Look who's two!!

Jack turned two on Tuesday therefore we held his big Mickey Mouse birthday bash on Sunday afternoon with about 30 family members and friends. Jack was surprisingly chipper considering he didn't take a nap all day.  Although I will say we were all exhausted and in bed by 7:30 that evening.  I tried to keep it simple by making lasagna, salad and garlic bread for lunch and served cake and Shannon's delicious cookies for dessert.   Some of the pictures are out of order...

 Jack on his actual birthday celebrating with a chocolate covered strawberry cupcake from Jilly's - YUM!! He did not want Terry and I to sing to him after dinner but he did want to blow out his two candles multiple times :)  He was so proud of himself each time he blew them out!

 Enjoying a cookie at the party!

 Jack enjoyed his "Hostess Ding-Dong" flavored chocolate cake with cream filling cake too!

 Admiring his Mickey Mouse Clubhouse cake.

 Getting ready to sing...

 The cake turned out perfect - Jack wanted to play with the characters and fondant "clubhouse" top even after I took it apart to cut into pieces.

 Mimi & Uncle Andrew

 Watching the opening of all the presents.

 Jack's friend, Patrick, was a good helper with the unwrapping :)

 Typical Jack - for some reason he loves to put gift bags over his head?!

 He really liked his monkey card from Nana & Grandpa Tonsing

 Uncle RyRy flew down the day before to watch Jack on Saturday night so Terry and I could have a date night (and this included a very romantic trip to Sam's to pick up all the party stuff - ha!)

 One of Jack's MANY new toys.

A couple of weeks ago we visited the zoo and even though it was cold we had such a good time.  There was no one at the zoo therefore we allowed Jack to walk everywhere and he LOVED it especially the monkey house!

  This is an iconic picture that everyone who visits the St. Louis Zoo has to take...

Jack & Daddy watching the penguins

Busy Busy!

We have been so busy lately but it's been fun busy.  Terry and I went to see his favorite band at the beginning of the month.  We had friends over for the Super Bowl that same weekend.  Last weekend, we went to a trivia night and Jack had his first sleepover (kind of - see below), Jack had a short surprise visit from Mimi, Papa & Uncle B and we also got to have dinner in SoCo with Terry's parents.  This upcoming weekend is Jack's big Mickey Mouse birthday party and then next week the 6 week countdown begins for Miss Lily!! Wow...2012 is flying!

Jack in his big boy bed...doing fairly well besides the whole waking up around 5am to climb in bed with us.

Jack loves the reverse camera feature on my IPhone so he can see himself.

Jack and his best bud Aubree (aka Aubee)

Not only are we neighbors but Jack and Aubree are at the same school (and were in the same class up until a month ago - Aubree is a few months older than Jack and was moved up to the next room)

1st sleep over with a girl (gasp!) but I'd say they have a safe distance between themselves :)

I went in for my 32 (1/2) week appointment yesterday and I got to have a surprise ultrasound because my OB was worried about me measuring a little small.  Reality was I just hadn't had enough water for the day and wasn't as 'swollen' :)  But that's okay because Miss Lily Anne is doing just fine and is already a whopping 4.2 lbs! The doctor thinks she'll probably be around the same size as Jack between 6-7lbs when she's born.  I cannot believe we only have 7 weeks left!

Sneak Peak of Jack's 2 Year Pictures!

Thanks Lis with Miss Prissiness Photography!

Hello 2012!

So another month has flown by and we're now in 2012!  It's crazy to think we'll be adding an addition to our family in exactly 12 weeks!!!  December was nuts.  We had stuff going on every weekend and it all included lots of time with family and friends (just like it should).  A couple things I have to brag on because if I don't I'll forget: Jack is getting so big!  He's 22 months old and still my cuddle bug.  He knows all of his colors (red, yellow, blue, green, purple, orange & brown) and will point them out any chance he gets especially when we're playing with legos.  He sings to me every night when we get ready for bed.  His favorite songs are "I love you" and "You are my sunshine".  He loves kissing sometimes it borders on inappropriate (not in the style) just in the length of the kiss and only with Mommy :)  He know Lily is in my belly although doesn't know what Lily is and the other morning he had his head on my stomach and she kept kicking and moving around.  He moved his head a few times but finally he turned, looked at me and said "STOP MAMA!" as if I have control.  It was hilarious!

