Family Photos: Bowie at 1.5 years

The lovely and talented Angela Rabbitt took our family photos at the Cold Water Spring near Fort Snelling. We were fortunate to photograph on the last warm day of the season and the timing was perfect for her to capture the setting sunlight. These photos are great because Bowie is at that age where he's just a blur and I'm very glad she was able to capture him as he is at one and a half. What's even more amazing is that throughout this shoot he was actually super cranky and having meltdowns related to wanting to jump in the river. Angela was a pro to work with that. You can't even tell what a stinker he was!

We got ourselves a bathroom!

If you've been following our adventures then you've probably heard that we did a bathroom renovation. We decided that because we only have one, tiny bathroom in our home that we might as well make it amazing. It took 10 days, rearranging our home, moving Bowie upstairs with us to avoid the dust, showering at Mark and Alyssa's house, some rowdy punk rockers, dry shampoo and thankfully warm weather to bath Bowie in a Tupperware container in the backyard but it was so worth it.

I am semi-mad at myself for not taking "before" photos but just imagine salmon pink tile on the walls (some with a decorative squiggle line and some without), a clunky wooden vanity that held a square sink and filth and grime that has accumulated since the house was built in the 1920s.

We were so thankful to hear about Cory Crust at Upper Crust Finishes through a friend's recommendation. He is the real deal. His attention to detail was incredible, he had great ideas based on his years of experience and he was the nicest person to have in our home. Bowie thought he, his tool ands his truck were the coolest.

 

So without further adieu here are our "after" photos:

The tile is amazing.

New shelving built into the wall. The tile is, again, amazing.

All new everything. *sigh*

 

New light fixtures.

Cool custom shelving over the (newly spray painted) radiator. That will keep the hand towel warm and toasty!

In love with these handles.

Awww. Did you ever think a toilet seat could be so cute?



We took an awesome door from our basement and moved it to the bathroom. So pretty.

Goodbye summer. We loved you so much!

I'm writing this as Bowie attends his first day at a new day care and I am preparing to go back to work tomorrow. I cannot believe how quickly the summer flew by. I am excited to be starting my new position at Lionsgate Academy as their Support Services Supervisor and acting as their on-site Mental Health Specialist. My LPCC should be coming in the mail any day now, too. I think Bowie will enjoy being around other kids and having more structured learning, reading, art and outside play throughout his day. Never the less today is sad. We had a great summer and I feel that (almost) three months of time together has bonded us even more than before. We did everything we wanted to do and have a few adventures yet to come before it starts getting chilly. Bowie and I went to the MN Zoo, Como Zoo, Mill City Farmers Market, Nokomis Farmers Market, Stone Arch Bridge, camping, visited friends in Bemidji, went to a wedding in Duluth and in the cities, went for bike rides, visited the library, swam in lakes, pools and splash pads, went out to eat, played with friends, had picnics, went to a pizza farm, visited 2 breweries, pet animals at Wild Rumpus bookstore, ate ice cream and popsicles and so so so much more. Here is a smattering of pictures I took. I was so caught up in the fun that I didn't photograph as much as I usually do but I think that is a good thing. 

Here are some great summer fun photos...

The day the tree was removed. All the trucks and tools were so cool!

Lake Superior from Duluth.

Lake Nokomis.

Minnehaha Falls.

Our neighborhood kiddie pool.

Wild Rumpus Bookstore.

St. Anthony Falls from Stone Arch Bridge.

MN Zoo goats.

Bemidji.

Hanging with best buds:

River

Opal

Theo

North

Bowie Bachman: 1 year

At 1 year...

MILESTONES: Has 6 teeth, is pointing, smashed his first birthday cake, says "mama", "dada" or "daddy", "cat", "duck", "chicken" and "cherry", can identify his nose and teeth
LIKES: Summer, snuggling and giving kisses, remote controls and cell phones, the TV show 'Daniel the Tiger', anything with wheels, the tickle monster, cherries and watermelon
DISLIKES: When mom and dad go to work, not being able to drink coffee, beer or La Croix

Here are some photos from my birthday party..

We had a great day for Bowie's birthday. We hosted a backyard party for friends and family. All the grandparents were able to attend as well as about 35 other folks. Bowie had a special tiny bundt cake to smash but of course he was very careful with it. Afterwards he swam naked in the pool with his buddies. It was a success. I only wish I would have taken more photos but we were so busy having fun.

Being Bowie's mommy is the absolute best thing that's ever happened to me. I feel happiness I've never known before. I cherish every second I get to be with Bowie. I feel so lucky that he's everything I hoped our child would be and more. He's funny, brave, kind, gentle, social, aware, curious, calm and has great style. I feel the heart break of preparing him to go into the world but I am so totally proud to say he's my family. I am in awe of all the growing he's done this past year! From our helpless and tiny little skinny frog legged baby with tubes in his nose in the Special Care Unit to the big chunky baby who laughs at me when I tell him to be careful as he is attempting to stand and dance by himself. When he looks at me and says "mama" I know I will forever be (happily) at his disposal. I love you little buns buns! Thank you for growing in my belly and making your Daddy and I a family with you. We are better people because of you and only hope that we can teach you all the ways to adventure with happiness in this world.