cousin time + spiderman birthday.

Almost 2 months ago, right after Jack's birthday, the three of us flew to Denver to have a little family/cousin time!

This was Jack's first plane flight, and I was super nervous. But, as usual, he did great. He slept the entire way there and half of the way back, with minimal crying.

We had so much fun with my brothers, sister in law and Jack's two cousins, even though we hardly left the house (it's tough transporting 5 adults and 3 kids who need carseats). We also celebrated our niece's 4th birthday. And, this may come as a surprise to those who don't know her, but she wanted a Spiderman birthday. Ha!

Warning: Potential picture overload...

cousins!

the Wii got a serious workout while we were there. Especially the golf game

I think we need a storm door.

Spiderman tattoo. Hannah insisted hers go on her stomach.

Presents for Hannah and Hunter for Hannah's birthday

and presents for Jack!

Tara's smash cake was way more successful than his birthday party one.

Everyone, minus me.

Everyone, minus J. (and Hannah refusing another picture)

today.

Today Jack is 14 months. I'll have a 14 month post coming soon, but I took a few pics today and want to remember just what we've been up to lately (today in particular).

snack and sunglasses ... the usual pre-swim lesson ritual

just trying to figure out which is his best side.

ohhh yeah. lol!

And then we were off. I plan to do a full update and blow by blow of swim lessons. In the meantime, days 1 and 2 were complete busts, day 3 was great and day 4 (today) was good.

toy time this evening (post water table fun)

Ha! J put my flops on Jack and he wasn't happy. BUT! He sorta tried to put my other shoes on after this.

And, another thing I'd like to document is tonight's bath. Pre-bath, I was saying to Jack "riiiiiight chah!" (slangy "right here"), and he was trying to mimic it! And, then during the bath, Gus came in the bathroom and he pointed at him and said Gus. 

J and I have talked about it a lot, and we know he's saying real words (and lots of German), but I think we're finally starting to understand some of what he's saying.

Oh, Monster man, you're too much fun!

bullets.

I've been a major blog slacker recently.  I have a few posts in the works, but until I choose blogging over catching up on my dvr, a bulleted list of what's going on is going to have to suffice.

• J and I had a date night Friday. We went to an asian fusion restaurant and chose to sit at the sushi bar. Uhh...if you haven't done that, do it! Like, now. Because the last two times we've chosen to sit there, we've gotten a little freebie! The first time we got a roll and Friday one of the sushi chefs made us two seared tuna "nachos" that he rarely makes for anyone. We were the lucky recipients and it was goooood! We luckily had some leftovers from dinner, so we're enjoying green curry for the next couple of days.

• July is super busy for us! Two weddings two weekends in a row and then J and I are off on a 30th birthday road trip for him. Should be fun, but that means we'll be spending time away from our little monster, which always makes me a little sad.

• Speaking of the monster, poor guy has molars coming in. His top two have already cut through (about a month ago), but now the bottom two are coming in. One side wasn't too bad, but the other one is really giving him fits! Poor guy has been on the Tylenol/Motrin and running occasional fevers. Honestly, Jack has handled teething really well since his first one popped through months ago, but these darn molars are tough! I'm hoping by the end of the week that final molar will be through.

• Lots of things are going on with the monster right now ... he starts swim lessons tomorrow. They are four days a week for two weeks. And, the best news of all is that I got a spray tan so I don't scare all those kids and teachers with my pasty white skin. He'll thank me later, I just know it.

• It's so weird to have the 4th in the middle of the week. But, it's kind of fun to have 2 weekends to celebrate. What are you guys up to? Or, did you have your festivities this past weekend? We're keeping things low-key. Grilling out, swimming and maybe set off a few fireworks.

• And, finally, please say a little prayer for this family. They've been so strong with everything that they've been through, and it looks as though the rough road isn't over just yet. I cannot imagine being in their shoes and handling everything nearly as well as they have. And, it's got to be so hard to remember that God has a plan ... especially when that plan involves your children suffering.

Happy monday, friends!

Jack: 13 months

The months are flying by and I can't seem to get caught up!!

This month Jack:

• Fully enjoys soy milk. I think we'll try cow's milk again soon, but really only because it's cheaper than soy.
• I might have mentioned this last month, but we're still rear-facing in the car seat. I'm not really sure how long we'll last, but for the time being we're adhering to the regulations.
• mimicking our actions and trying to mimick words. His talking still mostly sounds like German, but he has a few words here and there that are recognizable
• trying to run everywhere. Walking is no longer good enough, he's on to running
• dances to music. He'll dance to the music on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Jake and the Neverland Pirates and even to random music we play on our phone
• loving our phones (nothing that new there...) and can push the button to make the light come on. He no longer needs to bring the phone back to us for us to do it. Ha!
• had his first plane ride. We took a weekend trip to Denver to visit my brother and SIL and their hilarious two kids. I have lots of pics to post of that weekend and hope to do it before Jack's 2nd birthday...
• has 10 teeth. 8 in front and two back molars have broken through, also. I think we experienced some teething fussiness with those -- not something we've had to deal with much before.
• played catch with John -- the first of many "catch" sessions
• got strep throat from me. Boooooo! But, after a day or two on Amoxicillin he was back to his crazy self.
• gives 5s and loves to play "where's jack?"
• sees a picture of himself and points and says, "Jack!"
• is finally taking baths in the big tub and LOVES it! Every night we're in there until the water is practically cold and we usually get tears when it's time to get out. (After a quick dry off, his favorite thing to do is a lap around the house naked before lotion, diaper and jammies. Hilarious!)
• throws things down and picks them up and throws them down again. It's a vicious cycle.
• is still taking two naps at home. Like I said last month, I'm holding on to that for as long as I can
• is never sitting still. No surprise, but that boy is exhausting!

13 month stats:

•Maybe around 22 pounds (but that's a complete guess)

•loves hot dogs, mac and cheese, bananas, waffles, toast, cheerios, animal crackers, graham crackers, peanut butter bread, grilled cheese (he's pretty picky at home, but the word at daycare is that he eats his fruits and veggies pretty well, so I'll take it!)

•all 12 month clothes, size 4 shoe 

•size 4 diaper

recent designs.

first birthday invite + cupcake toppers

30th birthday invite

two-sided birth announcement

two-sided twin birth announcement

If you like something you see, or would like a custom invitation/announcement, etc. please feel free to contact me  

divinemrsem {at} gmail {dot} com

12 month pictures.

love the lighting on this one!

always on the move

And the final 12 month comparison. It's so amazing how much he's changed in just a year. 

These pics are being posted over a month late and were taken 2 weeks after Jack's 1st birthday ...

where's Jack?

Our monster loves to play peek-a-boo!

If you ask him "where's Jack?" he covers his eyes with his hands and removes them and we say, "there he is!!!"

(he also loves hot dogs ... creating a greasy face and hair)