Jack's little friend :)

Meet my beautiful friend Nadia :)

Who as you can tell by this picture, once had a similar belly like me.

I knew my baby bump held a boy before she found out she was holding a little girl.

So from that moment we knew (or well liked to pretend) it was destiny that they will be a couple one day.

She even went as far as to say...

 "Well forget the name Jillian!  I mean Jack and Jill would look pretty silly on their wedding napkins right?"

I <3 her.

As soon as Jack made his appearance we had to see what her little girl thought.

We both like to think she liked it, she kicked a couple of times :)

As soon as Sienna Rose made her appearance, we had to let them meet face to face for the first time.

Jack was even invited to her baptism! What a special day!

He tried to stay awake....

And just the other day they had their first date to Hobby Lobby and lunch at Sienna's house.

Big sister Evy had fun playing with 2 babies!

While Nadia and I had fun taking pictures of them.

Yes, they are holding hands... or well Jack grabbed Siennas.  

She looks worried. ha!

Overall, it was a great visit and we can't wait to do it more often!

 Even if their names don't make it together on napkins.

Wrapping Things Up! (according to Jack)

So just what did I do between my first Christmas and New Years?

I got to visit with some of the family and friends I didn't get to see for Christmas.

I pretended it was New Years 2011 with mama and daddy before they said it was bedtime.

It was my first night in my own room too. One of those new years resolutions I think mama made up.

It's not too bad, pretty comfy!

I went to my second wedding ever.

(I'm getting pretty good at these things)

Daddy pulled me out on the danced floor and swore it was all me.

Overall, I enjoyed it and I'm starting to let people know that a little more everyday with my smile.

Oh yeah, Happy New Years! It's gonna be a great year!

-Jack

d e c e m b e r ~ l o v e

"Celebrating an Anniversary and Christmas together every year makes the month of December very warm."

- well said by my cousin Casey

There was another December date that I thought was pretty important and I did not get to blog about yet! :(

December 19, 2010

The hubby and I celebrated our 2nd Wedding Anniversary!

What an amazing 2 years it has been!

It has flown by!

In only 2 years of marriage we have :

• rented our first home together
• bought our first home together
• made many new meals in the kitchen together
• seen many a concerts together
• got super healthy together
• had our first family vacation on the beach in the summer
• become godparents to our niece
• lost and found our dog
• became excited to find out we were expecting a new addition to our family
• became more excited to find out our new addition was a little boy
• bought a new family vehicle
• welcomed home our new baby boy
• started a whole new chapter in our lives :)

There is so much more I know I could add to that list but those were some top moments I love to reminisce on.

No other better way for us to celebrate our anniversary than to do it our own little way.

I absolutely love trying new recipes. It has been sort of a new hobby lately. So of course when else should I try a new recipe than for our 2nd Anniversary.

Hubby likes to help out in the kitchen. Especially when Mr. Jack gets fussy.

We decided Italian was the theme for the night!

Tortellini with Peas and Prosciutto

recipe found here

Table for two?

Yes, please!

Tried to make a pretty atmosphere :)

The hubby surprised me with an order from Becker Vineyards, mailed straight from Fredericksburg!

We had such a great time, just like always, best friends, reminiscing about the past 2 years and looking forward to the future!

Twas a busy holiday season

 Sorry it has been so long since the last update.

Now let us backtrack to last year...well at least an overview of our holiday season!

December 22, 2010

We joined most of the family and celebrated my parent's 40th anniversary, and renewal of their vows, with a special Mass for the family and friends.

We then went over to my sister Dana's house, where she hosted a most beautiful anniversary reception.

It was such a great time!

This picture was just funny because Jack's Uncle Mike had just swept and cleaned the entire living room and as he put away the broom Jack spit up alot! ha

After this first holiday gathering we went home for much needed rest and relaxation. Richard had been working his crazy hours and was coming down with a horrible cold as Christmas Eve was approaching.

I guess this holiday season goes to show that not everything will always go as planned, which is part of the reason I haven't been too excited to post this update...

December 24, 2010

The following is a list of things that I would like to think "did not really happen"

• Stressing over getting packed for Christmas Eve.
• Baking and preparing double dishes, as well as last minute dishes, just for kicks and giggles.

• Sending our Christmas Presents out to my family's house to save space in the car.
• Trying on lots of clothes to see what was best for me, daddy and Mr. Jack to wear for Christmas.
• Getting sick with the stomach bug Christmas Eve and making Mr. Jack miss out on his first Christmas with the cousins.
• Having to watch my family via Skype open their gifts while I could barely move on the couch.

However, when I thought the holiday season was becoming full of lows, we had some great highs that made for some great memories. :)

December 25, 2010

• Jack had his first visit from SANTA!!!

• We experienced our first Christmas together as our own "little" family.

• We hosted Christmas at our house for the Pagels and were very happy to see all who showed up!

• We got to share Christmas with the newest Pagel in the family. :)

• We realized the blessings that Christ has given us through the years and especially this Christmas!

3 Months Flies By When You're Having Fun!

Boy oh boy!

Is this little man growing or what?

This 3rd month has been a blast!

Some of his favorite things to do include (in no particular order):

• smiling
• being held
• meeting new friends
• being loved by his cousins
• bath time
• sleeping :)

Some things he is still working on enjoying (again, in no particular order):

• the car seat
• tummy time

One thing he has perfected is having us fall head over heals for him!

We love you Buddy!

Baby It's Cold Outside . . .

This past Sunday the cold weather paid a visit,

so what a great day it was to take Jack to pick out his very first Christmas tree!

He was quite amazed by them.

We actually left with the first one we laid eyes on!

We knew it was a keeper!

Just like this little man. :)

We are looking forward to some family time around this Christmas tree for sure!

"The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other" ~ Burton Hillis

Just A Few Favorites . . .

Rare footage of Jack enjoying his "tummy time."
It doesn't last long.



My how our time in the swing has changed.
He discovered it has a mirror and it actually is fun!



Helping Daddy work.
Daddy has been a hard worker this month. We l o v e having him home!



Just relaxing after a long day shopping.
He's working on being 'ok' in the carseat.