belated birthday pics

Bebe got Jackson a Thomas the Train birthday cake - big hit! He loved it so much. How do we know? Because he started to cry when Auntie Nikki started to cut it.

another message

Another message Jon wrote to Jackson when I was about 5 months along. This baby is a kicking machine. And I thought Jackson was active.

bouncy fun!

Holy crow, did these boys have fun on the gi-nor-mous bouncy house that Bebe got them! You should have seen them. Jackson and Sammy would go up the ladder, down the slide, bounce around, and do it all again - quite possibly 75 times in a row. They got to the point where they were so tired but wouldn't stop, so they would just stand on the ladder and argue about who's turn was next. I've never seen them have SO MUCH FUN. We'll have to go back up soon for more bouncy time!

Thank you Bebe for the awesome Bouncy!

thank you, Jon

For my beautiful necklace. I love it. It makes me smile every time I see it in the mirror.

I love you.

birds and the alphabet

What could be better?

{Get it here, saw it here.}

play-doh

Procrastinating organizing birthday and Memorial Day weekend pictures, but in the meantime wanted to post these pics of Jackson playing with his new play-doh!

more wallpaper, please

If we ever have a summer beach cottage, I want a room with wallpaper like this.

happy birthday, baby!

Dear Jackson,

Two years ago you came into our lives and changed it forever for the better.

This past year feels like a whirlwind of watching you grow, filled with firsts. It gives me so much joy to look back and see what you've accomplished, and how you're really coming into your own.

That first year I could just sit there and look at you in wonder. This past year I haven't been able to sit as much, but I still look at you in wonder. I still can't believe how much love I have in my heart for you. I still think you are the cutest baby ever. But recently, I've been seeing a little boy in you, even though part of me wants to deny it.

And now that baby is due in 6 weeks, I wanted to tell you how special this time was, just you and me, how lucky I am to have had these two years with you, and how I will always look back on this time with so much joy and love for you.

Happy 2nd birthday, baby! We love you so very very much.

Love,
Mama

HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY, LITTLE BUDDY!

Jackson, we had such a wonderful birthday weekend I don't even know where to start. I'm going to post pictures soon, but in the meantime, I wanted to wish you the happiest, funnest, bounciest birthday ever.

We love you so very much and can't wait to see what this year brings for you!

Guest blogger - Jon Milott

A look back before round 2.

down! baby's head is down!

YAY!

YAY!

YAY!

image: William Hunter's Anatomia Uteri Humani Gravidi, 1774

William Hunter became one of the most famous anatomists and obstetricians in 18th century Europe. Over the course of 30-odd years, he worked with the artist Jan van Rymsdyk to produce what's considered one of the greatest achievements in the history of medical illustration, Anatomia uteri humani gravidi tabulis illustrata = The anatomy of the human gravid uterus exhibited in figures, which was published in 1774.

from: Historical Anatomies on the Web - Hunter, William, via: daddy types

tilt excercises

The other night, when I was doing my upside down exercise, Jackson got right up on the couch to do it with me.

From the same website, I thought this was an interesting ~ and sad and sweet~ theory:

That is that babies often turn to the breech position in order to come up to comfort the mom. Because it sounds like you are so anxious (even though the basis of your anxiety is the position) I would consider this to be a strong possibility. So, try spending some time talking to the baby. Tell it that you would feel much better if it would put it's head down. You appreciate the fact that your baby is trying to comfort you but the best thing would be for it to get in the most positive position for the birth.

happy birthday, gael!

Gael, we want you to know how much Jackson loves you. A few ways we know:

1. he wears the clothes you give him, and he'll wear other clothes we want him to wear if we tell him they're from gael.
2. every time I ask him who's coming to visit, he says Gael, no matter if I've just told him someone else is coming over.
3. he cries when we leave you
4. he waits at the window if you are coming over for a playdate

we wish you the happiest 2nd birthday in the whole world!!!

love
Chiara Jon and Jackson

thank you Mimi & Nonno!

Jackson got an awesome Radio Flyer scooter, along with Thomas the Train helmet and knee pads. I think he's more psyched about the helmet and knee pads,  but he'll eventually love the scooter too. What gave us that impression? When he tried to take the helmet and knee pads to bed with him tonight. 

Thank you Mimi & Nonno for such great birthday presents!

balloons!

Jon pointed out that the gazebo at Saturday's party looked a little like the movie UP. Well, not exactly, but you get the picture.

{via d. sharp journal}

party!

The party was fantastic! We had so much fun outside, blowing bubbles, jumping on the trampoline, eating, drinking, singing Happy Birthday, eating cake and opening presents.

Jackson was deliriously tired & happy, especially since, of course, he didn't take a nap before the party.

We're so lucky to have so many good friends to celebrate with us.

ps I made coleslaw and bean & corn salad. Yum. The bean salad calls for 1/3 cup sugar in the dressing but next time I will only use about 2 tablespoons.

please turn, baby

Baby is breech right now.

Acupuncture Tuesday, sonogram Thursday, and 10 minutes upside down 3 x a day every day.

I know there is still plenty of time for baby to turn, but I am still worried.

Please turn, baby.

Jackson & Gael = 2

Getting ready for a little birthday gathering this weekend for Jackson and Gael.

It's on Saturday and right now the forecast says rain. No!

announcing......

I love this announcement.

serious nesting going on

The linens, that were in this basket


are now in this cabinet, that used to hold magazines,


that are going into storage.


Now I just have to organize the boys' room.

Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing for Baby

A sewing project I think I could handle.

{via Ohdeedoh}

Great Aunt Jane - Art Show

If anyone's in Sharon, CT in June, you should stop by and see her show!

happy birthday, auntie abigail!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ABIGAIL!

Your present will be a little late. I wanted to wrap it but Mama wouldn't let me.
Love,
Jackson