Celebrating 9 Years @ Swinger Cinema :: Decorations

Before Ivy arrived my goal was to get a plan in place for Hudson's birthday celebration.  I figured it would be easier to put things into motion if we already knew the "big idea."  We looked into some different options, but decided on a Movie Party at home because it felt doable to pull off with a newborn.  We simplified things a bit, yet still included our favorite touches (invitations, balloons, decorations, yummy food, fun plates and napkins).  Here is a recap of the decorations.  More posts to come about the activities, guests, food and take home treats.

We moved most of the furniture in the Swinger Cinema (living room) and spread out blankets so the boys had a comfortable place to relax, watch and eat.  

Roy had been wanting to buy a new tv.  We kept putting it off, waiting for our fireplace remodel project, but its been delayed more times than one so he decided the movie birthday party was a good excuse to make the purchase.  

$1 star balloons from the Dollar Tree are always a win and make the place festive.    

The Welcome/Sign In Table...

The black, red and gold color scheme was one we hadn't done before.  

His new book for guests to sign was a Make a Movie LEGO book.  

I got the popcorn boxes on Amazon and we put them to good use for snacking and decorating.  

The traditional birthday banner hung above the patio door.


The Ticket Booth for purchasing movie tickets was right inside the front door.

We used a lot of movie cases for decorations, so easy and free (we checked out a bunch from the library).

Hudson chose to watch The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe with his friends.

Each guest "purchased" a ticket for admission to the movie and a trip through the concession stand.  

The sidewalk drawings to welcome the guests...

Daddy Daughter Dance

Roy and Greta attended a Daddy Daughter Dance on Friday, January 31st.  It was held at Lutheran Church of Hope in Waukee and a group of friends joined them for an evening of fun and dancing.  

Greta wanted to wear the fanciest dress he had, which was the pink princess dress from her birthday.  

So thankful for the sweetness of their relationship.  Greta adores her Daddy.  

 Joined by friends Karleigh, Ashlyn and Laura (and their dads of course).  

The dance had a Frozen theme (no surprise there).  

Anna and Elsa were there to greet all the guests.  

Roy said all the girls preferred to dance with the princesses instead of their Dads. 

 Taking a break from the dancing to play some games.  

That's a wrap for the Daddy Daughter Dance 2020.  

Ivy Rae :: 1 month

On Tuesday, January 28th our Ivy Rae turned 1 month old.  That afternoon Roy took Greta to Kindermusik class so Hudson and I were home with Ivy for a few hours.  Hudson picked out her outfit, helped get things set up for the picture and took several of the pictures.  It was a sweet time for the two of us.  

This is a "watch me grow" mat, gifted to us from a sweet friend, so you will be seeing more pictures like this in the months to come. 

1 month with our baby girl has been so sweet!  

Hudson and Ivy are getting to know each other and it's such a blessing to see their bond forming.  

Hudson loves to hold her and asks to daily.  

We celebrated the first month as a family of five with Scratch cupcakes.  Ivy slept through the celebration.    

A few things to note from Ivy's first month...

She decided she didn't like to be swaddled and preferred a zip up Swaddle Up instead.  

She spent most of her time at home.  

She was jaundice, but that didn't last long.  

She wore 3 month clothes and size 1 diapers.  

She went 6-7 hour stretches of sleep at night, just waking up once to eat and going right back to sleep.  

She showed signs of having a low key/chill personality (like her Daddy).  

Met all of her cousins, uncles and aunts.  

Weighted 9 pounds 1 ounce at her 2 week check up.  

Met lots of friends when they came over with dinner in exchange for snuggles.  :)  

Enjoyed tummy time and bath time (for the most part).  

Slept in her room/crib from day one.  

Week of January 20-26

Here are a few highlights from the last full week of January.  

I got out for a bit with Hudson for a meeting with his cooperating teacher.  Daddy and Greta held down the fort and took care of Ivy.  

So many hours together at home.  

Uncle Ryan came for a visit to meet Ivy.  

All smiles for her Uncle Ryan.  

Roy tells her often..."Ivy you were a surprise!"  A good surprise I must add.  

Roy took Hudson and Greta for a morning of Starbucks treats and games.  

The big kids attended Parents Night Out at church.  A friend brought us over Chinese and we snuggled Ivy and watched a movie.  So thankful for the blessing of this sweet time together.  

Three Swinger Girls...

Friends from church came to bring dinner and snuggle Ivy.  

When Ivy is awake for playtime Hudson and Greta love to play on the floor and look at books with her.  

Rocking our sweet babe to sleep.  

Not so excited about her bath.  

Greta had enough money on her gift card for another kids meal, this time Mommy took her.  

Look who showed up when we were there?  Papa Ed!  

She seems to take some good naps in her swing.  

More friends coming over for snuggles.  

Auntie Lynn and the 3 M's came to play and meet Ivy.    

Week of January 13-19

Most of January looked like this....I stayed home with Ivy and rested when I could.  She ate and slept.  Roy changed 99% of her diapers and drove the kids to their activities.  Friends brought over dinner and hung out to snuggle Ivy and chat.  Ivy and I stayed in our comfortable clothes/pjs for most of the day.  Roy and Hudson made hot breakfast for us all every morning.  We plugged away at school, played lots of games and watched movies.  January is typically not my favorite month of the year but January of 2020, our first as a family of five, was oh so sweet!  

Hudson has been interested in helping to change Ivy's wet diapers.  

Look what a difference 9 years makes?  Big Brother vs. Baby Sister 

Three sweet Swingers 

Hudson likes to burp Ivy.  Watch him here in action and take note of that proud smile.  

Greta feeding her baby on Mama's nursing pillow.  She looks like a pro!  

Hudson cashed in on his gift card to B-Bop's and went out for lunch with Daddy.  

Big sister likes to hold little sister.  

Brian, Geselle and Lydia Steenhoek came to meet baby Ivy.  We enjoyed a relaxing Sunday afternoon together catching up, snuggling Ivy, watching the Chiefs game and eating pizza.  

Meeting our pediatrician Dr. Rinderknecht at her 2 week check up.  

Snuggles from Mrs. Joyce, a friend from church who brought over dinner.  

Who does she look like?  She is my first bald baby so to me she looks quite different than Hudson and Greta.   

Hudson has embraced the role of being a big brother again and loves holding Ivy.  

There is something so sweet about watching a sleeping baby.  

We didn't really take much of a break from school, but the amount of school we did each day has been less.  

Another puzzle...this one was a farm setting and came together quickly.  

 Ivy enjoys relaxing, and is beginning to look at her bunny, while getting her diaper changed.  

Baby girl in pink...what a beauty.