The Beach

Yesterday we ventured out to Holland State Park to see the waves. There was supposed to be a storm and cooler weather (read: huge waves though they weren't that big this time.) It was very cold but the gorgeous landscape is worth bearing the temperature! This beach is special to us as Rob proposed to me here on the sand dunes and we were also married right on the beach almost 5 years ago! Anyway, a few pictures to share from yesterday :)

Jack had a blast, even though it was super windy and frigid.

There was only one other person out there and he was kind enough to take a picture for us.

In case you ever wondered what to do if you find yourself in a rip current...

Seriously...beautiful.

The scenery is so refreshing. I love it.

It's been a while...

A much long overdue post....apologies.

To sum up the last few weeks...

• Jack was sick.
• I was sick.
• He's better.
• I'm better.
• We participated as a family in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life a few weekends ago.
• Jack gave me the most beautiful balloon for Mother's Day.
• He learned how to "dance." It's quite humorous. (Going to attempt an uploaded video below...???)
• I went through allergy testing and had 63 scratches and 48 shots in one day....oy. It was sort of fascinating, actually, and now I have answers!
  
• But overall, life is good. :)

We headed to Saugatuck this afternoon on a whim. We head there quite a bit during the summer...this was the first trip of the season. So fun to just stroll and browse, ice cream cone in hand. On our strolls, Jack got to meet a dog named Tiny Tim and thought he was the best little furry, squirmy thing. He laughed with delight when Tiny Tim licked him. It was a sight :) He also had an orange cream soda, chocolate ice cream cone and gobbled up some fancy cheeses (Rob and I LOVE cheeses...good to know Jack has the taste too.) Anyway, after a stop at the Spice Merchants to pick up some rice varieties and Spanish Paprika we decided to head home. What a great, leisurely afternoon :)

The neighborhood pool was opened last week. We decided to take full advantage of that later this afternoon after Saugatuck. Jack certainly didn't forget how much he loves the pool! He was laughing and smiling and screaming (happy screams). He is definitely a water baby. And he looked oh so adorable in his tiny swim trunks :) I'll take pictures on the next pool excursion.

And because photo-free blogs aren't all that exciting, here's one of my favorites from just a week ago...Jack is smiling! He never smiles for the camera...or I should say "rarely" smiles for the camera. He's such a happy boy, but when that camera shows up it's all seriousness. Anyway, I love this one with all of his 8 little teeth :)

Say "cheese!"

The dancing :)

Trips to the ER and pictures with balloons

Since every post title in the month of April contained the word cupcake I couldn't break that streak. And I couldn't think of how to creatively use the word cupcake again in a title yesterday so I had to wait until today, May 1. Wow, it's May already!

Here's the latest happenings with us...er, Jack :)

Last weekend was rough! On Jack, that is. (Well, I suppose on Rob and I too, indirectly.) Jack had a runny nose for a few days last week but I chalked it up to teething. Then Saturday evening it turned into a horrible fever, wheezing, coughing, congestion and struggled breathing. We decided to take him in to the med center. After a chest x-ray and evaluation, we were told he had RSV. The dr. wanted to admit him to the hospital for observation and regular breathing treatments as he was really struggling to breathe. We opted to have the two breathing treatments and a steroid shot that were offered and to monitor him at home instead. Sunday he was making great improvements. That evening however, he woke up choking/coughing and with the concerning chest retractions again. We took him to the ER and he was put on an inhaler. (By the way, 2am must be the hour to go to the ER...there was NO wait and we were in and out in a little over an hour.) Anyway, that was the worst of it and he is doing SO much better now! We have a follow-up appointment this afternoon with his pediatrician to check his lungs and I am expecting a great report :)

Yesterday we had Jack's 1 year photos taken with the super fabulous Amy Carroll. She put a few photos on her blog yesterday and they're adorable...though I realize I may be biased too :) I can't wait to see the rest! We had such a riot :)

I've compiled a list (more for my own reference as I'm bad about actually writing things in his baby book) of some of Jack's favorite things as of late:

Skates: Every time he sees Rob he shouts "Daddy! Sssssss...." and he knows that daddy will take him skating around the neighborhood. It's so darling! Actually, it's the first thing he says most mornings too to let us know he's up...chanting "Daddy! Sssssss...." from his crib :)

Rocks: He could spend hours outside digging through the rocks (and taste testing them all). We have great fun with the simplest things and I certainly have a new appreciation for them.

Lights: Any and all lights, he is just so eager to turn them on and off himself or at least have you acknowledge, "Yes, Jack, that IS a light! Good job!" He points and shouts "di-igh!" He is so proud of himself :)

Wind Chime: We have a little wind chime that hangs in the front door. I got this for him when were in in Calgary earlier this year. For whatever reason, the chime has been nicknamed that "pretty." So he will walk over to the door, point up and yell "Pity!"

