it's time...

We put off putting Jack in a big boy bed.  Part of the reason was that Jack never tried to climb out and he liked being in there.  It was his little safe place.  The biggest reason though, that we didn't switch was because everyone would tell us "Once you put them it the bed, they will never take naps!"  or "Once you switch they will be coming in your room every night!"

So we waited.  Well the time finally came we decided to switch.  Before we did I went over the rules for the new bed.  

1.  You can read/play/etc in your room, but no leaving your room.

2. If you want to leave or it's time to wake up let Mommy or Daddy know

I was praying that he would follow the rules and off to the big boy bed we went....

It has been a success...he is being such a good boy.  At night we watch him in the monitor (it's so funny!) and he gets his books, jumps around a little, and then turns off his light, turns on his star turtle and goes to sleep.  I can't believe it was this easy.  He still naps, and in the morning he yells "I'm ready to wake up!"

Let's hope this lasts. I think it will...I have to say, when given rules, Jack is very good about remembering them, and following them.

How was your transition?  Easy?  A nightmare?

Up next ...a marathon

Jack loves to run.  Loves it.  Any time he can get someone to chase him or run with him or race him he goes for it.  So of course when our local fest had a kids 1/4 mile race, this past weekend, we had to sign him up. 


At first I thought 1/4 mile?  That's tough for some adults, how will Jack do it?  Well he did.  And after he finished he was ready to run again.  Of course sappy old me had tears in my eyes watching him run his first race all by himself.  He was so serious and so into it, and he tried to hard.


I think I have a future runner on our hands...what's next?  The marathon maybe??  If you want, take a look at part of his race below.  That's my husband cheering him on.  Oh and you'll probably see me running along on the sidewalk.

Have a great Monday!

Down on the farm, and a winner!

The last week is finally here!  I feel like this has been the LONGEST school year...maybe becuase this is was my first full year away from Jack.  But we made it, and now we have a long time off to relax and have fun!

Over the weekend we went to a birthday party at a local farm.  Jack had a blast!   I think his obsession with fire trucks has now been replaced with an obsession with farm animals. 
Any time you ask him about the farm party he laughs...which probably means he loved it.

Showing his muscles:

Which leads us to our winner.....congrats to lucky #1, Christina, the winner of the Chex Mix giveaway!

An email has been sent to you!

Have a great day!!!!

Happy Halloween!

I hope everyone had a great Halloween!  I also hope you ate tons of candy..I know I did!
We had a great weekend...and  I'm exhausted.
I thought I would first share a little blast from the past.  This was Jack exactly one year ago today:

And this is Jack today.

We did the rounds today...went to both Grandma's homes and walked around the neighborhood.  He had a blast and I was surprised he didn't mind wearing a dragon head!

Next year we will attempt real Trick or Treating, but for now I had a blast just watching how much fun he had.

Enjoy the rest of your Halloween!

One.

As this day approched, the lump in my throat grew bigger and bigger.  It may seem silly to some.  "He is still little!", they say, or "You should be happy, not sad!"  And I am happy, SO happy.  But along with the happiness comes all of the other new emotions I have experienced since becoming a mom....one of those being the bittersweetness of seeing this tiny, perfect little person grow. 

I sit an think about how I can express a lifetime worth of waiting, and a years worth of love into words; and it doesn't seem possible.

One year.  A 1st birthday.  The day exactly one year ago that I sat nervous-excited-overwhelmed-scared out of my mind, listening to the melody of the a tiny thump, thump, thump on the monitor.  That day waiting for the greatest gift life has to give.  The moment "we" became "three".

I could try to list all of the things I love about him or all that he does that makes me smile, but that list would be endless.  I could list all of the things you have learned this year or how you've grown so much, but it would take up pages and pages on here. 

What I can say is Jack has made me realize what being a Mom truly means.  He has made me feel emotions I never thought I could feel, and feel so deeply.  He has a smile that melts our heart and I am amazed at all the magic he has brought into our lives.  I wish, at times, I could stop time, just for a while and take in every single second of him.  At the same timeI look forward to all the amazement, learning and love he will experience. 

I will end it with some of my favorite pictures from Jack's 1st year.

\

"Happy Birthday Jack, we made it....I love you always.....Mommy"

xoxo

more please!

