided to have a second party for all of our friends to come hang out. Since it was cooler out many went out to swim in the pool. Have I mentioned how glad I am we have one?!?

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At first I sat on the steps with Savannah but quickly realized she just wanted to get in..

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So we sat on the steps.. And swam.. And jumped.. And had a great time!!

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We then noticed a storm was brewing so we dried off, changed back into clothes and back into the house. All of the kids had a great time with the tunnels and ball pit. Great to see that some things will last more than a year or two!!

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After everyone headed home Savannah watched a little “Squeek” on the Baby Channel to calm down and then off to bed. Needless to say she went down REALLY fast (about two hours later than normal).

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Savannah’s Birthday Party – Baby/Family Party

Savannah’s first birthday party started at one – right after a nice long nap to ensure she was a ball of energy. First to arrive was her little friend Ella who is just a couple weeks older. We took the two girls into the family room to start playing while we were running back and forth to the door. They are just too cute for words!

Hanging Out With Friends

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Another of her baby friends – Darrien – arrived a little later. He is such a calm and sweet boy but we found out he is a maniac in the jumper!! I thought Savvy had fun in it but Darrien – WOW!

Darrien in the Jumper

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After a snack we moved the babies into the dining room with the ball pit, tunnels, tent and teepee. Just like Savannah, Darrien and Ella had a great time. It was even better with friends! Ella even when through the tunnel although Savannah is still skeptical about this trick we’re trying to play on her..

To round out the party, we had Savannah’s Cake Smash. Marissa made her an adorable cake so we set a sheet on the floor with the cake in the middle and put Savannah right behind it. She was curious but not sure what to do - seriously the cleanest eating she’s ever done. Hilarious considering EVERYTHING goes in this girl’s mouth. After singing her Happy Birthday and a little help from Daddy she started to get the hang of it.

What is this thing??

Happy Birthday Song

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After a few minutes we had Ella and Darrien join Savannah. Darrien was AWESOME! Seriously, he knew exactly what to do and it was his first one! Ella was great too – she had her birthday a couple weeks ago so is a seasoned cake smasher. There were even feet involved!

Smash Cake Trio

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Of course, there was a little mess so the babies had to get cleaned up. Yay for a big sink!!!

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