Balloons: The balloon obsession continues as well. "Ba-mooon!" He was able to point out the singular mylar balloon that had floated to the very high rafted ceiling in Meijer the other day. "Ba-moon!!!!!!!!!" he says with just passion. I'm sure the other shoppers were in hysterics over his determination to show me the 'bamoon.' :) Balloons now have a strange way of appearing most places we go...or maybe it's just that I notice them now

Hope everyone has a nice finish to the week!

Every title so far this month has "cupcake" in the title...now this one does too.

First of all, Happy Birthday to my mom today! I love you!

So it's been 16 days since I've blogged...where has that time gone!?

Jolyn and her family were here on a visit for 10 days which was wonderful to spend time with them! Sam is getting so big :) I have to say I think the highlight of their time here was the day before they left. Sam colored the walls, carpet, sofa, cat (and himself) with a red marker! Muffin (the cat) is no longer pink, the walls are repainted, the carpet's looking pretty good now and I'm hoping Sam no longer has red streaks across his legs and cheeks. (Jolyn, did you get any strange looks in the airport?!) The sofa is a lost cause...but at least he was smart enough to color on the back that faces a window...it's not really visible. Oh Sam, Aunt Julie still loves you very very much! :) Thank you for that memory.




Well, scary day yesterday. Jack fell off the kitchen counter (something I never do, but for whatever reason I thought he'd have fun sitting with his feet in the sink playing and eating snacks next to me...) Even less than a foot away and I still couldn't catch him :( That "boom" was the absolute worst sound yet. On the wood floor. He started screaming after a moment and then starting getting sleepy-like, dozing in and out. I start panicking inside and grab him to rush off to the hospital. I opened the door and there was Rob, home early to surprise us for the afternoon. (His timing could not have been better!) We ended up going to the pediatrician's office instead as they could see him immediately and it was closer. After a very thorough check and recheck a half hour later, they said it was a mild concussion and he has no signs of severe head trauma. Thank the Lord! Jack was acting more like himself by the time we left. We did have to wake him several times through the night to make sure he responded "normally" which he did. And he's on Tylenol today b/c I'm sure he has a headache! But he is ok and back to his normal, happy self today :) I am thankful.

Wedding season is in full swing now...and that means makeup to me! I have so many many weddings that I'm doing makeup for this season. I don't think I will do weddings forever, simply because of the schedule (always on Saturdays!) but I very much love working with the brides and being a part of their special day. I'm slowly (and I do mean slowly!) working on a business plan to launch my own freelance makeup gig now...legally. Hoping to eventually just do more work with photographers, print...and maybe even t.v. and film. (I can think big :) But first I have a lot of things on my to-do list (and prior commitments) to accomplish. My goal is by the end of the summer to have it all up and running. We shall see. One thing I will not let happen though is for this to get in the way of being a great mom to Jack...he's my first job. I don't want to miss out on anything and always want to be available for him. It would be nice though to have the best of both...and be able to schedule events around my time with Jack. Hoping to find a happy balance.

Alright, enough of my ramblings...I have painting to do while Jack's napping. (The playroom project is in tow.)

So long for now!

The great cupcake search...

Jack had his little friend Regan over today to play. They are full of mischief together and decided to rummage the fridge over in search of any leftover cupcakes from his birthday party.

"OK. Here's the plan. I'll cover the door and you go for the main compartment."

"Hmmm...milk, more milk..." "And I just see veggies and fruits over here."

"Any cupcakes stationed behind the Brita?"

"Shhhh! Don't tell my mom, but I think I just spotted them on top of the butter!"

"Jack, quick! Get the cupcakes! They're on to us!"

"Rats. They got to us before we could snatch the cupcakes. Let's just settle for some Cheerios instead, shall we?"

A breakfast cupcake occasion!

Happy first birthday, Jack!

A whole year old! This last year has been beyond amazing and we look forward to the many years yet to come watching you grow up :) Thank you for coming in to our lives, Jack! You bring more laughter, life, happiness, kisses and hugs, toots and giggles, goofiness, and union to our home. Our family has new meaning with you. We are blessed. Truly blessed.

And Baby, I loved having blue cupcakes over breakfast with you this morning, just the two of us (shhh....don't tell daddy).

We love you Mr. Goose!

Mommy and Daddy

...and 7 more cupcakes later...

