Where have I been?

Where have I been this whole month? How is June almost over? How do I already have a 4 month old? Well I'm very behind on posting for several reasons... 

1. I've been enjoying time with my not so little baby boy & hubby... while he is on parental leave for 2 more weeks!

2. We went to Donner Lake the beginning of this month! So much fun!

3. We spent a whole week in Santa Cruz with Dereks family... enjoying walk on the beach, boardwalk,  suntanning & laughing around the fire. Thanks Grandma GiGi! 

4. Even as I begin to type this, it still feels unreal... On June 21, 2012... my inlaws home burned down... as in gone. They were asleep when my sister in law was woken up by her barking dog. She opened her door to smoke & ran to her parents room to wake them up. They made it out of the house just seconds before their roof caved in. This past week we have spent almost everyday with them, helping them rebuild their lives & offering them support. I cannot imagine what they are going through. Having nothing, no clothes, shoes, computers, cameras, etc. Luckily they have all the support of their family & friends! Please keep them in your prayers!

This picture was taken standing at their front door... you can see clear into the backyard, their floor is gone & all the furniture is burned. 

I hope to post about our fun Santa Cruz trip within the next few days & share some cute pics of my boys! I also need to take Connor's 4 month pictures & work on that post... all before we head to Donner Lake for the 4th! 

3 Months Old

On May 28th, Connor turned 3 months old. Its hard to believe he is already 3 months old. 

 He is growing big and wearing mainly size 3 months, some 0-3 month clothes and some 3-6 month clothes. I even broke out a few 6 months outfits & you've been wearing those, although they are pretty big. Your still in size 1 diapers. We went to the doctor a few days ago and you weigh 14lbs 5oz! 

You still have pretty blue eyes, long fingers & long toes. Your hair is (slowly) growing & the top of your head is a lot blonder than the back, bottom section of your hair. Your cheeks are getting rounder and your thighs are getting chunkier! Your voice has reached new heights... You giggle & squeal in excitement all day long.

 You are full of movement! You kick, swing your arms, rub your face, suck your hands, twist your body from side to side & bring your legs to your chest. Unless you are in a deep sleep, your moving some part of your body. We must now strap you into your bouncy seat since you now find it fun to try to bounce right on out of it. The baby that use to sleep so sound in it now cannot be left alone & must be strapped in! Oh... Speaking of hands, they are even cooler than last month. You love to attempt to get both fists into your month and make them full of sloppy wetness. One day you went to down on your thumb and pointer finger (because one just isn't enough) until both were bright red. 

 We're still working on sleeping through the night... You have spoiled Mama a few nights this month but usually you wake up twice to eat still. I don't mind those 4am feedings though... Your quick to eat & quick to fall back asleep.

 You love play time, your play mat, bouncy seat, bath time & your paci. You're not a huge fan of tummy time, getting dressed, and being alone for very long. In fact this month I've noticed you seek more attention. I can be sitting right next to you but if Im not talking to you, you make sure to let me know you want my attention. You also love being held, which makes for Mama getting pretty good at eating with one hand! 

 Mommy is still nursing you about 8 times a day... usually every 2 to 3 hours. You've gotten alot quicker at nursing and sometimes eat within 5 minutes. At the end of your 3rd month, we finally said goodbye to the bassinet. I was sad to see it go. It was your little bed for your first 3 months of life (well & the bouncy seat some nights :/) Anyways, you have yet to move into your crib though... instead you are sleeping in the pack and play in mommy and daddy's room. 

Thank you Connor Jackson, for being my baby. I thank you for being patient with mama as she learns to meet all your needs and tend to all your wants. You have taught me so much in 3 short months... How full of love my heart can be & how easy it is to become so selfless. I get so much joy out of seeing you smile, watching you sleep peacefully & hearing you giggle. 

The best 2 years of my life...

Two years ago, I married my best friend. The one I laugh with, live for & love. 

