Lovebug's 1st Birthday Party! {Part I}

I've been so excited to show y'all the lovely pictures of our sweet Lovebug's 1st Birthday! There's so much to share, that I think I'll break it down into a few posts... Mmkay?

First we'll start with all that crazy preparation in the days leading up to the party... I LIVE for this stuff, so of course I was super excited to get started on all the DIY goodness. I knew I wanted to incorporate lots of vintage linens, flowers, my collection of blue mason jars, and of COURSE, bunting. I also had a dream cake in mind, and wanted a brunch! Since we just moved into our new house, we have yet to add a dining table to the dining room, leaving a really large room that flows into an open area toward the kitchen. This left plenty of space for a large food table, drink bar, and 4 card tables. We rented the chairs from a local vendor for 75c a piece. We also used the breakfast table, and counter with bar stools for more seating.

All the vintage linenes are from THIS shop. She's so sweet and helpful! The LOVELY photos were taken by April @ Freeland Photography! We love them... so easy to work with and they take great pictures!

                                                        

I searched all over for cheap frames, and ended up catching two of Hobby Lobby's 50% off sales... score! I spray painted them and used all of Lovebug's weekly picture collages, with no glass... making the frames even cheaper! The drink bar is our dresser-turned-entertainment cabinet found HERE. I bought/borrowed all the mason jars and wrapped them in twine that I bought HERE, along with the adorable striped straws! More about the drinks in the next post!

The cake design was based on one I'd pinned HERE. I made the paper bunting by punching out circles from scrapbook paper and the folding them over a piece of twine. I just used 2 straws and a piece of extra bunting for the topper. The actual cake was baked and iced by someone locally, and I was so pleased with her work! The bottom two layers are actually false, since we only needed the top as a "smash cake" for Lovebug! Those adorable pictures will be in the next post!

For the centerpieces of each table, I used my collection of vintage blue Ball mason jars (LOVE them) My sister and I bought the roses at Trader Joe's the day before the party- they were only $5/bouquet! I also used Anthropologie fruit baskets I already had, lined with parchment paper and filled with fresh berries. The table linens are also from HERE. I simply cut and hemmed the vintage sheets to fit the tables I borrowed.

That's it for the decor! Next I'll share the yummy food! Then I'll share the photos of our sweet girl on her special day! The cake pictures are pretty darn cute if I say so myself!

 





P. S. I'm linking up to the parties on my sidebar!

Insta-Friday... San Diego Edition

Soo... I'm a little behind. Life has been super-duper busy with settling into the house, the big 1st Birthday party, and recent trips to the lake, and San Diego! I've got a whole lot of blog posts to write, and can't wait to share all the DIY goodness of Lovebug's party, and what we're working on in the house! In the meantime, here's a quick catch up & our week in sunny SoCal!

Just lovin' our sweet girl & enjoying Summer!

Landed with a sweet sleeping baby. LOVE my moby wrap! :: First stop? Brunch @ Cafe 222 in Downtown San Diego... GO THERE if you're ever in the area :: Introducing my girl to the locals ::

Passed out cold at Daddy's work dinner.

Sprinkles Cupcakes = YUM! :: Dinner with my wonderful San Diego friends that I missed SOO much in the last year! :: Beach Baby. Girlfriend loved it :: Baby's 1st burger had to be In & Out, duh.

 Just 3 girls hanging out at the beach :: Sand is apparently very tasty and we had to drag this little beach baby away :: Sister love- so helpful on Lovebug's 1st big trip! :: A date at our old spot with my Hubby thanks to my wonderful sister

Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies... Yes Please.

It's been a while again... I'm definitely slacking in sharing all the yummy recipes we've been trying over here, and I feel bad for denying y'all the experience of some of said yumminess. In an attempt to make up for it... I'm giving you a doosy. I always try to find something over-the-top crazy good to bring to our Sunday night small group at Church. I mean when else can I make 2 dozen calorie-filled treats without gaining 10lbs? Plus we have like 17 kiddos in our small group, so there's no chance of bringing any home afterward.

There are two fillings for these cookies... the Jet-Puffed Marshmellow Creme apparently makes them taste like the real thing (Little Debby version) but they are messy, since the creme starts oozing all over the place within minutes. Since I need to bake and take my goodies later, I picked the less-messy option and fell in LOVE with the deliciousness that was the whipped frosting. Either way, I'm sure y'all will be happy!

