Lunch with Daddy

This is James' busiest time of year (something to do with tax liabilities and end of the year). He's leaving early and getting home late, which means he isn't getting to see JW. I took the afternoon off and we went down to the office and had lunch with daddy (between emails, phone calls and office happenings). Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures, but it was really cute and I wanted to record it.

JW has been a little off the last couple days. We can't tell if its a result of 4 days at home with Mommy or if his molars might be trying to come through. He was up early this morning so his schedule was ahead about an hour. So he slept the entire way to the office (30 minutes). Once there he was a ham. Pointing and going to everyone that would hold him. Lunch was pizza and JW definitely took part. I think that kid loves pizza. He was so funny. He'd take a bite and basically rip it off with his teeth. The slices were pretty large (Felini's for you ATL friends) and he probably had 1/4 of one in total. This is after he had already eaten lunch and helped me eat a nutra grain bar at home. He enjoyed visiting Daddy.

After, we picked up Daddy's birthday presents (next week) and headed home. He slept about 20 minutes. I tell you all this to set up the rest of the afternoon. He didn't nap again. He ate almost nothing until a full nutra grain bar (kashi - so I guess it's not that bad, right?!) around 5:45. He took a bath ( he was exhausted and I was tying to stretch it out a bit) and had a bottle. He was in bed and asleep by 6:45. This is about a half hour earlier than normal. I'm hoping this doesn't mean we'll be up earlier than normal ;) Just a day in the life, but one I wanted to capture. This is JW tearing into some pizza on Christmas. I couldn't leave you without a picture!







Updated:  He slept until 7AM!  YEAH!!

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JW's First Birthday Party

JW's birthday party was so much fun.  We were lucky to have all grandparents in attendance, along with many of our friends.  The planning and week leading up to the event were fairly, I mean pretty, stressful.  But, we made it and it was a great day!

The day started with JW's last swim lesson.  He did an amazing job and I can't wait for our trip to the Bahamas and the summer.  He is going to have a blast!!

After the lesson, he did his usual: bath and crashed for a nap.  I had planned the party to start at 1:00 hoping he would take a long nap and be rested and happy.  He did take a long nap and was awake when the guests arrived.  However, at about 1:30, he was exhausted, so we put him back down to sleep.  James woke him around 2:15 so we could do the cake.  That might explain why it took a bit for him to get into it, he's a slow riser, just like his mommy!!

Decorations were fairly simple (and I don't have pictures).  I used a balloon and primary color theme.  I made a balloon wreath that I found on Pinterest (fairly easy to make, but I used way more balloons than was recommended.)  I am hoping to use it every year for the birthday week! (or month, since it is still hanging in my dining room.)  I used streamers to decorate the chandelier over the dining room table (which held the gifts and cakes) and to decorate his high chair (which you can kind of see in the pictures below).  We hung 3 large pictures from JW's newborn session and had several of his 8 month pictures in frames.  We had a bunch of balloons for the kids (these were the hit!).

For food I also tried to keep it simple.  I made two chili recipes - a beef chili and a chicken chili.  We did these in the crockpot and started them before swim lesson.  We also had a cheese tray with crackers, veggies and dip, and fruit skewers (also found on Pinterest).  We also made grilled cheeses  for the kiddos. I ordered a cake from Publix (with a free smash cake.  If you have a Publix near by, if you order the 1 year birthday cake, they will give you a smash cake for FREE!!).  However, the 1/4 sheet cake would only serve about 20-25 and I expected roughly 30 for the party.  So, I made an adult cake as well - Chocolate Vodka Khalua cake.  It's yummy!  I'll have to post a recipe soon.

JW wore a shirt I got on Etsy with the number 1 on it. It was very cute and soft.  I also ordered the invitation from an Etsy seller.  Great customer service from both sellers!

JW is blessed with generous family and friends.  He received a ton of great gifts.  (and only 1 duplicate)  With his Christmas and Birthday combined, I think we're set for quite awhile.  In fact, I may take a couple toys back, just because he got too many.  We've opened about 2/3 of the gifts and left the others in boxes.  I figure we'll break a new one every once in awhile to keep him interested!  Now it's time to start looking at the organizing and decorating the playroom!

JW's birthday was an overall success.  I can't believe he's 1 already.  It's amazing how quickly the year has gone and how fast he is growing.  It seems he learns something new everyday.  My heart feels full.

We got a little side tracked before the party started.  I started getting the balloons ready before JW had lunch.  That was the end of trying to eat anything.  He absolutely loved the balloons.  Good thing there is some helium left!!  I think we have a rainy day toy!