One year ago we celebrated our 1st anniversary in Donner Lake, with our new addition Radar! 

Today we celebrate 2 years, with yet another addition. 

This past week we celebrated yet again in Donner Lake with my parents. The took us out to a yummy anniversary dinner at Sunny side where we overlooked Tahoe! It was perfect. 

Tonight, we're enjoying a bottle of Duckhorn, eating steak, salmon, baked potato's, artichokes, mushrooms & bread... all prepared by Derek (=

Mr. Connor has had an off day. The advice nurse thinks he may be teething already... we will see tomorrow after our doctors appointment in the morning.

love

im lying in bed, almost asleep. To the left of me is my baby boy, sound asleep with his left hand lying right on his cheek and his right arm straight next to his face. He's 3 months old today sleeping in a long one-sie that reads "I love Mommy". I hope those words are true. What I do know is true is that his mommy for sure loves him. The bassinet, that once seemed to big for him, is quickly becoming to small for him to sleep in as he stretches his body ending up just inches away from the top and bottom. I can hear him breath, oh how I love that sound. He is no longer a newborn, growing bigger everyday. 

He now stares into my eyes then lights up with the biggest smile. He now holds his own head up & stands like a big boy. He now plays, coo's and caa's and somedays I swear it sounds like he says maaam! Even though he is growing more alert, more playful and more energetic, he wants me even more! Screaming as if his lungs about to explode... Im the one who soothes him. Fussy when passed around the family... instantly content when I hold him. Call me selfish, but I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Somedays... it feels like I cant hold him long enough, squeeze him tight enough or kiss him often enough. The love I have for him is overwhelming & its unbelievably growing deeper & deeper everyday. I know this moment, right now all snug asleep in his bassinet, will soon be a distant memory. He will only get bigger but no matter his size... I think I will always stare in amazement at him. 

He will always be my baby, my best friend and the most amazing journey I've ever been on. 

We call this place... the park!

On Wednesday we went for a fun, family walk. We introduced Connor to the park that we'll spend many summer days at very soon! 

 "I think I like this place mom"

Tired from chasing the ball

 I'm starting to see a trend... I like the color turquoise! 

 Our little family of 4

 Relaxing with daddy after our walk

What a fun day! 

Life Lately

The last few weeks, we have been busy! Derek began his parental leave on May 13, which means he is now off for 2 MONTHS!! Just in time for the start of summer & warm weather! His first week off we spent everyday getting our backyard ready for a couples shower we threw for his brother & fiance Mikaela who will be tying the knot in October. The party was so much fun & hopefully I'll share pictures soon! Tomorrow we are off to Chester for a few days, then home to do laundry for 2 days then heading up to Donner/ Lake Tahoe for a few nights. I must say life with Derek home everyday & night sure is fun! He keeps Connor & myself well occupied but Don't worry... Connor & I still managed to sneak in naps on the couch together =) 


Here are a few pics from life lately according to my iPhone! 

 Back yard all ready for summer!

 Too many toys to choose from

 Back to Grad School come fall... $4200 later =(

 Mothers Day love from my boys & Radar

 Mommy & baby time

 Such happy dreams

 Big smiles on a hot night

 "this is the life"

 The shirt says it all

Determination to bounce as fast as possible

After a fun walk to the park

 Brewing sweet tea in the sunshine

 Tummy time success

Local strawberries, jam & apricots = yummy

Motherhood

I could write a 1000 page book about how much I enjoy being a mommy, about how I never could have imagined how amazing it would be, and how each day it only gets better & better... but I believe a picture can tell a story even better than a book sometimes.

What was life like without you in it Connor boy? I wonder everyday...

My heart has never felt so full, my smile has never spread so big. I never knew my ability to love, so selflessly. Motherhood is a blessing, one I don't take for granted and one I thank God every day for counting me worthy to experience. 

Mother's Day this year took on a whole new meaning. 

I am a Mom & my love for such a little life grows bigger and bigger each & every day.