Our lil lion...

This is the best I could get for his costume this year. Halloween was a long day for jack and a little too overwhelming but he survived and still looked mighty cute as our lil lion. Here's Jack with his cousin Lauren. Neither one was at a point where they wanted their picture taken, so this is what we got.  

We made our best effort and still had fun with all the cousins. Hopefully next year we can actually make it to a couple houses for trick or treating. We have a great idea for a costume ;) 

Until then here are my nieces and nephew all dressed up in their matching incredible costumes. Adorable! 

Halloween is so fun to see all the little ones dressed up. It's amazing that a year ago we were just announcing our pregnancy.

Sunny Fall Days...

I honestly don't think there is anything better then a sunny, crisp fall day. There is something about days like that that lift my spirits and energize my soul. We were blessed with quite a few of those days at the end of September and early October so we decided to take advantage while we could and head up to Greenbluff for the day. I swear everyone and their mother had the same idea but we did head up early and were able to beat a lot of the crowds. I think this is going to be one of my favorite fall traditions. Jim could probably take it or leave it but he hung in there like the wonderful dad that he is.

We ran into the LaBelle's while we were at the harvest house. We had to snap a picture of our two pumpkins.

These next two might be my most favorite pictures ever of Jack.

It was a great day...despite the look on my sons face :)

5 months...

Wow 5 months already.  Jack is at the BEST stage we've seen so far. I love it. He is SO happy and smiley and really only gets upset when he is hungry or tired. He has the cutest laugh ever and will laugh at pretty much anything these days. He learned how to blow bubbles with his mouth and makes funny sounds. He cracks up when we blow on his arms or tummy or hands. Or even when we makes funny faces or noises. He likes to play with our dogs and thinks its hysterical when they kiss him. Whenever they are close to him he just opens his mouth and puts his hands out for kisses. So gross but still very cute :) 

No official stats this month but he is getting cute little rolls on his arms and legs and I just want to eat him up! 

At 5 months Jack is:
wearing size 0-3 and 3 month clothes
wearing size 1 diapers
rolling all over the place
grabbing everything in site (and putting it in his mouth)
sleeping on his stomach/back/side
propping himself up on his hands and legs but not yet crawling
starting to learn his name
sucking on his lower and upper lips...first signs of teething?
Catnaps in his swing in the mornings

Still goes to bed at 7 but waking up consistently during the night starting at about midnight.
breastfeeding and takes 4-5 oz from a bottle
sticking out his tongue when concentrating (gets this from his dad). 

Jack is such a good baby. I just wish he would sleep more. This past month we have really been trying to get in the habit of taking better naps to see if that helps at night. He still fights it with every inch of his being but he is at least taking about a 45-hour nap in the morning. The afternoon nap is more of a struggle. We are hoping when we introduce some cereal and veggies next month it will help.

Discovery...

Jack is at such a fun age right now. So interactive and finding and doing new things almost daily. I love watching him learn and grow and discover the world around him. 

Just recently he really started to show interest in the dogs. He squeals in delight when they devour him with kisses. Thankfully they both have been so good about letting him poke and pull and pet them. I am hopeful they will be best of friends forever. 

Jack loves playing in his little exersaucer. He was a little too short at first (sorry bud, gonna have to get used to that) but he has now grown into it and loves playing with all the toys and jumping around to make the lights and music go off. 

Jack found his toes and loves to roll around and grab them. He's also discovered how freeing it is to be naked ;)

Starting to learn about this camera thing and anytime he does something cute (so all the time) Mom will shove it in his face. Usually as soon as the camera comes out the cute stuff stops.

Sometimes we still get lucky

Jack got a new toy and LOVES it! He will bounce and hop and laugh and jump for a good 20 min or longer...Just enough time for mom to shower or eat. Coincidentally it's mom's favorite toy too :)

Football fun...

The Cougs football schedule left a lot to be desired this year, with the majority of their games starting at 7pm or later. That being said we were lucky enough to get one early September afternoon game where the sun was shining but not too hot so we packed up Jack and took him to his first game. We hope this is the first of many more magical moments made in God's country; aka Pullman, WA as a family!

Jack was SO excited to be driving to the happiest place on earth!

It was the perfect day...The Cougs won and Jack even got to meet Mike Price! How cool is that? 

Besides Cougar Football Saturdays Jack is also learning all about Seahawk Sundays! He even has his good luck outfit that he wears each week. The one loss coincided with Jack blowing out his diaper and needing a clothing change halfway through the game. Coincidence? I think not. 

 

 Taking notes from Dad on Beast Mode

 

Isn't he the cutest 12th man you have ever seen?

4 months old...

