Happy Birthday to You LuLu!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Well, the party has come and gone and we are just getting everything, and everyone, back in the swing of things! THe party was amazing and we were lucky to have perfect weather in the middle of such a rainy week! In our normal 1st bday style, we had 2 ponies come out and give all the guests rides and needless to say, the kids LOVED it! Lucy was so good and just was passed around, ate the yummy food and cake. She can now say "neigh neigh" and almost all animals she says that for, well, excpet for "woof!" The evening was filled with family and friends and of course, PRESENTS!!!! Lucy scored some major gifts...Clothes, sandbox, kitchen, LIttle Tykes house and her favorite, a pink convertible! It was so cute when she got in it and hit the button to go. NOw, she's all over the place in that thing and you can't get her off without a fit! Speaking of fits...she has started to master them and will let you know when something does not go her way.

I was a little emotional on her bday, looking back at how far we've come and how fast it went. I did tear up when the whole house started singing "happy birthday" and it just seemed like yesterday it was Jack in that highchair, digging into his first cake with that babyfat face and legs. Amazing...

3 ER trips in 3 weeks!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

We thought we were off to a great spring. We went to Great Wolf Lodge with Jack while Lucy's shelves were being built and he had a BLAST!!! We swam all night and then had ice cream and a movie in bed. After swimming the following morning, we headed to T-Rex for lunch. Ross and I were beyond exhausted and Jack was just happy as a clam! We returned home to Lucy who had a major cold! This started the downward spiral...

We don't know why or how, but Jack decided to put a bobby pin in his mouth one SUnday morning. He choked, turned blue and after many attempts by ROss and I to get it out ourselves, he swallowed it and scared Ross and I to tears! Off to ER visit #1. After an X-ray and seeing that it was a bobby pin, we were told it would have to pass, and it did 2 days later! The things we do, or should I say LOOK through, for our kids!

I had a great night out with some of my girls for St.Pattys day and the following day, thought I was getting a cold or allergies. By the end of the day, in bed chills, aches, high fever. ER visit #2! Dehydrated and INFLUENZA!!!! In bed for 5 days!

Right when the flu was hitting hard, Jack decides it's a good time to cough, scream and spike a fever at 5:30am! I thought he had the flu too, so here came ER visit #3. No flu...pneumonia instead!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Never a dull moment!

ps-I will post new pics once everyone is healthy and in the "spring" mode!

Valentine's Day and Mother Son Dance

Make a Smilebox slideshow

We can't believe March is right around the corner. February FLEW by and we had a lot of fun. Jack enjoyed Valentine's Day this year and had a great time at his final school party. We have been enjoying all the warm days outside playing and crawling around with Lucy.

Lucy's not walking yet, but we are thinking it's right around the corner. She has 4 teeth and #5 is just under the surface! SHe's enjoying table food and is trying to ween herself off babyfood! Her favorite...Mc D's chicken nuggets and fries, just like her brother!!!! 1st bday planning is in FULL swing and I can't belive it! It seems like I just did Jack's 1st bday bash!

Jack and I had our 1st mother/son dance this weekend and it was so sweet! He wanted a "black flower" and wanted to get me pink. He chose McDonalds (shocker) for his pre-dance dinner and then we had dessert at the dance. His favorite thing was the chocolate fountain! He was AMAZED!!!! We danced the night away and even shared a slow dance to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." As we slow danced and I held him, he looked at me and said, "mama, this song reminds me of you!" Tears flowed and I took a mental picture in my head of that moment, holding my "baby", dancing to that song...PRICELESS!!!!

BIG things happening!

Well, things are changing here at our house. Jack is officially not a baby anymore. He got his big boy bed and is loving it! FOr those of you who don't know, yes, Jack was still in a crib and loved it! Never crawled out or complained so we just let him be. But we bought the bed and just had it in the basement waiting for the right time to make the big change. After returning from vacation (and sleeping in a big boy bed there) we decided to take the plunge and do it! Thanks to daddy's hard work, he got it put together in record time. We have yet to finish his "big boy room" with all the bedding and decor, but we did let him pick out some sheets on his own from Target for now.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

