Jaggar's Birthday Morning

What a fun birthday Jaggar had! He had so many people that celebrated and loved him, and I have a ton of pictures to document it! Don't you worry about that! We started "partying" from the moment he woke up. My mom (Nonni) bought his present in April, and it had been hiding until Jaggar's birthday. Travis had it ready and waiting for him when he woke up.

He has to have his "mulk" the moment he wakes up. This boy is not much of a morning person, unlike big sis trailing behind.

Look at those faces.

Hmmm....

A new wagon! Notice Sage had no trouble hopping in.

I thought I'd give him a little push. :)

This thing is pretty great. It's got actual seats in it, 8 cupholders, an umbrella and a cooler on the back. Travis said that we could walk to Kentucky.

To no one's surprise, he thought he'd like to pull it.

And she was okay with that.

Theeere's the face of joy!

I had to try too! ;)
Happy Birthday Boy

Their first official ride outside later that day! Thank you, Nonni and Papa! We all love it!

Look Who's Two

Happy 2nd Birthday, Jaggar Cruiz!!! How is that possible? Two years ago at this exact time, I was praying that Sage could be there to be one of the first to hold you. My, my, my, that was more than possible as it took quite some time for you to make your appearance. That was the only time that you took your time since now, 2 years later, you literally run everywhere. You were the most beautiful boy I'd ever seen or held and you still are. I love you more than I could ever express, and I woke up thanking God this morning that He put YOU with us. I didn't think I could ever relate to having a boy, but you are my best little man. You're funny, rotten, mischievous, loving, smart, sweet, rotten, rotten.... :) I love how even though 2 seems to mark the end of "baby-hood" (In response to the question of how old you are, we now say TWO. No more 17 months, 22 months), you're still my baby and aren't in TOO much of a hurry to be too big. I can't imagine my life without you in it. You make it worth living. Love love love YOU.

He's Ready

Watch here to see it so it's not cut off. If anyone knows how to readjust parameters, feel free to share.

Remembering

This morning, Mom and I went to Wright's Dairy Farm to get milk and I thought that we could run into the museum on the way to get ONE last pick up of their awesome chocolate. Worked like a charm, by the way, but when I walked up to the door and saw the sign, an overwhelming sense of nostalgia flooded me. Two years ago to the day was my first visit to the museum and my last day with just one child. What a ride it has been since then! (More on that tomorrow) BUT what a beautiful day that was with so many in between since then.

Me and my big boy sitting on the bench today looking at the fish and eating "choc," as he calls it.

Exactly 2 years ago

Just one little girl to keep up with: look how small that she was then.

Jaggar's Kindermusik Playdate

Last week, I saw that Think Toys was going to host a Kindermusik Playdate for children ages 1 1/2-3 years old. I thought that it would be perfect for Jaggar, so I registered him. It was the CUTEST thing, and Karen, the owner, was absolutely perfect with all of these babies (all 10 of them). She was thoughtful and understanding that they weren't going to just sit there the whole time (or at all in some cases, like mine). She even said that the most important thing was for them to be comfortable and to let them move around if they wanted to. Ha, not a problem. They had balls and balloons everywhere, and that is ALL that Jaggar could focus on for the first...oh, 20 minutes. He kept throwing them to/at other kids. It was such a cute music class, and Jaggar had a great time singing, dancing, playing instruments (he got to take home rhythm sticks), learning about animals, eating cookies and drinking juice.

The infamous ball

He actually seemed shy for the first...5 minutes. He got over that and assumed that everyone wanted to play catch--even adults.

Playing with the rhythm sticks.

Notice the balloon is in his other hand.

Ms Karen would pass around different pictures of the animals that we were singing about. I think he was looking at a zebra here.

And back to his favorite...

He actually played the bells for a few (seconds), too. How cute is that? Fun day!

8 Years and an Art Show

Yesterday, May, 17th, Travis and I celebrated 8 years of marriage. It sounded like a long time for both of us. I think that this is the first year that I've felt like, "Um..wow, I'm getting old!" But I really just got married really young (20), but yes, actually, we're all getting older, too. We had a really nice day. Sage's school had an art show that evening, as well, that I thought we'd either have to miss or cancel some of our own plans, but we actually were able to do it all. I was VERY happy about that since this is the last family event aside from graduation that will be in kindergarten for her. She made some really pretty things.