Sadly this was the month I was dreading the most, I finally had to go back to work at the end of August after 16 weeks maternity leave. I never thought I would be the type of mom who wanted to stay home all the time but apparently I am.  Going back to work has been the hardest thing I have done since giving birth. Thankfully we have amazing parents, friends, and family who help watch Jack while Jim and I are working or sleeping. That makes leaving him a little easier it still breaks my heart a little bit each time I leave. I mean how can you want to leave this face?

 

That being said Jack has not skipped a beat-thankfully! We were already in a good bedtime routine of bath, books, bottle and bed so nothing much changed in that aspect. The rest of his day is still spent playing and hanging out. The worst part was for me. Trying to sleep during the day while Jack was at home or having to take him to our parents and then come home to sleep it just killed me. Its amazing the amount of guilt you can feel being away from your child. That stress was compounded by my body trying to readjust its feeding schedule and trying to pump enough milk so we did not have to supplement with formula. After many sleepless nights and days  Eventually we got back on track and Jack is once again thriving and I am learning to give myself a break and not feel so guilty. But, like I said I don't think Jack noticed much. He is as happy, smiley, and playful as ever! He still has a bit of a bug that has just lingered around but we all are dealing with it much better now.

 

At 4 months Jack is:

13 lbs 3 0z

24.5 inches long

 

using size 1 diapers

wearing 0-3 and some 3 month clothes

sleeps from 7pm-7am with at least 2 wake ups to eat

fighting naps big time but will take multiple 15-45 min catnaps a day

rolling all over the place

primarily sleeping on his stomach

laughing and giggling and really starting to interact and play

entertains himself for short periods of time

breastfeeding or takes a bottle every 2-3 hours

mimicking noises and faces we make

blowing bubbles and making funny sounds with his mouth

grasping at objects at toys (and moms hair) and putting everything in his mouth

recognizes mom and dads face and voice

drooling everywhere

starting to teethe

still loving bath time

 

Each and every month more and more of Jack's personality emerges and it is so much fun to watch. I adore how interactive he is becoming and that I am beginning to understand his wants and needs a little more now. Being able to decipher his cries makes life much easier and happier for everyone involved. Jack truly is a sweet and joyful baby and his laugh and smile can brighten any ones day. The best part of my day is when he wakes up in the morning and I go get him from his crib and he recognizes me and smiles. Seriously this kids smile absolutely kills me.  

 

Also jack's lil body is still not tolerating his shots very well. He was sick for a few days after this round. Poor kiddo. At least his still adorable even while he is miserable.

Vegas wedding...

 

My brother, Terry, got married on August 17th in Las Vegas. It just so happened this was the same weekend as my planned getaway to San Diego with the girls so on Saturday I hopped a quick flight to Vegas and was able to be there to watch as Terry and Amy tied the knot.

 

 

I could not have dreamed up a more perfect partner for Terry to build his life with. Not only is Amy beautiful both inside and out she is kind, funny, compassionate and the best thing that ever happened to my brother. Our family could not be happier for the two of them!

The wedding ceremony was beautiful and emotional and I was so glad I was able to attend.

 

 

Even though Jack couldn't make it he got all dressed up in his best onesie on the day of their wedding to help welcome Aunt Amy to the Donovan Clan.

 

 

Congratulations Terry and Amy

We Love you both so much!

 

Derby 30!!!

A long time ago my girlfriends and I decided we should plan a fun girls trip to celebrate everyone turning the big 3-0. Forget the fact that I turned 30 two years ago and Stone turned 30 last year, thats neither here nor there. Everyone else turned or is turning 30 this year so what better excuse to get together and party celebrate!

 

Coordinating such a trip for 8 girls who all live in different cities, have jobs, babies, husbands, boyfriends, crazy work schedules, and busy social lives was quite the task but we finally found a weekend that would work so we packed up and headed to sunny San Diego!

(Jbass had to cancel last minute but she was with us in spirit)

It was very hard to leave this guy but being with my girlfriends helped a lot. And alcohol, alcohol also helped. Ok so Girlfriends and alcohol are the perfect distraction!

I would recap the whole trip but pictures speak louder than words. But first a few things you should know: We spent the majority of our time at home base (aka a beach bar), the only planned activity was a night at the Del Mar Racetrack. We dressed up and wore fascinators. Besides that we flew by the seat of our pants. That lead to a boat. A boat that had a bar. and music. and a dance floor. and 80's night. Sometimes we missed the boat.
Finally and the most important thing to know: My life and my friends are fan-freaking-tastic!

 

 

 

 

 stay classy San Diego!

  

 

Cheers to the best vacation ever 

 

for a full recap check out Megan's blog and for more pics check out Jacquee's

on a final note I will leave you with this gem:

 

The End...

 

...Till next time Nashville.