The Best Things in Life

Art Buchwald once said, "The best things in life aren't things." And I couldn't agree more!

Here are two of my favorite "things"...

What are some of your favorites in life?

First Things First

This week has been filled with many firsts for our little man:

First time to roll over!

(I wasn't expecting it the first time and as such was without a video camera handy!
We are working on recording this event for all posterity. :))

First time in cloth diapers

(I think Max approves!)

First time in the nursery at church

(while Mom went to a ladies Bible class)

Whew! This mama needs a break from all this growing. Our baby is getting so big so fast!

Mama Bird

My mother-in-law's sister (so my aunt-in-law?) and her daughters pitched in 

and got me a gift certificate to The Vintage Pearl as a baby shower gift several months back. 

It was such a treat to have a little something for me.

Picking a necklace was difficult because there is SO MUCH cute stuff on The Vintage Pearl! 

Ultimately I decided on this necklace, which is called "mama bird:"

I think I did good! ;)

Thanks, Sara, Amy, and Betsy!

Oreos Make Everything Better

This month's issue of Everyday Food included this mouthwatering recipe for Cookie Cupcakes with Raspberry Fluff. One look at the picture and I knew I was trying these out! 

cupcakes + Oreos + anything raspberry = heaven in your mouth!

Honestly, I'm surprised there were any cupcakes left to photograph. ;)

I think it odd that the very same day dear husband comes home from work gushing
(yes, gushing) about these Oreo-stuffed Chocolate Chip cookies a coworker made
and promptly did an internet search to find me a recipe.

At this rate, I'm never going to lose the baby weight! At least my tastebuds will be happy, right?

Five is Better Than One

So our little man has finally discovered his fingers - all five of them! 

Instead of just sucking one (or maybe two), he tries to stick his whole fist in his mouth. 

It's pretty funny to watch!

He gets frustrated when his WubbaNub falls out of his mouth during naps 

and his hand is too big - and wiggly - to be a good substitute. Hopefully those fine motor skills 

will develop quickly over the next few weeks; the big move into his room is imminent 

and this mama doesn't want to make multiple treks each night to pop the paci back in!

Just Perfect

So I'm sure that you already know about the Perfect Iced Coffee that Pioneer Woman featured on her website earlier this summer (on Max's birthday, actually!), but I am just now discovering the wonder that is cold decaf Dunkin' Donuts coffee, a generous splash of half-and-half, and some sugar over ice.

It is just the perfect way to start a sweltering Texas summer day. :)

Why, oh why couldn't I have found this recipe in May??!!!

Starting Early

I am hunting for good Christmas books.

[via]

"But Jessica, it's only August," you might say. "Why so early?"

I've got a whole lot of books to collect between now and November 31st! 

The reason? I saw this fabulous idea for a Christmas Countdown on one of the many blogs I follow:

1. Collect 25 Christmas books

2. Wrap each one in festive holiday paper

3. Let your kids open and read one each day leading up to Christmas

4. Wrap and re-use again year after year!

I absolutely LOVE to read so, of course, it didn't take much to sell me on this idea!

I've made a list of my childhood favorites, but would love some suggestions on your most beloved Christmas stories. 25 books is a lot, after all! :)

Two Months

I cannot believe that Max is two months old!

We have learned so much about our little man in the past two months:

Max has such an easygoing personality which is showing itself more and more each day.

He loves to chatter and often has babbling conversations with Mommy and Daddy. :)

He has also got an adorable grin which he freely shares - especially with the ceiling fans!

Max still loves tummy time and is perfecting the mini push-up.
His legs are getting so strong and he'll often push up to standing on Mommy or Daddy's lap.
He is also quite the kicker, which we predict will make him a fast crawler.
(Better get to babyproofing!)

Bathtime with Daddy is one of his favorite parts of the day - and mine too!
I love to hear my boys playing in the water. :)

Max has made two car trips, one to San Antonio and one to Abilene. He was SUCH a good traveler and we hope he'll continue this trend for our big road trip to Tennessee at the end of this month.

He is nursing about seven times a day, waking only once at night to feed.

While we're still a ways away from sleeping through the night (only about 4 hours at a stretch,
which the pediatrician explained hasn't happened yet because our little man is growing so fast!),
Max goes down for his naps and a bedtimes like a dream.

Max has such big, bright eyes and loves to look around, taking in all his surroundings.
He will follow Mom and Dad as they move across the room.

Our little man had his two-month checkup today - although he's not so little anymore!
Max weighed in at 12 pounds, 7 1/2 ounces and measured 24 inches long.
He was even a champ when the nurse gave him his shots.

It is amazing that God has entrusted this incredible little boy to us.
We are so lucky to be his Mommy and Daddy!

Do Everything

 I have always struggled with a desire to do everything for everyone every time. 

For the longest, I had the impression that this was something I could actually achieve. Motherhood has definitely put that into perspective for me! But sometimes that desire to emulate June Cleaver still rears its ugly head, and then I'm left feeling guilty when I don't measure up (which is constantly).

Then I heard this song by Steven Curtis Chapman on the radio this afternoon:

It was just the word of encouragement that I needed - 

that I can do everything to God's glory, even if it isn't always perfect. ;)

Looks Like

Over the past few weeks, many people have asked me who I think Max looks more like - myself or Clay. To be honest, I think it changes by the minute! Check out these pics and decide for yourself... :)

Baby Clay

 

(Thank goodness for shirts with their names on it!)

Baby Jessica

Baby Max

 

Now what do you think?