Snow.

A few days after Christmas, it was my morning to wake up with Jack. His first little cries came around 8 am and I tucked my robe around my waist as I walked into the makeshift nursery at my parents' house. Jack was bouncing up and down in his crib like it was a trampoline and I greeted him with a good morning hug & kiss. 
After breakfast I looked out on to the snow covered golf course that is my parents back yard and decided it was time for Jack to go outside. 
I gathered boots and mittens, snow pants, & coats. I got myself dressed first, stuffing my feet into my mom's too big Uggs and pulling a fleece headband over my ears. I was going more for warm and less for "cute mom frolicking in the snow with her one year old". 
Jack was wiggly and impatient as I pulled boots on over his footy pajamas and swooned over his cuteness in bib snow pants. His mobility was seriously compromised but I loved how he tried to march around the kitchen, his legs making that "swish" noise as his pants rubbed together. 
Once we were outside it didn't take long to strap Jack into his new sled and get him giggling. I ran in wide circles around the yard, spinning him around and around. His eyes were wide and he squealed with joy. 

 

We picked up handfuls of snow and threw them in the air. There was a face plant (or two). Jack's cheeks grew red and his nose was a steady stream of snot. The dog ran along side us, as happy as we were for some fresh air. 

 

It became pretty clear when the swooshy snow pants and cold air had lost their appeal and we made our way back to the house with papa taking pictures and daddy waving to us from the back window. 

We were a flurry of snow pants and mittens walking through the door and it wasn't 2 minutes before Jack was distracted by one of his new Christmas toys. The whole event was no more than 15 minutes. But it was special, and wonderful, and so many other things. 

Swivel-ing?

The shooter that I talked about here is still on the loose.

I am a ball of anxiety. 

On Saturday he shot at two people 10 miles from our house. 

He is suspected to be driving an old junker black sedan.

John's advice to me is that I calm down and just "keep my head on a swivel."

I am so confused as to what that means... someone please enlighten me.

For now, It's being executed in the sense that every time I see a black sedan coming up behind me, 

I am convinced that I am about to be shot at. 

It also means that I am constantly observing where I am on the road, 

thinking things like, if I get shot at right now I will go into this ditch and flip my car. 

Lovely. 

Needless to say, I have started to use alternate routes. 

Ones that add 20 minutes onto my commute. 

Oh well... totally worth it. 

On another note (A Bubba note to be exact)...

My child has decided to be a wild ball of hyperactivity as of late. 

I swear he goes through 10 minute periods of complete spaz. 

I think he scarred his aunties for life via video chat on Sunday. 

Like, they are never going to procreate because their nephew is a crazy. 

He's also quite cute. He's blowing kisses and woofing like a "bah-boo" (Dog)

Right now, he's going to serve as my pretend audience as I practice my solo presentation for class at 3. 

Lets hope he doesn't bark me off the stage!

P.S. it's snowing here. If I have to deal with crazy shooters AND icy/snowy roads while driving... best believe I will need to be hospitalized for anxiety :) 

The winner of the 500 giveaway was announced here!! Contact me to claim your prize :) 

Girl's Night Out & Home Sweet Home!

Last night (my last night at home) my mom invited me to go with her to see Mary Poppins the musical at the Devos theater. Ever since I was a little girl my parents have gotten season tickets to the travelling broadway shows that come through Grand Rapids. They have a group of friends that all go together and it's a fun night out for them. Every once and a while the men will deem a show "too girly" and if you are lucky enough to be around you get invited to go in Dad's place. I haven't been to a show in a really long time so I was definitely excited. We went downtown early for some appetizers/drinks with my aunt and cousin (also going to the show) at Six One Six - a newer resaurant that I had never been to. It was really nice, they had sushi and martinis... with Da Bubba home with his Papa I was taking full advantage!  

The show was great, and mostly just made me want to run right out and rent the movie! All the old classic songs came flooding back, but it was LONG. Almost 3 hours long and I was ready to PASS OUT. Of course my aunt HAD to suggest dessert afterwards and how could I turn that down? We walked across the street to The Chop House, where I feasted on the most delicious flourless chocolate cake.  

Crawling into bed at midnight didn't really make me feel too pleased with the middle of the night wake up I received (for the second night in a row!). Da Bubba has been waking up at ODD hours of the night SCREAMING crying. The only explanation is that he is REALLY working on a tooth. I am so surprised that he hasn't gotten one yet.. it feels like this process is taking forever. I just wish he was comfortable.. I invested in some baby Orajel that seems to help  - it's still a pretty helpless feeling!

The PLAN for today was to wake up super early and hitch a ride home with my dad (who has business on our side of the state) - but I woke up to a complete blizzard! I was really worried I was going to have to stay another night, and honestly, 5 nights away from my husband was MORE than enough. Luckily the roads cleared, and because it was too late to be conducting any sort of business my, mom came along. We snatched up my sister Megan on the way and all went out to eat for Fish and Chips!

Jack was SO happy to see his daddy and so was I! He showed John his new trick of sitting up and we all enjoyed his smiley face at the restaurant.

Already wearing his daddy out with all of his squirming!

6 months old & too cool for his mama's kisses

This little stinker is all "ewwww Mom!"

Needless to say it is SO good to be home! Can't wait to snuggle into bed with my handsome hubby and (hopefully) sleep in (if Da Bubba allows). We have NOTHING on our plates this weekend but relaxing! 

Happy Friday :)