Save the date: We're having a Mickey Mouse themed 2nd Birthday celebration for Jack on Sunday, Feb. 19th.  Invitations will be sent out in the next couple weeks.

Our wonderful neighbors invited us over for a cookie decorating party.  Colin looked adorable in every picture but this is the only look Jack would give me.  He was more interested in icing his cookies verse posing for pictures for mom.

Oh Patrick...you make me smile :)  He kept this on the entire time!! 

Can you tell we had fun?!!

We had Christmas with Terry's parents and brother on Thursday before Christmas.  I got to host my first holiday dinner and use my wedding china (2nd time in 3.5 years).  I got all the food from Sam's holiday selections and I have to say I will be going that route for future parties and large gatherings.  Totally easy and really good!

This was the best pictures I good get of Jack and his Grandpa and Nana - almost 2 year olds rarely pose for pictures (augh!).

We went to the Braun family Christmas on Friday afternoon at Gigi's house.  Jack got a basketball hoop and it is probably his favorite present.  Daddy and him play with it every night in the basement.

Jack and his cousin Caroline - he adores her and she enjoys bossing him around :)

Jack kissing a mini-Mickey Mouse doll that came with miniature books

Jack helping Daddy open the 'BEST' gift ever - a gorgeous all leather messenger bag that I managed to score a major deal on at Banana Republic.  Terry has only been mentioning that he wanted a leather bag for the past 6 years...I finally found the perfect one (and for a steal)!!!

Cutie patootie!

We went to Kirksville for the Gordon celebration on Christmas Eve where Jack was pleasantly surprised by a puppy!!  No it wasn't for him (it was my brother Ben's gift) but he did have a great time playing with Sparky all weekend.

Jack eagerly awaiting for Papa to finish putting together his new Little People Zoo!

Santa brought him a Mickey Mouse candy cane in his stocking - this was a major highlight!!

Baby Lily update (fun quiz I found online):
How far along: 26 weeks (in this picture - now at 27)
Total weight gain: 17 lbs
Maternity clothes: Yes however looking for another pair of skinny jeans to wear with all my boots
Best moment this week: Working on Jack's big boy room to get the nursery emptied out and ready for Lily's stuff
Movement: Like crazy!  Especially after I drink a large glass of cold water
Food cravings: not really
Gender: girl
Labor signs: no
Belly button: in (always has been even with Jack), it's abnormally deep (tmi?!)
Stretch marks: not that I can see
What I miss: sleeping on my back and my stomach
What I'm looking forward to: a bottle of wine

Last but not least, I finally got a gorgeous camera bag (thanks Ter) to store my prized possession!  I love the hot pink lining.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!

We kicked off our Christmas traditions this past weekend and boy did we have fun!!  Saturday morning we started the day by having breakfast with Santa at Jack's daycare.  He did much better this year (verse the trauma in 2010).  Then we went to Little Gym where Jack actually participated in the para shoot activity.  Up til this point he's absolutely refused - progress people!!  We had lunch at First Watch (my fav) and came home to decorate our tree.  Jack was a big helper and as soon as I gave him his own "Jack Tree" he pretty much left mine alone (yeah!).  Funny tidbit: He'll point at both trees and say "Mama's tree, Jack's tree, Daddy no tree" it's hilarious!!

Just a reminder of 2010

This is a random picture for my dad because he wanted to see Jack in his cowboy boots with jeans (sorry it was taken in the bathroom).

Putting the tree together - yes we're now fake tree people (they're so much cleaner)

I don't think he could be any cuter!!! LOVE :)

Framer!

Can you see him?! He was playing peek-a-boo with Daddy.

Accepting a candy cane from Santa (I'm not posting the Santa pic because it might be our Christmas card).

Each room had a different activity - the craft was to decorate an ornament.  Jack was very proud of his!

One room had face painting but Jack only sat long enough to become Rudolph and then it was on to the peppermint play dough - much more exciting!

Admiring Mama's tree, if you look closely you can tell he's staring at himself in a glass ball.  

Mama's tree & Jack's tree 

My ultimate favorite Christmas decoration - the Willow Tree Nativity Scene (thanks Mom & Dad!)

Jack passed out like this around dinner time because he refused to take a nap on such a fun day (can't say I blame him)

Since neither of us like ginger bread, we decided to make and decorate Rice Krispy Treat houses.

 I personally think Jack did an excellent job on his icing - don't you?!

Last but not least, enjoying Christmas cookies with Daddy before bed time.