{happy birthday}

It's Andreas' birthday! And Anders has something to say...

Sadly I was unable to find a matching 'I Heart Husband' onesie, so I don't have a photo of myself to share. Hopefully that doesn't make my Happy Birthday wishes for Andreas any less meaningful.

And because I know my humble husband wouldn't mind sharing the spotlight a bit, I thought I would mention another happening around the Vang household. Anders is up on his hands and knees rocking this week! I would even go so far as to say that he is crawling...albeit backwards...because I assure you I didn't stick him in that corner.

Birthday pictures to follow after our celebration this weekend!

{6 Months}

Anders is 6 months old today and I can barely believe it. In my entire life I have probably not felt the levels of elation, frustration, adoration, and fulfillment that I have in these most recent months. It's funny how you can read the same thing over and over and over or listen to friends testify to truths, but never fully understand until you are there yourself. Cliches are cliches for a reason my friends. Children...They do grow too quickly. They do push you to your limits. They do reveal your selfish and sinful nature. They do bring you purpose. They do foster a love inside of you deeper than you can fathom. I won't wax poetic, but I will say this. We are beyond grateful that he is part of our family. Thank you Lord.


Six months discovering what it means to be parents. Six months of nursing, bouncing, cuddling, comforting, diapering, holding, loving, and here we are. I can unload the dishwasher with one hand and can sing more Veggie Tales songs than I care to know. Andreas can wrestle a wriggling baby into a onesie and can navigate to different rooms of the house in the pitch black darkness of night without running into furniture.

But Anders is the impressive one. He is full of smiles. He grabs and gnaws on whatever he can reach. He sleeps through the night (mostly). He rolls around. He giggles. He loves walks in the stroller. He sits up. He eats solids. He naps.

And on his 6 month birthday, this is what our morning looked like.

Helping Andreas prep his breakfast.

Bumbo time while Andreas and I ate.

And snuggles.

We love you little man :)

Happy Birthday Kirk!

It is my little brother's birthday today...but he's not so little anymore. In the last few months he graduated with a Masters in Accountancy (with honors I might add), married his beautiful high school sweetheart, and began his career at a well regarded public accounting firm. We are so proud of you, Kirk.

We are grateful to call you Brother.

And Uncle.

May God bless your 24th year! We love you!!!

C is for Cookie

Last weekend I made these nutella butterball cookies for the first time, and they did not disappoint! Bite-size and beautiful, they are the perfect accompaniment to a cup or coffee or eaten alone just because.



You will need the following ingredients:
2 sticks butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup nutella
cinnamon sugar for drenching

Whisk the butter in a mixer until it appears light and fluffy. Add the sugar and vanilla extract. Once blended, begin to incorporate the flour about 1/2 cup at a time until you have a nice dough. Cover the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours.

Form the dough into small balls (approximately 1 inch in diameter) and chill them on a cookie sheet in the freezer for 1 hour.

Bake for 10 minutes in a 375 degree oven.

Once cooled, pipe or spread Nutella on the flat side of half your cookies. Do not apply so much Nutella that it oozes out when you create your cookie sandwiches. Dip the sandwiched cookie in cinnamon sugar, being sure to coat well.

Enjoy!

recipe adapted from www.makeandtakeblog.com

{hungry}

Last week we decided to introduce solids into Anders' diet. We are (read: I am) going to try to make our baby food at home. Now, I'm not trying to get controversial here. This isn't that kind of blog. But before anyone laughs in my face or gets turned off thinking I'm about to get on my soap box, keep in mind that this is our first baby. We are intoxicated with parental love, spending loads of time staring at our son blow spit bubbles or do his best to shove toys in his mouth, soaking in every bit of that new baby smell. Not all the smells are good by the way. If you think we are naively optomistic in believing we can control exactly what goes into our boy's belly for a little longer is that really a bad thing? Regardless of whether the food is homemade or storebought, watching a baby eat for the very first time is pretty dang cute. Without further ado, I give you a picture story.

You want me to do what?

What's this?


Maybe it isn't so bad...

Or maybe I spoke too soon.

Really, Mom? Will I have to do this again?


Anders' first experience with solids was actually pretty great. He seemed to enjoy the taste of the carrots, but was dumbfounded as to what to do with them once they were in his mouth. He's learning, slowly but surely.

Now he just needs to figure out that he can't eat his hands at the same time...

{revival}

I've been neglecting this poor blog, but I have a good reason (at least in my book)...

Meet Anders, the newest member of Team Vang.

As you can see, we have lots to catch up on! I can't promise that I'll be able to cover the gamut of events that have transpired this past year. In fact, it's very likely that most of that story will remain untold. But I'm back to writing and posting pictures, to document and share these moments of our lives.

{Inspired}

What inspires you? Is it a person? A place? A song? A book?

Surprisingly, I draw much of my inspiration from the internet. Don't get me wrong, I have my fair share of brilliant and supportive friends and family who challenge and love on me. But let's face it, life is busy and some days I just don't have the opportunity to engage with those people as much as I would like. And that's where the internet comes in. It provides this seemingly limitless source of new information, ideas, and invitations that feed my brain, demand my creativity, and trigger new goals. Today I wanted to share some of those sources of inspiration, on the off chance that perhaps you might be inspired too...

Design

Young House Love - www.younghouselove.com

The couple at Young House Love share stories, advice, and DIY projects as they settle into their first home and raise their precious daughter Clara. From mood boards to roof repair to environmentally-friendly cleaning supplies, they've got it all (and with weekly giveaways how can you resist a visit?).

How About Orange - howaboutorange.blogspot.com

Graphics, prints, and fabrics, oh my! Jessica is a textile designer that introduces us to eye-catching designs in prints, fashion, and housewares.

Ohdeedoh - www.ohdeedoh.com

Okay, maybe I'm a little biased, but what could be more entertaining than browsing nurseries put together by design-savvy parents?! Baby books, wall art, strollers, and toys all hand-picked by our friends with impeccable taste over at Apartment Therapy.

Food

Smitten Kitchen - www.smittenkitchen.com

The recipes Deb shares from her New York kitchen are anything but ordinary, and her photos can only be categorized as food porn. As if that weren't enough, she also shares pictures of her sweet son, who is quite possibly the cutest little boy I've ever seen.

Pioneer Woman - www.thepioneerwoman.com

Dieters beware, Ree's recipes aren't exactly butter free. What she lacks in health-consciousness she makes up with charisma. Her website includes several sections aside from Cooking that document her life as an accidental country girl.

Tastespotting - www.tastespotting.com

This site is full of eye candy, quite literally in some cases. Tastespotting is a visual recipe book. It's also a great way to find other food blogs whose tastes appeal to your own.

Photography

Jasmine Star - www.jasminestarblog.com

Jasmine's blog features a sweet mix of personal and professional posts, with photos from her most recent jobs, advice for aspiring photographers, and quips from life behind the lens.

Jessica Claire - www.jessicaclaire.net

Voted one of the top wedding photographers in the world, Jessica shares a glimpse into her life through images from her work.

Misc

Big Mama - thebigmamablog.com

Big Mama somehow manages to interest you in the mundane (and not so mundane) happenings of her life as the wife of P, landscape company owner and avid hunter, and mother of Caroline, a precious, saucy, energetic second grader. She's witty, she loves the Lord, and she's an Aggie. And her daily posts always manage to make me smile.

Jen Wilkin - jenwilkinblogspot.com

This is a newer addition to my blogroll, but don't let that deter you from checking it out. Jen's writing is God-centered and thought-provoking.