Ash Wednesday

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent  I read the following in the article "Reflections on Ash Wednesday" and made me sit and think about the true meaning of this time of year. 

"We are reminded that we are all sinners and Lent is a season to repent, get our lives centered, our priorities straight, and our hearts clean.  Lent is a season of hope and with ashes on our foreheads and hope in our hearts, we go forth to love and serve." 

I brought Evan to his first Ash Wednesday Mass today.  He was so well behaved.  I am very blessed and thankful to have such a precious little boy.  He, himself, has centered my life, straightened out my priorities and cleaned my heart.  He makes me want to be a better person and strive to be the best mom I can be.

Evan and Me with our ashes.
He rubbed mosts of his off the moment he recived them.  He looked at me like, "Who is that strange man and what is he putting on my forehead?"

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

~Psalm 51:10

Here's to 40 days of no needless snacking!

Alex's Hat

When I was home on Long Island I made a cute hat for my cousin Kristen's precious little girl Alex.  I used a pattern for a simple kid's beenie hat and added my own little touches like the trim and flowers.  I love this little girl so mcuh and I'm so happy she likes her hat!  I'm calling this hat my "Alex Hat."

She is so adorable!

I miss Alex, her mom and my whole family for that matter so much and cannot wait to see them again soon!

Zoology

Jimmy and I took Evan to the zoo for the first time today.  We had so much fun!  I have to say, the San Antonio Zoo is an amazing place.  I have been to many different zoos and this one ranks up there as one of my favorites.  It has so many different species of animals and is so interactive.  It was such a fun way to spend a beautiful Saturday afternoon.  It is so big we actually weren't able to finish walking the whole zoo.  But, that is okay - it just gives us an excuse to go back soon!  While we were there, Jimmy found out that they have a "Komodo Dragon Feeding" exhibit on Wednesdays.  I have a feeling Jimmy will be taking leave on a Wednesday in the near future and we will be making another trip!  Here are some pictures of our adventures.

 The pinkest flamingos I have ever seen.  They were making the funniest sounds which Evan loved!  He was imitating their sounds and "talking" back to them.  It was hilarious!

 Daddy and Evan watching the Flamingos

 The Spectacle Bear.  He gets his name from the white coloring around it's eyes which resembles eyeglasses.

 

A "baby" Komodo Dragon.  It was very big and scary looking for being a baby.  My baby is much cuter and cuddly!

 Evan watching the sharks in the Aquarium.  He enjoyed the Aquarium so much.  Jimmy carried him in the Baby Bjorn and he jumped up and down the whole time!

 Evan and me with a Rosemary plant in honor of our Aunt Rosemary :)

 Evan as a Butterfly.  This is my favorite picture!

Sorry Jimmy.  Your wingspan pales in comparison to that of a Condor. 

My favorite animal I saw today - a Capabara (aka HUGE Guinea Pig).

 Evan riding the Elephant!

 Sleepy Time

 Kangaroo lounging around

And of course, an outing isn't complete unless Jimmy gets a frozen beverage.

 

Exhausted after a full day at the Zoo!

Beautiful Boy

Close your eyes,
Have no fear,
The monsters gone,
He's on the run and your daddy's here,
Beautiful,
Beautiful, beautiful,
Beautiful Boy.

~John Lennon

One Year Later

Yesterday was the one year anniversary of Jimmy and I finding out we were pregnant.  I cannot believe that it has been a year.  It seems just like yesterday!  I had the fortunate opportunity of finding out I was pregnant with Jimmy right by my side.  I have a lot of friends that have pretty fantastic stories about how they told their husbands they were expecting.  I didn't have to tell Jimmy...he was standing right by me as we read the test together!  It was a cold morning in Ohio, I got out of bed and took the test.  It was so cold that I jumped back into bed waiting for the 3 minutes to pass.  Well, apparently I was so nice and warm in bed I actually fell back asleep.  A few minutes later I was awoken by Jimmy's alarm going off.  He started getting out of bed to go and take a shower.  All of a sudden I remember thinking, "Oh, the test!"  So, I jumped out of bed and ran to beat Jimmy into the bathroom.  There it was, simple black digital lettering on a white stick...."Pregnant."  No "plus sign" or "two lines."  Just the word "Pregnant."  Who knew one word could change your life so much!  The whole time, Jimmy was standing beside me reading the test at the same time.  All I could say was, "Oh my goodness."  Jimmy grabbed me and gave me the biggest and longest hug he has ever given me.  He kept saying, "I love you, I love you, I love you."  He then stumbled back to bed and said, "I think I have to lay down for a while."  He had to recover from the shock :)
And now here we are, one year later, with the most amazing little baby boy.  I had a wonderful pregnancy, which I am so thankful for.  Jimmy and I truly are blessed.  I have never loved anything as much as I love my little boy.  He and Jimmy are my world.

10 days before Evan's birth

Jimmy and me 3 days before Evan's birth

Me and my men - Our first family photo :)

My perfect baby boy shortly after being born