JW and all the grandparents.  I think this was the best one.  You can see my streamers in the background.

Daddy and JW.....He finally decided to eat something.  I think we got 1/4 of a grilled cheese sandwich down.

Mommy and JW - you can see the fruit skewers in the background.

My best friend from when we were the little ones' ages......She came to visit with her family for the weekend!  What a sweet treat!

Starting with the cake.  It was a little slow going at first, but then he got the hang of it.  Yes - We went without clothes for the cake eating part!!

Getting a little more into it.

Really into it - The icing was everywhere - including that ear!!  I don't think he actually ate much of it.  He just kind of played with it.  It was straight to a bath after.  I had to clean my bathtub the next day as I had greasy icing residue all over it!

Opening gifts.  He had lots of help!!

Inspecting his gift from Mommy and Daddy.

Pretty sure we could have just given him a roll of wrapping paper!!

Staring out our front window.  He loves to do this!  

The kiddos playing with JW's gift from Grandma and Grandpa.  I think his look kind of says, this is my toy, what are you doing with it!

He finally got a go pushing A around!!

1 year, 12 months, 365 days

I've been a mom for that long.  WOW.  Where has the time gone??  Thank goodness for pictures and videos because I'm sure my mind can't hold all the images of watching my little man grow.  All I can say about Motherhood is it's an experience - a happy, sad, fun, stressful, exciting, tiring, and life changing - experience.  And I've survived the first year.  Here's to many more years of motherhood (God willing)!

(JW updates coming soon!)

Another Birthday party pic to tie you over....the best family pic from the day.

Sneak Peek

JW has his First Birthday Party this weekend!  Here's a sneak peak.....

(apparently I bit off more than I could chew with a daily JW post.  So sorry.  With his birthday, Christmas, visitors and work - yes I do have to do that too - I just haven't really had much time!  I'm going to get better one of these days!)

Baptism

JW was baptized on June 12 (i'm a little behind).  We were very excited to have all of his grandparents, aunts and uncles, god parents and even a great grandparent in town for the occasion.  It was a packed weekend, but full of fun times and great memories.  (Mommy was a little under the weather with poison ivy and mastitis, but she made it through.  Yes it was hot.  And this was not the outfit I intended to wear, but I had to cover the epic amounts of poison ivy on my arms) 

The God Parents (minus one Auntie D)

Auntie Em, JW and Mommy. 

The baptism gown is vintage and was worn by my nephew as well.  Hopefully all the grandbabies will be baptized in it.

James' family pic

Baptism party outfit!  He looked adorable.  And I just love that little tongue sticking out!

I think Grandpa loves the little guy!!

GG Mac

My family photo - a little crazy but the best one from the day. 

Month 5 in Pictures

Snoozing in the chair. 

Happy Baby in the morning!!  You started sleeping better this month - even 10 hours a couple nights! 

5 month chair picture.  Bald baby!!

Sitting in the high chair.  You got some sweet potatoes this month!  You loved them!! 

Big boy holding your own bottle!  You are quite independent!

Memorial Day weekend pick with Daddy.  Not sure what was going on with that face!

First trip to the pool.  Little froggy loves the water.  (nice boobs mom - I bet you miss those now!!)

In the pool with Daddy

Swimming with Mommy.  You absolutely love the pool.  You even fell asleep in your float in the pool.  Don't worry, we'll sign you up for swim lessons soon!

All smiles after swimming.  Look at those gums.  There are some pearly whites there now!

You are enamored with Daddy!  You reach out for him as soon as he gets home in the evening. 

Cute little chunky face!

you giggle and love to play on the floor.  You've started to notice Barley.

You got a new toy this month.  It's a bit too  big for you still, but you'll get there. 

Bald baby.....you like to try to drink from a cup.  You even took some water from a straw.

This is your friend B.  You helped celebrate his birthday this month.  I think you two are going to be good buddies!

Bath time is a favorite!  You love to splash and have fun! 

Frustrated Baby

(I'm way behind on my daily posts - Let's see how many I can get done today!!)

This was last Friday and I just got it uploaded.  JW has figured out how to open the cabinet doors.  I had gotten 2 baby proofing cabinet locks, but one didn't work on our handles and the other required us to screw it into the doors.  Not a good option.  So, we found and ordered some others (applied with adhesive and arrived last night!).  In the mean time, I was using a spatula to keep the cabinet under the sink closed.  He really wanted to get in there!!  Its a bit dark, but I think you can see the drama unfold!!  Enjoy!

