Hello out there. It has definitely been awhile since I last posted. Things are going great on our end. We enjoyed the holiday season and I must say that this Christmas was one of my best ever. Will has been on leave since Christmas Eve (he goes back to work tomorrow) so we have spent a lot of family time together. Although I have enjoyed having him home, I'm ready to get back into a regular daily routine with the boys especially since Will will be gone for training quite a bit over the next few months.
We managed to sneak in a mini session with What the Focus Photography over the holidays. I planned to send out Christmas cards but that was an epic fail. I figured I'd share some of our pictures here and just plan to send out cards during the year (maybe for Valentine's Day). Anyways, here are a few shots that we took at the Weiden Christmas Market.
Wow, this year has flown by. Our family has seen it's fair share of ups and downs but we've made it through and are ready for a new year. Both Will and I experienced exciting moments in our careers. Will received a promotion at work while I was able to find a job doing something I feel very passionate about. We also were successful in getting pregnant this year (which brings about a world of excitement on its own). We found out that we were PCSing to Germany and began preparing to move thousands of miles away from home).
Now we're closing out our year but spending time with Will's family before we head off for our first adventure of 2013. There are tons of things that people pledge to do when deciding New Year's Resolutions. I never do resolutions since I know that eventually I'm going to break them (especially those about eating healthy or exercising) but this year, I've decided to make one resolution.
My New Year's Resolution for 2013 is to be a better person/wife/mother/friend than I was in 2012. 2012 was hard year for me in a lot of ways but I've realized that I didn't put a 100% effort in when it came to my relationships and personal development. This year, I pledge to make a change. Now, I'm not saying that I'll turn into the perfect mother/wife but I hope (and pray) that at the end of 2013, I will know that I made an effort.
So, as we bring in the New Year, I'll leave you guys with some of my favorite pictures from 2012 (including Liam's two year pictures taken by our fabulous photographer, Melissa Bradfield). Cheers everyone!
I haven't posted in awhile and I want to apologize to anyone who happens to read my blog. I got a new computer and I am trying to get things figured out. I promise to update soon. I have Liam's 18 month update as well as a few other posts I want to do very soon.
Again, I apologize and to make it up to you guys, here's a family picture we took while messing around on the new MacBook Pro's Photo Booth. Enjoy!
New Things:
Hanging out in his playpen (and trying to climb out)
Sleeping (mostly) through the night
Loves trains (and makes the cutest noise for them)
Temper tantrums (enough said)
Not So New Things:
Climbing
"Talking"
Removing his diaper any chance he gets
Breastfeeding (more than usual)
Liam has been so active over the past month. He is still climbing everything and we now have to keep the bathroom door closed at all times because he climbed onto the sink. He loves to be outside and gets really excited when we go for walks (which we need to do more often). He's trying to talk more and I wouldn't be surprised if he just starts putting words together and forming sentences (he already uses "read" and "book" together).
He's a really fun guy although he has been showing signs of aggression and anger lately. He gets really upset when he's told he can't do something and has started to hit things (and sometimes people) to show his frustration. This is something we really want to work on. Actually, our whole parenting method is something we need to work on. I tend to be the disciplinarian while Will is the "fun" parent. Even if Liam is doing something that Will knows he shouldn't, 80% of the time, Will will not correct the action. We will definitely need to get on the same page if we want to tackle Liam's temper tantrums and bouts of aggression.
Overall, we are loving this stage of Liam's growth especially when he gives hugs and kisses. He really is a sweet guy.
Are you guys ready for some picture fun?? Well, I have decided to participate in fat mum slim's May photo challenge. It seems like a blast and it will force get me to take more pictures. Here's the challenge list:
I will be participating through my Instagram (@willandjaye) by using the hashtag #photoadayMay. I don't think I'll post the pictures on the blog everyday but I think I'll do a "our week in photos" blog.
I'm super excited to do this challenge and if you're interested in doing it as well, you should dive in!
Wow! Time has definitely flown by. Liam is growing (last time he decided to weigh himself, the scale said 27.8 lbs) and learning like crazy. We've experienced a few milestones that have been fun as a few that have been not so fun. I'll start with the good.
Liam has been talking a lot more. He definitely babbles all the time but lately he's been trying to repeat words. Here are a list of words he can say:
Mama
Daddy
Bye Bye
Hello (he likes to pretend to talk on the phone a lot and uses just about anything as a phone)
Peppa (his name for all of the dogs)
Please
Peek
No
Stop
Go
Yeah
Baby
Bubble
Pop
Ball
As you can see, we have a very talkative boy on our hands. Other than talking, Liam has decided that climbing is his new favorite activity. This little boy is climbing everything! He climbed onto our kitchen table yesterday. I just found him shimmying his way onto our t.v. stand. It's absolutely nerve wrecking. I'm just crossing my fingers that we don't have any falling incidents (although Will broke his left arm twice as a child...crossing my fingers, crossing my fingers).
