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!

Food Coma and a Christmas Garland

Thanksgiving was amazing. Jack had a blast stuffing his little cheeks like a chipmunk. As you can see below his cheeks look like he is storing some food in them for later, just in case we forget to feed him.






Kendra and I recently visited a super cute boutique near my house and saw an adorable Christmas garland. As soon as we saw it we both had the same idea, WE CAN TOTALLY MAKE ONE! So after a quick stop at the craft store we got down to business.

We used a 3" hole punch, a 2" hole punch, red and green sparkle paper,

fishing twine and Amazing Goop!

We punched out lots of circles using both sizes for both colors.

We laid out the circles in the pattern we chose, one for each side of the twine.

We put the goop on the circles, placed the twine across one circle and pressed the second circle to it to. Once done the sparkly paper would show on both sides.

Next weekend we are heading up into the woods with some friends to go find our Christmas tree. I really want to have it up before Jack's birthday party. We usually get a noble tree but this year I think I am going to branch out. I plan on making my ornaments like I've done the last two years, we'll just have to keep 'em up higher so Jack doesn't get them. I love this time of year, the lights, the music and the memories of Christmas's past. Justin and I are even more excited because this is Jack's first Christmas. Our first Christmas making memories as a family, creating our own family traditions to continue in the years to come. So yeah, we are excited.



Today a friend came to visit with her son. He and Jack are about 4 months apart. They don't really play together yet but they watch each other and play with the same toys. Its great to get Jack around kids his age, learning how to share and play nice. When it was time for them to leave Jack was sitting on my friends lap next to her son when all on his own Jack gave him a hug! It was so precious and I wish we had a gotten a picture of it but of course we didn't have the camera on hand. I probably shouldn't be surprised, Jack gives "loves" to everyone. He will grab you around the neck, sometimes grabbing your hair, and squeeze with all his little might to show you how much he loves you. I adore this and will be so sad when my little boy grows up to that age where hugs are fleeting things and only allowed when no one is watching. So that made today a snapshot that I'm storing away in my memory for those days to come.



Loves to you all, we are so thankful for you!

Daily Jack

Thanksgiving is just a week away and I for one have so much to be thankful for. Jack is almost a year old and other than a nasty little cold he got last week, a healthy, happy child full of personality with lots of "loves" to give. Here is Jack in an adorable outfit his Nana bought for him before he was born.

I am currently trying to get things together for his first birthday. There are a ton of ideas out there and some truly amazing 1st birthday parties, its a tad bit harder than I thought to figure out exactly how much to do or not do. That said, I am having a great time working on some of the homemade touches we are putting into his day. Our theme so to speak is nature, this because Jack loves going for walks and being outside. Earth tones, toadstools, owls and gnomes are just a hint. I will share more later after the big day.

However I will share my newest craft project with you. I found the idea on Etsy and found the directions here. We found a sewing machine here when cleaning out some closets and I have enjoyed learning how to use it more proficiently. This latest project is the next progression in my sewing aspirations.

Daily Jack

Have I mentioned that I LOVE this little man?!

Jack turns water baby

Hello, hello! So it seems that October has passed us by and my have we been busy. Jack and I just got back from a trip to visit family in California and what a great vacation it was! I love doing trips with family, because of all the extra help with Jack, it really DOES feel like a vacation. We went down to Palm Springs and enjoyed checking out the Living Desert Zoo, the local street fair, resteraunts, and of course hanging out in the pool.

Pretty much felt like we were on safari!

Note to self...DO NOT wear a straw hat in goat pen!

I swear he had fun!

When not out exploring Palm Springs, Jacks next favorite place was the hot tub. He earned himself a new nickname "Tadpole" as he loved the water and literally threw a fit each time we took him out. I've never seen anything like it. Jack liked that yellow floaty for about 20 minutes then decided he needed some freedom. The seat in the hot tub was just his height so he could stand with his head above water and walk around. Of course he had to push his luck and walk off the edge, when he went under I pulled him up and we waited to see how he would react. You would never guess what he did. He looked at me and SMILED! Is that normal? Don't get me wrong I'm not complaining but I would have expected some tears and crying. Same exact thing happened every time. If I didn't know better I would say he was part fish. Justin was very bummed to have missed out on all these fun things but I plan on bringing him next time. Nice of me I know~

Now we are home and Jack was so happy to see his dada, did I tell you he started to say that? Justin of course loves it, I keep pushing for Mama, however Jack just looks at me and makes his motorboat noise! Figures. :)

Jack has been very busy since we got home, rediscovering his toys, playing with the new stuffed doggy his dada got him, and watching the birds on the back porch. His great-gramma has a bird feeder at her house and Jack loves watching the birds when he's over there. So I thought it would be nice to have one at our house too. I was bummed though when no birds showed up... great-gramma said to give it a couple of days and then they would come. She was right, we have blue jays, a flicker, sparrows, and finches that visit our feeder. And as much as Jack loves watching them, I have to admit I love it too.

Next up on our agenda, pumpkin carving, roasting pumpkin seeds, and maybe a costume!