Here's what you need...

Oatmeal Cream Pies                                                  Pioneer Woman

Cookies:
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup butter (at room temp)
1/4 cup Crisco
2 eggs
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
3 tbsp boiling water
1 tsp baking soda
2 1/2 cups flour
2 cups quick oats

Frosting:
5 tbsp flour
1 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
      OR
Jet-Puffed Marshmellow Creme

Go ahead and preheat your oven to 350.

Grab your mixer and beat the butter, brown sugar, and Crisco. Smell the fat fumes. Now add the cinnamon & baking powder. Mix the boiling water & baking soda and add that in too. Slowly mix in the flour & oats... it'll be pretty thick!

Now use your cookie scoop to add little mounds of deliciousness onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes, depending on whether or not you oven likes to burn things. You want these cookies to be soft! Let 'em cool on a wire rack while you whip up the frosting...

Whisk the flour & milk together in a small pan over medium heat until it's really thick, then let it cool completely to room temp (this will seem like an eternity since you're dying to eat one of these babies.) Then add the vanilla.

In your mixer, beat the butter and sugar until it's nice an fluffy. Now add the flour mixture and in PW's words, "beat the living daylights out of it!" It will look like whipped cream when it's ready!

I used a heaping tablespoon in between two cookies... but you can use more or less or MORE. Just sayin'. Enjoy y'all!

Picture Project: The last 4 weeks!

Well folks, baby girl is a year old! I can't believe how fast it went! She's so very grown up, and although I want to cry sometimes wondering where my tiny baby went, I love her more and more each day. Bri and I are so proud of her and we just can't get enough of our sweet Lovebug!

On Fathers day, she FINALLY got her 1st tooth! We went out to lunch after church and on the drive home I felt it! It's still the only one she has, but it didn't seem to bother her too much, so I'm not too worried. She also tried a bottle of cow's milk for the first time that day.. she loved it and has had a little each day since then. I'm not really looking forward to the fact that she's beginning to wean... I'll miss that special cuddle time when it's gone.

She's picked up all kinds of new skills recently... shape sorting, holding her own bottles, sippys & smoothie pouches, running, stirring with a spoon and bowl, climbing stairs, block stacking, etc. She's also tried almost everything we eat and still loves it ALL! She can point to her eyes, nose, mouth, hair, and toes when asked. On her birthday, we asked her how old she was and taught her to hold up her finger for "One!" It's adorable and she does it all the time now and then beams with pride!

There were 55 people including kiddos and babies at her 1st birthday party... it was so overwhelming to have so many people celebrate our sweet girl! There will definitely be a post soon to recap all the DIY and crafty party goodness! Lovebug daintily picked at her cake... just like I thought she would!

We took a trip to the lake this past weekend and she did great driving down and back! Slept the whole way! Unfourtunately, she was up every few hours all night, everynight... which has us a bit worried about the trip to San Diego next week! At home, she's still sleeping about 8:30-7:30 or so.... and nursing once in the middle of the night.

She had her 1yr checkup... baby girl weighs in at a whopping 16lb 9oz! She's reaching all the 18mo skills and a few 24mo skills too... her Dr. was pretty impressed.

She got an adorable a frame tent from my BFF, and a Play Gym from my parents for her birthday... so our basement family room is now officially a playroom, full to the brim with toys! She runs around playing for hours and climbs her slide and the tunnels squeeling with joy.

I'm so excited to see what this next year holds for our Lovebug! Here are her last 4 weekly pictures...

Picture Project: Weeks 45-48

Oh Lovebug... our sweet baby girl's birthday is around the corner and we're in full planning mode around here! I can't believe what a little baby toddler she is! Walking around all over the place... it keeps her very busy. She seems to always have a mission and knows where's she's going and what she wants! If she can't reach something, she holds her hand out or points until she gets it. She's so dainty... always sitting down so gracefully. She such a little lover...hugging and kissing her stuffed animals and carrying them around everywhere. Most of them are bigger than her which is hilarious. She's a year old in 2 weeks and we definitely bought a 3-6mo size dress for her party! Tiny little walking baby doll, who thinks she's a big girl... that's my child.

Every morning, Brian brings her in after he eats breakfast with her and they wake me up with hugs and kisses! She squeals "Mama!" and tackles me... I think my heart melts into a puddle every time and it's the BEST way to wake up!

