This blog post has been languishing in my "draft" folder for far too long!  So, for today it will serve as a little flashback to Christmas 2010.

My family all gathered in Texas for Christmas last year, which is a monumental event.  We sat down to a fabulous holiday dinner together.  At this dinner, Eli and Jack had some fun taking pictures on either side of a glass door.

And with that, Jack learned how much fun windows and doors are, and just what faces can do.

I am not going to lie.  This cute little munchkin of just a few months ago is so different than our little toddler dude!  It makes my heart hurt a little bit.  Why does no one tell you that parenthood makes your heart ache with a strange mixture of happiness and bittersweet nostalgia?

Le sigh.

Hope this finds you well,

Heather

Under the Table and Dreaming

Hey, my friend

It seems your eyes are troubled

Care to share your time with me

Would you say you're feeling low and so

A good idea would be to get it off of your mind

See, you and me

Have a better time than most can dream

Have it better than the best

And so can pull on through

Whatever tears at us

Whatever holds us down

And if nothing can be done

We'll make the Best of What's Around

(Best of What's Around; Dave Matthews)

Indeed.

Heather

Flashback: More 'Stache Bash

More from the mustache bash, party-a-go-go...

Cal rocked the 'stache.

Conor said he was too cool for the 'staches, but not for the par-tay.

Ava wisely chose a Fu Manchu to compliment her outfit.

Julie also chose a Fu Manchu to complement her Moby wrap.

Beautiful Harper

Mom-stache

Dad the Cupcake Thief

The awesome and lovely Amelia, one of Jack's best buds.

A good time was had by all!

Hope this finds you well,
Heather

Flashback: Birthday Party Prep

Yeah, so, it took a foot surgery for me to sit down and upload these pictures.  What can I say?  I'm a busy working mom on the go.

Speaking of go, here goes:

Jack and I contemplate the spread of party foods.

Gift bags for Jack's buds.

Oh, tower of cupcakes, how I love thee.

What of my Fu Manchu mustache, mama?

Mustaches on sticks are fun!

The birthday boy.  Be still my heart.

And...yup, you guessed it.  There's more where that came from.

It was a blast,
Heather

Boy's Got Rhythm

Upon Durel's return from Chicago, Jack was presented with his birthday gifts from Bex, his buddy in Chicago.  Bex's parents wanted to provide a little musical spice to Jack's life, so they gifted him with some lovely and colorful kiddie maracas.

Suffice it to say, they are a hit.  I also like the R2D2 t-shirt and flavor savers from dinner in this photo.

Shakey shakey not to breaky,
Heather

Bex and the Bean

For the past few days, Durel has been in Chicago.  On the trip, he did a great job of combining work and play by attending a conference, visiting some dear friends, and reconnecting with one of his oldest friends.

Durel was able to spend a few precious days hanging out with Bex and his parents and seeing the sights.  One such sight is The Bean in Chicago, where these awe-inspiring shots were taken.

The Bean is a modern art installation that invites people to take awesome pictures with it.  Here's what it looks like from afar:

And here's what it looks like when Durel, I mean, Captain Awesome, visits.

Bex and Durel at The Bean

Captain Awesome

That's Ms. Awesome if you're nasty.

For the record, Jack and I had ridiculous amounts of fun for the past few days.  But we definitely missed Captain Awesome!

Hope this finds you well,
Heather

No Words

There are no words for how enamored I am of these images from our recent one year photo shoot with Little Dude.  Betsy, you're a genius.

Hope this finds you well,
Heather

The First Cupcake

And on the birthday, there were cupcakes.

And they were very, very good.

And we ate them.

Because that is a good idea.

With frosting,

Heather

Jack's Friends Know How to Party

So, as you know, we celebrated Little Dude's first birthday recently.  I've been promising pictures for over a week.  Oopsie.  But they are totally worth the wait.

So, the party was a mustache bash.  Jack isn't old enough to "be into" things yet that would dictate a party theme.  For the most part, he likes eating, playing and sleeping (and pooping).  None of this does a party theme make.  So, we, the intrepid adult parents of Little Dude, chose a theme that we thought was funny.  I have a feeling it was our one chance to make that decision.  Also not sure we'll be able to have full coolers of wine and beer at next year's party.  But, I digress.

