1 YEAR OLD!!!

Hi! My name is Jack Cravens and I am ONE YEAR OLD today!  We have been celebrating my birthday all week and the Happy Birthday song is my new favorite thing to hear :)  Here are a few things going on in my life right now.

• I keep getting taller, but Mama says I am getting skinnier.  I eat a lot, but I move even more, so I haven't gained any weight in the past month.  Mama says she wishes she had that problem.  I wear size 12 and 18  months in clothes and weigh an estimated 21 pounds.
• I eat 3 big meals a day and most of the time have 2 snacks.  All kinds of fruits are still my favorite foods. New foods that I love are cheese and peanut butter (Mama just started letting me try this one).  I like to feed myself and most of the time Mama lets me do just that even though I make a big mess. 
• I am still drinking formula and Mama says she will give me cows milk once we run out of our stash of formula.  I drink all my milk, juice, and water out of a cup.  No more bottles for me...I am a big boy!
• I go to sleep around 7:30 and sleep until 7:00 most mornings.  I don't like to be rocked to sleep anymore and Mama says it hurts her feelings.  I want to be in my bed by with my paci and bunny. 
• I still take 2 good naps a day and Mama says she doesn't know what she is going to do when I drop my morning nap.
• I LOVE being outside!
• I am a walker!  I have been taking a few steps at a time for a couple of weeks, but on Monday I decided it was time to do the real thing!  I walk until I "think" I am going to fall, then I sit down and crawl.  I still crawl more than walk, but am walking more and more everyday!
• I have 5 teeth...2 on the bottom and 3 on the top!

• I am not saying any true words yet.  I will say Mama, Dada, and nana (after mama says banana) and babble all the time.  I sign "more" and "eat".  Most of the time I wake up from my nap signing "eat" and will not stop until Mama gives me a snack.  I wake up a hungry boy!
• Mama and Daddy always act so surprised when I do something they ask me to do.  I guess they don't realize I understand what they are saying.  I know the words "ball", "book", "Cuba", "cup", "car", "truck", "phone", "sit", "outside", "Daddy's coming home", "bye bye", "hey", "eat", "drink", "brush", "wash", "banana", "bite", "kiss", "nose", "touchdown", "throw" and of course "no" :)
• I am a Mama's boy! BUT, I have figured out how fun all 4 of grandparents are and when I am around any of them, I want NOTHING to do with my Mama!
• I cry every morning when Daddy leaves for work.  Mama and I walk outside to wave bye bye and once Daddy is out of sight, I always realize he didn't take me with him and I get so sad!
• I found out this month that I am going to be a big brother to a baby BROTHER!  Baby "W" (Mama won't let me share his whole name just yet) will be here in 5 months and I can't wait to share a bunk bed with him someday :)
• Mama and Daddy tell me they love me ALL THE TIME!  I hear it so much that I have started making the sound "AyeOoooUuu" the same way Mama says "I love you" and it makes her very very happy :)  They tell me they can't imagine their life without me and that this has been the best year of their life.  Just wait Mama and Daddy, things are going to get even more fun the bigger I grow! :)

The Story of the Three of Us

When I was a little girl and someone would ask what I wanted to be when I grew up, the answer was always the same... "a wife and mama".  After 4 years of college and 2 years of grad school, the 24 year old in me wondered if that dream would ever come true.  Most of my friends were married or getting married (or at least had boyfriends) and there I was in Nashville, TN living a fabulous single life with great friends, a good job, and in a fun city, but still so badly wanted to be a wife and mom.  God did something then that still surprises me today.  He brought Allen to me.  Allen had moved to Nashville on a job and got in touch will all us Grenada girls who were in Nashville together.  We met one night for dinner in August 2007 and somehow Allen and I were the only ones who showed up on time for dinner.  For those of you who don't know, Allen and I have known each other since we were 5 years old.  So during this dinner we caught up on the goings on of each others lives and I remember thinking, he definitely has become quite the catch and his girlfriend is lucky to have found such a great guy (yes, he was dating someone at that time).  Fast forward a few months and Allen and I were hanging out A LOT!  He was single again and I admit I had a little crush, but we had gotten to be such great friends that I hated the thought of messing that up my letting him know how I felt.  I had never in my life had a guy friend and I loved having him to talk to.  It was so obvious to our "Nashville Family" that we were perfect for each other :)  November 9, 2007, Allen and I had gone to a movie and had dinner and we were back at my apartment just talking like we always did.  Somehow the topic came up and I can't even remember what was said, but it changed everything.  I knew that night that Allen would be my husband.  Fast forward 7 months and Allen totally surprised me by asking me to be his wife.  Five months later, on November 8, 2008 I married my best friend.  The man God had picked for me from the beginning and had told me to wait for.  We had talked about having a family from the time we started dating and knew we didn't want to wait to long and in July 2009 we found out we were expecting a precious miracle.  We chose not to know if we were having a boy or girl and anxiously waited on "Baby C's" arrival.  On March 31, 2010 Allen and I fell in love with each other all over again as we met and fell in love with our sweet baby boy, John Allen Cravens, III.  I instantly had EVERYTHING I had ever dreamed of, an amazing husband who I loved so much and a sweet baby who I got to be a mama to.  Days are not always "peaches and cream" and I have fights with my husband over mostly silly little things and some big things.  There are days when I wonder if all babies cling and cry for no reason and I think it might be better to get dressed, go to work, and let someone take care of Jack.  Then I remember the dream I had of being a wife and mom.  I think about how lucky I am to have a husband who works so hard to provide for our family so I can be home with Jack.  In the middle of one of his little "fits" Jack will turn around and "love on me" with one of his sweet kisses and my heart completely melts and I realize I would not trade places with anyone.  I cannot imagine a better husband to share this life with and I am still surprised every single day at how much I love my sweet little boy. 