She's completely obsessed with Peas. Yes folks, my child is a self-proclaimed health-nut! She would rather eat fruits and veggies all day over anything else! She typically eats all the peas on her tray and throws the pasta/bread/cheese/meat onto the floor. It's lovely. At least I don't have to worry about her being healthy... but eat some calories girl friend!

She plays with her little kitchen her Auntie got her ALL the time. She stirs with her spoon and cup and offers what she's made to Mama. She's also trying to get into the cupboards while I cook... so we put her dishes in the bottom drawer and now she gets out bowls to play with while I'm busy in the kitchen.

She can put circles, triangles, and squares in the right holes in her shape sorter, she can point to eyes, nose, mouth, and hair and learns more every day! She claps when we ask her questions to mean "yes". She'll respond to "All done?", "more?", "hungry?", "snack?" "watch Elmo?" "Mickey?" and a bunch of other questions.

We've been keeping busy so far this summer. We spend lots of time with my sister and Lovebug is obsessed with her! If I say "Naenae's coming over..." she starts looking around and yelling "Nae-nae!" We've taken her to the water park and swimming a couple times and she absolutely loves it! Our little water baby!

I'm loving this age... each one seems to be more fun and exciting! Our sweet girl has got us ready for many more little ones running around this house!

Insta-Friday!

Another Friday folks, and we've been keeping busy around the Edwards household! Painting, painting and more painting... we might seriously be professionals by the time we're done getting all these walls done! Meanwhile, I'm getting ready for Lovebug's 1st birthday party, trying to make some Summer memories and keep up with all the normal Mama duties... whew!

Baby girl loves to read. Pat the Bunny is her current favorite.

Taking evening walks with Auntie Naenae... ah summer.

Date night with my Hubby... I'm a happy girl!

Sick little girl... watching Elmo & Cuddling helps.

A little Sunshine with her Daddy made her feel better too. 

So excited to use all these gorgeous vintage linens for Lovebug's 1st Birthday!

Thank You Dreamy Vintage Sheets on Etsy!

A day at the Waterpark with the girls... She loved the lazy river... that's my girl!

BLT with Avacado, potato salad & fresh fruit... I LOVE Summer time meals!

My sister finally got my to try the green smoothies... not too bad I must admit!

This one has frozen mango, pineapple, a banana, yogurt, and SPINACH... so weird.

I'm glad the TV is above the fireplace...

she'd stand right in front of it to see ELMO... her BFF.

Have a great weekend y'all!

Penne ala Betsy!

It has been seriously too long since I've posted a good recipe, and what better way to start whipping out all the new things we've been eating, than a Pioneer Woman recipe? Or her sister, Betsy's I should say. We're all unpacked here at our new house, and I'm back to making 5 meals each week, usually tryin' a new recipe or two. We've had this one a few times recently... it's a super delicious, super easy pasta dish with just a few ingredients and so much flavor! Please try it.... you'll thank me later. Okay?

Here goes...

Penne ala Betsy                Pioneer Woman                                                               

1lb penne

1lb shrimp

3 Tbsp butter

3 Tbsp EVOO

1 large onion

1/2 cup white wine

1 can tomato sauce

1 cup heavy cream

small bunch of basil

S&P

First, you'll boil your pasta to package directions, then drain and set aside. Meanwhile, chop up your onion, and basil.

Now if you want to be all "I cooked these shrimp myself and they are perfectly pink," then go for it. I have a walking 11mo who gets into everything, so I just buy Trader Joe's precooked shrimp, thaw them, and pop off the tails. They are delish. You decide.

Now grab a skillet and get that butter and EVOO over medium heat. Toss in your finely chopped onion and cook until their nice and soft and translucent, about 10 min. FYI... onion cooking in butter is one of the BEST smells EVER... just sayin'. Then pour in the wine, and let it simmer for a few minutes, and then the tomato sauce and the blessed cream. The smell and look of this lovely sauce will intice you to dip your finger in and have a taste... do so. YUM. Stir in the basil and the cooked shrimp.

When the pasta is drained, return it to the pot, and pour that beautiful sauce all over it. Stir, and serve up heaping bowls to someone, who will surely be impressed by the resturant quality dish you just made, in no time at all.

Have a great day y'all!