2013

I can't believe it is 2013 already...but I can believe that I'm late again in posting. Ha! Don't think that will change in the new year unfortunately, but we can hope.

I feel that 2012 gave us one sucker punch after another in certain areas and in one very important area, it was the best year of our lives. I've loved my first year as a mommy and I can't help but feel so blessed to have such an amazing, joyous son and such a supportive, sweet husband. 

Moving on... for Christmas this year, we ventured down to Palm Springs to get a little R&R (and some sunshine). It was so peaceful and definitely hit the spot. Adam and Marci met us there and we spent our days lounging at the pool (where we found out that Jack loves the water and can actually swim...it was unreal and a little unnerving for me to watch), playing games, watching movies and, my personal favorite, spending time at the spa. We even had time to go see the movie Les Mis, which was phenomenal.

After Palm Springs, Adam and Marci heading to Arizona to surprise her family and the rest of us went o Disneyland for a few days and then to the San Diego Zoo. Disneyland was a little stressful, chaotic but totally worth it. The zoo on the other hand was a flop since it started raining half way through our visit. After San Diego, we headed to Torrance to see family and friends...especially my dear friend, Jen's adorable, new daughter Paisley. Holding that tiny little 6 lbs baby made me realize we never got to have that "newborn" experience with Jack.

Overall it was a great trip with tons of memories, but it feels so good to sleep in our own bed. The only down side was that Mike, Jack and myself all started 2013 with horrible colds and fevers to boot. We had to take Jack to Urgent Care on New Years Day, but thankfully we are all healing quickly and getting back to normal.

Here are some random pictures of our trip...

 

Seriously...it's his favorite toy.

I'm so excited to see what 2013 holds for our little family and I'm praying the year goes a little smoother than the last few days have gone! xoxo

Things I Love

I just felt that tonight I needed to list all the things I love about being a mom...specifically Jack's mom. Due to teething and general crankiness, today was a harder day that usual, but now as Jack is sleeping (and his little snores are music to my ears) I can't help but say all the little things I love and I want to remember always.

I love his little happy dance he does when he sees me after waking up. He's such a happy morning person. I love how he holds on to my shirt, hair or sweater when I try to put him down...it makes me feel wanted. I love how when he cries, his little bottom lip starts moving and he starts doing this cry that sounds like he is saying Mama...it makes me feel needed. I love his laughing fits and how I'm the only one who knows his super secret tickle spot. I love his chubby little hands that are covered in slobber, even if all the slobber gets on me. It just means he is holding onto his mommy. I love how he stares at me with those big blue eyes when I'm talking to him like I'm the coolest person he knows. I love his little shy smile he gets when I'm changing his diaper and announce that he is 'nakey'. We both get a giggle out of that. I love his toothless smile and how fascinated he is with his own tongue. I love how happy he gets when I grab his toes and tell him I've got his piggies. I'm sort of loving that he is proving to be a daredevil... sort of hating it.

But most of all I love the time I have to sit and cuddle him, listen to his rantings and soak in all those little, special moments that can be so hard to remember after a day like today. And when he finally crashes for the night, I love that he still cuddles up on my chest and hides his face in my neck...feeling safe and secure in my arms. 

I'm a lucky gal...even with spit up, slobber and some pee on my clothes. 

I wear it with pride.

Country Livin'

So we are official Northern Californians.

We are still transitioning and getting settled, but so far our little Jack is proving to be a country boy at heart. 

(except for the long car rides into town he hates)

Mike is finishing up things in LA and visits for long weekend every other weekend which totally stinks! You don't realize how much you rely on your spouse till they aren't there!! 

Lesson learned! Now I just need him here with us full time...October can't come soon enough. 

But, besides missing Mike like crazy, my parents cannot get enough of Jack...and he knows it! He is becoming a little charmer and knows right when to show his coy smile. He is loving all the extra attention and new friends. Wonder where he gets that from...

Chubba Wubba Cheeks

I don't know why I thought moving would be easier after pregnancy but we are sloooowly unpacking everything and Jack is "helping" best he can. I have a feeling we will be unpacking right up to the day we pack everything back up and move. Ha!

His Ladies Man smile

On the Jack front, he is almost 3 months old and I can't believe it! Where did my little infant go? 

Well, I use 'little' loosely since he was in 3 month clothes after just a few weeks old. Tall Boy! Now his 3 month jammies are getting too short. Poor guy is forced to bend his legs while he sleeps. I just don't want to let go of his little jammies!!

He is laughing, blowing spit bubbles, sitting and standing with help and smiling almost all the time. We have a happy boy. He still loves naps next to or on Mommy, tummy tickles and music, music, music! This boy loves to hear anyone sing and sometimes tries to sing along with his coos. It's beyond adorable.

He still hates his car seat and that's about it. 

 

Nom Nom Nom

I've been juggling being a new mommy, unpacking and starting a new business from home which is proving to be a good fit with my new mommy role. It's been a little hectic, but I'm loving it all. Especially since I have the cutest co-worker in the world who happens to be a snappy dresser...

Case and point...

I dare you not to fall in love with this face... Can't be done!

All in all, life is good, chaotic, stressful and very very blessed.

xoxo

Sunday Afternoons

Sunday afternoons are my favorite.

 We all have Family Nap Time...which is much needed!

I usually bake something yummy while the boys hang out, so our house smells amazing

I get a chance to chat with my parents

Then we follow it up with bath time, extra cuddles from Jack, and some relax time with Mike before our whole hectic weeks starts again. 

Our Sunday afternoons are needed more than ever now since we are up to our eyeballs with packing, prepping for our move to Northern California at the end of the month. 

And it's so hard to pack when I have the cutest distraction in the world!

Pictures

Last week we had Jack's first photo shoot and the results were pure adorable!

I'm sure when he is 20 years old, he will totally hate me for all the naked pictures, but I don't care. I mean, I can't handle how cute his bum is and all his cute little rolls. Heaven!

 

Just lounging around

This picture reminds me of the old man from UP!

Our little explorer

Our future missionary

His bear hat

His blessing suit

My little monster

I can't help but ooh and aah over all his pictures...and trust me, there are quite a bit! 

He was a little stinker the whole shoot and he didn't want to pose at all...plus he pooped on everything, including me, but it was all worth it!

And the icing on the cake...we tuckered him out so much, he slept for 7 hours that night. 

It was amazing!

Namesake

A few people have asked about Jack's name and where it came from. 

 We've always loved the name Jack and it seemed to fit him perfectly. 

 His middle name is a little more sentimental since we named him after my brother. 

It was the perfect namesake since my brother is amazing and is the best big brother in the world.

Plus, he totally looks like Adam...take a look!

 

Jack - 1 month

Adam - 1 month

So, since they share a name, we also hope Jack gets Adam's sense of humor, protects his little siblings and has a passion for adventure...just like Uncle Adam!

Sneak Peek

It was a busy day for us today.
We finally did Jack's newborn photo shoot and he was a trooper.
He didn't give us any smiles, but his pensive looks were totally Jack and completely adorable!

Here's a little sneak peek:

Luckily I found Mike's missionary tag right before our shoot and I'm pretty sure it was one of my favorite props of the day.

More pictures to come