Happy 1st Birthday, Doodles!

I cannot believe I am writing a "Happy 1st Birthday" blog, trying my very hardest not to tear up. Has it really been an entire year? An entire 365 days since I heard Luke's sweet words of "IT'S A BOY", since I laid eyes on the little  7lb 9 oz being that changed my whole perspective on the important things in life.  (The back of my head is saying "yes, it has been 365 days since you got a good nights sleep"). Time has gone SO fast, and there hasn't been a single day that has gone by that Jack hasn't made my heart flutter. Too many times to count, Luke and I have looked at one another and just smiled..during those moments I know that he is melting both of our hearts at the same time.

Check out how the little booger has changed month by month, yet stayed very much the same...

This past weekend we celebrated Jack's first birthday with a "Hungry Caterpillar" party. We thought it was appropriate, as Jack is usually (except as of late) an eating machine. We themed the party around all of the foods the Hungry Caterpillar ate in the story. Jack was surrounded by people that adore him as much as we do..he seemed to love all of the attention...

The morning of his party..he was being the "Grouchy Ladybug" rather than "The Hungry Caterpillar"..hehe
Really, he is saying.. "you mean I have to wait ALL day to eat that cake"

checking out who is coming to his party! :)

Notice my cake pop caterpillar? It was a masterpiece..kind of.

Jack and his birthday buddy, Aunt Jessica..

"Bring on the cake, people..."

"This is too good to be true"..

He was so polite..

Sneaking in a lick..

"here, you try some.."

Getting the hang of it..

"All for ME"

"Someday, I'll get you two (mommy) for this stupid hat"

                                    

"What do you mean I'm done?"

Thank you to everyone who came and celebrated Jackson - XO!

Last photo shoot as a baby..tomorrow, he'll wake up a toddler (tear).

Momma's Day

During our travels from the OBX back to Fort Eustis there was a billboard posted in front of a church that read, "Treat every day like Mother's Day"...Jokingly, I said to Luke, "Now that's what I am talking about"...but, in reality, that saying holds a lot of value. Not just for Mom's to be appreciated, but also for Mom's to appreciate BEING a Mom. I have noticed myself reflecting on being a Mom a lot lately, mostly because I keep thinking about last year at this time, and how we were anxiously awaiting "Lil' Wayne", but yesterday I truly appreciated being a Mom. There is nothing else in the world I would rather be doing. I'll take the poopy diapers and the long nights for just one little smile from my little man. He melts my heart multiple times a day, and makes my "job" so enjoyable. Usually, when Jack gets up from his nap he is roaring and ready to go, but when I picked him up yesterday he just laid his head on my chest and snuggled with me for 15 minutes. It was the BEST gift..15 minutes of reflecting on why I love this little booger so much. 

I think it is easier to be a great mom when you are surrounded by great examples. XO to Grammy Guinane, Mema Wheeler, GGM Marylou, and Great Grandma Houseknecht. 

We're alive!!

I know, I know...you thought that the mover's packed us up...right!? Well, we survived our first baby filled PCS! I don't even know where to begin, so let's just say it was chaotic, chaotic, and...chaotic! Somehow, even when you don't pack a single box (thinking about doing that makes me want to vomit), is exhausting! We basically spent 2 solid weeks organizing..sorting..folding...Jack unorganzing..unsorting..and unfolding...therefore, we had to repeat the entire process. Good times! We had to be prepared to live out of suit cases for an entire months, so strategic packing was essential! We bought a bunch of tupperware bins and everyone got ONE bin (labeled with their name, of course ;)) and whatever we could fit..we could fit. It worked out perfect. So, we said goodbye to our first house in Bellefonte on May 4th. It was bittersweet, and I certainly cried walking out the front door. Just the thought of bringing Jack home through those doors made me sad to wave goodbye. However, I don't believe that four walls define/save memories....that is what pictures, and brains are for  and luckily the camera and my head (which I almost lost at points during this move) are portable :) Jack and I drove my car, and Luke and the cat's drove in the truck. We were debating on who had it worse, as Jack is a whiny monster in the car, and the cat's meow the entire drive. We made it the 6.5 hours in one piece with only a few minor hiccups...i.e me forgetting to put the car in park at the gas station and Jack and I slowllllly rolled into guardrail pole..ugh, Tarin got so stressed out with the drive/move that he made himself sick and got kicked out of the boarding facility and sent to the vet, and we got stuck in about 2 hours of bumper to bumper traffic at the end of the trip w/ a non napping, whiny, overtired dude! The important part about all of this is that we survived..all in one piece and it is 90% over. 

 In between then and now we went on a 1 week vacation to the Outer Banks with Luke's parents, Nick, Jessica and the boys. Talk about "just what the doctor ordered" for our sanity. It took us about 2 days to de-stress, and from there on out it was heavenly! OBX is a beautiful, beautiful place, and being there, made it understandable why people drive from all over the country. It was perfect weather, around 70-75 degrees every day, a little windy at times, but perfect to have a baby at the beach. Jack was a riot in the sand...we loved watching him experience the beach/pool. He kept busy at the beach by filling a bucket with sand one handful at a time :) Dominick, Jack's older cousin, was LOTS of fun for him, too. We all made bets that he would start walking while there just so he could keep up with Dominick. I want to borrow Dom because he wore him out every day, and Jack slept like a dream. We celebrated Dominick's 3rd birthday there, and enjoyed our extended time with our little nephews. Anthony, who is now 4 months old, reminds me so much of Jack as a baby. He is so content, and smiley..he was a breath of fresh air! All in all, it was a fantastic vacation that was MUCH needed. Of course, I want to share some pictures of Jackson on the beach! Enjoy!!

Trying out the baby pool, which was filled with hot water...it was the most fun bath he's ever had!

"HEYYY, LADIES"

Having fun in the sun with Dom!

We lived about 2 miles from the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, which is the oldest, working, brick lighthouse...it was about 300 stairs..straight up. We were def. winded by the top, and once we came down both Luke and I's legs were trembling. Luke got vertigo on the way down. It was very interesting to climb something so old and tall, and to think about the work that must have gone back into building something THAT sturdy (sturdy enough to survive the hurricanes) in 1870.

View from the top!

THE light..

He looks like such a tourist..all he needs is a fanny pack!

pure bliss!

My other favorite activity at the beach..climbing in and out of the beach chair.

Jack sitting in this chair was probably the longest I have ever seen him sit still. He was so content. 

attempting to get a picture of the boys....

..but one kept crawling away...

Dom tried so hard to keep him stationary...

...no luck!