March 2017

"No matter how much I say 'I love you', I always love you more than that." -unknown. 

This little boy is approaching a year old!  He has such incredible personality, a fun-loving spirit, and the most infectious smile.  People literally stop us in the store to look at him and tell us how cute he is.  There have even been instances where someone has gone to get a friend just to look at Jack (yes, that has actually happened more than once!)  I know he is mine, but goodness he is just so CUTE!

One of Jack's favorite things to do lately is to walk underneath the tables.  I am not sure why he loves it to much, but he can stand upright and walk from chair to chair, so it's like his own little playground.  He even pushes the chairs like a very heavy walker.  

He is getting so close to walking.  I am not trying to rush his special milestones, but we are encouraging him as much as we can.  

Lilly is still our little book worm!  She is perfectly content to sit with a stack of books and read to herself.  She used to just silently flip through the pages, but lately she has started to actually retell the story out loud.  It's amazing to see her pre-reading skills!

One of our favorite monthly activities is the workshop at Home Depot.  It started with Darren and I having to do most of it and Lilly just painting, but now she can do almost the entire thing herself!

These two love each other so so much.  Lilly loves to make Jack laugh, hug him and play with him.  She is an incredible big sister.  Jack lights up as soon as Lilly comes in the room and she can make him laugh like no other.  Sibling love is so special and I am so thankful they will always have each other.   

There are people who swear Jack looks exactly like me and those who thinks he looks exactly like Darren.  I think both kids got the best of each of us!

Here is Jack under the table again :-)  This time he is with his favorite food: Cheerios!

Nothing comforts Jack quite like his duckie.  I didn't expect it to be his lovey/paci...but whatever works!

Jack's laugh is one of the absolute best sounds in the entire world!

Lilly did a fantastic job singing in worship with Kids NPraise!  She is a great little singer :-)  I am so glad we get to share a love of music!

Jack LOVES walking while holding on to our hands, furniture and his walkers, and now apparently he is ready to push the shopping cart as well!  

These two crazy kids love taking baths together.  Jack splashes like crazy now and cannot contain his giggles!  Lilly splashes with him and we all laugh and smile so much that my cheeks hurt.  Darren and I need ponchos to stay dry, but some things are worth getting soaked for :-)

These three peas in a pod love each other so much.  They play together at school and outside of school so nicely!  It just makes me so happy to know that Lilly (and Jack) are surrounded by friends.  I remember growing up in my "neighborhood" and all of the kids, regardless of age, just played together and had the best time.  That is what I love so much about our neighborhood and group of friends.  

Jack and Lilly had a wonderful time at Ryan's birthday party!  There was a bounce house that the big kids just loved, and Jack loved that while they were all eating pizza, HE got a chance to bounce!  

I am sure this will be the first of many times that Lilly dresses Jack up in girly apparel...get used to it kid!

This kid has the biggest smile ever and eyes that just melt your heart!  

I love how Lilly really wants Jack around.  I know that probably sounds strange, but she wants him involved in what she is doing (most of the time) and around her.  She wants to be close to him, help him and take care of him.  Don't get me wrong, she sometimes get into "Mama Lilly" mode and wants to think of Jack like her baby doll and we have to reign her in, but we try to remember how excited she is to be a big sister.  

Little man loves to swing!

Ryan wanted Jack to try on his hat :-)  

Jack is getting closer and closer to walking.  He LOVES this ride on airplane, but this was the first time that he used it as a walker.  

Jack was taking Duckie for a ride on his walker :-)

Time for a walk in the backpack!

This is another great example of Lilly including Jack in her activities.  Jack was loving watching her jump on the trampoline and he is really too little to do it on his own, so Lilly asked if he could come on and jump with her.  Clearly, he loved it!

We met up with a few friends at Marbles.  It was the first time Jack has been there when he could really enjoy it :-)  He loved all the balls in the ball pit in the money room.

Lilly had an amazing time working the machines in this room.  She met a few new friends and they created a little assembly line to get the balls in to the machine to fill up the big pig (if you have never been to Marbles, this sounds like gibberish, but I swear it's a thing!)  She was leading the charge and sort of directing the kids where to go.  I even got in the action and helped collect balls for them.  I was so proud of her for making new friends!

This was also the first time that Lilly was interested in the tool section.  I think watching Darren in the garage has rubbed off her on!  She used the real saw, drill and screwdriver.  She had a great time!

Jack loved the toddler room!  He explored all over the place and even made a new friend!

Soaking up some beautiful spring weather outside!

March 31, 2017...my baby boy is a year old.  This little boy is an absolute joy.  He loves to explore everything around him (especially any place we don't want him to go), walk under the tables like they are a secret hideout, climb the stairs (with supervision of course!), peek-a-boo, riding in his airplane or on any riding toy, playing in the rice bucket, playing with trains, balls and toys that make noise, taking walks and snuggling.  His sweet little blonde curls, huge smile, adorable giggles and silly personality brighten our days and make our little family complete.  Happy birthday Jack Jack!