Made of Blankets

 Today we built a small blanket fort. It was the perfect cure for a windy Sunday. And put a big smile on my little boys face. Crawling in, out, and around the fort made for one big game of peek-a-boo. We spent a whole evening as a family playing and exploring. All thanks to a few blankets. 

The Blog on The Back Burner

It's been awhile. Pretty close to six months awhile.  But it isn't because I haven't had anything to say. I have had so much to say.

I wanted to sit down and write about how much Jack loves Ella Fitzgerald. For real the kid already has excellent taste in music. I always want to remember late nights in the kitchen swaying back and forth while Ella sang him to sleep. Her voice will forever take me back to footsie pajamas and fuzzy bed head.
I wanted to write about how those bright eyes get more and more curious everyday. How Jack is into everything now that he has the army crawl down.
I thought about writing how much he loves water. Bath time, the pool, spilling it on the tray of his high chair and splashing it all over himself.
I wanted to write about leaving Logan. About how my first night in my freshman dorm I prayed so hard not to be homesick. And how I felt comforted and knew inside that Logan would become home to me. It really did. I wanted to write all about the place I met the love of my life and became a mother. I've been a lot of places, and seen a lot of things, but my two biggest adventures started in Logan.
I thought about writing how Jack likes peas. What baby likes peas? And how he can say dada and not mama.
Mostly I wanted to write all sorts of things about Jack. But I didn't want to take time away from being with Jack. I find myself trying to soak in every.single.second of him. Because he is constantly changing. Growing. Learning. It is all so amazing to be a part of.
Plus I wondered if anyone else cared to read endless blog posts about my son. Or if I should only keep them written down in my heart. Just for me.
I still read blogs even though I haven't been keeping up on my own. It is easy to read blogs on my phone while I nurse Jack. I read blogs by people I know. Blogs by people I don't know. Blogs by people similar to me. Blogs by people very different from me. Parker doesn't get it but, I just love reading about the human experience. When I was little I would sit in the back seat of my parents car and look at all of the cars passing by. I would try to see into their windows, to get a look at who was inside. Who was driving? Who was in the back seat? All those people passing by. They all had names. Families. Dreams. Hardships. Favorite songs. I wanted to know their stories. I guess in a way I still do.
I believe our story deserves to be told. So here I am again blogging. Documenting snapshots of this time with my family. Our day to day proceedings are ordinary. But, to me, everything about this life we share is extraordinary.

January 2

When he was in high school, my dad sneaked into a dance. They were trying to throw him out so he hid underneath a refreshment table. He was on his hands and knees looking for a way to blend in with the crowd when he saw her.
My mom likes to point out that the boy she was dancing with, before my dad sprung out from under the table and cut in, went on to be a doctor. But from then on my mom and dad went to dances together. My dad even started paying to get in.
My parents have been married for thirty-eight years today. And I think that is pretty dang awesome.

This rolling pin was a wedding gift to my parents. It is still in their kitchen being put to good use. 

And this is my parents dancing at my wedding surrounded by five daughters, five sons in-law, and thirteen grandchildren. (They have two more now) I'd say over all, it's been a good 38 years. 

Dear 2013

You were a year for the books.
 The year Breaking Bad came to an end. The year the Xbox 1 and iPhone 5 S came to be. The year Peyton Manning threw seven touchdown passes in one game, the first person to do that since 1969. And then six weeks later Nick Foles did it too. The year I took Parker to a Phillies game and stood in Independence Hall on the Fourth of July. The year I had my golden birthday. The year Mariano Rivera retired.
But all of that will be overshadowed by a little frown on the boy who captured our hearts the first time we heard his beat.
That's right 2013, you will live in my memory as the year that brought Jack to us and marked my beginning of motherhood.
I learned first hand the horrors and wonders that happen when you are blessed enough to grow a tiny human inside of you. I watched the body I knew so well stretch and change into something remarkable.A mother.
I spent countless sleepless nights with my best friend as we tried to figure out this business of parenting. The memories of pacing the hallway in our small apartment passing our newborn son back and forth trying to sooth him will stay with Parker and I forever. For the past three months we have devoted our time and energy into figuring him out. And we are.
You are a year that changed me, and Parker too, for the better. Tested us and pushed us until we grew.
You are the year that taught me true joy can be found on the living room floor watching a small baby learn to roll over. The year that ended with staying in, because bedtime is not something you mess around with.
You are the year my family grew by two feet, ten toes, and one dimpled chin.
Thank 2013. You truly were one for the books.

Newborn Photos

Two Months

The past two months have gone by so fast. But also the days before Jack seem like a life time ago. 

There are a few things that have happened since my last update that I want to have documented. So here is a quick picture update: 

We had a wonderful visit from Kyle and Sarah.  It was so fun to spend time with them and Jack was in heaven from all the special attention. 

We have watched a lot of football. 

Jack started crying real tears. And he cried a lot of them when he got his first set of shots. 

He started smiling. 

And stopped taking naps... unless I am holding him. 

He is now weighing in at 12 pounds 8 ounces. And is a bit over 23 inches long. He still is not sleeping through the night. Maybe by my next update? Fingers crossed. 

A Weekend Of Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful holiday. I hope you all did too!
Our first Thanksgiving with Jack went smoothly. He looked quite handsome in his overalls. I am convinced all little boys need a good pair of overalls. Here are my favorite snapshots from Thanksgiving:

The kid loves to play with his tongue.

 He sat on my lap all through dinner, because he hates to be left out. And I mean hates it.  It was a really wonderful day.

On Saturday my sisters "baby" got baptized. And the next day we blessed our little Jack. It was such a wonderful weekend spent remember what is really important, and everything we have to be thankful for.

It was so fun for these boys to share a big weekend.  Jack's tie was made from one of Parker's old tie. And yep he isn't wearing pants. I am in love with his thunder thighs and so we let him rock the button up shirt onesie- no pants style. Classic look. 

I am so Thankful for my little family of three! We just had family photos taken and these are my favorites.