Foto Friday {Instagrammed}

1st parade...awe struck


Learning boundaries


Cleaning in the buff


Sightseeing


Redwoods


Cousin Jen


Snuggles


Foster the People & The Greek Theatre


Making music


Happy weekend!

- Sarah

Dear Finn {12 months}

Last week we celebrated your first birthday. People told me it would go by fast and boy were they right. It feels like a blink ago we were bringing you home, nursing at all hours of the night, and changing diapers 24/7. I've loved every minute of this last year. Even the midnight, 2, 4, and 6am feedings you were rocking at 5 months.

At 12 months you are such a happy baby. You have transformed from a blob to a human, as your dad would say. You love to give wide open mouth kisses and snuggle in bed with us in the morning and after naps. You love to wave, and ham it up. Especially with the ladies.

You love your daddy and get so excited to see him when he comes home or gets you out of your crib. You love mama's hair. It's your comfort. You love to play with it, eat it, and nuzzle it.

You are a great eater and we haven't found a food that you don't like. Some of your favorites are strawberries, blueberries, avacado, turkey, salmon, black beans and rice, sweet potato, and eggs. You also love bath time. We sing your bath song and you go racing towards the tub. Your least favorite things are diaper changes and being told no. Although, you do listen when told "no touch" by shaking your head no and giving me a sly grin.

We have been taking you all over the place lately. You love the pool, ocean, and the sand. You love going for walks to the playground, and aren't afraid of the big slide or the swing. You and I have been riding bikes and you really seem to enjoy it, especially when you get down and can play with the wheels.

You love to help mama in the kitchen, and do a great job of keeping my drawers organized. Pots, pans, tupperware, and the ziplock drawer get dumped out on a daily basis.

I love to watch you play, and squeal with enthusiasm and delight when you see another baby or kid. You do very well so far with sharing. I hope you continue to be a kind and sweet friend.

Lately you have taken an interest in books. Some of your favorites are the Sandra Boynton books and the Dr. Suess nursery set. You also love music and clap and bounce whenever you hear a catchy tune. Your giggle is infectious when we tickle you or say "I'm gonna getcha!".

You are babbling like crazy and can communicate "more" and "all done" in sign language. You also can say "mama", "da", "ba" (ball), and "na" (nurse).

It's so much fun to watch you explore your world and learn so much everyday, I can hardly keep up. You took your first steps at 11 months and over the last week have been walking all over the place. Soon, you will be cruising.

Run wild, my child.

Love,

Mama

Photos by Nicole Simon Photography

Foto Friday {birthday edition}

Somebody turned the B I G 1 this week! We had so much fun celebrating Finns first birthday. We started the day with some snuggles and books.


We ate breakfast with our thinking cap & opened our card from Ukki.


And after nap we hit the California Academy of Sciences. Finn got to see his first aquarium. He loved the fish. Definitely one of the highlights of the day.
Then it was time for cake. Finn loved the blueberries but wasn't sure what to make of the cake. He decided it was more fun to play with than eat. Just like his daddy.

I can hardly believe its been a year since he's been with us. I love watching him grow into his own little person. He is such a delight to be around. And I thank God everyday for letting me be his mama.

Looking forward to the next 12 months and seeing him grow into a terrible terrific two!
- Sarah

Hip hip hooray {it's my birthday!}

Happy birthday, baby boy!  I love you to the moon and back.

12 months with Finn from Sarah Hakkarainen on Vimeo.

A {great} day at the beach

Today was one of those days that was just perfect.

We drove up to Bodega Bay yesterday for a little family getaway. The drive was gorgeous. Farm land, gold fields, and sun for miles.

Thanks to Finn, we got an early start so we decided to have breakfast then walk to the beach. Finn is a water baby, for sure. We sat him as far away from the ocean as possible, and each time he took off, full speed ahead towards the water. No fear, just awe.

Then we headed to a crab shack for a picnic lunch. We found a spot high above the waves and had a great lunch of crab sandwiches, cokes, and orzo salad. We even got to see a whale.

Finn fell asleep in the car and Markus did me a solid by driving around so I could get some alone time. I found a nice spot by the water and napped. Heaven!

We got some pool time in and then headed to a relaxing dinner by the water. A nice stranger even offered to take a picture of all of us.

This is one of those days I'll always remember. The kind of day you imagine when daydreaming of having kids. My heart is happy.

- Sarah

Happy {1st} Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to the most amazing, fun, loving, silly, caring guy I know. Finn is so blessed to have you as his dad & I am so lucky to have you as my husband and my son's father.

Watching you become a dad has been one of the most gratifying experiences I have had. Every day you amaze me with your patience and ability to have fun with Finn, no matter the challenge.

I have the best husband in the world. You are the fun to my serious, the comfort to my anxious, the shelter to my storm. I look forward to every day we spend together. And when you are not here, I count the days until we are all accounted for.

It's been a mind blowing experience becoming a parent and I'm so happy I get to do it with you!

I love you to the moon and back! Happy Father's Day, my love.

b.b.

{Instagrammed} Foto Friday

Pool time

Not happy about getting out

Bike ride with daddy

New blooms

First fort

Not a fan of manual labor

Hop on Pop

Date {at home} night

U.S. Open @ The Olympic Club






Happy weekend!
- Sarah