Moments: 21 Months

Little Man,

Today you are officially 21 months.

Another month added to the best years of my life. 

At 21 months, I think the hardest thing for me to accept is that
although you are still very much my little baby-
you are slowly starting to change and grow into my little boy. 

Your little personality is SO big
that sometimes I can't even believe it. 
My whole world continues to light up every time you flash that BIG smile of yours
and the amount of "just because" hugs and kisses I get, grows by the day.
You are so silly, and now you will do things just to make us laugh.
Simply put- you are the sweetest most handsome boy I've ever laid my eyes on.

At 21 months
you want mommy and daddy to go everywhere with you. 
You take our hand in yours, 
and will drag us around the house to wherever it is you want to be.
Then, no questions, we must sit and play! 

You absolutely love "helping" us cook,
and in the mornings when we wake up before Daddy leaves for work-
helping Daddy make his lunch is one of your favorite things to do.

This past month, you've grown so attached to Daddy, 
and you ask for him all the time when he is gone at work. 
It breaks my heart that you don't fully understand why Daddy leaves everyday,
and that you don't get to spend more time with him.

You love forts, playing outside, and blowing bubbles.

You love going to the library, helping mommy water the plants outside,
and you love looking for snacks in the pantry. :) 

You love to color- however it's more like you love watching us color for you.

You love anything cars, trains, trucks, and planes.
And if the TV is on, most likely we have Thomas the Train or "choo-choos" on.

You love your babies (stuffed animals)
and love wrapping them up, rocking them, "feeding them" and 
and taking them for a walk in the stroller aka shopping cart. 

Your favorite meals consist of macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese,

and spaghettios.

A well balanced diet for sure. :)

You still love helping with the dishwasher, and always tell me when things are "dirty."

You also love telling Mommy and Daddy when things are "hot" and "cold."

You love reading, "helping" mommy on the laptop, 

and taking pictures with Mommy's camera. 

You love looking at yourself in the mirror, and making silly faces.

(You are your father's son, for sure!)

We are not pushing the potty training issue, 

but we do have an adorable Mickey potty in your bathroom that you

use at least once a day. 

My attempt is to slowly warm you up to the idea,

and then like magic one day- you will just want to use it all the time.

:) 

You can say about half the letters of the alphabet, 

and your vocabulary is growing by the day.

You love playing in your playroom,

and building "block roads" for your cars to drive on. 

Obviously I'd be writing for days if I put on here each and every little thing that makes my heart soar with you at this age.

And as expected, along with all the great moments, come more and more challenges.

The past couple months you have really been learning how to test my patience, 

but at the same time teach me patience.

(Like fighting me on diaper changes, and learning the art of stalling at bedtime!)

And because you are at an age where we don't always understand each other

 feelings of frustration creep up on the both of us quickly.

But I truly try to remember to take a deep breath, and take it all in.

Yes, even those not so great moments.

I try to remember

 that as much as I don't understand what it is you are wanting or needing sometimes, 

I know there are also many times you are not understanding 

what I am trying to communicate to you as well. 

I know know day, I will look back, and will want to give anything to be here

in this moment with you all over again. The good and the bad. 

So here we are just three more months until you are 

officially two years old.

You fill my days with more fun, 

and my heart with more love than I ever thought was possible.

As sad as I am to see this time passing-
I look at whats ahead, and can't wait for another holiday filled season with you,
with so many new moments to love and share with you
and so many new memories that we will create together.

Bubba, always keep that bright smile shining.
I love you with all my heart, forever and ever,
Mommy

20 Months

Dear Jackson,

This weekend you turned 20 months. 

I'm not sure why, but I've had a really hard time with this one.

I'm not sure if it's the "2" now instead of a "1"

but 20 months just sounds so big.

And it doesn't help that 

in just four short, short months you will be two years old.

I can't grasp just how fast time is going.

Multiple times this past week, as I was rocking you to sleep

tears fell from my eyes.

You truly amaze me each and every day.

You are growing so big, and so smart right before my eyes.

I wish I could freeze these moments

and always remember them with such strong detail

so that years from now when you are big and grown

I can look back and remember them

as if they were happening for the very first time. 

