Easter Basket Blog Hop

I'm linking up with Darci today for an Easter Basket Blog Hop! 

I'm so excited for Jack's first Easter this Sunday.  Even though I realize he doesn't grasp what's exactly going on, it's important to me to celebrate all of his firsts.  I already discussed what I planned to fill his Easter basket with here, but below is the finished product!

Basket from Pottery Barn Kids

Jellycat Bunny

Easter Bib from Magpie's

Pirate Hooded Towel

Easter Plate

Tickle Tickle Peter Rabbit Book

Touch & Count Peter Rabbit Book

This spoiled boy has already received several other baskets from family members...it is seriously out of control! What a lucky little boy!

Jump on the blog hop train and tell us what's in your Easter Basket! 

 

Jack: 11 Months!

 

 

Length: 31 inches

Weight: 23.2 lbs.
Head Circumference: 18.25 inches
Size 4 Diapers
Wearing 12 month clothing, some 18 month tees and pajamas

Milestones this month:

• Giving high fives
• Saying Dada
• Standing unassisted for longer periods of time
• Although you already know how to flip over, you are doing this nonstop and so much stronger these days.  You are so close to crawling and very stable using your walker. 
• Starting to throw temper tantrums when you don't get your way
• Sleeping on your belly
• Doing 360's on your bottom (over and over)

Things you like this month:

• Yogurt Melts
• Giving kisses
• The mall Easter Bunny
• Bath time
• Car rides
• Dancing
• Getting your hair brushed
• Feeling different textures
• Watching people try to juggle

Things you don't like this month:

• Getting dressed
• Diaper changes
• Getting face wiped
• Anyone to touch your ears...probably from all of his ear infections
• Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Special memories this month:

• Bluebonnet pictures
• Your first BBQ Chicken experience
• Celebrating Dad's birthday
• Your one-on-one time with your dad dancing after your baths each night
• Visiting Grammy & Vic at their new apartment.  Little did we know it would be the last visit you would have with your great grandpa Vic.  So special.

Dear Jack,

My little baby is almost a year old!  I look at you these days and see a little boy and not a little baby.  I'm so proud of you and love spending every second I can with you.  Basically I'm pretty much obsessed with you and so is your dad.  You are starting to grow on Tucker too especially since you throw him half your food at meal times!

You are showing us that you will do things in your own time.  You are so observant and smart.  You are also extremely photogenic and such a little charmer.  Boy are we in trouble in years to come!

I'm already missing our cuddly, snuggling days as you would rather sit independently now than curled up with mama.  That's okay because even when you are sitting independently, you will reach over to me and give me the sweetest (and wettest) kiss.  That's the best!

Love you sweet baby,

Momma

Finding the Perfect Nanny

One of the most asked questions I get since becoming a mom is what we do with Jack while I'm at work {nanny} and how we went about finding one. 

Read all about my experience over at Houston Moms Blog today! 

And thank you for all of the sweet messages and prayers for my grandfather.  He passed away last week.  We had a beautiful service and family time this weekend and are all doing well.  I've appreciated my "quiet time" from the blog, but can't wait to jump back in and catch up. 

Quiet Time

Hey all.  I am going to take a short little bloggy break for the next couple of weeks just for some quiet time.    I didn't want you to think I gave up on blogging!

My grandfather suffered a massive stroke over the weekend and is currently in hospice care.  He and my grandmother had just moved into a new assisted living community in my neighborhood this past week and were excited about their new chapter.  I was excited for them to be so close and am feeling guilty for not seeing them more often.  I am so thankful that I took Jack to see them just last Monday, the day they moved in.  It was the quickest of visits just to see their new place and drop off some fresh flowers.  Anyway, I'm using this time now to give lots of prayers to Vic that he is in peace and pain free and all of my family including my grandmother and mom. 

Talk soon,

Five on Friday: Short & Sweet

Happy Friday!  Here is my short and sweet version of Five on Friday...

ONE - I can't believe my baby is 11 months old as of yesterday. 

