Jamie, Jay and I had the pleasure of celebrating this wonderful lady, my maternal Grandma, while on our trip last week to Canada. Being able to celebrate her 85th birthday, a little early, was the reason for the our trip last week and boy, oh boy was it worth it! We had a wonderful visit, enjoyed the cooler weather that the mountains had to offer and celebrated with this amazing lady. Love you Grandma and wouldn’t have missed it for the world; we only wish we could do it more often…
p.s. for my regular readers, I promise we have not fallen off the face of the earth and that I hope to begin posting regularly again soon :)
We stood in Saint Margaret Mary Church in Winter Park surrounded by family and a few dear friends watching as our little Jay Bird was baptized. It was a wonderful day (I can still smell the oil that they used on Jay if I stop to think about it) and I am so thankful that we had so many people there to share it with…
These are a few of the photos from the day that I never got around to actually sharing. My favorites are still by far the few that I snapped as we were getting Jay dressed and the few that Jamie and I got after everyone had left after the open house…
probably my favorite from the day- he looks like such a little angel in this one to me, I also love proud Daddy's face looking on
one with his God parents (Nan Knight and Chuck Perreault) and useveryone who celebrated with us- yes that is all family aside from NanThe baptismal gown by itself since we didn't get a really good shot inside the church of the whole gown. This gown was worn by Jamie's grandmother (Memere) and almost every Perreault child and grandchild. It was so very special to us that Jay got to wear it too.
Today our fuzzy ball of pitiful goodness turns four- Happy Birthday Piper!! Not exactly sure how that happened since I can remember anxiously waiting for her arrival like it was yesterday, but it did. Honestly though, she has been such a wonderful addition to our family and continues to melt my heart as I watch her turn into Jay’s best friend…
Here’s to many, many more Piper hugs sweet girl!
the birthday girl assuming her standing role as kitchen clean up crewplaying with Jaybest budstaking a much needed and deserved rest- yes, she really does sleep like this occasionally
On the 27th of January Jay turned one year old! It is crazy to think of how much our lives have changed over the past year and to see how much Jay has grown. We didn’t want to let this momentous occasion pass us by so we celebrated in style with a “One Year Old in a Flash” birthday party. I was super excited a few months back when I ran across the theme idea here– with all of the pictures that we had taken of Jay this year, it was a perfect theme! Jamie and I decided quite early on that we were going to have one combined (family and friends) party for Jay; so once I had a theme I just kind of ran with it. I loved every minute of the planning, baking and prep- it’s just so much fun! I know, I am a dork!
Nan (who is wonderful) made the invitations along with a bunch of other digital files that I used to make printables and help decorate the house- thanks Nan! We had a photobooth set up outside (I’ll try to get some of those pictures up within the week) to entertain people at the party, balloons in every corner of the house (one of Jay’s favorite “toys” right now), an area for people to leave contributions to his time capsule, drinks in the kitchen and a dessert buffet for our guests to enjoy. It was so much fun and we are so glad that we had so many people here to celebrate with us. Enjoy a handful of the pictures!
pre-party lunch
a few party goers- I didn’t have enough time to get anywhere near everyone documented!
the birthday boy waiting his turn for the photo boothJay's "cakes"- one vanilla bean cupcake and a fruit pizza topped with kiwi and blueberriesmaking a wish
a family picture
some of his spectators
fruit pizza time!walkin' like a big boypresents- he was spoiled rotten!
I will post some of the details tomorrow- there was no way I could get all of the pictures into one post!
I know I have already posted today, however; I couldn’t miss posting this one too!
How exactly did this happen? Where does all the time go? I am allowed to say this, I promise you, it’s my right as a Mother of a one year old. Seriously, I am pretty sure I blinked and the whole year passed us by. That being said, we have had the most amazing year and I wouldn’t change one bit of it (that goes for those low points and sleepless nights too).
Stats: (not official ones, we don’t go to the Dr for another week but here’s what Jamie and I got this morning…)
Weight: 20.5 lbs – Daddy will be turning his car seat around now!
Height: 28.5 inches
Teeth: 7- that 8th one is really holding out on us!
Things of note:
* Jay has taken a few steps on his own but isn’t walking yet. His balance is great and he is full on cruising but he just isn’t ready to walk yet. Right now he knows he can get anywhere he wants- and fast- by crawling so he isn’t in a real hurry.