How sweet it sounds when you say "yeah", "no" and "more"

How my heart feels like it's going to burst when you 

wrap your little arms around me and squeeze so tight.

The way you always want to be right by daddy and me. 

Your sweet little kisses,

Your big bright eyes,

and the most contagious laugh I've ever heard.

.

The adorable way you say "done" and "hot"

and how cute you get when you know you are doing something

you are not supposed to. 

The heartmelting way you want to help with 

literally everything.

The heartbreaking way I look at you each day, 

just a little bigger and older than the last.

Your love for the kitties and the dishwasher.

The way you have to bring your "buddies" to your bedroom at night

(aka your cars)

and put them on the dresser so you see them first thing in the morning.

The way you pretend to hurt yourself, 
and then say "ut-oh"
while walking towards us, so we can give you a kiss.
And the way you pretend to fall,
then laugh so hard.

The way I still get to hold you tight,

and rock you to sleep each and every night. 

The way you feel laying on me, sleeping so sound.

How you will just lay next to us and snuggle up close,

especially when reading books. (Lots of books!)

The stories Daddy tells me after he's taken you 

for a boy's night to a baseball game.

The biggest smiles you get when Daddy comes home from work.

The way you don't want to leave his side

once he is home.

The way you mimic everything and every sound we make,

and all the new words you try to say that just come out

like your own foreign language.

You say them over and over again, 

like we are the silly ones for not understanding. 

How you can now walk with us places, 

while holding our hands so tight.

I always catch you looking up at me, 

with a big smile, 

and inside I know you are feeling like such a big boy.

The sound of "mama" no less than a hundred times a day.

The way you look at me, with a big smile and love in your eyes

a million times a day.

There are so many more moments I just never want to forget, 

and that is still one of the biggest fears I struggle with.

I take time to enjoy every moment, 

but they are just passing too quickly. 

I love you Bubba Bear. 

I pray you continue to enjoy each and every day,

and each and every little moment.

I love you with all I have,

Mommy

Mother's Day

Dear Jackson,

I can't believe I am celebrating my second Mother's Day as your Mommy.

I know Mother's Day is a day to celebrate all the  Mom's out there

but without you, I wouldn't be celebrating today.

I feel beyond blessed day in and day out, that I was chosen to be your Mommy. 

t's true what they say, being a mother is definitely a love you can't describe, 
a love only a mother truly knows.

It also makes you feel emotions stronger than you could ever imagine.
Not only emotions like love, happiness, and joy, 
but also worry, fear, and yes even frustration sometimes. 

It's the hardest job I've ever had, 
but by far, the most rewarding.. 

Little man,

Life with you is everything I imagined it would be and so, so much more.

You bring so much joy and happiness to my life, 
and I just hope that I am doing, and can continue to do the same for you.

I pray one day, you know just how much I love you, 
and how much I want to give you the best of everything.

Jackson, thank you for making me a better person, 

I am enjoying each and every day with you, 
knowing not to take a second for granted. 

Thank you for making me a mommy, 
and thank you for giving me the most rewarding experience of a lifetime.

And I also have to take a minuet to wish a 
Happy Mother's Day to my Mom, 
the most amazing mom, friend, and grandma. 

Without you, I wouldn't be half the mom I am today. 
You've taught and continue to teach me what means  to be a mother, 
to be selfless and always put your family first, 
and that family and love are the two most important things you can have. 

I love you! 

Simple Things Sunday #011

It seems these are the only post I get done for the week lately! 

Life has been crazy- but took some time to enjoy some simple sweet moments this week. 

One of my all time favorite moments is when Ryan gets home from work.

I'm with Jackson all day, so by that time I'm old news. :)

Jackson is seriously in heaven when Daddy gets home, 

and can't get enough of him. 

And I love to just sit back and take it all in, 

plus no matter how the day has gone, 

I can't help but have the biggest smile on my face when these two are together. 

We also took Jackson to the pool for the first time this year. 

And just like last year, he absolutely loved it! 

I love these two more than anything!

