Two.

Photo credit to my brother-in-law, Justin!

It's nap time around here and I just tried to settle a very excited little boy into his bed. He asked me to lay next to him ("Mommy! Bed! Pillow!") and I snuggled in close and put my face next to his. I told him the story of when he was born - how he was the most beautiful thing Daddy and I have ever seen (to which he responded, "yeah!"). I told him about his thick black hair and deep blue eyes. I explained to him that he wore a blue hat ("silly!") and he cried until I held him in my arms and rocked him to sleep ("Baby Jack! Sleep!").

While two year old Jack seemed far from sleep, I gently crept out of his room and closed the door behind me.  I felt compelled to watch the video I made for his birthday one year ago. The song in the background still resonates so true in my heart as a mother.

all for love
we become larger than lifesize, wondersome,
great in the eyes of someone.

Jack is so great, so wondersome, in my eyes and I see the same affections reflected back at me, and at John, each day. I feel great in the eyes of my son, and there is no better feeling!

Although this little space on the internet has gone silent for over two months, I couldn't let this day pass by without celebrating this precious soul that I have been blessed to nurture. The amount with which he has grown and changed in this past year leaves me full of awe. I know that this will be a reoccurring theme as each birthday passes by, but it's still such a miracle to me!

This little child that lights up my life each morning, each day, and each night - he never stops surprising me. The amount that I love him has yet to stop growing. John and I often lay in bed at night and whisper to each other about our overwhelming love for this little boy. It is truly a gift.

Happy second birthday my sweet John Henry. Every day with you is a day I treasure! 

1 Million Pictures of Jack with a Chocolate Cake.

We spent this past weekend at the lake. 

On Sunday we celebrated Jack's birthday with my side of the family and some friends!

About 6 months ago, I was all about throwing Jack a huge party. 

In reality- it would have resulted in the loss of my mind. 

Between starting school & getting ready for my sister's wedding

(not to mention just getting home from vacation a week ago)

a small family affair was just what the doctor ordered!

We still kept up a sailor theme. 

I made invitations to be sent to family/friends via email. 

My mom made a smash cake, cupcakes, & a banner. 

Unfortunately we had to move the party inside due to rain, but it was a great time!

Jack wasn't complaining either... homeboy loves him some chocolate cake. 

The festivities included a visit from my college bestie, 

live video chats with Aunt E while eating cake, 

and sliming mama with chocolate frosting. 

Enjoy one million pictures :) 

 

He may look sleepy after all of that cake... but lets talk about a baby that eats large amounts of processed sugar for the first time. Up all night. 

Catching Up

Let's catch up. 

It's been a while since I have been on this blog in real time. 

And thanks to my inability to find the motivation to upload pictures last night, here I am!

Soooooo.... where to begin?!

Saturday night around 1 am, John and I arrived home from our 8 day vacation! 

It was fantastic and I cannot wait to load this blog down with pictures tomorrow & Thursday.

Sunday I was reunited with my baby boy. 

He is sporting a brand new haircut and looks like he is about to start high school.

It was not his first haircut, but it was definitely drastic, and DEFINITELY necessary!

He gave me so many sweet snuggles it was enough to make my heart sing. 

That baby doesn't snuggle. 

So those sweet little love hugs said everything - he missed me! 

Am I weird in the fact that I had a deep fear that he wouldn't?! 

Bubba had a great time with my parents (Baba & Dee Dee) 

But we were happy to get him home,

and they were happy to give him to us :) 

We will be back their way over the weekend for a party at the lake!

Yesterday, Jack turned one.

We had a semi normal day of unpacking, laundry, & grocery shopping. 

Oh yeah, party time!

But headed out to John's parents for a really nice dinner party in Jack's honor. 

I am not sure if Jack was able to appreciate the three course meal, 

but I know he liked the tiny sliver of cake he received after presents....

just prepping for that smash cake on Sunday!

Tomorrow starts day one of orientation hell for this girl. 

I cannot wait to start school... but wish I could skip all of the orientating. 

I have ZERO desire to drop Jack off at the babysitter.

I fear he will never forgive me for leaving him again so soon! 

To cap off this "catch up" I will leave you with plenty of birthday pictures 

(unedited)

Leave me alone, I'm lazy. 

John's parents found his old tricycle and brought it upstairs to show him. Jack claimed it as his own and was pushing it around all night

It was far past bedtime by cake & present time. So someone was snuggling with Mama when we sang "Happy Birthday"

 He was so good at opening presents... clearly takes after his mother.

 

 So, like the rest of the universe, Jack is a fan of buttercream frosting. No lie, he was trying to lick it off of his high chair tray. 

Cheers!

We Made It!

On this day, one year ago, my little boy came into this world.

It's hard to describe that moment. The moment you become a mother.
For me there was a mingling sense of sweet sweet relief and awe.

The hours of Jack's birth day went quickly & slowly all at once.
With no sense of time or "real life" we grew into our places as a family of three.

Tired & bleary eyed after a sleepless night,
we snuggled and stared at our sweet baby Bubba the whole day through.

This past year has been full of so many ups.
I am so blessed to have a baby as happy as Jack.

He is smart, fiercely independent, & always on the go.
While snuggles are few and far between, he makes his affections known!
Each day spent at home with him is a blessing.

I cannot believe it has been a whole year.
But this walking, talking, busy boy is proof that we have come a long way!

I firmly believe without all the love, help, support, and kindness we have been shown as a family this past year- we would not be as solid as we are, the three of us!

This post is far from the sentimental and simple symbol of love I was hoping it would be, but words are failing me today! I am so blessed to have this child in my world.

I will just leave the rest to pictures.
Forgive my limited skill with iMovie!

Birthday/Mother's Day Recap

This is really just one giant post of pictures. I had the best weekend. 

My Birthday was so special this year because my whole family was in town (This usually only ever happens on Christmas!) On my day we had a big dinner with a delicious flourless chocolate torte for dessert!
A birthday tradition my family has is going around the table and saying a word that describes the person whose birthday we are celebrating. Each year we tease about everyone using LOTS of words to describe their ONE word. I felt so lucky to be the birthday girl this year - everyone's words were so kind and brought me to tears (I wasn't the only one!) I feel so very blessed to be surrounded by family to share in my triumphs with! I wouldn't be half the 23 year old lady I am without them! 
Close family friends joined us after dinner with two little ones, so Jack enjoyed his first play date! Chloe, their youngest, is 14 months old and walking everywhere! Bubba loved trying to keep up :) 
Mother's day was a lazy day filled with homemade breakfasts in honor of my mama, construction paper crowns, and gifts-jammies, naps, and see ya laters to our D.C. jetsetters.

I warned you it was picture overload...