Lately I have been making sweet potato pancakes for Jack.  He can't get enough of them.

I found the recipe at Wholesome Baby Food, and it's super simple.  What's even better, is these can be frozen and heated for those mornings you just don't have time to make something .

Sweet Potato Pancakes

2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup cooked sweet potatoes, mashed
1 egg (or 2 egg yolks)
1/3 cup all-purpose flour (use graham flour for a nice taste.)
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup milk (or more)


Mix sweet potatoes in a mixing bowl with egg. Stir in the flour and add the baking powder. Add up to 1/3 cup of milk while stirring. Stir in 1 tbsp butter.
The mixture should have the consistency of thick, lumpy sauce like an "instant" pancake mix.
Place a non-stick or heavy iron skillet over medium heat on top of the stove and add 1/2 tsp butter.

Spoon batter into the skillet and cook until bubbles rise to the surface of the pancakes and break. Approx. 1 to 2 minutes.
Using a spatula, flip the pancakes and cook another 2 minutes.
Remove pancakes from the skillet and keep warm on a covered plate in the oven.

Because I want to....

Today is a busy day.  We are going to the pool, grocery shopping and to a 1st birthday party.  It's also 90,000 degrees outside which makes me crabby.  But to brighten my day and your weekend, I decided to put some picures of Jack in the post... just because.

Have a great weekend!

Starting Early

I love Starbucks.  I don't really know why, but I do.  Maybe it's the feeling I get when I walk in their stores..so cozy and warm feeling.  Maybe it's the smell of the coffee or the sound of those espresso machines.  Whatever it is, I love it, and I have been having it WAY to much this summer. 

My drink of choice?  A grande non-fat, easy whip, extra hot, mocha.  I feel so silly saying all of that, but I have heard longer orders.  It is like heaven to me. 

So Jack and I have been hanging at Starbucks lately.  We get to get out and people watch, and we sometimes meet friends there, or sometimes Jack and I have a date there.

Anyways, the point of my story is, I always order Jack a small cup of water, no ice.  And with practice, he has learned to drink out of a straw.

And his face is just the cutest.

I think Starbucks has a new customer.

Creepy Crawler!

Sorry I have been away all weekend! I have been so exhausted from being on the go, go, go the whole time and I needed a day to catch up and relax with Jack.  I will post some parade pics later tonight along with a few giveaways later this week, but I wanted to post a very exciting video....Jack is crawling!!!! It happened on Sunday, and he is super fast!  Excuse my video skills, I am still learning.

I hope you all had a great holiday!



He really wants that bag of popcorn!!!

An afternoon of food, drinks and swinging.....

Tuesday, my husband and I decided to take Jack to the park.  Once we got there, Jack was sound asleep in the car.  Instead of going back home, we did the next best thing....wedrank a few beers, and had some nachos.  We went to one of my favorite bars, and I had one of my favorite beers.

Once Jack woke up, we headed out to the park.  Jack had never been on the swings before, and he LOVED them.

It was the perfect weather, not super hot, and not a cloud in the sky.  These are perfect days to me.  It's so fun to see Jack experience things for the first time.  He gets the cutest looks on his face, like he's really taking in everything he's seeing and experiencing. 

I love summer.  Enjoy your day.

Jack's first modeling gig, and a giveaway!

I have a super cute giveaway today, and I  think you'll agree:

(**Baby not included in giveaway)   ; )

Donna at Grace Filled Hands, on Etsy, sent me this ADORABLE onesie.  Dad thinks it is perfect, in fact, I think he wants Jack to wear it every single day.  Donna, at Grace Filled Hearts even gave Jack his first modeling job at her shop! You can see him here.  I think he has a future in modeling.  ; )

Grace Filled Hands has so many wonderful items: dresses, diaper covers, sandals, and more! You are sure to find something for your little one!  Donna has been creating and designing for over 25 years and has been so generous as to give one my readers the same onesie Jack is modeling! 
Official Entry: (Required)
Please visit Grace Filled Hands on Etsy, and pick out your favorite item, then come back here and leave a comment!


Bonus Entry (after required entry)

1. Follow my blog (if you do just tell me)

**Contest will end Friday, July 9, at 11:59pm.  Winner will be choosen using random.org!

Good Luck!

P.S. Donna is offering a discount to my readers! Just mention my blog when making a purchase!