Simple Things Sunday #010

This week my sister was in, visiting from California. 

I always have the best time, and cherish each moment with her.

She is not only my sister, but a best friend, and the best auntie. 

Here are a few moments from our week! 

Snuggles Before Bed

Eating Ice Cream Together

Weekend Fun With The Fam

Dancing In The Kitchen

16 Months

I can't believe my little man is 16 months today.

I'd say I wish time would slow down, but we all know that isn't going to happen.

16 months is a crazy age. 

Jackson is getting too big for a lot of the toys and things he was into, 

but he is still too small for almost everything else. 

His attention span for coloring is on the level of baby ADD, 

but we can sit and read books for hours. And hours.

He's also mastering the art of throwing tantrums. 

However, he is the sweetest, most loving little man I have ever known.

This past week he has grown super attached to his baby Jeffrey, 

and we spend a good part of our day wrapping him up like a baby and carrying him around. 

He is becoming more independent little by little,
and now only wants to eat if he's feeding himself with a fork. 

He also likes to brush his teeth, and his hair.
His little legs run everywhere. His little fingers leave prints everywhere.

A clean room is overtaken with toys in seconds as I navigate around
trying not to break an ankle stepping on one.

But his hugs are bigger and stronger every day.
His eyes bigger and brighter, learning more and more.
His smiles can still light up a room, and his giggles... priceless.

Instead of getting so sad about how fast he is growing,
I'm trying to just sit back, enjoy, and take it all in.

He is ONLY 16 months old, he is still my baby.

Simple Things Sunday #008

A day late, because my little man has been sick. 

This week, he grew very attached to his baby giraffe, Jeffrey. 

He loves wrapping him up like a baby, and carrying him around everywhere. 

Jeffrey also likes to read him bedtime stories. 

It makes my heart melt to see him so loving to his best buddy. :) 

Simple Things Sunday #007

So many moments to choose from this week.

But I'm going to keep it simple and sweet. 

Moments between Jackson and his daddy are simply the best.

Sometimes I have to stop myself from running to get the camera, 

to just enjoy and take it in. 

But then, other times

I'm so happy I ran and GOT the camera. Because then I get to capture moments like this. 

Sweet, precious moments. Ones that freeze time.

Ones that make my heart burst with so much love for both of them. 

Simple Things Sunday #6

03.23.14

This weekend was THE. BEST. 

We are not fully moved in, but for the first time in weeks, we had a weekend to ourselves, 

to relax and enjoy! 

My (amazing) husband surprised us with tickets to a spring training game. 

Jackson's second game, where he got his SECOND baseball. Thanks Daddy!

 Then today we a BBQ lunch AND dinner. 

We sat and enjoyed our backyard, and time with our little man! 

Today is also my older sister's birthday! 

Happy Birthday the the best older sister, and Auntie! 

Thirty

pinterest

As I sit here and write this, I currently have 1 hour and 42 more minutes left of life in my 20's. I can hardly believe I will be turning "30" tomorrow. I always thought I would be dreading it, but I'm really not. I have a lot to look forward to this coming year, 
and I feel like life is only going to get better. 

However, I am sad to see my 20's come to an end. It's been a crazy ride!

In the last ten years..

I had the best job ever, working at a family owned salon. My hair was always awesome, and has been every shade and combination of brown, black, and blonde you could think of. 

I went to college, and at the time, decided it was not for me. (Dumb) 

I turned 21, got a tattoo, and enjoyed the best years of my life with the craziest friends, going to some of the most amazing concerts. Sometimes as much as 2-3 in one week. 

Drink. Drank. Drunk. 

House parties, bonfires, and road trips. 

I met Ryan. (before I was 20- but small details there) Fell in love with him instantly. We were friends for a few years before he decided he didn't want to talk to me anymore. 
My first and only true heartbreak. 
Fast forward to a year or so later, we started talking again. 

Yes, even though at first, he was a meanie and didn't want to talk to me, I was still in love. :)

I moved from Illinois to Arizona with my family. Less than a year later I was back in Illinois to move in with Ryan. 

We lived in two apartments together in Illinois. 