Quick JW update

My sweet baby boy made my day today. I work from home and we have a sitter that comes to the house. We've installed a gate at the bottom of the stairs. About an hour after I went into my office I heard Mama Mama. Apparently JW had pulled up on the gate and was calling for me up towards the office. Such a sweet boy....loves his Mama.

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Not enough hours in a day

I am not sure what I was thinking when I pledged to do a JW post daily this month.  Not only are we planning a birthday celebration, with many guests, but we are also trying to get the house decorated for Christmas.  And all the shopping, cleaning, and organizing that go with both.  Not to mention the daily - you know like eat.  So it's late (for me) and I wanted to pop in quickly to share a JW post.

James and my SIL had a work event last night, so I kept my nephew.  To be honest, I was a little stressed about it given the length of my To Do list.  On nights when James is late, I try to run errands with JW so Daddy doesn't miss any time at the house.  JW and I left a little early to get my nephew from daycare and ran 2 errands (not a total bust).  When we got home and came home, I fixed dinner for my nephew. I got him situated at the table with dinner.   Not to be left out, JW pulled up on the table - not sure how, I guess he's getting tall - and was "eyeing the prize."  So I gave JW a snack in his high chair and they ate together.

forgive the iphone pic. 

(yes - if you look closely, that's macaroni in JW's hair.  He's a mess!)

Still feeling a little flustered, I grabbed a beer (don't judge) and sat in the comfy chair with JW so he could have his bottle.  Not to be left out, my nephew came and stood by the chair.  I could tell he wanted to join us.  So, I invited him up and we all snuggled while watching The Polar Express on ABC family.  A few minutes later I looked down and JW had grabbed my nephew's hand.  They sat holding hands for a bit (probably only a few seconds, but the moment somehow seemed longer).  And in that moment, the flustered feeling I had went away.  That moment made my night.  These little boys are cousins and are blessed to be growing up together.  Just another reminder to enjoy each little moment as there is peace in many of them.

Now, even though my list is a mile long, my eyes are starting to gloss over and I must go to sleep!  Until tomorrow!

50 weeks

JW is fifty weeks today.  That's 10 weeks longer on the outside than on the inside.  I was looking through pictures today and feeling sentimental.  I can't believe I'm planning his first birthday party and that in 2 weeks he will be one.  How did the year go by so quickly?!  He seems to learn something new each week and looks more and more like a little boy every day.  My baby is growing up. 

No pictures today, but over the next two weeks, you'll get picture overload.  I think I have 6 months of updates to get done!  Hopefully tomorrow I will get at least one done!  (along with buying Christmas gifts, planning and buying for the party, and prepping the house for visitors.) 

Dec 5

JW is doing a great job eating. There really isn't much he doesn't like. Chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese, yogurt, and mandarin oranges are probably his favorites though. He loves eggs just like his grandma - with cheese and pepper!! He eats a fair amount of Cheerios as well. We just started those about a month ago when I decided the puffs were too expensive!! He does eat. Fruit and veggies as well. Carrots and peas are easy (I buy the cans of peas and carrots). He loves apple - though I really think he is just sucking the juice from it because we end up with pieces of apple all over the high chair tray. Peaches are good too. Going to try blueberries and other berries at next trip to the store. He ate a couple bites of my pizza this weekend and liked that as well. Unfortunately James and I eat dinner late (after he goes to bed) so he has his own meal around 4:30. I trying to feed him leftovers from our meals so that we aren't having to do anything special for him. He drinks pretty well from a sippy cup. My current dilemma is when to start whole milk. I only have about a week left of formula and I really don't want to buy anymore. But, we'll still be a week away from his birthday and 1 year doctor appointment. Any one feel strongly one way or another????
Any other food ideas?

Yesterday he ate some leftover black beans and I think he loved them. What do you think?





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Dec 4

Yesterday was a fun day in our house.  One day a year we are a house divided.  Our college teams play each other in basketball.  Fortunately this year my team came out ahead - if only by 1 point!!!  JW got in on the action too!!

JW watched the first half in this outfit

And the second half (and the rest of the day) in this!!

He's watching intently!! 

Dec 3 JW Post

So I missed a day already.....But 2 posts today!!

JW has been doing swim lessons.  This week was his third week.  He's the only one in the class, so it's 30 minutes of 1-on-1 time.  He has been doing great!  He loves the water.  Below are 2 pictures from yesterday.  If you look really closely, you can see him kicking!  I have a couple videos, but I need to edit them and upload to youtube...I'll link later this week, but wanted to keep up with my daily posts. 

Don't mind the blurry face - I didn't think our teenage instructor wanted me to post his image online! 

Look closely - you can see the feet kicking!!!