Spring Has Sprung

Bubbles!!! 

Jack's Favorite Thing

                                       Warm Weather Projects: Commence!

Our shabby entrance - before. We planned on getting this cleaned up 2 summers ago...right before we found out I was prego. Jackie is finally on a decent, predictable nap schedule (for now...) so we have time to get some of this stuff done...YAY!

We built a wall and added some plants. Next move is to paint that porch.

After! What a difference. I have a moon garden in mind...a magical place to sit quietly and admire nature in the moonlight. Lots of white and silver plants and candles. Now I just need to figure out how to stay awake after darkness...

"Hi Mom. Better hurry up and take this picture before I launch myself off the couch!"

What a stinker.

We officially have a toddler. He is huge.

Taken just a few moments before a huge flailing tantrum when I tried removing him from this swing to go home. Oh, Jackie.

Voted! He looks scared...and I don't blame him.

Happy Birthday Jackie!

Fun with Pops

The birthday cake.
I doubled the butter on accident. It was a good mistake.

Well our little Jackie Boy has made it to the big ONE!

It has been quite a year. My due date was actually on this day one year ago. I was too busy on his real birthday to write this so it only seems fitting that I do it today.

We are truly (and literally) stepping into toddler-hood over here at the Law residence. Jackie started walking about 3 weeks ago and has been busy getting into stuff and asserting his independence all day long ever since. So basically 24/7 my job is to make sure he doesn't maim himself. And that, surprisingly, is turning out to be QUITE a job.

We've continued to baby-proof the house, and it's a huge pain in the ass. I now know why some people baby-proof and some people don't.

Who has time for all of this? I can't even think straight most days let alone figure out this crap. Baby-proofing is a huge headache. When one little task like screwing in cabinet clips sounds so easy, it really takes like two hours (Saturday hours!), and lots of sweat and swearing to accomplish, I think. I say I think because we never actually accomplished it. We decided it was too much of a hassle and went with a seemingly easier magnetic lock to install on the drawers and cabinets. And it was still a pain in the ass. And don't get my started on the baby gates.

Remember when I was pregnant? Everything was so much easier..

I could just sleep all day if I wanted, and not feel bad....I had so much time...and such rested, dark circle-less eyes...just sitting around, planning for lil' baby to come! Ahhh, those were the days...

I was so concerned with my baby registry and all the stuff. ALL the stuff that in that moment just seemed so perfect to get for baby. Like if you had "this" and "that" the baby would just be healthier and better than other babies, and life would be somehow easier. The cute little outfits all freshly washed and folded and put away so neat and sweetly. Somehow that is just how my brain took it all in at the time.

In reality though....there is none of that.

In reality there is a teething monster upstairs who is probably going to wake up every hour tonight and yet again make me question my sanity in the middle of the night ("What time is it? When did he get up last? WHY is this HAPPENING???!")

And in reality all that baby stuff that seemed so necessary is all getting lent to my cousin and anyone else who will take it, just so we can have a little breathing room in our house. THERE. IS. STUFF. EVERYWHERE. Baby stuff. Toys. Clothes. Binkies. Diapers. Poo.

There is no more sleep all day if I want. There is no more sleep in. There is no more easy. I look like hell all the time now and some days I feel like it too. And all I smell is poo, all day long! With Jack eating all solids now, plus the stinky dog and two cats....ugh. Poo Central.

Welcome to the Laws.

And on another note, coming up are some super sweet pictures of Jack's first birthday bash, and from Mimi and Pop's visit...they came all the way up just for his big day. Fun was had by all. It was a great celebration of Jackson's first year. There were so many kids! He is a lucky guy to have so many friends already, and we are lucky parents to have have the sweetest little smiley guy on our hands, poo and all! He is changing so fast all the time and making us wonder in amazement with proud smiles on our faces. It truly has been quite a year.

Jackie Likes:

All animals and their sounds
Blankies & Binkies
Elmo, Curious George, & Daniel Tiger
Bathtime
All Foods
Riding in his wagon
The vacuum cleaner
Remotes, Phones, and all things Tech

Jackie Dislikes:
Not getting his way
The blender



 

Giggles with Mimi and Emmy!

Not really awake yet. And not so sure about the hat.

Birthday stare-down with Grandpa

So dainty with his cake, but loved the plastic balloon cake-topper

Kilian! My BFF Caitlin's son, exactly 4 months younger than Jackie. They came for the party all the way from Connecticut. These two WILL be friends, regardless of whether they like each other or not.

  

10 Months - Lots Of Catching Up

Hey Little Guy....

Cheer up! I know you're probably pouting cause the leaves are all gone, it's freeeeezing outside, and you know you're growing up too fast, but that's okay! Growing up is cool! Lots of fun is still to be had my sweet little pea.

...And these are the things that go through my head upon going through Jackie's old photos; voicing over what he must be thinking and assuming he has thoughts like this....don't judge me. 

Whenever people see Jackson out and about (98% of the time - the grocery store), they always say "this is my FAVORITE stage, they are so fun."
  

And they are so right. That truth is exactly why I haven't been writing and documenting his crazy, quirky personality and monumental growth over the last few months. We've all been so busy lately. Outside of working (also very busy for both Cody and I), when we're home there is just no time for doing much else other than playing, eating, and sleeping. Times a thousand...on turbo-drive.

Big boy Jackie is such a trip...so much fun and such a sweet little human. He is so good-natured and funny. I can only imagine he gets some goofy dork traits from us.

So when Jackson goes to bed Cody and I try to enjoy a decent meal (and a bowl of  rice and parmesan cheese counts as a meal sometimes, right???) and watch some tv and/or catch up a little. But we are usually in bed by 9 nowadays, and Jack's in bed by 7:30 usually. I must say some of the best advice someone gave me about being a parent is to just go to bed when the kids go to bed. Good advice, yes...but other options? I don't really see them, especially when said child arises like clockwork by 6:15 am. Every. Single. Day.

And every single day is a new adventure. To me, it can feel routine some days (eat, sleep, poop, etc...) but in Jack's eyes there is literally a new mountain to climb each day, and it is just as magical to him, and for me to watch. He is still working on walking; so very close it's getting scary. The other day I woke up and looked at the monitor and he was just standing up in his crib, waiting for us to greet him. That's the first time he's done that.

I have no other baby to compare him to here, but I don't think it's going to be very long before he's motoring around on his own. Currently he will let go of the furniture and hold one of our hands while we walk him around. And the walker Mimi and Pops got him for Christmas definitely has helped his balance. He loves that thing! '

The Happiest Baby To Ever Meet Santa

  

A rare cuddle

Oh, this is for me, huh

Hammy

Getting very good at eating these days, if you can't tell!

Priceless Photo-Op

Those Thighs Though!


Christmas was just awesome. We got to finally visit the Laws in NC, and much to our surprise Jackie adapted super easily to all the changes...long drives, a new bedroom, and lots of excitement seemed to actually help him sleep and that was our main concern, was that he would be all "off." Lucked out there.

Christmas presents were spread out over a few days, thankfully...or Jackie would have lost it. On Christmas morning he was playing with his baby laptop from Mimi and Pops and got so excited he tried to take off his shirt! That's what happened according to Cody...I was asleep still so I missed it. What a funny mental image. By the time we opened gifts at my Mom's on New Years Day he really got the idea...wrapped presents were welcomed and he was like, "Oh, for me???!"

All in all the entire season was just such a blast...and Christmas has become even more magical again, now that we have a little one to delight. Next year should be awesome too cause he will actually get the idea a little bit more. Looking forward to his birthday coming up...I cannot believe this little chunk is turning one soon!