I worked in Chicago with Ryan (in the same building!) which was an experience I will always love. Train rides to and from the city, lunch at Millennium Park, and sometimes shopping after work along the Magnificent Mile. 

We found the most amazing bar and it turned into our home away from home.

We gave a very loving home to our first (fur) baby, Wrigley. 

We traveled to Cancun together on our very first vacation, and went to Jamaica for the day. 

Yes. For ONE day! 

Ryan proposed to me, on stage, at a sold out concert at the House of Blues. 

(My favorite venue, seeing our favorite band!) 

We planned the most beautiful wedding, and took the most amazing honeymoon. Then decided to quit our jobs, pack our bags, and move across the country back to Arizona, together. 

We took a week and traveled to Arizona along Route 66. Seriously one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Made many stops, and met some of the most wild, yet amazing people. 

In Arizona, we've called three different apartments home. 

Jobs have come and gone. We've struggled, struggled, and then struggled even more. 

When we thought things couldn't get worse, they did. 

We stuck together through it all, and are closer than ever. 

After years of procrastinating, I opened my very first Etsy store. 

The last year of my 20's has definitely been the best, for obvious reasons. We decided to start a family, and a year ago we welcomed the most amazing little man into our lives. Being parents is by far the hardest job in the world, but is already the most rewarding. 

With that said... I'm ready to take on my 30's and to live my life better than ever. 

I will be opening my second Etsy store, and I can not wait to share what I have been working on! 

I will be working on becoming a volunteer at the Phoenix Children's Hospital. Something I've been wanting to do for years.

I want to find at least one charity I'm passionate about, and raise money to donate.

I will be taking control of my life, and I will be getting into shape, learning to cook more, and attempting to stay more organized in every aspect of my life. 

I want to get back to the things enjoy. Scrapbooking. Photography. Writing. Hiking.

I want to experience things outside of my comfort zone. I would love to join a book club and also take a ballroom type dancing class with my husband.

After years of apartment living, Ryan and I will be looking to rent our very first home together. We are beyond excited for this, and thanks to Pinterest, I already have a million and one decorating ideas. 

I'm ready to start acting on my laundry list of things I have been wanting to do, and I can't wait to share them all on this little blog. 

I'm so excited to celebrate tomorrow with my husband and little man, and I'm ready to take on 30!

Simple Things Sunday #5

01.05.14

One of the perks of living in Arizona. 

You can go to the park, at the beginning of January- enjoy the fresh air, run around with your little man, and not freeze!

This picture speaks for itself. 

Short & Sweet.

It melts my heart, and puts the biggest smile on my face. 

Thanks for stopping by this week! 

Hanging In There

via pinterest

In just 11 days, my little man will be 11 months. One month away from his very first birthday. 

Late at night, when I open my laptop in attempt to get some work done, I more and more often find myself opening the "Jackson" folder, and then the "0 Month" folder. 

I not only have my photos and videos organized by month, but by day as well. I'm so thankful for my extreme craziness of not letting one day go by without capturing the little moments of the day- which have (quickly) accumulated to thousands and thousands of pictures. 

I am struggling so, so much with accepting just how fast Jackson is growing up. 

I want time to stop, but I'd happily settle for it slowing down. 

I know one day, I will get to the point where I will look at pictures from when he was born, without a tear in my eye. Actually... maybe I won't... but I can't let it get in the way of cherishing all the new moments and memories to come. 

Simple Things Sunday #4

I can not even believe my last post was two weeks ago!

I felt so overwhelmed and busy with Halloween, so I'm pretty sure I'm not even remotely prepared for the craziness of Thanksgiving and Christmas, with a 1st Birthday inbetween.

Anyways. I'm back at it.

Moments from this week.

11/03/13

I'm backdating a little to Jackson's first pumpkin patch and first Halloween. Both events I know he will never remember. However, my husband and I will, so we wanted to make sure to make it a special one! We took him to his first fall fest, first pumpkin patch, got him his first pumpkin- and decorated it, and dressed him up and took him trick-or-treating. We had the best time, and made so many new memories!

Thanks for stopping by!