Signs of a good weekend.

I can confidently say Evans rang in my master's degree celebration properly.

Friday afternoon he surprised me with an {original} 1889 edition of Anne Bradstreet's poems {sidenote,  I wrote my master's thesis on Bradstreet...let me know if you are interested in reading, she was quite a woman!}

The book had a beautifully handwritten thank-you note from the editor to his friend.

Saturday, he installed the space savers in my closet to make room for all my work clothes.

before...

after...

Saturday evening he cooked his famous pot roast and we had our parents over for chocolate cake and champagne!

As for Van? He was his typical happy-go-lucky self.

Did I mention he had a bite of chocolate cake? I think it may be the reason he is still wide awake tonight and smiling right next to me on the couch {2 hours past bedtime...}

Lastly, I decided it was time to join you other techies out there in the land of smart phones.

Time to go back to work!! Yikes.

Happy 20th Birthday, Rhombus!

Today we celebrate Rhombus's 20th birthday. :) Such a wonderful mom and grandmother to this rowdy bunch:

And still looking cute as ever!

Van has something to share:

{Let me translate from the giggles into English: we love you Rhombus!!}

I saw this about Operation Beautiful on the Today Show yesterday morning and almost cried! Its such a sweet idea.

For my graduation present, Evans is constructing a new closet for me! Before and after pictures to come. I am so excited & need to make room for all of my "working-mom" clothes which comprise an entirely separate wardrobe from the lounge-y stay-at-home-mom/student frocks I have been sporting all summer. Off to empty the closet!!

Have a great weekend!

Pure Joy!

Somehow--after selling the condo, purchasing a house, moving, getting pregnant, breaking a foot, having a baby, nursing a newborn, and writing a master's thesis...I have officially finished the requirements for graduate school!

I got the confirmation that I passed from my advisor this morning and broke down into tears. {Then got over myself, cranked up Dixie Chicks and sang and danced with Van like a crazy woman} I will present my thesis in the December Graduate Symposium, but it will not affect my degree.

This week its just Van & me chilling.

Finally!

On the move!

Van took an accidental first three steps over the weekend!! Lately he has been plowing around the house full speed while holding onto our hands. Saturday afternoon, he took off before I had a good hold on him and managed to waddle three whole steps before falling over!! I was surprised and proud. {And now, nervous about what a walking Van will entail}...

You can see the progression {and sense his sneaky ambition}:

...got a good grip on this table...

I can probably go play with that outlet over there while she is busy taking pictures...{waddles to the right}

yeah, I'm goin for it

{Takes one step and mommy drops camera to catch me just in time!}

Van is also starting to wave! I never knew how endearing it would be to see a little baby-head waving at you through the front door. When its not too hot, Van, Sophie, and I sit on the front porch and wait for Evans to come home. As soon as he pulls in the driveway, Van gets an excited, overactive arm wave and flops his hand around. I can only imagine its the best way to be greeted after a long day in the office {plus a nice enthusiastic tail-wag from Soph}

Van has gotten into the touch-and-feel books. His favorite at the moment is:

In other news...after a day-long cracked out read and re-read and re-edit and re-read and re-edit {you get the idea} I am officially done with my thesis as of yesterday!!  I still technically have to defend it before I graduate, but I'm actually looking forward to that part.

I got this email while I was finishing up on Sunday and melted:

We are proud of you mommy!
Just got out of my bath.
Love, Evans & Van

Number 1 Stunner

Van and I went to see his prize-winning photo collection today! What a handsome little man.

Cousins

{Auntie Snags--you owe me!} Posing Van & Fray for a joint cousins picture was quite a task. These are some glamorous babes, but not on the same page when it comes to their modeling techniques. Fray was quite the bi-pedal diva, and Van was frustratedly trying to follow in her footsteps! Despite the chaos, the end results will make you smile!:

Do It Yourself Babyfood

I used to think moms who did this were super heroes {and not that they aren't} but its easy to make your own babyfood.  All it entails:

1- Chop
2- Steam or bake
3- Blend
4- Freeze

I tried all sorts of things. Van sampled my homemade squash, green beans, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, avocado, carrots, and baked apples with cinnamon!

He was apprehensive at first, but I mixed a little warm water with the finished product and he was opening for more. {And you can grow most of these veggies in your own yard or from Bickett Market}.

Van & Auntie Snags--July 2010