november citrus twist layout: silly kid...

Good morning! I'm sharing a layout today, using the November Citrus Twist PL and PL Embellishment kits. I snapped this photo of Jack at a nature center last month, as we played peek-a-boo around a tree. Each time he would catch sight of my camera he would yell, "Cheese!" What a character. So, using the camera print was a perfect fit. I had held on to the aqua doily from one of the summer CTK kits and it was just right for the colors in this collection and playing off my son's cobalt shirt. I punched one of the chalkboard sayings from the paper pad to add to the center of the doily.

The "make me smile stamp" is one of my favorites in this month's PL set so, I used that as a border, accented with another chalkboard pattern snippet and a glittery asterisk from the Thickers in the PL Embellishment kit.

And, lastly, a fun title using the Thickers, enamel dots and phrase stickers in the PL Embellishment kit layered over the negative space in my photo and coordinating paper patterns.

The full kits have been revealed for the month so, I'll be back soon to share my PL layouts!

photo shares...

Some recent favorites of our two sweet boys, mischief and all!

George decided to color more than his coloring book while I took Jack in for a change.

Jack exploring flowers at a local nature center.

 

Collecting bark, acorns and rocks - and making silly faces!

jack's first haircut

It was time. His bangs were falling in his eyes and well, frankly, there was a mullet situation. We put it off for weeks longer than we probably should have, afraid a cut would make him look less of a baby, more boy. Today was the day. 

He sat like such a little man in the chair and was all smiles as the cut began.
 
He played with a few little toys as distraction. And, per usual, he flirted.

There was a brief bubble break when he started to notice something was amiss.

But, a new toy saved him.

Until it didn't. And we had crying not even the magic "Music, Music, Music" Elmo episode played on Baba's phone could quell. 

 And, then, it was over. Success.

And he is still our happy little baby. Minus the mullet. Ha!

  

jack at one year...

My sweet Jack,

You came into our lives, exactly as planned, on a cold, clear morning exactly one year ago today. Baba and I both t eared up the second we saw you in all of your screaming perfection. As they cleaned you up in the warmer across the OR, I saw your little toes and exclaimed to Baba, "He has your feet!" And, somehow, here we are today a full year later.

Your first year has been a beautiful blur of nursing, giggles, walks around town, days at the zoo, car rides, snuggles and, thankfully, good health. Being able to stay home with you and your brother and experiencing every tiny little moment and milestone has been such a blessing.

It is difficult to put into words how much joy you have brought to our family. You are such an easy-going child, full of smiles and content. You just fit in so easily. We have LOVED watching your personality develop over the past several months. You are strong-willed, funny and incredible sweet. You dole out smiles and flirts everywhere we go...a complete ham.

At one year you...

• weigh 19lbs12oz (25%) and are 29.25" long (25%)
• wear 12 month clothing and size 4 diapers
• love to feed yourself and will try most any food we serve, but not eggs
• have two teeth and two more on the way (that are giving you a hard time)
• are super ticklish under your arms and on your belly
• cannot stand getting your diaper changed because it means staying still
• love car rides and being out and about
• walk, run and climb...everything
• are already getting good at puzzles
• love pureed food pouches, especially applesauce
• are a good napper
• love to clap, dance and play pat-a-cake
• enjoy books and your favorite is Hands, Hands, Fingers, Thumb
• say Mama, Baba, Pappou (Greek for Grandpa), YiaYia (Greek for Grandma), this, palamakia (Greek for clap)
• copy everything your brother does
• love to watch Elmo, Small Potatoes and Little Einsteins and otherwise don't pay too much attention to tv unless music comes on

We love you SO much little guy!
To the moon and back, and again,
Mama

jack: three months of you...

Dear Jack,
Happy quarter year little guy! You fit so seamlessly into our family that it feels some days as if you have always been with us, though your birth date states otherwise. You are such a happy baby, full of smiles and giggles. Face to face interaction is your favorite thing right now and we are thrilled to oblige!
At three months you:

• were almost sleeping through the night, until the 12 week growth spurt struck
• are wearing 3 month clothes and size 2 diapers
• weigh 12lbs, 7oz (25%) and are 24" long (35%)
• wake up happy and smiling every morning
• love to giggle when we blow raspberries and when spoken to, especially in Greek!
• have a tickle spot, on your left side under your ribcage
• chew on or clasp your hands much of the time
• stare intently at your feet when you kick
• mimic our sounds and facial expressions
• smile when we echo your sounds
• like chewing on Sofie the Giraffe
• can play for an hour or more on your play mat and can now grab the toys and bring them to your mouth
• love watching your brother zoom around the house at play
• enjoy bath time
• love when we blow raspberries and are trying hard to figure them out for yourself

We love you to the moon and back, and again!
Mama

one month of jack...

My sweet, tiny baby,
Somehow it's been a full month since you wailed your way into the delivery room and captured our hearts. You have a sweet disposition, are easy going and a good sleeper and eater. You truly are the most perfect addition to our family!

At one month you:

• weigh 9lbs, 5oz and are 20 3/4 inches long
• are wearing newborn clothes but, not much longer
• wear size 1 diapers
• eat about every 3 hours during the day and cluster feed in the evenings for a few hours before bed
• have a head of straight, dark brown hair and your front hairline has just started receding
• have beautiful grey-blue eyes, for now
• only cry when you are hungry or need to be changed
• sleep best when swaddled tight and in your snugabunny rock and play
• nap in your bouncy seat a couple of times each day
• like being worn in the Moby Wrap
• started smiling at us around three weeks, the sweetest sight :)
• get kisses good morning and good night from your big brother and like to watch him play
• have excellent head control and like to look all around when doing tummy time on our chests 
• track us across the room when we are walking around or you hear us talking

We love you so much and are so grateful you have joined our family.
I love you to the moon and back, and again,
Mama

introducing jack...

jack elias

our new baby boy was born on

february 8, 2012

9:34 am

7 pounds, 19.5 inches

we are all doing well

adjusting to being a family of four

mom and dad to two

being a new big brother

resting when we can

and

loving every minute