The Days of Summer

The days of summer are quickly fleeting.  We have been busy with random things all month.  I am growing, Jack is growing and I'm just trying to keep up!  Here are a few peeks into our days...

You know it is time for a haircut when you wake up from your nap looking like this!

Jack started taking my pots out of the kitchen on a daily basis so I purchased a child size set for his birthday this year.  I guess we will find out in a few months if he likes them as much as the real thing!

We have gotten lots of joy out of our tomato plant this month.  

I don't think I have ever heard the word "yum" more than when Jack ate bruschetta for the first time!

We visited our local county fair one evening.  Jack loved the petting zoo, fair food, people watching, spending time with his grandparents and keeping tabs on the helicopter rides flying above us.

He coaxed this horse out of the corner and we all enjoyed watching their interactions.

He was so happy with himself!

Jack has discovered pockets!  He proudly struts around with my cell phone in his shirt pocket but nothing is cuter than when he just walks around with his hand in his pocket.  The other day, all three of us were in the grocery store for a quick trip.  Jack was thrilled that on this visit he was allowed to walk around while holding Seth's hand.  At one point, Seth had me turn around to see Jack happily walking beside his dad, one hand holding his and the other in his pocket.  It melted this mom's heart!  Love that boy! :-)

This Moment ~ The Baby Is...

We are all VERY excited here!

Christmas in July, um August!

We have been doing our best to stay cool during these hot summer months.  We have been enjoying dips in our pool (storage container), smoothies in drink and popsicle form and a little preparation for the cooler months.  Christmas has been on my brain lately.  Every year,  I always try to get a head start on crafts and gifts. This year is even more important with the baby due at the beginning of December.

Staying cool

After Christmas last year,  I purchased clearance fabric for a project that I thought would suit our family very well.  For months I had been putting it off basically because sewing isn't exactly easy for me.  The thought of having to change the thread and bobbin, let alone wind the bobbin-oh my, too scary!  I almost convinced myself that the aqua thread on the machine would look lovely with my fabric, ahem.  I finally decided to stop being a baby and just do it.  There was definitely frustration and calls to my mother but eventually I figured it out and then I started threading the machine without looking at the manual, quite the miracle!  Once, I figured out more of the mechanics it didn't seem as scary anymore and I actually started to enjoy it.  So, I finished TWO projects!

Jack happily played on our bed while I sewed.

I made 35 cloth gift bags in assorted sizes.  I probably will have to add to the stash after we see how the sizes work out this year ( I made a LOT of small ones) but I am pretty happy with the outcome.  It will just make life easier to throw a gift in a bag and tie a ribbon around it and be done.  This makes my husband extremely happy. :-)

I also made a felt circle garland.  We cut out the circles last summer using my Mom's die cut machine, which I love!  I purchased clear thread and it took about 10 minutes to arrange and sew them together.  So easy and fun!   Now all of a sudden I am excited to start another project...I guess we will see.

Here are some pictures from our park visit last month.  It was HOT but fun!

Jack would clap for himself every time he would throw a rock!

Jack was in a hurry to see as much as he could see.

He was quite tired when we got home and decided to make himself a cozy place to rest!

This Moment ~ Twenty

20 weeks pregnant feeding wild blackberries to my 20 month old son.

This Moment ~ A Rare Catnap

Happy 4th of July

Since Seth had to work today, we celebrated with friends and family on Saturday.  We had a barbecue,  good conversation, lawn games and relaxation.  We are so thankful for this country and all the men and women who sacrifice and serve for our freedom.

  Jack took a little time to swing with Grandad but most of the time he was doing this...

directing,

"Hold on Dad, let me come show you how to do that!"

Seth had it under control :-)

running,

snuggling with Grammy,

stealing people's croquet balls,

 and a LOT of sweating!

Thankfully, he took a break to come drink all of my water and then he was back to having fun again!

Trouble Maker and Belated 18 month Update

Alternately titled: "When did my 19 month old's arms get so long?"

Yes, some days seem longer than others.  Today started with a hunt to find summer shoes for Jack.  Oh wait let me back up.  This little event happened before we left...

Yup, every tissue.

After much searching, we found some shoes at the children's thrift store.  I was quite tired from our outing and was ready for lunch and a nap.  Jack had other things in mind.  He decided to pull every disinfectant wipe out of the tub while I was cleaning up his diaper.  Sigh*

After dinner, I decided to make some chocolate chip cookies for my hubby (his favorite).  Jack loves it when I use the Kitchen Aid so that kept us busy for a while.  I got Jack all ready for bed and headed into the bathroom to clean up yet another diaper.  This is what I saw when I came out...

"Oh wait I missed some!"

"These are good, Mom."

He was quickly shoveling in a huge cookie that was cooling on the rack.  So, my day started and ended in toddler curiosity.  Oh boy, I think I need another nap or maybe just a cookie. ;-)

18 month update:

He is growing like a weed.  He is in the same size shoe as his cousin who is 5 months older.  He communicates quite a bit with sign language but has also started to repeat words.  He can say bubble, book, ball, pop and ice which is pronounced "eye-sh".  It is very cute!

He is a very sweet snuggly boy.  He will give us random kisses which are interesting because his nose gets involved, kind of like a snuffle kiss!  He still waves and flirts with everyone he sees during outings.  He also will say hello or bye and is usually mesmerized by other children.  

He loves to run and twirl and dance to music.  He also loves anything electronic or that has a key.  He has to investigate every hole he finds and he will copy a lot of what we do.  He keeps us on our toes but we love him to pieces!  I can't believe we have less than 6 months before he has a sibling.  I want to enjoy our one on one time while it is here.  We love you buddy!