12 months

We made it!  Quinn turned ONE last week!  Here is a look at what she has been up to this past month.

 

These 12 month pictures were taken in Ohio :)

~1st BIRTHDAY~ Due to all of the moving chaos, we had two little parties for Quinn.  We didn't really have a master plan for how to celebrate.  It just worked itself out.  So, I threw her a party with some friends in Florida a week before we left.  Then, on her actual birthday Quinn and I were in New York with Matt's family.  (The short of it is that Matt was traveling and our stuff was in the process of being transported to OH--hence, Quinn and I needed a place to hide out for the week.)  Polly threw a sweet little party for Quinn with her good friend and Grandma Harker. 

 

~GROWING UP~ Quinn got three teeth this month and I can see more about to come in!  She is full on walking.  She officially took her first steps on January 7.  She now watches a show (preferably Mickey Mouse Clubhouse) and eats a snack after her afternoon nap.  She is quite cranky when she wakes up.  The only way she is happy is if she is being held or distracted by the TV.  She is also in the big girl car seat now which has made driving around a lot easier.  She did great when we drove from New York to Ohio.  I couldn't believe it!  She has been testing the waters to see what she can get away with too (ie. throwing food off the highchair).  Quinn is officially a toddler!  She has also become much more cuddly--not complaining here, and seems to be a little attached to her blanket and paci too.

 

I can't believe how much she has developed and grown in just one year.  We are really enjoying Quinn as this stage.  Her bubbly, sweet, observant, and fun personality adds so much joy to our lives!  She is such a gift!

 

Celebrations!

January is full of celebrations for us.  In the past week we have celebrated the New Year, our 4th anniversary, and Quinn's first birthday!  We decided to go ahead and throw Quinn a little party with some friends before we moved.  We will literally be moving into our new home on Quinn's birthday, so we wanted to make sure that we had a chance to celebrate.  Hopefully we will be able to celebrate more with some family after the move. 

 Quinn seemed to love all the attention at her party.  I know its pretty common for kids to panic or cry in these situations but Quinn seemed to feed off of all of the energy.  This cracked me up because Matt and I are not big party people. 

 I made Quinn's birthday cake.  It was so fun!  It was made of funfetti cake with vanilla buttercream frosting.

I think Quinn liked it too.  She had no problem digging in.  We have waited until this point to give her any type of sugary treat (besides what our family members have snuck her).  I'm glad she enjoyed it!

 

 

 more party treats...I made too many and now I can't stop eating these :/

 This was the toy that Matt and I gave Quinn.  She seems to really like it.  Excuse the bedhead here-haha  Quinn is trying like crazy to walk.  We have seen her take multiple steps.  Miss my little baby but I am really enjoying the fun of having a toddler.  Although I am a little concerned about the whole discipline thing.  We have already witnessed a few tantrums...luckily they are still pretty cute and don't last very long!

 

 

And this one is for us.  Matt and I made it through the first year of parenthood.  It's officially not about us anymore, and I think it's better that way.  I am so thankful for the way Matt has supported me through this past year.  Becoming a mother was a tough transition for me and he showed me a lot of grace.  Matt has made becoming a dad look easy.  I am so thankful for how God grows us closer each year!

As I reflect on this year, I am just so thankful.  Thankful for God's amazing grace and mercy (these words have taken on a new meaning this past year).  Thankful that the best is yet to come.  And, thankful for God's blessings and gifts in our lives.  My resolution for 2014 is to surrender my expectations to the Lord and see what happens.  And, as a true American would say, work out more :)



Christmas 2014

We spent Quinn's first Christmas with my family in Michigan.  I don't think it every stopped snowing!  It was beautiful.  I made sure to take lots of pictures!

  I was so happy that I could tag along with Natalie and Meredith to see the Nutcracker.  It's one of my favorite Christmas traditions!

We spent Christmas Eve at my sister's house.  It was a fun party--complete with delicious appetizers, a white elephant gift exchange, and gingerbread contest (the girls won!)

 cousins!

 Quinn and Oliver--such a cute little pair! 

 Our Christmas Crew.  So glad that Great Grandma DeHaan could be part of the celebration!

 

 

Quinn's Christmas present to her parents :)



 

I tried to keep it low key with the decorating this year.  Mostly because I didn't want to have a lot of clean up since we are moving so quickly after the holidays.  The newest additions to our Christmas décor this year was our advent calendar + Jesse Tree ornaments, and Quinn's stocking!

 

 

 Hope you had a Merry Christmas!  Now it's time to go do some more organizing and laundry.     I haven't stopped since we got home.   Only a couple weeks before we move out!  It's all very bittersweet, but I am going to really try to enjoy our last moments here in Florida!

11 months

 

This past month has been very exciting.  Quinn now has a total of four teeth and found out that she is moving to Ohio!  This girl has lots of personality.  She lights up around other kids and loves to laugh and goof around.  Her biggest move these days is finding objects that are small enough to fit into one of her hands, and then walking around with it while using the other hand to support her.  She is getting so close to walking!  We just love her to pieces.