First year, new year...

We spent New Years Eve celebrating with 3 of our favorite families: the Cole's, LaBelle's and Snyder's at what has become our annual Christmas party and gift exchange. These families are such a blessing to Jim and I and we are so happy to experience life together. And now as an added bonus we get the joy of watching our kids grow up together. It's amazing to think back to 7 years ago when this tradition started and to see what it has literally grown into 😘

This year party will definitely go down as the most memorable this far. Thankfully it ended with a laugh but it was not without the drama. Chris choked on our delicious prime rib and it took us all awhile to figure out what was happening. Once we did Jim and Bobby jumped into action and Bobby gave Chris the heimleich. 

Here's our reenactment of how that went down:

Funny now but it was scary in the moment. A story that will live on for years to come, I'm sure. 

Jack was his usual party animal self, so when all the other kids were sleeping yhe night away there was jack wide awake and ready to ring in the new year 

Jack is so happy to finally have another boy around to help fend off all the ladies. I just know Jack and Mason will be great friends for years to come. 

Even with the scare it was a great night and,as usual, many laughs were had and even better memories made. 

Is this not the most adorable picture ever? Stella is the sweetest with jack and all the kids and makes such a fantastic big sister to Mason. I just want to eat her up. 

You gotta love these guys!

Cheers to 2014!

Baby's first Christmas...

Heeeeere's Jack! Bright eyed and bushy tailed for his very first Christmas!

Despite how good I've been about taking pictures this year I failed at documenting most of our Christmas traditions. I did manage to get one family shot of us dressed in our church attire. 

We spent Christmas Eve at the McCollum's with all the family. Jack and Lauren had a great time getting to know one another. These two may give us a run for our money in the coming years. They already look like they are plotting against us.

Christmas morning we spent just the 3 of us at home. We relaxed, Jim made breakfast, and then we opened presents. Here is Jack opening his very first one. 

Jack was spoiled with lots of books and toys. One of his favorite gifts was this bear from his Uncle John an Aunt Sara (the Lamanna's)

Steubie is so soft and fluffy, and Jack loves laying on him and rolling all over the floor with him.

Jack also got a new little blanket bear from his great Aunt Pat. He loves it and sleeps with it every night. 

Christmas Day was spent at my mom's house, with Aunt Amy and Uncle Terry. We had dinner and opened presents. Jack must have been worn out from all the excitement because he passed out on me for a good hour or so, which he never does. I'm not complaining, I will always take cuddles from my little love bug. It's my own little Christmas miracle.

 

 

 

We had a wonderful first Christmas, building new traditions and making fantastic memories as a family of 3.  And having these two to share my life with is the only present this mom needs. 

 

Date night...

Right before Christmas Jim and I got to escape for a night out to celebrate Mark and Jenny's wedding. Jack got to spend the night at Uncle Terry's and Aunt Amy's while mom and dad had a great time catching up with all the guys at the wedding. It was a great night out and the perfect Christmas present! 

Success with Santa...

We made it through Jack's first Santa trip with absolutely no tears :)

Even though I secretly love those pictures of screaming children on Santa's lap...shhhhh don't tell anyone.

Full moon...

After gaining inspiration from Pinterest we decided to stage our own little Christmas photo shoot with Jack. The results are to die for, if I do say so myself :) 

We also had lots and lots out out takes that are pretty great as well:

And yes I am aware that he will kill me for these one day but I don't care. Those little bare buns are too cute not to share. And yes we did have a minor pee incident but it was all worth it. 

7 months...

We have a very active kiddo on our hands these days. Even taking these pictures was a bit of a challenge but they turned out just as cute as ever. (I'm the mom, I'm allowed to be biased)

At 7 months Jack is:
16 lbs 12 oz
25 and 3/4 inches
wearing size 2 diapers
in size 3-6 clothes
crawling all over
pulling himself up on furniture and standing up in his crib
eats real food twice a day (bananas are a favorite)
teething but still no teeth
absolutely LOVING his dogs!

There was about 5 days in a row where he slept from 8pm-7am straight. Then he learned his new trick of standing up and that all went out the window. He thinks its HILARIOUS that he can pull himself up in his crib and stand and bounce. He does it and just laughs and laughs over the monitor. Its was really cute the first couple times, now I just want sleep!

Naps are still a bit of a struggle and usually only last 30-45 min but I guess we will take what we can get at this point. 

Besides the sleep deprivation we could not be more in love with this guy. He has the sweetest disposition and really is so good-natured and happy. He is up for anything and always has a smile for anyone he meets.

Jack's 7 month birthday also marks the one year anniversary of my dad's death. I still think of my Dad on a daily basis and miss him so much but having Jack makes the passage of time that much easier. It's also a wonderful thought knowing that Jack has my Dad as a guardian angel, to watch over and protect him, along the way. Jack will no doubt grow up hearing all about his special "angel grandpa".

The cutest...

There are no words for how adorable this is:

I like to call this his Benjamin Button meets Bagger Vance look. 

This was at a very generous dinner that my uncle treated us to, before the Pearl Jam concert. Here is Jack enjoying hanging out with his good buddy, Gus. 

Two very handsome boys :)