He's a fun guy who thinks he's hilarious. He does this fake laugh all the time and I love it. He has a beautiful smile and flashes it all day long. Now, he does have him moments when that smile is nowhere in sight. We've experienced quite a few temper tantrums over the past month. He is very strong willed and when he sets his mind on something, it's hard to change it. I have realized that I am not a very patient person and am working hard to make sure that even though we have difficult times, we smile as well.
Okay, enough talking from me. Here's the boy!
Yesterday, Liam was hanging out with my mom while I attended a class. They went for a walk and Liam decided that he was going to run ahead of my mom. He learned the hard way that it's a bad idea to run on gravel. My poor little guy's nose is so scuffed up but I assure you, it looks a lot worse than it is.
I'm sitting here creepily staring at Liam while he eats his dinner and watches a little Dora. It still amazes me that he's a toddler and no longer a little baby. It makes me want to cry (in a happy way, of course). He has been such a blessing to our lives and it almost feels as though my life took on a completely different meaning when I looked into his eyes.
I know I'll never get these moments back so I will cherish every second I spend with Liam. He may never be that small again but being able to watch him grow and develop makes it worth it. Man, I love this little guy.
Liam is now 14 months old. Wow, I still can't believe how fast he has grown. We haven't been to the Dr. in awhile but Liam is obsessed with weighing himself so I know he weighs 26 lbs. I haven't measured his height in awhile but he has grown a little (his K-State pajamas are no longer too long).
Our big guy has had a few milestones this month. He says "Pepper", "Hi", "Bye", "Stop", in addition to "Yes", "No", "Mama", and "Dada". He babbles all the time and loves to talk (he loves to pretend that objects around the house are phones and say, "Hello"). Lately when we are out at the grocery store, he'll randomly say "hi" to people as we pass them in the aisles. He also has one of his first molars coming in.
He's such a fun little guy to be around especially since he thinks he's hilarious. He loves taking pictures. Here are a few of our little guy over the past month. I absolutely love this face.
#1: Will's R&R
Will had arranged to be home for his two week break in January since my due date was January 10th but Liam decided to make his appearance three weeks early. Although the timing didn't end up being perfect, we still had so much fun with the tiny baby.
#2: Our First Family Photo Session
Even though this happened during R&R, it was definitely one of the top moments of 2011 (I also think it set a family tradition of capturing the growth and change of our family). It was our first time meeting Melissa Bradfield (our amazing photographer) and I'm so glad she has become a part of our lives by capturing Liam's first year.
#3: Our First Wedding Anniversay
Although we celebrated this special milestone thousands of miles apart, it did not make the day any less special. We have experienced a lot during our first year of marriage and although it's not always easy, we stick it out and plan on celebrating many more anniversaries.
#4: Baby Milestones
All of Liam's little milestones fit into this top of 2011. From teeth to "talking", Liam has kept our lives exciting. Here's Liam during the teething phase as well as a shot of his first baby teeth.
#5: Liam's First Halloween
Halloween was a little disappointing for me since I expected Will to be home from Iraq. I had all these ideas for costumes but when I realized he would miss Liam's first Halloween, I put everything aside and planned on staying home. Well, that changed a few days before Halloween, lol. Luckily I was able to find an adorable costume for Liam (and throw together something for me) and I'm so glad I did.
#6: The End of Operation New Dawn
The end of a deployment is always exciting. Having Will home after nine months of Skype, phone calls, letters and care packages was a blessing that we definitely do not take for granted.
#7: Liam's on the move!
Walking! Luckily, Liam waited for Daddy to be home to share in this milestone (although he had been standing on his own and taking a few steps). Walking has made our lives super crazy but so exciting at the same time.
#8: Liam's Cake Smash
To prepare for Liam's first birthday, Melissa Bradfield photographed a cake smash for us. The pictures were absolutely beautiful and we were even able to get a few family pictures as well. Liam had a blast eating the cake and we're glad we were able to capture that moment.
#9: Liam's First Birthday
This was definitely one of the biggest, most exciting events of 2011. Our little guy turned one and reminded us that life goes fast. We had a great party and celebrated his milestone in style.
#10: Our First Christmas as a Family
It was so exciting to spend Christmas together as a family. Although this is technically Liam's second Christmas, it's the first one we've celebrated. It was definitely a blessing and we're excited to spend/enjoy lots more holidays together.
