Goodbye 2012, Hello 2013

2012 brought about a big change. We welcomed Jack into the world in July and began our journey into parenthood. We have had some tough moments, but there is happiness and love every day. I hope 2013 brings about the same.
I have my fingers crossed that we are all asleep way before midnight. We had a perfect evening where Ty got home from the hospital early and he didn't have to do any reading. It was just the three of us hanging out. These evenings don't happen often enough and I am grateful for the time that we spend as a family. My heart is full as we say goodbye to 2012 and begin 2013 with a 6 month old! (6 months! How did that happen??)

Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas

Jack had a fever yesterday at daycare and was a little fussy. I am home with him today and he no longer has a fever, but is really tired. I'm hoping it is due to teething and not anything else. I am getting a lot done during his extra long nap this morning, including wrapping presents. My Christmas tree doesn't feel complete until I have presents underneath it. I bought paper from Paper Source and "paper ribbon" from Paper Jacks this year. I love the concept of paper ribbon, especially since we travel with the majority of our presents.

I did the majority of my Christmas shopping online and I'm waiting on a few more gifts to arrive this week, but I am done with all the shopping. 

I shared this picture on facebook and twitter, but I couldn't resist putting it on my blog too. 

That smile!

Our special ornaments this year:

I buy Ty an ornament each year and write the date on the bottom. I love going back through them all. I bought him this one last year to commemorate that we were pregnant.

Splish Splash

Jack loves bath time and has really started playing in the water. It will be much easier when he can sit up on his own. Our bathtub is deep and it is hard work to stay leaned over to keep him steady.

Mommy's little elephant!

The Proof is in the Pin

I have been wanting to link up with Sarah's monthly post for a while now. I finally had a chance to follow through with one of my pins and actually blog about it. Unfortunately, my project was somewhat of a fail. Just wait, you'll see what I mean.

Source: sayyestohoboken.com via Lindsey on Pinterest

I fell in love with this chalkboard/wreath combo. I had been wanting a boxwood wreath for a while, but couldn't bring myself to pay for one. I found one at Lowe's this year for around $30 and I plan to use the wreath year round. 

Here is my version for Christmas.

I bought a chalkboard marker ($4), a discounted frame ($8), and foam board ($5) at Hobby Lobby. I practiced writing "joy" several times with the chalkboard marker. My last practice one was perfect. Then, I wrote it on the board that I spray painted with chalkboard paint. AND the result says "jay."

Wonderful. I put it up on the mantel hoping I was the only one that saw "jay" instead of "joy."

Now that it is all done I wish I would have just bought chalk and not the chalk marker. The whole board needs to "chalked" up and the marker wrote more like a paint marker. I wanted it to have a more chalk like texture.

Ty sent me this text the next day. 

(He was on nights, so he saw it the next day after I was already at work.)

So, apparently I'm not the only one that sees "jay." Maybe I'll actually fix it before next Christmas, but for now we wish you and yours a jayous holiday season!

Santa

We took Jack to visit Santa for the first time. He did really well & gave some big smiles. They allow you to take your own photos, which is really nice. I wasn't quick enough to capture a good smile, but these pictures are still precious to me.

All bundled up to see Santa!

A little unsure...

5 months

Jack, 

You are five months old! These months are flying by so fast. This was an interesting month for us, because your daddy worked a whole month of nights. He was really sad to only get to see you for a few minutes every day.

You are a very content, happy baby. This is something that I prayed for--a happy, healthy baby. You wake up happy and smile quite a bit. Well, until I get the camera out and then you typically close up shop. 

 You discovered your feet this month. Built in toys! You are always grabbing for them. Of course, your dad and I think it is the cutest thing. Speaking of cute, you laughed this month! Daddy found your tickle spot and we were both home to hear your laughter. It was the sweetest sound. You love to sit up and stand with our help. Sometimes we joke that you will walk before you crawl.  

Just this past week, you have become so observant. You are really picking up on things around you and not just the toys in front of you. It is so fun to point things out to you and have you focus on them. You especially like it when I'm holding you and I take a drink. Your little hands reach for that glass and you act like you want a drink so bad. Your hands are constantly moving and we now hold hands while you are nursing. (Otherwise, you are clawing at the air.) I think it is the sweetest thing. You grab at anything within your reach and are especially fond of my hair. (I don't think that is sweet. ha.) You love toys that dangle down from above you. Recently, you love to chew on Sophie the Giraffe and play with this ball that lights up, makes noise, and moves on its own. It can hold your attention for quite a while. You have started grunting when you are playing and concentrating really hard. 

You still take naps in your swing and at night you are in your crib. You are still being swaddled. We tried to stop, but you were so unhappy, and couldn't stay asleep without it. You are mostly sleeping through the night, and start stirring around 4 am. Usually a trip to your room to put your pacifier in your mouth does the trick. There are times where I'll bring you back to bed with me. You love being snuggled up next to me. You have started to rub your eyes when you get sleepy. Like everything that you do, I think it is adorable. 

 Jack, you celebrated your first Thanksgiving at my Uncle Darryl's and Aunt Laura's house. Your daddy had to work that day, but we went home after he got off for the weekend. Your cousins were so excited to see you. We also learned that you will have a new cousin coming in April, in addition to baby Blakley due in March. You are going to have lots of friends to play with when we visit. 

 I can't begin to describe the amount of joy you bring to our lives. Your big, gummy smile melts our hearts. I know each month is going to bring about more and more fun. 

 Love, Mommy 

Weight: 14 lbs

Height: We will find out at your 6 month appt.

Clothes: 3 months, 6 months footed sleepers

Diaper: size 1

Nicknames: Jack Attack, sugar bear, munchkin