Thanksgiving Round Up

Well we had a successfully stuffed thanksgiving! We spent the day with family in Vincennes and all were impressed with Jameson's appetite. Unfortunately Jameson and I were still
hanging on to a cold but all the comfort food definitely helped! Jameson also had lots of farm experiences including very loud mooing cows and tractor rides. It was a beautiful day. Now on to Christmas!

Thanksgiving Thursday

Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.

Wordless Wesnesday

Thankful Thursday

I love the newborn phase and in fact I get to make a career out of caring for tiny precious newborns. I am even pretty comfortable with the infant stage because it is still pretty predictable, I am still in my comfort zone. Well I think it is safe to say we are in full on toddler mode in our home.

Jameson has been walking for a couple of months which means all kinds of exploring. He rarely sits still and loves to do loops around the great room and kitchen jabbering and chasing dogs with the occasional snack or milk break.

We are in the trenches of toddlerhood and I am scared. I am being pushed out of my comfort zone. Yes, I have lots of experience with toddlers but 24/7 is a little different than a few hours. I am convinced that raising a toddler should require a degree in psychology. They are emotional and vulnerable. I can't brush J's teeth without also giving him his own brush to wield. Same goes for feeding him anything with a spoon. And forget using the word "no" because he thinks that's funny and employ your best distraction techniques.

So today I am thankful for all of these new experiences. I was busying myself around my bedroom this evening folding laundry and I look down and see my little helper. Jameson was very happy to be taking each and every sock out of the basket and scattering them across the room and eventually putting them all back in. I am thankful for these little toddler moments because before I know it I will be missing them just as much as I miss the newborn and infant days.

Jameson's 1st Birthday Fiesta

I know you have heard it all before, but my oh my where has the time gone? Our little baby has become a little boy seemingly overnight! It has been an incredible year with too many blessings to count. Jameson is such a fantastic little person, but I am biased. Each new stage brings excitement and joy, but also the tiniest bit of a sad goodbye to the things you are leaving behind. But I am very proud of myself because I don't remember shedding a tear during the party, which is quite the feat for me (although I did have to watch the video Jake made of Jameson's first year 5 or 6 times beforehand to prevent that from happening)!

We celebrated Jameson's big day surrounded by family and threw a fiesta. We had a taco bar with all the fixin's, chips and queso, guacomole, frito salad, layer dip and more! Of course, there was way too much food, but I come by that honestly. Jameson was casually interested in opening his gifts in between socializing and photo ops. The weather was so enjoyable (60 and sunny in November!) and we were able to take the kids outside for a bit to have a go at the pinata. And of course, we finished the evening with cake and icecream. Jameson had a jumbo cupcake from The Flying Cupcake that he devoured perfectly, and not too long after that he was very ready for bed. Partying is such hard work!

Mimi, Mimi, and Lindsy

Small but mighty!

Vivian reading to Jameson

Most importantly we would be remiss if we didn't thank all the people who helped to bring the party together. From family who traveled and came after long hours at work to our parents who hosted, set-up decorations, bought and stuffed pinatas, aunts and cousins who helped provide food and drinks and friends who helped serve cake and drinks, it was all beyond appreciated. Jameson can't wait to pay you back in hugs and kisses.

Very interested in the candle!

Really going for it!

Our family

Happy Birthday Jameson!

Halloween

We had a pretty successful first Halloween. Jameson was a hit in his costume and he hit up both his grandparents houses. I was a little nervous because he had not napped well that day but he seemed to get over that when candy was involved. He went as a garden gnome. I was very impressed too because he left his hat and ears alone, never trying to remove them once. Here are a few pictures from my phone.