Well, I don't know if I actually had 7 cupcakes today, but combine all the sugar I had in various forms and it probably was the equivalent of 7 cupcakes...or more :)

Jack's birthday party was a blast! The weather couldn't have been more perfect and my little guy just relished in the attention, balloons, people and CUPCAKES! The presents were cool too, but mostly I think he just enjoyed CELEBRATING!

So sad my mom couldn't make it as she came down with the flu (she was absolutely devastated!) But I pray she is feeling better and though we missed her, there will plenty more birthdays and times to celebrate :)

So the cupcakes really were awesome! I had WAY too many of course, but solved that by delighting the neighborhood kids with leftovers and sending a giant box with my dad for his congregation tomorrow at church!

A few pictures to share...

7 cupcakes later...

I put on a pair of my yoga pants tonight. Like I always do when I lounge around at home. Except this time they felt tight. And they are already pretty fitting pants. I think I've had 7 too many cupcakes in the last couple days.

Well, the guest room is done! As done as it's going to be until I get some new bedding in there and accessories on the walls. But done enough for Jolyn's visit next week! (Hip hip hooray!!!!) So I had to settle for a solid cream duvet set I already had. Rob told me he just can't justify yet ANOTHER bed set...(you see, I used to work at Restoration Hardware and Macy's...and let's just say I LOVE HOME LINENS). I know I already have too many sets, but none in a solid, crisp white like I'm picturing for this room. So, cream for now it is! I'll settle. I would take photos but well, it's 11:45pm and I'm quite tired. And the lighting...not so great right now anyway.

So the big birthday bash is tomorrow! Oh I am so tickled excited about it! My little boy is celebrating his first birthday! Wow! And I know he wants nothing more than balloons :) He has an absolute love with helium-filled balloons. So I've ordered a huge bunch of them! He's going to be in balloon heaven :) Whenever we are at the grocery store, we pass by the floral counter that has a big balloon display next to it. He gets this completely giddy look on his face, points and says "BA BA BA BOO?" I cannot wait to see the look on his face when he sees all the balloons tomorrow :)

Alright...very late...must get rest for tomorrow! Pictures in another post... :)

Color me cupcakes!

Today I made cupcakes. 54 to be exact. 18 jumbo giant over-sized mammoth cupcakes and 36 regular-sized cupcakes. There are red, orange, green, blue and chocolate brown colors. And the flavors are red velvet, chocolate, french vanilla and yellow cake. Yummm! I love cupcakes. Oh yes, I really really do. I can't wait to frost them (and the frosting will be so many colors too!) topped with sprinkles... So, in my freezer sit 52 cupcakes (Jack and I both had one) waiting to be frosted and eaten on Saturday at Jack's birthday party. I will be sure to take photos of all these wondrous little cakes... Did I mention yet that I love cupcakes?

Tonight we worked on more edging in the guest room. I'm so painted out. It should be finished tomorrow hopefully. Then next I have extravagant plans for the playroom... Which is much larger. And slightly intimidating. But I have this image in my head of how it will look and I wish I could just snap my fingers and see it come to life! Too bad it doesn't quite work that way, right? :)

Hope everyone has a good night!

Tiffany's anyone?

I have a better description for the paint color Rob selected in the guest room. Highlighter. It looked just like someone colored the wall with a yellow highlighter. Really, it hurt to look at and I wanted to run for my sunglasses. I didn't even take any pictures because I have no desire to ever see the color again. Seriously.

Anyway, I did have a chance to get out to the paint store again today. Thank goodness as anything is better than highlighter. But so much for my muted or paled down Tiffany's blue paint color idea for the guest room. I had a color matched today from a paint deck that I have. Well, after 1 coat...it's almost identical to the little Tiffany's blue box packaging. Not exactly what I was picturing. I was a little shocked at first (apparently I overcompensated for how dark the room is and it looks like you're walking right in a Tiffany's box now!) But I think I will like it...with crisp white linens and some nice white accents. Yes, it will work. (Though if you've been to my house, you know it is NOTHING like any of the other rooms which are all various shades of brown. Hah!)

So here it is. Notice the real Tiffany's bag in the background for comparison...Or maybe you don't b/c it blends in. (I promise I did not have the actual bag matched nor did I match that bag to any of my paint decks.) The edging (both my and Rob's least favorite part of painting) is left for last. So tomorrow I will attempt to get as much done as I can during nap time.


Really....pardon my appearance (although sadly, this is usually what I look like during the week when I'm just home with Jack!) I know the color will show up differently on everyone's computers as resolutions vary, so I'm including a few photos with and without flash in hopes that one of them will capture the "real" color for you :)


So now I just need to finish it and then add the details. I am pretty sure I'll like it. After I walk in and out of the room about 97 times to get used to it, that is...

Guten Abend und gute Nacht, alle!