52 : 3 (part 2)

Ewan is a little love. He hugged a little girl at school so tight he lifted her feet of the floor. Every time he hears the word "kiss" he smooches, including when "your kiss is on my list" is on the radio in the car. He hugs adults so big he wraps his arms tightly around their necks. And this weekend he had his first (verging on French) kiss with D who will one day be his sister in law --- we intend to include these pics in the slide show when he marries L, she has a sense of humor and will understand.

52 : 2 (part 2)

One of our favorite activities is going to museums. Tonight we took Ewan to the de Young for members night, they had an exhibit where florists created arrangements inspired by the art in the museum's collection. It was very interesting (and crowded), but we had a nice dinner at the cafe and a lovely wander amongst the exhibits.

Being independent

Ewan's independence is of key importance to us. During his first year we watched his independent spirit flourish and have loved watching him explore during independent play time. Don't get me wrong, he likes to know we are nearby, but loves babbling and dancing and playing all on his own.

A speaker at a sorority convention I attended years ago said it best, "saddle your own horse." While we want Ewan to develop meaningful relationships we also want him to explore and navigate the world alone, knowing that he can and will do anything he wants.

Being generous

It is important to us that Ewan has a generous heart, we want to raise him to be kind and giving. We want him to help those who may have less or are enduring a circumstance that makes them need a little extra love.

For Ewan's first birthday we collected toys for the kids at Lucille Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford. LPCH is the hospital where he was born and they do so much for children of all ages and situations. We purchased a few of these toys and our family and friends provided the rest. Our hope is that these toys will comfort patients that are in need.

Ewan Dropping Off His Donation

Some day we may regret choices we made while raising Ewan, but we will never regret nurturing the generous hearted man that he will become, and we will never regret that he did not have another toy to go in his already overflowing toy boxes.

52 : 1 (part 2)

So project 52 will continue for Ewan's second year!

This week we learned that 1 year olds get shots in their arms (instead of their thighs) and that 10 teeth is a lot at this age. Coming out of the doctor we know Ewan weighs 27lbs 5oz, is 32 inches tall, and his head is about 19.5in around --- about 95%tile on everything, our big healthy boy.

And along with the ability to have milk, honey, eggs, and peanut butter he now gets to brush his teeth!

A Robot Party for You-You

We wanted to host a simple birthday party for Ewan's first, the guest list was brief, but I did get a little lost in all the details. We did a Robot theme with royal blue and a lime green.

Our birthday boy was napping when his guests arrived, but eventually woke from his slumber and was very surprised to have so many people waiting to celebrate him. He eventually came out of the nap fog and had a great time, especially playing bubbles with cousin D.

And then it was time for cake, and one major lesson learned after the big O-N-E is that this boy loves cake, especially chocolate cake... and chocolate cake brings out the blue in his eyes!

Post cake clean up, literally done with a hose, we got Ewan dressed and took a quick family picture. We then got all of the donations we gathered at his party together for drop-off at Lucille Packard Children's Hospital, a small gesture to children working through health matters at the hospital where Ewan was born. 

You-You and the big O-N-E

When Ewan was born his first birthday seemed impossibly far away, but before we knew it March 8th rolled around again and we had a one year old. To celebrate the big day, which felt like a very proud accomplishment for Kevin and I, we took the day from work and setup a simple celebration for the three of us. Balloons, streamers, banana pancakes, the zoo, a few gifts, and eventually cake. It was a special day for our little family! 

1 Year Old Ewan!

1 year old Ewan is huge! Sticking with his trend of growing like a weed Ewan weighed 27 pounds 5 ounces and measured 32 inches at his 1 year visit. This equates to a gain of 17 pounds 8 ounces and 10 inches in his first year. Happy and healthy is all we could have hoped for at the end of Ewan's first year, and we are so thankful.

EP's 1 Year Photo

A letter to my son on this the day of his first birthday...

Dear Ewan,

This is a tradition that I hope to start today and continue with for every single one of your birthdays. Part of the fun of you being so new is that we get to do that, we get to create traditions with you and build the memories that will take us all through the years --- your dad and I will reminisce in our old years and you will have these for your middle years when you build your own life and family.

Ewan I never could have expected the joy, the love, and the fear you would bring in to our world. From that first day when you took that first breath on the outside I have listened to you breath with such hope and longing, and so many times I have confirmed you were still taking those breaths even though I had no real reason to worry. Watching you grow and thrive has been more rewarding than anything I have ever done. The joy you have allowed your dad and I individually is immeasurable, and the love that has taken over our partnership and our family truly feels unbreakable.

When we knew we were expecting a boy so many people said boys love their mama's, but I am proud to say you are daddy's guy. Watching the two of you rough house and hearing your songs and chatter in the other room have allowed me such a calm, one I couldn't have fathomed. Sure you love your mama when you need quiet snuggles, but no one gets you giggling like your dad. Seeing your smile, hearing your laughter and banter, watching you gain mobility and explore, and seeing you develop this past year has been amazing and we look forward to every milestone to come.

Ewan boy, EP, You-You, my lovey bug there is no other kid like you in the world and we are so proud to call you our son and to celebrate this birthday with you! Today we will eat banana pancakes, go to the SF Zoo (thank you Grampy for the membership), and have cake in your honor --- and post bedtime the adults may have some bubbly to commemorate the fact that we all survived your first year.

Love & Knuckles,
Mama

52 : 52

Tomorrow K and I will wake up with a 1 year-old in the house --- how in the hell did that happen?! At 3:33pm on March 8th, 2012 Ewan Porter McDonald came in to this world and every minute since has been better. Savoring every second of Baby Ewan, before Toddler Ewan takes over!

This is the last installment of this project 52. I say "this project 52" because I am debating doing a 2nd round for Ewan's 2nd year --- 1 week to decide.