After that, we dropped my mom and the kids back at home and Travis and I went to Fuji and had the BEST sushi. I can't even remember the last time that we had a meal alone, and I have to say, it was SO nice. After that, we went to the movies (again, aside from kid movies, that's been a REALLY long time for me, too) and saw the new Madea movie. I've never seen any of those, but I laughed harder than any movie I think I've EVER seen. WOW, GO see that if you haven't. Seriously, funniest movie ever! Thanks to mom for giving us a night out and thanks to Travis for staying married to me for this long. Here's to many more!

Sage's art is the first one to the right of the sign. She was proud. (If you're wondering why we are all wearing long sleeves, it's because we've reverted back to winter.)

That's her's in the bottom left corner. Cutie.

Museum with Mom

One of the things on our agenda to do while Mom is in town was to go to the museum. Her last visit was the day that we went that I was to have Jaggar later that night. I thought that she would like the Chocolate exhibit, and I was right. This is the last week of that, so if you're local, you should go and check it out. Also, check out their chocolate in the gift shop. Surprisingly, it is seriously some of the best chocolate that you could ever eat. I'll be so sad when it's gone with the exhibit. We had a great time there, as usual.

In front of the "chocolate tree"

I did this all by myself haha. I amuse myself.

Pretty Sage in front of the chocolate seeds rockin' her new hairdo

Jaggar is always trying to go elsewhere.

Well, of COURSE, ya know we had to!

Love these butterflies and that cutie in front of them

He's not looking, but I did catch a smile. He's getting better about when he sees the camera and saying, "CHEEEESE!" You just have to catch it RIGHT then because he's instantly onto the next thing.

Don't you just wanna squeeze him?

They put the coy fish back in the pond, which is why neither of my children are looking up. It is SO beautiful outside on the museum grounds.

Emily's 30th Birthday Weekend

My friend, Emily, is turning 30 on May 23rd. Nick, her husband, has been planning her party for "2 years," he told me. He listens to anything and everything she says and tries to make it happen for her. The thing about Emily is that she really doesn't ask for anything for herself, and this makes them a nice match. So, for her 30th, Nick really went all out. This past Friday night, he rented a stretch Hummer limo to take a few of their close friends to The Melting Pot in Birmingham. She had no idea until it was in her driveway. Emily had mentioned that she'd wanted to go there months ago and Nick remembered. I can really get used to being driven around in a limo, just in case you wondered.

Me, Taylor, Angelle and Emily

Travis and I at the Melting Pot

Nick and Angelle...I'm going to give my opinion on this restaurant now because this is my blog and I can, and I think everyone that went or that has been would agree with me. I would like to save anyone that's considering it: don't waste your money except on dessert. THAT is good. I was smart enough to heed this advice from others beforehand. Travis and I just got entrees' and not the much pricier "big night out," so it was kind of a typical bill for us. But here's the deal on this place: you cook every bit of your own food. I was just thinking about dipping bread into cheese and fruit into chocolates, but no. If you get fillet or lobster, you cook every bit of that. And when I say "cook," I mean dipping it into a boiling...soup? Bouillon? And your table needs to agree on the type they want. How many of you boil your steak? Just a fair warning if you're considering this place. The company was great, and we all had a great time so it didn't matter, but I don't think any of us would ever want to go back.

Me and Jennifer, Emily's sister

Ladies

On the way back home. I enjoyed catching up with these girls sans children.

Nick on the phone trying to appear important

I love this girl. She became one of my first friends here in Alabama when I had none and made it easier to call this place "home."

Rhenda and I: 2 peas in a pod.

The next night was the bigger surprise. Nick had many more friends AND family at Classic (MUUUUCH better restaurant) waiting to surprise her. It was a beautiful night. The food and company was wonderful, and the theme that Nick put together was to make things happen on Emily's bucket list. He had it catered. He had a videographer, a DJ and special videos made for her. He played a video of NYC and a scene from Sex and the City where they walk in the Plaza Hotel because Emily has always wanted to go. And she is. He's paid for her to go for a weekend and stay there. He also had a video with photos of her life, family and friends (including her 24 year old brother that passed away not even 2 years ago) made for her. It was SO sweet to see and be a part of.

I didn't even get my camera out until most people were gone, but I just have to say that me, Emily and Rhenda danced for a good 2 hours. It was SO fun, and I MAY have danced off half of that chocolate that I ate out of the chocolate fountain.

One of Emily's cousins came up to me and said, "I'm sorry if you see me staring at you, but I just LOVE to watch you dance. You just look so carefree! I love it!" HA! Carefree I am, meaning I don't care what I look like. I don't think that I CAN dance, but it doesn't stop me FROM dancing.

Sweet couple. Nick told me that next year's birthday will be a bbq in the backyard. ;)

Still goin'

Me and Nick arguing: what we do best. Fun times had by all!!