This is what happens when you take the pacifier away...

No more naps. :(
(The video is just audio...he's talking through the crack in his bedroom door.)



"Mommy can't hold you."

Looking Back

Excuse me while I get all sentimental...

Last Pregnant Picture:

Newborn:

One Year Old:

Two Years Old

Three Years Old:

3rd Birthday

From the party last Saturday:

From his actual birthday (today):

(from Nana & Chuck)




(from Nana & Chuck)

(from Grandma & Grandpa)

(from Uncle Josh & Auntie Nan)

(saying "thank you" to the camera)

Talking on the phone with daddy

Lonnie's out of town this week. Here's some pictures of Jack talking to Daddy on the phone. :)

All My Byself

My mom will appreciate the title. It's how I used to say "all by myself" as a toddler.

I made spaghetti sauce yesterday...all my byself. I made my own recipe. I browsed a few online and mashed them all together to make my own. And....it was delicious!!! I was so proud of myself. If you're interested, here's the recipe!


Stephanie's Spaghetti Sauce

1 onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste
2 (14.5 oz.) cans diced tomatoes
1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce
1 chicken bouillon cube
1 beef bouillon cube
3/4 c. water
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1 bay leaf
fresh basil (optional)

Sautee onions and garlic in olive oil (onions first for a few minutes, then garlic) until onions are translucent. Add tomato paste and mix with the veggies for a minute. Add diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. Stir. Add bouillon cubes, water, salt, pepper and bay leaf. Let sauce simmer for a couple of hours. Mix in fresh basil. Enjoy!

How Potty-Training Is Going...

Mommy: "Jack! Do you want to go potty?" (Said as enthusiastically as possible)

Jack: "No!"

Mommy: "Come on! Let's go potty on the toilet!!!" (Yippee!!!)

Jack: "Nooooo!"

Mommy: "Let's go potty on the toilet like a BIG BOY!!! Yay!!!" (This is SO exciting!!!)

Jack: "Nooooooooo!!!! Noooooooo!!!!!" (Throws himself on the floor)

Mommy: "JACK." (said a little less enthusiastically) "We're going potty. Now."

Jack: "Nooooooooooo!!!! Noooooooooo!!!!! Nooooooooooooooo!!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!"

Mommy: "Fine."

Strawberry Pickin'

What We've Been Doing

Painting (everything in sight)

Figuring out what can be turned into a "pool."

Playing on firetrucks.

Sitting in firetrucks.

Blowing bubbles in milkshakes and laughing about it.

Watching a parade (on the 4th)

Being fabulous.

Learning how to be fabulous from daddy.

Washing the new car (truck, SUV, whatever...)

Throwing tantrums when it's time to go inside!

On the plane, on the way to Phoenix. The headphones stayed on for about 45 seconds.

At the park by Auntie Nan & Uncle Josh's house. (My deepest, most sincere apologies to the woman in the background. I don't know who you are, but this was one of the only decent pictures of Jack at the park. My husband was taking pictures. Again, I am sorry. I hope you never know this picture exists.)

Nana and Jack at the pool at Nana & Chuck's condo.

Shanna with the biggest slice of pizza EVER.

Pooped.

Uncle Josh & Jack at the piano at Mimi & Papa's (my grandparents') house.

NOW - Right about here is where I thought about posting some pictures taken the night before my mom and Chuck's wedding. My better judgement said not to. Let's just say that some people had a little bit much to drink and the photos weren't exactly flattering. Lots of half-closed eyes and wobbly smiles. So....we'll just keep those in the family.

Do you see my boogie?

"Adult Time" at The Cheesecake Factory with Josh & Shanna.

They're just too cute.

Also, I need to apologize to my mom and Chuck. We did not get one good picture of them together. All of our pictures of the two of them were either taken on the night-we-shall-not-speak-of or they were taken when my mom didn't have any makeup on...and I don't think she'd appreciate the internets seeing her without makeup on.

There's our vacation pictures in a nutshell! I wish we could've gotten some of the wedding ceremony, but Lonnie was busy keeping Jack out of trouble and I was busy melting in the sun with the rest of the participants.