Teddy Bear Picnic 1st Birthday Party

So the year has flown by and time came for Arthur's 1st Birthday. I didn't plan on a big birthday but I got swept up in the whole deal. I initially thought of just having a picnic at the park. Then I panicked it would rain and the logistics of it all. So I booked a venue and the theme was a "Teddy Bear's Picnic".

My old version of Photoshop did not work with the new OS :( So I did the invitation with Gimp. I think it turned out alright,

Teddy Bear Picnic Birthday Party Invitation

 For the birthday cake I had a black forest cake. I think it went nicely with the theme. My dessert table had:

• cupcakes with bear paws
• mini donuts
• strawberrys
• gummy bears
• chocolates
• apple strudel
• and the black forest birthday cake

Teddy Bear Picnic Birthday Party Dessert Table

 The main colours were red and green. The party packs were green and red gingham handkerchiefs tied up with goodies inside. The place mats were also fake grass.

Teddy Bear Picnic Birthday Party Children's Table

A thoroughly enjoying his birthday cake

• The part food included:Caprese sticks (mozarella, basil and baby tomato)
• Chicken salad sand wiches
• Roast beef sandwiches
• Chickpea salad
• PB&J sandwiches

The food table

Some guests playing

Turning 30

I turned 30 a couple of days ago. Thought I'd list all the things that I have done and have happened to me in the last 10 years. The list sort of goes from most monumental to less.

• Being Pregnant and giving birth to A. Sometimes I still can't believe my body created him.
• Being a mother for 10 months and 1 day. This is still a metamorphosis and everyday I am learning and growing to become the person I want to be.
• Marrying DH. I am truly blessed to have found such a wonderful person to spend my life with. We've been married over 6 years and 7 months!
• Having friendships that stood the test of time. 
• Becoming a SAHM. Although I feel I have accomplished a lot since I started working I always stuggled with work. I frequently felt burned out, like I couldn't cope and just needed a break. I keep waiting to feel like that after bascially being with A 24/7 for almost a year but I very very very rearly feel that.
• Having climbed in my career. I calculated that between my 4 jobs I have 6 years work experience. I started as a (self taugth) PHP developer and became a systems analyst. Being lucky enough to work with a few people from whom I could learn a lot.
• Graduating with a Bachelors in IT.
• Graduating with a Masters in IT.
• Buying 3 houses with DH and paying off 2!
• International travel to: Thailand, Singapore, Poland, Mauritius, UAE, US (Chicago, Orlando, San Francisco, L.A, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon), Italy
• Memorable local travel to: Cape Town, Sun City, St Lucia, Drakensburg, Plattenburg Bay, Kimberly.

 I think the last 10 years was about learning about the big wide world and focused on working and studying. Who knows what the next 10 years will bring but it will be definitely more about family and self discovery.

Another short list of my high/low lights in the last year. (Wow I did a lot of photoshoots!)

•  Unfortunately my DH was out of the country for my 29th Birthday. I went out to dinner with friends. It was a pleasant day. If I am not mistaken, I was 32 weeks pregnant :).
• Having a maternity photoshoot.
• They did a non stress test on me and A and they were not too happy, so I was hospitalised to be monitored and because of a UTI. Everything turned out fine. It was the first time in my life that I stayed over night in hospital.
• My minute baby shower :)
• Giving birth to A.
• Learning to Breastfeed.
• Everything about becoming a first time mom.
• Newborn photoshoot.
• Quiting my job and becoming a SAHM
• Spending Christmas with SIL.
• Holiday in St Lucia
• Photoshoot with A to give as a gift for DH's 30th Birthday.
• DH's 30th Birthday.
• FIL's 70th Birthday.
• Joining DH on a conference to Sun City with A
• Having a terrible flu while taking care of A.
• A's first invitation to a Birthday party (his cousins')
• A's Baptism
• Putting in an offer on a house (and it being accepted).
• Going to a baby shower.
• Joining LLL (La Leche League)
• Another Birthday Party invitation for A.
• I also read the following books:
• Freakanomics
• Life of Pi
• Beatrice and Nigel
• Road Less Travelled

Special Moments: Afternoon Naps

I love nursing A to sleep for his afternoon nap. It's a timeout for both of us before the busy evening begins with making dinner, cleanup and baths. I also love looking at his cute face while he sleeps in the soft afternoon light.

Lentils with rice

Lentils with rice 

3/4 cup uncooked rice

1/2 olive oil

1 onion sliced

1 can lentils, drained and rinsed

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp cinnamon 

1 cup frozen peas

1/4 cup plain yogurt/sour cream/ goat cheese (chevin)

Cook rice according to instructions.

While rice is cooking, heat oil on medium heat, add the onion. Cook the onion until brown, about 15 min, stirring frequently.

Add the spices, stir. Add the lentils, stir fry for two minutes, add the peas and stir until heated through. Take off the heat add the rice and stir. 

Serve with yogurt/sour cream/ cheese

Baby solids combination 6-9 months

Thought I'd share my successful solid combinations I have been giving A for (almost) the past three months. So far it is purees but I have started to make them thincker/lumpier. From the end of the month we'll be introducing protein, gains and finger foods, so it will be a whole different ball game!

Here they are:
Beetroot + sweet potato
Papaya + avocado
Papaya + mango
Gemsquah + pear
Baby Marrow + sweet potato
Broccoli + sweet potato
Broccoli + pear
Mango + kiwi
Baby Marrow + sweet potato + date (just a bit for taste) + a pinch of nutmeg
Gemsquash + date (just a bit for taste)
Gemsquash + spinach +pear
Greenbeans + sweet potato

*Update* Here's some more before the food gets more substantial at 9 months.
Cauliflower + sweet potato + a pinch of nutmeg
Cauliflower + spinach + a pinch of nutmeg

Felt needle book

I am on crafting roll. After doing the two big projects (alphabet and puppets). The needle book was quick and dirty. It is really a nice little project to do and it will help to keep me my craft supply organized. I was also able to make my first craft flower as an embellishment. I used this inspiration, except I used 6 petals instead of 4 and I put a cute button in the middle.

Anyway, here's my little book:

Would love to start on A's quiet book now. Already have a design in mind, maybe I'll make it into a template...

Felt Old McDonald Animal Puppets

I am so happy to say that I have completed this project. I stitched everything by hand, which took a while. I found a tutorial and pattern on just another day in paradise and really wanted to make it for A. The original tutorial said to use a sewing machine. Since I don't have one I had to hand stitch everything. I also improvised on some of the puppets. I left out the hooves because it looked a bit much when I started to stitch them on.

Anyway here some pics of my hard labour:

I'd love to make some wild animal puppets one day. Maybe some woodland and wild animals. I even thought I'd be nice to make people of different races. However, I need a break from making puppets and make something different. I'm already looking at a needle book and would also love to start a quiet book for A. Also maybe make some Christmas ornaments... Oh there's all these crafts but so little time!