Jacksons First Birthday {Goodnight Moon}

Jackson is ONE!

Our sweet little friend, Jackson Felix, turned one on November 10th! His Momma & Dad threw the most darling party to celebrate. The house was brimming with family and friends of all sizes there to have fun with Jackson on his big day.
It seems like just a blink ago we were pining over you in your tiny little swaddle at the hospital. My how quickly you have grown!

Goodnight Moon was the theme of his party, and a touch of the childhood favorite book was everywhere you looked. The hard work was evident in the sweet details. The main food table was dressed up to look like a bed, complete with sheets, blankets, and a pillow. Baby bunny was all tucked in - so cute! Grandma's balls of yarn and knitting needles were even there!

Chris and April were so proud of their sweet little bunny on his birthday.

Jackson and Dylan had a ball together. In a moment of adorableness they were caught teaching each other how to smoosh their little faces on the front door. They learned from one another and had so much fun doing it. 

There was a BIG red balloon right out front that kept them gazing out the window together. 

Auntie April was kind enough to send the giant balloon home for Dylan to play with!

Every corner was swathed with a dash of color, complete with handmade buntings. The guest/memory book table was set up as baby bunny's nightstand. Timing was perfect for thrift store greatness, as April asked if I saw anything at Goodwill that she could paint to look like the blue lamp with yellow lamp shade. Hello blue vase and yellow checkered shade! 

There were loads of cuties at the party, and a group shot was a must. Pictures like these always make me laugh - they are classic! ONE kid actually looked at the camera. 

Jackson was on cloud nine as he ripped apart his presents with Mom.

She even gave him a throne on wheels to sit on while he opened!

Our gift, the corn popper, created mass havoc. That is success in my book! Jackson ripped off the red wrapping paper, and a crowd of little people arrived to join in on the fun. They were all none to pleased to share that fun with each other. 

Poor Jackson got his brand new toy taken away so quickly! Another classic :)

Birthday boy cheesed it up with the sweet hand painted yellow frames used as photo props. Everyone had so much fun posing with them! Cute Goodnight Moon blocks dotted the house, even spelling out his name on the table. 

Jackson's smash cake was the moon, handmade by Momma.

Dylan insisted on sitting in Jackson's cute wooden highchair. He hammed it up, smiling for pictures and pretending he was the main attraction for a bit. It was so fun to get the boys together again and let them play! Auntie April and D bonded over the most adorable game of peek-a-boo.

Loads of happy!

We had SO much fun!

April planned such a darling party for her sweet little one year old. The details were darling and so thoughtful. I know he had a marvelous day, as did all of the critters. 

Happy Birthday J, we are so happy we got to be with you to celebrate your FIRST birthday. 

Love you little guy!

Wordless Wednesday {tuckered}

Fall Back {Bidding the Season Adieu}

"Fall Back" Daylight Savings happened over the weekend, and the sky looked like it had been lit on fire. We enjoyed every last second of sunlight that night, staying out until the moon came out.

Dylan laughed and laughed as Daddy repetitiously helped him up the slide 

so he could zoom back down.

Then he took a break to build marvelous imaginary things with his tools.

The blazing sky melted purple, pink, and yellow into a beautiful backdrop for our playtime. 

Dylan wanted to see how much we could fit into his little cottage. Daddy, D, Chloe, & a lawnmower was just about perfect! He was insistent that Daddy wear his hardhat just in case.

 It was a such a fun, sweet night!

While I simply adore the wonders of fall, and the change is only an hour, I still always get a little bummed around this time of the year. But soaking up the splendor of this evening helped ward off the Daylight Savings blues. I will miss the long lazy evenings in the backyard after dinner, but I welcome the season change and all the new activities it will bring. 

Friday Phone Dump

Rewarded!

I had to share it...it made me belly laugh and Ryan laughed until he snorted.
When it fits, it fits! This pretty much sums up my week. May it be tummy aches, nightmares, teething or just wanting to cuddle, all I know is that I have slept more hours with Dylan this week than with Ryan. I am in the cycle of being too tired to get up and nurse him back to sleep, so Ryan brings him to our bed, I groggily nurse Dylan what feels like all night long, and then we do it all over again the next night. My through the night sleeper has regressed! Oh me oh my. Think of me and send your good juju's my way. Thank you!!

Be Thankful

Today is the first day of November, and Thanksgiving is right around the corner! While the summer months felt like they were never ending, it seems like I blinked and the days of splash pads, slushies, and endless hours of sunshine went by in a hurry. Time passes by while you are busy living the good life, but sometimes I need to remind myself to slow down and pay attention to the little moments instead of worrying about the future. It is easy to ask prayers of need every night, but as I slow myself down I want to focus on what I am most thankful for...both grand and simple.

I am thankful for:

My husband and his ridiculously corny humor. He is always there to give me a belly laugh when I need it most.

The layer of red and orange crunchy leaves we tromp through on our morning walks.

Sweet drool filled kisses from Dylan when I least expect it.

Parents, both blood, married and figurative. The generation that has been through so much and is there to see my family through anything.

Caterpillars and other crawly creatures that Dylan finds while exploring. They give us the opportunity to talk about the beauty of nature.

Our cozy home and the memories we have made in it over the past six years.

Parents as Teachers and the most awesome opportunity we have been introduced to.

Grandparents, mine and Dylan's. There is a bond between grand parents & children that is so distinct and unique. The sweet never failing love.

A warm meal in our bellies every night.

Our faith and the prayers that keep us close to God as we figure out our future.

The struggles of early breastfeeding that have turned into an amazing, unexplainable bond between my sweet toddler and I. The support from other breastfeeding mothers has kept us going strong.

The warmth of the sunshine on our faces on chilly fall days.

For our health and my smooth recovery.

Simple acts of kindness from strangers - they have no idea how much their moments of time help me.

Our safe neighborhood, sweet neighbors and a quiet, friendly place to take our daily walks.

The babies of our families that keep our get together fun and young, and my cousin's little one on the way.

My family that lifts me up when I am having hard times, shares my excitement when new things happen, and keeps me going strong.

Thank you Heather for the inspiration!