Smash Time

We celebrated our little Jack this past week. It is so hard to believe it has already been a year. We are so thankful the Lord chose us to be his parents. He is truly a pure joy to be around. He is so content with life. He loves being outside, which presents a problem when the temp is 100 degrees plus. I found myself looking over the thousands of pictures from the last year trying to remember each day. They have gone by so quickly. He is like a flash. If you turn around he is gone. Most of the time, he'll be found in Judd's room playing with the trains. He loves to follow Judd around and giggle with Lucy. It is so much fun to hear them talking and laughing with one another. He has grown so much in the last couple months. He is now 19.15 pounds and 28.5 inches tall. He doesn't like being held really anymore because he loves being on the move. He isn't walking yet but he is getting braver each day by letting go. I personally enjoy him not walking because when he does begin to walk he'll be even quicker. He had a blast taking his first bites of cake. He didn't quite know what to do with it but after he did he kept saying "mmm, mmm!" Here are a few pictures from his birthday party.

Family Vacation...

We have spent the last week visiting family in New Mexico. It is always so nice to get away from our everyday life. Matthew's aunt and uncle invited us up to their place. They even offered to watch Jack for a day to give Matthew and I a chance to spend a day alone. Jack had many firsts on this trip. He was a champ in the car. He hardly made a peep except for his excessive pointing out the windows at things. We rode a tram up Sandia Mountain, rode a train to Santa Fe, tried new fruits and veggies, went to the zoo and cut a new tooth. He is now really trying to say words. He will say cow, deer and ball consistently. I made a comment to him about a baboon monkey's bootie and well of course we had a repeat on the word bootie. Our trip was a blast. Matthew and I went white water rafting one afternoon with his uncle Jack. It was sooo much fun. We are already talking about going again sometime. When I get our photo cd I'll post the pictures of our rafting trip.





Now it's back to reality.

And we're up...

Jack has been trying for a couple weeks to pull himself all the way up. This past weekend he finally did it. I think the load of clean socks were a little incentive to get him up.

Please ignore the no clothes. We have figured out he will crawl on all fours if he doesn't have a shirt on otherwise he scoots on his belly. So, I like to think of it as we are helping him plus the scooting dirties up way to many clothes.

Only 3 months really...

We went to Jack's 9 month appointment last friday. He is a little guy but up to par in everything else. He has been trying to pull up on everything even the wall. Silly boy! We've had a few falls already and of course I run straight there when it happens. Matthew informed me I baby him to much because he'll do the same thing with me not around and never cry. When we were leaving the doctor's office she informed me that she would see us in 3 months at his one year. I honestly thought she had it wrong. No joke, I checked the calendar. After that I think I was in a daze the rest of the day. I didn't even go through the clothes section at Target extremely out of the norm for me. I just kept thinking my little guy can't be that close to his first birthday party. I then quickly started looking for birthday ideas off etsy.

Jack 9 month stats:

Weight 16.15
Height 26.5 (when he hits 30 he'll be half his mommy's height)
Head 17.75

He loves eating finger foods especially steamed butternut squash. He loves his bath and even tries to swim in his bath. He loves to put his face in the water and blow bubbles. The swim instructor in me is very proud. The mommy in me was scared to death. He is very shy upon first meeting people but it doesn't take long and he'll talk your ear off. He has quickly learned he doesn't like the word No. We must shake our head when we say it because every time he hears no he'll shake his head. Then as she approaches the dangerous object again before even being told he'll look at it and then shake his head no. I hope discipline is always this easy.

Mothers

Today I woke up excited to celebrate my first Mother's Day but after some thought I realized I've been celebrating Mother's Day since May of 1986 because that is the first year I was able to celebrate my mom, memaw and grandma. What makes today different is this Mother's day I have someone calling me mom. Well, more like mu, mu, momma. I am so thankful to have such great mothers in my life that not only teach me about motherhood but keep my life surrounded by examples of God's love. I have a wonderful Memaw that has shown me strength, courage, commitment, and undying love. I have a mom who has encouraged, comforted, loved and disciplined with grace. I have a sister who has been a leader, protector and helper. I have a mother in law who has given me her son to love. Gifts, praises and thanks aren't enough to tell them how much they all mean to me.

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms in this world.




This little guy makes my heart sing.

My heart is full...

This Lenten season instead of giving up something I decided to make a commitment instead. I normally give up things like sweets, fried foods, eating out, etc. This year I chose to attend every Wednesday Lent service. I will sometimes attend the service and other weeks help with the children's church. Every Wednesday when I am driving home I can't help but smile. I have never had a fuller heart. It has truly been amazing to watch the children grasp the concept of our Lord Jesus Christ dying on the cross. This is such a joyous season of celebration. I am so thankful for my commitment to attend the Lenten services. It is truly the best decision I have ever made. I pray that each of you get the opportunity to fill your hearts with joy during this season of great praises.