*Most mornings and after most naps he is super excited to see us (Jamie or me) when we come to get him from his crib. He all but does circles in his crib out of excitement and usually looks around his crib for something to point to or show us- a paci, stuffed animal, a real animal that has followed me in the room.
*He is pretty shy. He hardly goes more than two feet away from me or Jamie when we are around a group of new people and he will rest his head on my shoulder when someone he doesn’t really know talks to him while we are out. If we are home however or around people that we know we can’t get the kiddo to stop jabbering. Sometimes it is so loud that we have to yell to be heard over him.
*He isn’t really talking yet although, we are pretty sure that he says Mama, Dada, kitty and possibly Bella. It’s just so hard to tell how deliberate each of those are.
*He is super curious about everything still. He points at the birds and the airplanes and is constantly saying “ooh” when we are outside. He loves to look at things and will all but crawl out of my arms and over my shoulder to take a look at something. He also will flatten himself out to peer under things. It really is adorable to see him smooshed up on the ground with his face pressed to the carpet and his booty in the air looking at or for something.
Likes:
*Blueberries!!! They are by far his favorite food right now. Jay knows the bowl that we keep them in gets excited and starts clapping as soon as he sees it come out of the fridge. Kiwi makes for a close second, he has an extra stomach for fruit and can’t get enough of it. As for eating, he is still a good eater and has added mullet dip, homemade yogurt, apples, french fries and cauliflower to his long list of likes.
*Balloons!!! He has a huge thing for balloons right now; honestly, we can’t even get into the check-out lane at publix before he is eyeing the balloons, pointing at them and then looking expectantly at the cashier. He is happy as a clam as soon as he gets one (he doesn’t care what color either) and can play with it for days. They only go away when I get sick of it and toss it while he’s napping- seriously- he had on in the bath one night since it was just easier not to fight it.
*He still loves the bath, he splashes around and would probably stay in there until he was super pruny and cold if we would let him.
*Playing with your toys. Jay has a corner in the family room that houses a good portion of his toys. He will go to town most afternoons there; taking everything out and tossing things over his shoulders. So far he really likes the drum sticks and egg shakers from his music set and his alligator pull toy best. He also loves the bbq tongs, mini loaf pans and measuring spoons from the kitchen and a basket full of old DVD’s and pens from in the office- none of these are exactly toys but we don’t care, we’re just fostering creativity here.
*Crawling in and around things. Jay loves to play in Piper’s crate and the laundry basket. He also loves to crawl around and through the legs on the dinning room and kitchen tables. If you add a balloon or alligator pull toy to drag behind him into the mix we have one happy, happy child!
*Peek-a-boo is still a favorite game and hide and seek has started to become fun as well. Although, I must say that Jay isn’t a stellar hider just yet.
Dislikes:
*Sitting still for anything! Getting his diaper changed, getting dressed, waiting for his juice before nap time. I have gotten really talented at quick diaper changes and putting diapers on a standing child after baths. We also have left a pile of things by the changing table to help distract him for just a few seconds while we change him.
More pictures because I can…
my shoot helpers consulting with Jaysharing- he will pass things that he likes to you now instead of just showing you them
relaxing a little bit...standinglove that smile!such a big boy and not easy to do on the squishy bedlooking for Piper after the shoot
This year has been quite the adventure and I can’t even begin to describe what it has been like for me and your Daddy. A year ago I was wondering when you would come, what you would look like and who you would be like. Little did I know that I could have never dreamt up how wonderful you would be…
You turned my life upside down the moment they placed you in my arms at the hospital. You had my nose and your Daddy’s eyes and made the sweetest little pterodactyl sounds around; it was music to my ears. I wanted to hold you and cuddle you and never put you down but we had a revolving door of visitors so I had to share. You are one very loved little boy with a whole mess of admirers and you never fail to put on a good show for them.
