Daily Jack

Here is a short video of the little man walking. He is getting more confident every day and I'm sure it won't be long til he's running! Watch out world, here comes Jack!

2010 draws to a close

Jack's birthday party and Christmas are now over, only one more big event next weekend then its 2011. Jack's party went so well, we had a great turnout and the little man was busy entertaining his guests the whole afternoon. We kept the decor simple, I had all of our Christmas decorations up and our tree, so we just added a little birthday banner I made and left it at that.

For lunch we had Tomato Basil soup, Turkey and Havarti grilled cheese, Goat Cheese and Roasted Pepper panini's, Swiss and Apple grilled cheese, and homemade Mac'N'Cheese. Kendra helped me make the cake, a lovely rich milk chocolate crunch with caramel chocolate cake that was to die for.

Picture via Martha Stewart

Jack was a little overwhelmed at first with everyone watching him. But once I gave him a taste of his cake he loved it and got down to business. However, I will not be using Red Velvet cake for a kids cake again! I honestly don't know what I was thinking on that one. Oh well, thankfully he only has one "1st" birthday. We were so blessed by all the love and support we've received this year, I can't believe how fast its gone by.

The week before Jack's party he did start to walk, well take 3-4 steps at a time. Since then he keeps adding, though he isn't walking consistently yet. For some strange reason he seems to do better when he's tired and its close to bed. I don't know, maybe not thinking about it quite so much. Christmas he was enthralled with his cousin, wanting to go everywhere she went so I think that helped too. We are so excited for this next step, but a little scared too. I'm forseeing many head injuries once he starts running! Maybe we should have gotten him a helmet for Christmas!

A couple nights before Christmas we decided to take Jack to PIR to see their Christmas lights display. I think we will have to give it a couple more years before Jack finds them interesting at all. While he was pleased to be in his big boy seat, his incoming teeth were bothering him so much he missed most of the lights from giving mommy the death stare for not bringing his teething ring. Oh well, next year, or the next year, right?!!!

Jack got a couple of new chairs for Christmas, some he can stay in, like the one below and some he can't. This picture was taken yesterday as he was watching the birds outside. He's very into his chairs and having a blanket to snuggle with.

Along those lines, my aunt got him a DVD on signing that we have been watching in the mornings. He will not settle down to watch it until he has his blanket and mommy next to him. What a crazy kid. He is developing such strong likes and dislikes now, trying so hard to communicate, and getting frustrated when I am not getting it. Hence the signing, I'm hoping that we will be able to alleviate some of his frustration with that. However, his vocabulary has lately increased from "Dada" to "Uh Oh", "Papa", "Dog", "Ball".

Well thats about it for now. I will try to post some better pictures of Jacks birthday, maybe some video. Kendra's fiance Jesse was a blessing in recording Jack's party for us. If you ever need someone to do video for an event he is your man! Much love to you all, and may this next year for you hold many blessings, surprises and adventures.

Say CHEESE!

I feel like my weeks are flying by at an alarming rate this month. Christmas shopping, baking goodies, Jack's birthday and more consuming my waking hours. Along with this I've been trying to find a picture to use for our Christmas card this year. I don't know about you but getting good smiles from the whole family is definitely a challenge. My sisters fiance took some family photos over Thanksgiving but Jack and Justin must have the same ideas when it comes to smiling for a family photo. This is what we ended up with...

...yes, like father, like son. Oh well. I'm sure I will be able to find something that will work. In perusing Ohdeedoh today I found the best "Christmas Card" idea ever. This family did a Christmas video instead. It is so awesome, I've watched it ton already and just had to share. I wish I had a smidgen of the creativity this family has got, but until that day I will just enjoy watching their Christmas video. Check it out here from Melancholy Smile.

Other than that not too much to report. Justin and I were able to get some much needed time out in our yard Sunday with the clear weather we had. I redid some outdoor containers with some really cool plants that I will share with you later. There is something really refreshing about working outside, could just be the fresh air versus stinky diapers, but I'd like to think its a little bit more! Hope you are well as the holidays rush down upon us, and hopefully for you couples out there you find yourselves some mistletoe!