Rewind: Birthday party #2!

Our trip to Montana for Perrie's birthday has become an annual event, and in the past we have turned that into Perrie's birthday party. She is starting to be old enough to remember all of her friends' birthday parties, SO we decided to throw a party in Seattle to celebrate with all of our friends here. We have a tiny house, so I was a bit worried about having a bunch of 2- to 3-yr olds running around our house. To keep them occupied, I found a face painter in our neighborhood to come to our party. It was a smashing success. She was great with the kids, a talented face painter, and they loved to just sit and watch her paint. What a great party!

The birthday girl had the first chance at face painting. There were all of these great patterns to choose from ... including full animal faces, mustaches, full princess face. Perrie opted for the balloons on one cheek and a shooting star on the other.

She sat so still -- if only I could bottle a little of that for other times...

Checking out the finished product.

This picture is a little scary - she looks too old!

This cake was not nearly as yummy as Grandma's, but we managed.

We had a great time catching up with so many friends. Once Perrie started the shooting star/balloon trend, everybody had to join in...

Ava

Maddie

Perrie & Maddie ready for some cake!

Zeah

Macie

Cecelia

Otis

Ben

Jake & Allie

Even the grown-ups joined in on the fun!

Sabrina

and Dad being a good sport.

New butterfly wings from Maddie & Otis!

and Santa from Carson!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's day is one of those days that people think of as a "Hallmark holiday". Somehow, this year, Valentine's day has a whole new meaning at our house . . . it's Congenital Heart Disease awareness week! I know, a weird thing to celebrate, but it feels important to recognize the hellish year that we had and how far we have come. Isaac's surgery was only 7 months ago, yet feels like 7 years. Now things around are house are "normal" -- granted, "normal" has a new meaning but we are so fortunate to have two happy kids and today we can celebrate that. So, join us in celebrating CHD Awareness Week -- CHD is the most common birth defect, affecting 1:100 babies in the US.

To help promote CHD awareness, I got a proclamation from Governor Gregoire declaring this week CHD Awareness week in Washington. It'll be a fun page for Isaac's baby book.

I guess to celebrate where we are, we have to remember where we started. We took only a few pictures of Isaac after surgery - really just to show him someday. This is the tamest picture, but is the perfect example of how complicated his little room was that first week. It still gives me PTSD.

Copying a cute picture I found online. He just wants to eat the stethoscope though.

I couldn't find a shirt that says "My heart belongs to Seattle Children's"

And, of course, beautiful little Perrie who sailed through this year without a bump. She doesn't let anything faze her and we love her bright little personality.

Making some Valentines for her schoolmates. Another blog photo of the apron from Aunt Mary Ann -- it's a must for any and all projects these days. "Wait, let me go get my apron"

Eight is Great

Happy 8 months old, Isaac! These have become my favorite posts to make. I love looking back at Perrie's old pictures to compare & reminisce. Perrie and Isaac have similar features, but I can really see this month how Perrie was a bit more roly-poly at this age! She was also always content sitting in one spot and playing with her toys - we didn't even baby-proof our house! Oh, Isaac is a different baby. He wants to jump, stand, walk, and move -- none of which he is very good at yet.

Isaac had a Cardiology appointment for his 8 month birthday. We see every day that he is doing great, but these appointments are always stressful. You just never know what they are going to find. All good today! Isaac was really in fine form too - jumping, smiling, flirting, and tearing the ECG stickers off his chest. As soon as we got back in the car, he fell asleep - too much performing.

My sister sharing her magnets

I love to stand...

... and really want to crawl, but just can't quite get it.

I have 6 teeth! 4 on top ...

... and 2 on bottom

My scar is fading -- it's already getting hard to see!

Perrie - 8 months