TWO - We are going to try and take some bluebonnet pictures tomorrow.  If you don't live in Texas, let me tell you that Bluebonnet pictures in the spring are a must!  Our state flower starts popping up this time of year in fields and along highways.  Yes, we will be that family pulled over on the side of the road snapping pics.  Fingers crossed for nice weather {it's currently a 50% chance of rain, but I'm thinking positive thoughts}

THREE - If you are local, Houston Moms Blog is hosting their first ever playdate!  It's during the day on a Tuesday, but luckily for me, the location isn't too far so I plan to take the morning off and join everyone.  Sign up here!

 

FOUR - We decided not to paint the wood high chair for Jack's pictures and birthday party.  Thank you for all of your feedback.  Jason is thrilled because that would have been on his to-do list this weekend!

FIVE - My boys are covered for Easter outfits, but this mama needs something new and springy.  Any suggestions?  I don't want to spend much since Jack's First Fiesta is currently sucking me dry!  Preferably something that will be nice enough for church, but casual enough for lunch and egg hunts later in the day.  I know that's kind of a tall order....

 

Hope you have an amazing weekend!!!

 

Easter Basket Goodies

I'm so excited this year to be able to make an Easter Basket for Jack (even though he won't remember).  I ordered his basket from Pottery Barn Kids (currently on sale) and am so pleased with how it turned out.  I'm also super happy I went with the smaller size.  It's still a very generous size that Jack can grow into.  I can't imagine how huge the large must be. 

 

I've collected a few things so far to fill it with including:

Eggs
Peter Rabbit Books and here
Easter Plate
Monogrammed Easter Outfit by Nolafionnah
Bunny PJ's (Thank you Ashley for this find), also comes in pink

And I still plan to pickup a little stuffed bunny to complete everything!  Maybe a Jellycat?

 

What do you plan to fill your kiddo's baskets with? 

Five on Friday: Fiesta, Hair and Birthdays!

ONE - Don't you love that my only post this week has been for Five on Friday? Let me explain :: I normally blog in the evenings after Jack goes to sleep. This week I've replaced blogging with birthday party planning even though we still have more than a month to go!  Follow along with my fiesta planning fun on Instagram using #jacksfirstfiesta

TWO - Speaking of party planning, I had my heart set on finding a Jenny Lind style highchair to paint and use for Jack's one year pictures and birthday party.  My plan was then to just turn around and sell it or store for baby #2 (if we ever get to that point). 

I searched for months online, posted a Craig's List ad and had my little army all around Texas looking at local shops for me.  I had just about given up this idea, when my mother in law found one is perfect condition for a steal at her local antique shop.  I got it last night and am now rethinking painting it since it's in such good condition.  I'm worried I will ruin it.  Thoughts? 

Paint or no paint?  If I were to paint, I was planning on something in the turquoise family. 


THREE - I have found a way to get my hair to actually look good without doing any styling to after a shower in the mornings!  It has saved me so much time and I can tell you that if you see me these days I'm pretty much rocking the curl.  I haven't used my hair dryer in WEEKS!  Full post coming soon!

I took these terrible selfies yesterday, but this do was created with no tools, no heat, no time and only one product: BB Thickening Spray.  I hope to have a how-to Vlog up next week on how I created this. 

Although I do not use this technique for the style above, in the meantime you can also checkout my post for the perfect heatless curls. 

FOUR - Staying on the hair topic, I really want to finally go ombre.  I've always thought it wasn't for me since I didn't have supermodel long hair, but lately I'm loving it on short styles too.  I would do a very subtle variation since I still need to look professional for work.  But it might be nice for summertime!

Image via

What are your thoughts on going ombre?  If you like this style, definitely checkout my Hair Loves Board in Pinterest where I show varying lengths of this trend. 

FIVE - Jason's birthday is tomorrow!  He is driving me crazy and not giving me any direction on what he wants to do to celebrate so I still don't know what we will do, but I have no doubt it will include good food, wine and relaxing. 


Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by!