Birthday Planning!!

I started planning Jack's 1st Birthday months ago.  I have never been so excited about a Birthday in my life!!  There's something about celebrating our son that really excites me.  I think of all the love and laughter and joy he has brought to our family and how life is better with him in it, and it moves me to celebration.  We will have a small party, filled with friends and family who love Jack.  That is the invitation: Lovers of Jack welcome.  Here is the actual invite:

 Of course with all the personal details blacked out...but isn't he adorable?!!

And a prince should definitely have Prince attire:

And he must have clothing to match:

here is the whole shebang:

btw - I love Target.

I can't wait to celebrate our little munchkin!  He definitely deserves celebration. I  still have not ordered a cake or finished getting decorations.  I've still got a few weeks.  It will probably be the hottest day known to man, but we are still going to have TONS of fun! 

And here's a shot from this very morning of the Birthday-boy-to-be:

Have a great Memorial Day weekend everyone!  We are planning to do some swimming and Michael is going to build Jack a swing...while Jack and I are enjoying our little pool and sipping lemonade :)  It's a tough life ;)

Wordless Wednesday

Here is a photo from the past weekend of Jack and his Great Grandma Phyllis (my husband's grandmother)

Grandma Phyllis lives in CA, so we only see her once or twice per year.  This was her and Jack's 2nd interaction and they love one another :)

Honesty

Don't feel like writing much..not feeling so great, but here are some pics of the past week or so.  Enjoy.

Jack will be 11 months on Saturday.  I am in the process of planning his 1st Birthday.  What fun it is to plan his birthday! I have bought a little crown and onesie and fun bib!  It should be a blast!  Oh how I wish he would be sitting up un-assisted by his 1st birthday or saying Mama or drinking consistently from a cup.  I want to take Jack to visit my extended family and friends in Chattanooga this summer, but honestly, I don't want to have to answer the questions about his development and so I would almost rather hide here in St. Louis.  It's hard. It's hard to be asked if he is sitting up yet or standing or saying momma  or dada.  And sometimes, I lie.  There I said it.  Sometimes, it's easier to just say yes to the all the questions especially to people who don't really know us.  Jack has got the best personality and is the happiest baby, but gross motor has proven not to be his strong point.  Love is definitely his strong point.  Laughter and silliness are his strengths.  I admit that I don't know whether to push him to work harder or just accept that he is developing slowly gross motor wise.  Every time I see a post or picture of a child who is 6 months old and sitting up, I cry. Who knows why it hurts so much.  Why does it even matter?  I don't know, but it does for some reason.  I wish I had more time to work with him and play with him, and  I admit I wonder if I am to blame.  If the time we cuddle and read books should be spent working on sitting or standing.  I try to balance it all.  But when you work 40 hours a week and have therapy 2-3 nights per week and he goes to sleep at 7:30, do you spend the few hours you have working none stop?  You can't.  You have to spend time loving too and relaxing and hugging and cuddling.  And sometimes I wonder if I were a stay at home mom if he would be hitting these milestones quicker.  Maybe, maybe not.  So, I am venting today about all of this.  I should learn not to vent when I don't feel well, maybe I'll learn that lesson one day.

To all of you moms who understand how I feel - thanks for your support and encouragemnet.

And some great news.  My husband got offered a new/better job yesterday.  I am so proud of him.  We celebrated last night and I can't wait to see how our life unfolds in the years to come.  I am so grateful to be married to such a wonderful spouse who is such a great provider and friend.

Mother's day approaching

This is the glorious day that I became a mother.  June 22, 2009. Nothing has changed me more in my life than this.  On June 22, 2009, I found what I was created for, what I was made to do.  I LOVE being a mom.  Jack has made me love better and harder, live bigger and more purposeful.  I would do anything in the world for our little son.  I love washing his tiny clothes and attempting to fold them...they never stay that way. I love cleaning up the huge mess eating is now that he is starting to finger feed. I think it's adorable when he is trying to poop :)  His cries, though seldom, hurt my heart each time and I love that I seem to know how to comfort him.  I love his crunchy toes and small little bottom.  I love how he sleeps with his butt in the air and I love that he thinks his daddy is the funniest thing in the world!  I love how he reaches his short, stubby arms out to be held.  I love that every single time we read a book..daily...he tries to eat it. I love his goofy smile and silly laugh.  I love the way he cuddles up in my neck and seems to be completely at home. I actually miss getting up in the middle of the night for 2am feedings.  I love taking care of him.  I love it.  I...love...it.  Nothing brings me more joy or satisfaction than caring for our Jack.  And I truly, can't imagine life without him.  Thank you God for such a wonderful gift, for blessing Michael and I with a beautiful son.  My cup truly overflows. 

Happy Mother's day to all you beautiful moms!

Wordless Wednesday and Happy Cinco de Mayo

Jack and Aiden at the St. Louis Zoo.  Aiden is a few months older than Jack and we have become fast friends with him and his family!  Many more outings to come :)