Happy 1st Birthday Nugget

Mama maus made her first homemade cupcakes (with a help from Tio Peter) and the nugget ate his first candle. Yes, candle - frosting and sweet cupcakes weren't that exciting it seems.

But the weather was perfect, the birthday hat stayed on (thank you Leigh!), the company was a delight and the pit of balls was a hit with all the other little kiddies at Duboce Park.

So there we have it - our little baby is officially a toddler and my first year of motherhood has come to an end. But like so many things, this end is not final, for mothering and growing and learning and questioning and just doing the best that I can continues.

For now, it is time to rest, regroup and recharge. Stay tuned for where maus and nugget go next...

First Bottle of Pink Stuff

With 100.8 fever and a runny nose and cough that have been around for over 15 days, I figured it was time again to go to the pediatrician.

And as I guessed, this time, the nugget ears don't look normal.

So, the nugget officially has his first ear infection and we have our first bottle of pink stuff in the refrigerator. I knew it would happen and though it is not my intention to jump to antibiotics with every new sickness, this little baby needs something.

And besides, who wants to turn 1 and feel so crummy?

Squeaky Clean

There was sand everywhere. Up his nose, behind his ears and between his toes.

But that is simply what happens when you play with the big boys, in the sandbox all afternoon long.

First mouthful of sand

I figured he would try it, hate it and then be done with it.

Seems the texture and test of our local sandbox doesn't bother the nugget. The other moms just laughed and said, "Oooh, just wait until it comes out the other end."

Really. Is this really what motherhood is all about?

First wave

You can't always catch the firsts on film. In fact, I don't really think you ever get to catch the firsts because they just happen and you are inevitability always standing there, totally unprepared with a dead battery or a full memory card.

So kudos to you who capture the firsts.

I didn't capture the first wave - in fact I couldn't have. But I saw it - how he thought, he connected, and then his little tiny hand let me know he was saying goodbye.

This first, as with most of them, is just the beginning. And I may just be able to capture his repeat performance.

Crushers anyone?

Here is why new moms need to spend time with seasoned moms: because you learn ALL kinds of tips and secrets and juicy details.

Our newest juicy detail: Crushers from Trader Joes. The to-go pouch of apple or apple/carrot sauce that is now a huge hit. In case you are saying, "I have never seen those at Trader Joes", you are alone. I was convinced our city TJ's did not have them. And then I looked where the applesauce was - and there they were.

So for now, there are back-up pouches in the car and one in my purse. And yes, he can already hold them by himself - and as you can see, it is a divine mess.

Deutschland

It's official - the nugget is now a citizen of Germany.

Signed and completed, his application for a German passport was completed today at the Consulate General in San Francisco and in 4-6 weeks it will be ready for pick up.

He has no idea how lucky he is.

At Recess, playing. In the coolest school bus around.

First toothbrush

So it's the wrong end. We'll work on the actual brushing part later.

Me and the nug

{reposted today - with the whole series of pictures}

Yes, walkers are no longer made and it is even widely recommended that you do not use them. Okay, got it.

So what are you supposed to do when your mom keeps all of your baby items, including your walker from 1975, gets the seat re-sewn and then just puts your little nugget in it and he wheels himself across the hardwood floors like he is at Nascar?

You smile. And you enjoy it.

Priceless

What do you give your mama and your nuggi's Oma for her 60th birthday? This, just this.

Off we go

Off to Denver, with a banged up eyelid and a spool of red linen thread. What more do you need?

I can't explain why I love these two photos. I just do.

Napping in style

Not really sure how the nugget got so lucky that he gets to sleep in such a fine buggy, to the sound of the Pacific Ocean lapping the shores in the distance. But he did.

And those naps in grandma's front yard were much needed after celebrating one's first Christmas.

As for the matching parasol, well, that came from Nikolaus.

Three men and a baby

There they are. My four favorite men on the entire planet.

Nugget goes exploring

And then one day you turn around and your little baby can walk up to the pantry, open the pantry and empty the pantry.

I noticed him, amidst whatever task I was doing on the kitchen and at the moment he noticed me watching. And then there was this sort of acknowledgement like "You keep doing what you are doing and I'll keep doing what I am doing." And so I turned around and kept doing whatever I was doing. But something made me stop. Something made me turn around and sit down on my kitchen floor. Something made me just stop and pay attention.

It may have been 2 minutes or it may have been 10 and either way, nothing else seemed to matter.

Have you ever sat down on your kitchen floor? Have you ever really seen what their world looks like? It gives you a whole new perspective on the cabinets you open and close a hundred times a day or the floor tiles that you thought were clean but realize it was a false clean seen from 5+ feet up.

Anyway, I don't think the nugget really knew that I was watching him and it is not something that he will ever remember, but its a moment in time I hope to never forget.

Puffs explosion

And then I came around the corner, and this is what I saw.

Puffs everywhere and a nugget sitting right in the middle of it all.

Urban baby

Movie star in the making or just an urban baby from 2010? Let's just say, the shades stayed on longer than I would have imagined. Thanks Freshie.

In with the new

I am a paper girl. Or maybe I was a paper girl. Not sure yet. But this year, as I opened every holiday card that came in the mail with a sort of "Oh, they had their &$%^ together", I kept thinking I would just get something printed and at least send it out before the end of the year. And then, as this creation began to take shape, I saw what it could be - that it could be emailed.

It could be emailed. It could be emailed!

And so, for the first time in my entire life, I did not send out a paper holiday card. And, as I saved on stamps and paper and most importantly time, I realized this might just become a new tradition.

For the "outtakes" of our photobooth experience, click here.

First Christmas

Here's our Christmas baby. And yes, he has a screwdriver in his mouth. Or at least the handle of a screwdriver. That's what happens when all the big boys get remote controlled helicopters that need tools and batteries and extra parts and repair within an hour.

But really, it's just the handle. Don't worry.