You make me smile with everything that you do and as I sit here surrounded by your toys with you napping in the next room I find myself at a loss for words. I am sure that anything I say cannot possibly do you justice. You are amazing. You are kind and gentle, you are loud and boisterous but so shy at the same time, you are a thinker and analyze everything, you are cautious and playful all at once. You love to play on your own, dance to music, have stories read to you. You love playing in the tub at bath time, to go outside and watch for birds and airplanes, you love your animals and light up every time time they enter the room. You love peek-a-boo and hide behind everything you can find; even a string or the lace of a shoe. It is such a delight to see your huge smile and your face light up as you hear Daddy and me wondering aloud where you could be. Your endless curiosity is amazing! You are constantly pointing at things and showing us stuff. I am going to miss your “ooh” face terribly when you are able to talk… I love when your eyes light up when you get excited; your whole face shows your joy. I love the way you rest your head on my shoulder when someone you don’t know talks to you, when you snuggle into me when I feed you or when you are drinking your juice before nap time and the way you softly rub your feet together without even knowing that you are doing it- you get that from me by the way… I love the way you rush to the door every evening when Daddy gets home; somedays your little arms can’t keep up with just how fast you would like to go and you tumble over yourself. It is amazing to watch the two of you play; sometimes I find myself just staring you both wondering how I got to be so lucky. I wish I could bottle up your excitement, curiosity and the sound of your laugh. How wonderful it would be to freeze time and for you to be my little baby forever. And while I will admit that I am sad to see this year go, it is so easy to want you to stay this way forever, I can’t wait to see all the great things that are yet to come.
I can’t wait to see the silly things you’ll do, hear the silly things you’ll say or watch you grow into the sweet little boy that you are going to be. I can’t wait to hear you say Momma intentionally or for you to walk to me and that is just the beginning. There are endless possibilities for the things that you can and will accomplish, the sky’s the limit little boy; I hope you constantly remember to reach high. Know that Daddy and I are so very, very proud of you and feel so blessed that you are taking us on this journey with you.
With the holidays right around the corner I have a ton of projects going on throughout the house- really it’s a wonder I find anything I need on my dining room table these days. I love, love, love making (and getting) homemade gifts; they are so much fun, in my opinion! I can’t wait until after Christmas so I can show off a few of them to you all. But until then, check out the what we brought to the party for Leyton yesterday…
I wanted to make Leyton an Airplane coloring book since he loved to color so much the last time I was there and he can't seem to get enough of airplanes- I'd show the front but it wasn't super excitingpages for the airplane coloring book- aren't they cute planes?! I thought they were adorable; Wally's my favorite :-)
An airplane t-shirt to match the incredibly cute and creative party invitations. The party was an airplane theme party and Nan made the invites look like boarding passes. She's good isn't she?
This little guy turns a whopping two years old day! It feels like just yesterday when I was anxiously waiting for the phone call that they were going to the hospital, waiting for the one that said he was safely here and when I first got to cuddle with this little bundle… It truly is amazing to watch these kiddos grow up. It continues to happen so quickly; however, that is part of the reason that it is so wonderful and why I feel so blessed to be apart of it!
Yesterday Jay, Jamie and I partied with the best of them (and when I say best I mean the Knights of course). We ate cupcakes, we played with balloons (which are amazing by the way) and generally just enjoyed some time with wonderful company. Thanks so much for having us, we wouldn’t have missed it for the world!
watching the cupcake devouringLeyton giving his Mama some sugar- it doesn't get any better than this!
Daddy creating some silly hairmy observer taking in the present openinghelping with the cards
Also, if you have a minute and want to shed a tear or two check out Nan’s sweet, sweet letter to Leyton.
Two years ago I posted 28 fun facts/ things that I love about my dear husband and since I am not sure that I can come up with a another list of 30, I will spare you. However, I would like to show you why I fall more and more in love with this man with each passing day…
I don’t think I could have asked for a better husband or a better father for Jay. I love watching him teach, tickle, kiss, hug, show off, and love our little boy each and every day and am so blessed that I get to witness it all happen. Jamie I know that Jay will “be (more than) alright if he’s anything like” you…
This year for my birthday I asked Jamie to take the day off. All I wanted this year was to spend the day with my guys and not have to plan a thing. Jamie surprised me by taking both Thursday and Friday off which allowed us to have a long weekend and it was wonderful!! I enjoyed some great time with extended family, we enjoyed some time together just the three of us and Jamie and I were even able to spend time together just the two of us! It was a wonderful birthday weekend and a wonderful start to what I can only imagine will be a great year!
having a lazy morning in bed
excited to have breakfast/lunchan attempted family picture- Jay wouldn't stop looking at Piperan attempted picture with two of my kids- both Jay and I are cracking up after being "loved" by Pipera sweet smile from my sweet boy
Thanks to everyone who celebrated with me, I love you all!
the perreault family 