Jack Cravens,
Your daddy and I love you more than words can say.  We dreamed of having a sweet baby and we fell in love with you the moment we heard your heartbeat (if not before) months before you were born.  The day you were born was a day our lives changed forever.  Every single day for the past 365 days has been such a blessing and we are so thankful to have you!  Happy Birthday, Sweet Boy! 

Jack's 1st Birthday Party!

We celebrated Jack's birthday on Sunday (just a few days early) and had such a good time with a house full of grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, and uncles!  Emileigh's Bakery in Oxford did the cakes and they were both SO cute and tasted so good!

And yes, Jack ate every bite of his little smash cake.

Did Jack like the cake?  I'll let you decide for yourself :)

 

 

I made a banner out of his monthly pictures to hang on the mantel and had some of my favorite pictures of him in frames along with his baby cup and silver rattle on the mantel also.

Jack had such a GREAT time and enjoyed the cake, company, and presents (in that order).  Uncle Kyle and Ray Ray gave Jack a 4 wheeler that is appropriate for a 4 year old, not a 1 year old.  Jack surprised us all and climbed on it, then pushed the button to make it "go".  He has ridden that 4-wheeler all over our house.  I'm in the market for padding for my walls and a helmet for him to wear!

Jack was worn out from all the festivities and not really in the mood for pictures, but I have to share our family picture on Jack's 1st birthday!!!  We are celebrating his REAL birthday tomorrow!  Where is the world has this year gone?

Bananas and Baby Thumps

Jack's very favorite food is bananas.  He eats one a day and most of the time has his beloved banana in the morning while waiting on Mama to make his oatmeal.  He has just started saying nananananana when he sees a banana coming his way and when he hears me say "You want a banana?"

Check out that bed head...ha

When he is finished eating, he does his chores and helps Mama clean the highchair :)

On the baby front, little baby boy has decided he wants his presence to be known by giving me sweet little kicks.  When I first began feeling Jack, I remember it as little bubbles and pops (or at least that's how I describe it).  Well, not this baby boy.....he skipped the barely there movements and went right in for the kicks which this time around feels like little thumps :)  I LOVE IT!  Also, I think we have come up with a name (which I LOVE), but am going to wait a little longer to share with the world.  I am already calling him by his name and it seems so right and sounds so sweet :)

One Step at a Time

Jack is getting a little more brave every day and will now take up to 4 steps without holding onto anything (or anyone)!  He quickly figured out that it is easier and much more comfortable to walk instead of crawl when we are outside.  He is the most confident when we are on the grass....I guess he has realized it is a good cushion to his falls :)

Can you tell his spring/summer clothes are all just a little too big? :)

How obvious is it that we do A LOT of clapping at our house? :)

Just last week, Jack decided he could also stand up without pulling up on anything...He is still just a little unsure about it though.

There is nothing like being outside on a beautiful spring day and feeling the wind blow through your mullet :)

And when it's time to head back inside, we monkey crawl to the door :)

To My Brother

Dear Baby Brother,
I am SO excited that I am getting a BROTHER! I cannot wait to show you the ropes and teach you all the big boy stuff you are going to need to know. I am going to steal Winnie the Pooh's words because it is just how I feel...

"We are going to be best friends forever, just you wait and see."

Love,
Your Big Brother, Jack

Pink or Blue?!?!

We have changed our minds

and decided to do things different this time.

Tomorrow we will find out if baby #2

will wear pink or will wear blue!

