Shave and a haircut...

All of the sudden, 2013 came. Jack turned 1. He upgraded to a forward-facing car seat. He got a hair cut. He grew 100 teeth. He got in trouble for the first time, and he knew it. My baby boy is not a baby anymore.

With Little Man's birthday being so close to the holidays, and Josh trying to get ready for his AF departure, and me having a crazy work schedule and training for the Tinkerbell Half Marathon, a big First Birthday party as I had originally planned wasn't in the cards. Times are tight and time is precious, so we decided a small pizza party with close family and friends was just the ticket. I took the day off, and we slept in a little bit. Jack's not quite grasped that his Mama and Daddy prefer to wake up after 9 on days off, but I'm grateful that 6am is not his rise and shine time.

We took Jack to The Avenue Salon on the Miracle Mile. His appointment was with Lorena. I was nervous. What if he hates it? What if I hate his hair cut? What if she cuts his ear by mistake? As soon as we sat down in the chair and she pulled out a generic cover up that was trying to resemble Toy Story, my worries disappeared. She was so very sweet, and talked to Jack in a way that made him oh so happy to be there. Jack LOVED it. He practically fell asleep as she was quickly and efficiently cutting his long blonde locks. So dapper and polite. We were proud.

His birthday party was a success. Costco pizza and a homemade birthday cake made for a yummy meal. I decorated with all of Jack's favorite things: his Sully monster, a large jar full of plastic balls and Legos, Rex (the roaring dinosaur/flashlight that Josh and I LOVE to scare each other with), Buzz Lightyear, a toy clock with the time strategically set at 12:55 (AM, the time he was born), and of course, balloons, among his other favorite things.

Jack was all smiles. He shared his cake with his Franklin cousins, and Uncle Tom & Auntie Bebe even got to help sing "Happy Birthday" on FaceTime.

 It was a perfect night celebrating Jack's first year. He's a swell kid. Happy Birthday, buddy.

 

 

Three-Oh.

2012 has undoubtedly been the best year ever. My husband introduced me to the love of my life, Jack Primo, earlier this year on January 11th. My sister said "I do" on July 29th to the man she was meant to meet, meant to fall in love with, and meant to marry. My brother and his adorable and oh-so-perfect-for-him fiance give us all "I know something you don't know" grins every time we ask them what their wedding plans are. The year has been one of the most difficult to swallow but so very rewarding. Life introduces crazy situations. I constantly am asking myself, "What just happened?" and think that nothing in my life has ever been so challenging. And then tomorrow comes.

Today I am 30. I share this day with Brandi. She is with me now even though she calls San Diego her home. Today has been the best day. My mom's yearly Happy Birthday song was waiting on my voicemail when I woke up. I came to work and found pictures of my boy with Chevron cars (I love a themed space like nobody's business), flowers, balloons, a delicious treat and gifts from my best friends and family. I even got chocolate and streamers. Streamers!

I pick up Josh tonight from the airport. He's been in Ohio all week getting to know fellow Air Force pilots and passing his AC1 (crazy) tests that the government requires in order to be accepted into the military. Less than a year now...he'll be leaving for Officer Training School and Boot Camp. What just happened? I'm very proud of him.


Jack's got the cold I've been battling all week. Hearing his sweet and innocent voice all course broke my heart this morning. He woke himself up coughing and as he whimpered to me I told him he'll be better by Sunday. He smiled. His old soul already knows this. I am in love. I am blessed.

A Merry Merry Birthday, to us.