Steck Street

Lately, I have had a lot on my mind.  I keep getting these great ideas of things that I should blog about but I haven't made time to write anything.

Lately, I have been thinking a lot about who I am and who I am becoming.  I have been really aware of my weaknesses and shortcomings.  But not in the 'I am such a terrible worthless person' sort of way.  I have simply been trying to examine the best and worst parts of me and while it has been a bitter pill to swallow, I am comforted by the fact that I can change and improve and evolve.  

Lately, I have been thinking about how great it would be if every store had a parking lot like Costco and shopping carts like the new plastic ones at Target.  

Lately, I have been thinking about stuff.  About how much time is steals away from us as we search for it, care for it, maintain it, clean it, store it, etc.  I have had my fill of stuff and I want to get rid of it all.  There are piles all over my house of things to give away and get rid of.  The chaos stresses me a little, but I am okay with it because I know that the bigger those piles get, the less stuff we have to worry about when we move.

Lately, I have been dreaming a lot about our new house and how I want to decorate it.  For some reason I keep thinking about how I should decorate our small powder bath downstairs.  You would think I would be more interested in decorating some room that will be seen by more people, but I think I feel like it's a small first step in decorating our home.  Seems like a good place to start because I know I can finish it fairly quickly.  

Lately, I have been trying to come up with a name for a new blog.  I want this blog to be more about record keeping for my family and I want another blog to be used as an outlet for all things decorating, crafting, sewing, cooking, baking, etc.  I thought it would be cool to call it 'This and That,' but of course that is already taken.  Anyone have an idea on a variation on that idea?

Lately, I have been working on getting my booty in shape.  Yeah, I'd like to loose a few pounds of fluff and replace it with muscle, but mostly I want to be strong so that I can keep up with Kylie and our future kids without having a lot of back trouble.  I think I should run a 5k to have something to train for, as I am not, nor have I ever been, a runner.  I want to be in better shape before we add another mini Steck to our brood.  

Lately, I have been trying to find more balance.  I don't feel very successful as of yet.

Lately, I have been really in love with Jonathan.  

Lately, I feel like I have much to say and yet I am not sure how to say it.

Lately in photos...

 Reading with Grandma Bonnie and cousin Whitney

 Jonner ran the Helvetica Half Marathon with his sister Tiffany.  Way to go guys!

 Kylie figuring out soccer.

 Our house is much further along now, but these early pictures are pretty fun.

 Kylie was inspecting our house and thought it was edible.

 Daddy showing off to Kylie... and mommy.  =)

 Chocolate milk is good.  Except we think she is allergic to dairy.  We need to get her tested, but it does not make her tummy happy. 

Pretty girl ready for church.

 Helping mom with a project.  Really, she was helping.

 She loves to clean things with rags, including the car.

 Sharing a graham cracker with Daddy, Lady and the Tramp style.

 We went to the Hillsboro airport and checked out Grandpa Randy's plane.  It is really cool.

 Cuddles with Daddy.

 Playing with Daddy.

 Her high pony tails are the best.  She loves being outside.

That pretty much sums up our lately. 

 There were flowers everywhere! It smelled so good.

Each baby even had their own place setting with real miniature baby silverware and goblets.

The babies also had special presents waiting for them at their place setting. Homemade bibs! Quite useful and lovely.

 Kylie looking ever so dainty - pinky lifted and all - in her new homemade bib while sipping from her miniature goblet.

 Baby Graham was very noble and quite handsome in his onsie and boutonniere.

  

We had a great time at brunch and so enjoyed the chilled rose and strawberry soup, the dainty sandwiches, salad, baked okra, and strawberry rose cake.  The company was just as nice.  Thanks Alisha!

Kylie turned ONE on Friday and we had a party on Saturday to celebrate.  My family even came over from Boise and it was such a treat to have both sets of grandparents and almost all of her aunts and uncles there (missed you Whitney).  We had a blast.  We partied, napped, went swimming, played games, ate good food, and laughed a lot. 

It has been an incredible year and I know that I don't have the words to describe how challenging, rewarding, awakening, enlightening, broadening, and amazing it has been.  Motherhood definitely has its hard days - I'll be the first to admit it - but for me, being Kylie's mom is almost always joyful, fulfilling, and very satisfying.  I loved her instantly when they lied her on my chest moments after she was born, and that love has grown into something deeper and wider than I thought possible.  I know her so much better and love her more with each new discovery we make together.

I know that she is unusually patient, incredibly observant and inquisitive, a deep thinker, a goer and a doer, and a giver.  I know that she is a sensitive soul, that she is very bright, that she likes puppies and elephants, that she loves getting her arms and back tickled/caressed, and that she loves food.  I know she is kind, generous, very social, independent, unafraid, tenacious, and self-assured.  I know so much more than I did a year ago and I savor each new discovery that I make.  It is miraculous to watch a soul unfold and blossom from day to day and I feel so privileged to be a part of it.  She is straight from heaven and one very special girl with a great big future ahead of her, and I am so grateful I get to stay home full time and be her mom.

 Kylie helped mom make her pink and white birthday cake.  She was my taste tester.

 Could't resist a birthday suit photo on the birthday.  Cutest bum ever.

I had fun planning her party and tried REALLY hard not to go overboard.  I felt like I did just enough to make it special and have fun being creative without stressing myself (and my body) out.  The day went off without a hitch (thanks for all your help mom!) and was pretty much perfect.  

 Pink and Aqua and polka dots and stripes.  Such fun.

 My first cake with more than two layers, an actual crumb layer of frosting underneath the top layer, and my first attempt at a Swiss meringue buttercream (delicious by the way).  I had a lot of fun making it and love how it turned out.  This is the tutorial I used and the place I found the frosting recipe in case you were wondering. 

 Oh beautiful cake, I love you.

 I made the banner out of fabric and ribbon - it was super easy.  But I bought those cool paper flower decorations at JoAnns - they are a Martha Stewart product.  I have used them three times already.  

 Pink and Aqua paper straws!  We sipped pink lemonade with these.

 I also did a photo banner with about 25 pictures from Kylie's first year (I couldn't keep it to one per each month in the year).  They were in chronological order and it was fun to compare those first photos with the last.  She has grown so much!

 Ruffle bum pants.  Adorable.

 Opening presents!

 I like this picture of myself because it shows off my awesome braces-free smile.  Yay!

 Kylie is loved by a LOT of people.  She is one lucky girl.

 Kylie's personal mini cake.  I didn't frost the sides because she isn't used to much sugar and I didn't want to make her sick with a sugar overload.  She ate about 3/4 of it and loved every bite.

 Getting ready to blow out the candle (which cousins Taylor and Whitney helped with).

 Touching the still hot candle wick.

 Frowning about touching the still hot candle wick.

 Crying over touching the still hot candle wick and getting some sympathy and reassurance from mom and dad that her finger would recover.

 Over the hot candle wick incident (which lasted about 45 seconds) and digging in to the frosting!

 Surprise!  The cake has colored layers.  It looked pretty rad.

 I love my little family!

 Eating a fist full of cake is always a good way to spend your afternoon.

 And look at that floor!  She didn't get a crumb on the floor.  She's AMAZING.  I must figure out how to hone this skill for every other meal.