I am SO SO SO excited about learning if we will be having another sweet baby boy or a precious little girl tomorrow!  We were all about waiting until the baby is born, then I realized I just can't wait this time. Allen is a little disappointed that we are finding out...he likes having that moment of walking out into the waiting room and saying "It's a _____", but I can tell that he is pretty excited about tomorrow :)  Allen and all of my family think we are having a girl, but my in-laws are sure it's a boy.  I change my mind about every hour...ha.  I thought it was a girl for the past month, but today I am pretty convinced it's a boy.  I truly do not care either way.  I get really excited thinking about a girl and all the pink and dresses and mama-daughter things, but I also get really excited thinking about another boy and having a best little buddy for Jack.  So tomorrow we will see!

New Tricks

Something about turning 11 months brings out all kinds of new tricks :) 

• Touchdown!  When Jack hears this, his hands go up in the air.  He especially like to perform this trick when he has a hand full of food.  That way he can then rub his dirty hands all through his mullet hair.
• Waving.  Jack loves to wave and pretty much has his wave down when he hears "Hi" or "Bye Bye".  He prefers to wave using both hands (this is my favorite trick...too cute!).
• Peek a boo.  When you say "Where is Jack?"  He will hide his face using his bunny (his bunny is little lovey he sleeps with) or will lay face down on the floor, then will pop up and grin really big and wait for you to say "There he is!"
• Kiss.  When you ask for a kiss, he will give you a HUGE open mouth kiss on your cheek.  You have to be careful though, with 4 new teeth he is starting to bite down....we are working on that :)
• Nose.  We have been working on our receptive language skills and learning body parts.  The only one Jack has learned so far is his nose.  When you ask where he nose is, he will point or grab his nose (about 50% of the time...ha).  Sometimes Jack gets a little confused and sticks his tongue out..ha.
• Banana.  Just this week, he has started saying "nana"  (well, it's more like "nanananananana")when I ask if he wants a banana in the morning.  Of course my mom (aka Nana) says he is just calling her name :)
• Climbing.  Jack has just figured out how to climb onto things...I'm not so excited about this trick!  He climbs in his radio flyer car and climbs onto the seat and stands there.  If it is pushed up against the couch, he uses it to climb onto the couch (which he cannot get off without tumbling down).  He also climbs on top of his toy bin, the step stool, any basket he can flip over, but can't get down :)
• Fits.  You might be wondering how throwing a fit falls into the "new trick" category, but believe me, it is definitely a trick of his!  He has started throwing fits when you tell him "no" or take things away that he can't have.  He doesn't do it as often when we are home (I think he has figured out what is off limits), but when we are away from home, you can guarantee a few fits will be had!  He has it down to an art.... big alligator tears and a sad pitiful cry.  He has also figured out who is more likely to give into these fits (CC and Nana) and it is a little more dramatic in the presence of these people :)

I say every month that this is the best age, but I LOVE this age!!! :)

Mr. & Mrs. Kyle Cravens

We had one of the best weekends ever!  My cute brother in law, Kyle, married a sweet and beautiful girl, Regan, who gets to be my new sister!!!  Everything about the weekend was beautiful and perfect and the couple is now relaxing in Bora Bora (I'm a little jealous)!  I am a terrible sister in law and even though my camera was charged and by my side ALL DAY LONG on Saturday, I took not 1 picture.  Trying to keep a precious little angel happy and his adorable white silk bubble clean of dirt is hard work!  Jack was such a good sport all day long even without a nap and he truly did look like a little angel.  Hopeful someone (Aunt Kim???) has some pics of my little angel on their camera and will send my way :)  Just wanted to send a shout out and a CONGRATS to Mr. and Mrs. Kyle Cravens!

*** One week later and I finally have the perfect picture to share with you thanks to Regan's Uncle Ben.  Handsome Groom, Beautiful Bride, and absolutely adorable "honorary" ring bearer who refused to smile :)

Books and Eyelashes

Jack loves books!  This mama couldn't be more excited about that :)  We have read to him since he was a newborn and I guess all that "lap time" is paying off, because "reading" his books is one of his favorite things to do.  Quite a few times during the day, Jack will crawl into his room to read his books.  When it gets quiet, I always sneak in to see what he has gotten into and most of the time this is what I find.

His favorite books right now are his John Deer Tractor Touch and Feel book, Brown Bear Brown Bear, Wheels, and Good Night Moon.  He turns the pages and checks out all the pictures :)

On a different note, look at this sweet little boy's long eyelashes.   If new baby is a girl, poor baby probably won't have any eyelashes because her brother got the long, thick ones :)

Sweet Guy

This sweet little guy has had a rough few weeks.  It all started about 3 weeks ago when a high fever and terrible cough had us at the doctor who diagnosed him with RSV.  After 10 days of breathing treatments he was on the mend, but the congestion had stopped up his ears which caused our first ever ear infections.  Two antiobiotics later (the first didn't help), his ears are almost completely clear, but now we are dealing with some teething issues.  He has had 3 teeth pop through with no problem, but this 4th one is given the poor little fellow fits.  We hope it breaks through soon so he can have some relief!  This sweet little guy is just ready to feel 100% better.

