An Eggcellent Easter Day!

Easter weekend came and gone and what a weekend it turned out to be! Holidays are exhausting; especially with a little one to entertain, keep happy and AWAKE for and during the festivities. Jackson did a great job today at his Grandma's house for Easter lunch. He ate brisket, mashed potatoes, pees & beans and yummy rolls. He explored her home and pulled on her rugs, climbed on her couch and tore up her Sunday paper.

We were able to have a quiet morning and evening surrounding our holiday celebration and spend time playing and laying with our boy. I am really looking forward to being able to start traditions that our child (and future children) can remember and look forward to. I havent the slightest idea of what traditions to incorporate into our immediate family, but perhaps bunny shaped pancakes for breakfast and an easter egg hunt is in store for next year.

To wrap up our night, we caught our little man shakin' it to his supper CD. Check out this video to see Jackson in action. Happy Easter to everyone reading!

Jack's Circle of Friends

Being the only mom in my circle of friends has been tough but it's also an eye opener. When you start a new chapter in your life, you want to gravitate to those people with common interests or towards those that are a positive influence.

Since becoming a mom and having new priorities, my friendships have been evolving. I hold on tight and put forth so much more effort into the friendships that have meaning and have let go of the ones that have faded. I've learned that a few great friendships is far better than a lot of acquaintances and am starting to open my eyes to a lot of great new people with similar interests.

Jack and I have met some friends throughout our new chapter in life and today I want to celebrate our circle of mommy & baby friends and thank them for being there. It's a different sort of bond that we share and an understanding if "something comes up" because after all, our babies rule of mommy world and call all the shots!

The people that we surround ourselves with in life shape who we are or who we want to become. I am grateful for all the people that I choose to have in our life and look forward to making new friendships; for myself and my family.

Here is Jill and Ethan. Jill and I worked together at my previous job and became really close before we were pregnant. Jill had Ethan in August and continues to be a big support person through all the trials and tribulations of motherhood. She is my go-to mom with all of my questions!

This is Jack's buddy William. Will was born one week later than Jackson and his mommy Erin and I were pregnant at the same time. I met Erin through work and this bond continues to grow stronger as our boys grow up!

My newest friend is Danielle. Her little guy is Ethan (just turned 1 in March!) and we met through Jack's Gymboree Play & Music class. She and I have a lot in common - she inspired me to start blogging again - and we keep in touch on a daily basis. We are starting to plan plenty of playdates (picnics, zoo visits, and luncheons) outside of Gymboree and get to know each other more.

My cousin Shelly has two adorable boys name Josh and Joe. Josh is five months older than Jack and I can see how Jack looks up to him. I am making more of an effort to visit with Shelly and the boys (as they live 10 min away!) because she is a great person to be with and I know that Jack can benefit and learn so much from Josh. Also, holding Joe (who is only 5 months) makes me want to have another little one!

A family photo first

Yesterday was one of the most wonderful days we have had in a really long time despite going on a mere four hours of sleep due to a teething baby. My husband Brian took the day off of work and his parents Randy and Nancy came down for a visit. On Wednesdays we have our weekly Gymboree Play and Music class where kids get to learn to climb, run around and interact. Brian rarely gets to see Jack in action so this was a special treat for him. But on this particular Wednesday, I had planned the first professional family portrait and was beyond excited!

Due to the lack of sleep, all of us were dragging and exhausted. We tried to push a few AM naps on Jack so that he would be his happy self during the photo shoot but it didnt turn out the way I had envisioned. We took the "long route" to the studio so Jack could grab a quick nap and by the time we got there, he only had fifteen minutes of sleep.

During the snapshots, his facial expression was well, non existent! He was so tired the poor guy couldnt bring himself to smile. After several people attempting to entertain him, we snapped a bunch of photos with barely a little smirk. What I was amazed by was that he didnt squirm, cry or fuss the entire time we were there. The pictures turned out amazing and it was definitely money and time well spent.

We ended our afternoon by soup, salad and breadsticks at Olive Garden and plenty of rest when we got home. The perfect end to an amazing day.

I feel clean.

This weekend was very productive! I just went through and organized all of my fabrics and craft area so it no longer looks like a sweat shop and returned itself to some form of a basement. I don't want to take over my husband's "space" so I created a crafting corner far far away from the PS3 and TV. Finally, I feel clean, organized and ready to create.

I consider myself a multimedia guru or at least I like to dabble with several different means of communication. Since creating baby Jack blankets, I have found that a lot of my conversations and requests come directly through word of mouth, eBay or my Facebook fan page. Facebook is so much fun socially but as a business, I think it is great to be able to showcase my creations, talk to other moms, see pictures of fans and their babies and not make this business so "professional".

As each day passes, I struggle to find time to update facebook, blog, make blankets, process orders & shipments and also design a web page. All I ask of you is to be patient with me as I am trying to enjoy all the little things in between that life brings.

I thank you for all of your orders, compliments, suggestions and referrals and look forward to creating more soon. Tata for now, I am off to play with my baby and finally shower :) (it's 2pm)

A Year in Review

My life has forever changed because of this little man that has brought so much joy into my life. I never imagined that giving birth to Jackson could turn me into the person I am today. I have learned many lessons over this roller coaster of a year but I can honestly say I have reached my peak of total contentment. I have found my happiness in myself as a mother, a wife and as a woman.

Jackson turned one on February 6th and it was a very memorable experience. My husband and I celebrated his birthday and toasted to each other for getting through his first year as new parents. Since his first birthday, my baby Jack turned into a little boy. He has his very own personality, desires and a funny sense of humor; I am learning to savor every moment as time passes too quickly.

Jack has inspired me to try new things and to live in the moment. One day I randomly bought a sewing machine and learned how to sew. It's a creative outlet for me as a stay at home mom and alas I created baby Jack blankets! Since starting this business/hobby of mine in August I have expanded it on eBay, in baby boutiques, at craft fairs and have done quite well!

I owe so much to my son. He is the light in my life and my daily inspiration and entertainment. Thank you Jackson for teaching me to be a great mommy and accepting me for who I am.

Love,
Kelley Legler ~ mommy & seamstress