We had a BLAST in Atlanta! The flight there was good, until Jack had to go to the bathroom as we were landing. He held it, and held it, and held it until he couldnt' hold it anymore. You can guess what happened next :0( We landed but then waited 15 minutes to pull into our gate. We tried to get up to go to the bathroom, but they wouldn't let us b/c of "FAA regulations." So, we are not a fan of the FAA anymore, even though they do keep us safe. Jack loved the "hotel home" and loved his big boy bed there. He thought it was pretty cool that he could eat downstairs too. We went to the children's museum, aquarium and to Benjamin's house for dinner and fun. Before we knew it, it was time to come back home. We all missed Lucy so bad and it was great to see her and how much she had changed. She was chunky, taller and her hair grew. She was making new faces too. She had a good time too with Nane and Nana. She was held and spoiled rotten by both, a perfect vacation for a princess! Her current issue, 4 teeth coming in all at once. So she is a major fussy butt princess!

It's been a long time!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Sorry it's been almost 1 month since my last post but we have been busy! We have had an event filled month and it isn't slowing down yet. We started the month with Jack having the rotavirus! He was sick for 2 weeks but the good news was Lucy never got it!!!! We have been just hanging out, Jack started back at school and Ross has been traveling for work. This week Jack will be taking his first plane trip (he doesn't remember the one at 4 months) to see daddy in Georgia. Jack and I will be flying down together and hooking up with daddy and spending a few special days. WE plan on going to the CHildren's Museum, Aquarium and wherever Jack wants to go on his "vacation." He keeps saying that he's going on a date with mommy on the big plane! It's a much needed trip for Jack and Mommy both! Lucy will stay back with Nana and Nane and have her own little vaca here! I am sure she won't be spoiled at all and will get no attention, ha!!!!!!!!

Christmas 2008

Make a Smilebox photobook

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Hang on, this is a big one! I have a ton of pics and have got it down to this many, but you have to see them all because they are just so cute!

We started by taking Becky's advice and going to Crown Center to see Santa. After an hour and a half, we got to see him! At first, Lucy smiled and liked him but the tears then started to flow. Jack loved it and told him he wanted a "roundhouse and more 'aminals'." Santa said he loves 'aminals' too and wanted to know if Jack kept his toys picked up. With a scared look Jack said yes(The next morning, we spent an hour cleaning his playroom so Jack was sure to not lie to Santa) We wrapped up the night with a late dinner at the "train place" where Jack is in heaven!

Christmas eve and Christmas day were spent opening present after present and Jack and Lucy both loved it! Jack left Santa cookies and left the reindeer food out in the snow. Santa left a ride on firetruck, "aminals", a Polar Express train, a roundhouse, dvds, books, a toothbrush and a watch. He left Lucy books, a toothbrush, Pjs, bows, and a dancing tower.

Christmas this year was amazing! It's hard to not get all sappy around the holidays... remembering loved ones who are no longer here, reflecting on the year, looking foward to a new year and wondering what it might bring, being thankful and feeling blessed....it was a very emotional Christmas for us for all these reasons. But mostly, we were just looking at Jack and Lucy and thinking how amazing life is. THings have changed from 1 year ago. Last Christmas I was pregnant and "expecting a girl", but not really knowing what to expect (if that makes sense)! One year later, we now know what that means, we now have Lucy who fills our hearts with more love and our lives with more laughter.

As Jack said to Santa in his letter, "I wish you a merry Christmas and a Happy News Years!!!!!"

Jack's fun filled week

Mr. Jack has had NON-STOP fun the past week. We went on a carriage ride at the Plaza, breakfast with Santa, a school party, "shopped" for all his loved ones at the GIngerbread shop, swam at swim lessons, made a train, and even was able to go sledding in the fresh snow.

Today was his last day of school and enjoyed a party filled with treats and crafts. What a surprise to have daddy show up and enjoy the morning. He's very excited to be home and on break for 2 weeks!

We will gear up for Christmas by wrapping presents, seeing Santa and watching Polar Express for the 100th time! Here is Jack's Christmas list; A Thomas Roundhouse, Trains, Tracks, firetrucks and a transporter. Hopefully he'll tell Santa this weekend and won't be scared!!!

PS-thanks to Keiley for the great pic of me and my boy!

Make a Smilebox slideshow