Had to also share what we do at our house most of the day.  He LOVES LOVES LOVES his cars and trucks!  Such a little boy :)

Cruisin' with my Love

Allen and I returned from "honeymooning" relaxed and with great tans....something I have never had in February :)  We had such a great time with the King's and are already planning another cruise for next year!  The only thing I had planned for the trip was lots of sleeping late...ummmm, that never happened.  Something about a pregnant girl and a massive breakfast buffet got me out of bed before 7:00 every morning!  This is what we woke up to our first morning.

We did absolutely nothing but eat, sleep, layout, laugh with friends, and eat some more (and I talked Allen into a couples massage and facial...He is now a huge fan of the spa!).  It was FABULOUS!  I took very few pics (because I didn't have a cute little 11 month old to take hundreds of pictures of), but here are the few worth sharing :)

Allen had to check out the water slide and he was very disappointed with his 1 mph speed

The only picture we took together the entire trip...not even a great pic, but I wanted to show I was indeed there :)  By the way, I am holding Allen's arm down due to him trying to act crazy for the picture...imagine that!

Allen and Zach decided one morning to take a class on towel folding.  Allen learned how to make a bulldog out of bath towels.  Bath time is even more exciting at our house now!  (Note:  See the man sitting behind Allen?  That was the average age of the cruisers...we were definitely the youngsters on the ship :)

This is what we did 98% of the time.... absolutely perfect in my book.  We didn't even get off the ship in Progreso, Mexico...instead we sat here all day long :)

Jack had a GREAT time with all his grandparents.  They split the time, so he spent the first half of the trip with my parents and the second half with Allen's.  I don't think he was ready for Mama and Daddy to come home, but his Mama sure was happy to see him!

11 MONTHS OLD!!!!

Hi, My name is Jack and I am 11 months old (and a week...Mama is VERY behind this month).  Here are some fun things going on with me right now.

• I weigh 21 pounds and wear size 12 month clothes and some 18 months (but they are still a little big).
• I eat only table food now and my favorites are ALL fruits, oatmeal, baked sweet potatoes, cheese toast, black eyed peas, and butter beans.
• I drink all my milk out of a cup!  Mama just took my bottle away for good this week and I have done great!  I still whine a little in the morning when she hands me a cup instead of a bottle, but after a few minutes I forget all about it.
• I do not like to hear the word "No".  It hurts my feelings and I lay face down on the floor and cry this sad pitiful cry.
• I say "Mama" and "Dada" all the time and babble all sorts of sounds.
• I have 3 teeth (soon to be 4)!  Two on the bottom and one on top and the 2nd top one is about to come through.
• I am very attached to my Mama, but will still go to just about anyone.  I get very very excited when I see my Daddy, Nana, CC, Pops, or Bigdaddy!
• I wait for my Daddy to come home every afternoon either on the front porch or watching out the front window.  It is the most excited I get all day long when I see his Jeep come down the road.  Sometimes, Daddy stops in the road and lets me get in and sit on his lap and drive up the driveway.  He even lets me honk the horn!
• I have started pitching little fits when I don't get my way.  My Mama ignores me and it makes me even more mad :)

• Mama and Daddy left me for 5 whole days last week to go ride on some boat and lay in the sun.  I had SO MUCH FUN with my Nana, Pops, CC, and Bigdaddy.  I didn't hear the word "No" the entire time they were gone and I got to do whatever I wanted!!!!!!  Mama held me and kissed me for 24 straight hours after she got home...I didn't miss her, but I think she missed me.
• I am not walking yet.  Mama can't believe what a cautious little boy I have become.  I know I could walk, but I don't like the idea of not having anything to hold onto.  I did take a couple of steps without holding onto anything over the weekend and you would have thought I had won the gold in the olympics by the way my Mama reacted (and Daddy didn't believe her). 
• My favorite toys and things to do are 1. pushing  my radio flyer car, 2. rolling any cars and trucks all over the house, 3. playing with Cuba, 4. playing in the yard and inspecting every leaf, rock, blade of grass I come across, 5. playing peak a boo
• I am still sleeping great.  I go to bed around 7:00 at night and wake up around 6:30.  I nap for about 1 1/2 hours in the morning and 1 1/2 to 2 hours in the afternoon.
• I love playing with friends and my buddy, Wyatt, and I have been going to story time at our local bookstore and we love it!  We are becoming little social butterflies :)
• Mama and Daddy tell me they love me about 397 times a day so I will never wonder if I am loved.  Mama gets big tears in her eyes when she talks about me turning 1 in less than a month.  She says she can't believe her baby is so big!  Daddy is so excited about all the fun things we can do together now that I am a big boy.