That said, this was how we set the theme:

From the lovely and talented Cio Prints!  Visit their etsy store here!

We dressed the Little Dude appropriately for his big celebration.  He decided not to wear a tie, because he wanted his guests to relax and all.  So, he selected this lovely plaid Polo shirt and jeans, to keep it casual.

As I've shared already, we did get him to wear a mustache for a little while.  He didn't love it, though.

Connor, can't you help me?  What is wrong with them??
(Sorry, Regan)

But you know who did love it (or at least, tolerated it)?  His buddies.

Eli, Jocelyn, and Scott rocking the 'staches

Marci and Mac, 'staching it old school

Liz, Jeremy, and Linley 'staching their hearts out.

Blaire, Gabe, and Brad keeping it real.

That's what she said.

Mac and Eli even coordinated their shirts with the theme.  They are impressive little dudes.

All in all, the mustaches were well-received.  Because what's not fun about sporting elaborate facial hair for a day?

And there's more where these came from,
Heather

The Mustache Seen 'Round the World

So, I'm not going to lie.  I went to bed super early last night and still have not uploaded our pictures from Jack's birthday bash.

However, to build the suspense and share the love a little more, I have to share with you the mustache love that several members of the Jack Fan Club shared with us.  They were celebrating with Jack, in spirit.

First, Aunt Kristina and Uncle Jamie:

Then, from the Windy City, Beckett also celebrated the day:

This is in addition, of course, to his buddies and pals who celebrated with him in person for his bash.  Pictures of which are to come, as soon as I get organized!

Ta ta for now,
Heather

Sneak Preview: Jack's Mustache Bash

On Saturday, we celebrated Jack's first birthday in grand, mustachioed style.

Here is a sneak peak of the visual smorgasbord that awaits, once I upload and tweak the pictures.

It was totally awesome.

More to come,
Heather

Happy Birthday, Jack!

On March 4, 2010, at 1:44 AM, after many hours of Pitocin and labor, a miraculous thing occurred.

Jack was born.

365 days later, he's a babbling, giggling, cruising, teeth-sprouting, grilled cheese sandwich demolishing, through the night sleeping, dog-petting, outdoor-loving, high-fiving party animal.

And me?  I love being a mom.  I've learned that there is nothing better than the sound of a baby laughing.  I've learned that there is nothing scarier than when your baby is sick.  And I've learned that there is no love deeper or harder to put into words than the love you feel for your child.

Oh happy day,
Heather

One Year Ago, Today

On March 3, 2010, I got up early, turned on the coffee, and said hello to the dogs.  While I was saying hi to Lucy, my water broke.

I had some oatmeal and some coffee, and called the ob/gyn's office.  They said I should come on in to the hospital.  I agreed.

I decided that I needed to look presentable, though.  So, I took a shower, dried my hair, straightened my hair, put on makeup, and got dressed.

Then, Durel and I went for a little spin.

First, we drove through the ATM.

Then, we stopped for kolaches.  I said I wasn't hungry, but Durel bought me some anyway.  Then, I ate three.  Two that he had bought for me, and one that he bought for himself, but also sort of guessed I would eat.

Then, we drove through Starbucks for lattes.  I had a grande with skim milk, no foam.  

Then, we went to the hospital.  I was about to have a baby, and all.

At the hospital, Durel took this picture.

The rest of the day was long and less than glamorous.  Oh, but what happened on March 4, 2010 was miraculous!

Guess you'll have to wait until tomorrow for me to cast my memory back to that special day.

Nostalgically Yours,

Heather

PS:  Yes, my water broke the morning of 3/3.  We took our sweet time getting ready and getting to the hospital because, well, we had a few things to do and I was not having contractions.  The story of our morning that day is one of my favorite stories to tell people.  In hindsight, it's hysterical.   But I knew that they wouldn't give me anything to eat once I got to the hospital, so it was a good thing to strap on the feedbag before we got there!  This goes to prove one of my most deeply-held life philosophies:  It is always time for a kolache.