Just Call Me Martha

Martha Stewart, that is.  Okay, don't...I'm actually not a huge fan of hers, but she is pretty crafty when she isn't committing felonies.

Lately, I have become quite the crafting diva according to my husband.  I used to loathe crafts.  I didn't understand why people wanted doilies hanging from their ceiling or wreaths made out of yarn.  Well, folks, times have changed.

Let's begin...

Here is what a typical day looks like in my household, except usually I'm not smiling like this.  Please notice the sweats (most likely stained with Jett's drool or stomach fluids), the energy drink in the background, pillows all over the floor, my crying child (obviously), and my messy hair.  Keep in mind that it is 9 p.m. and Jett is not in bed. In fact, he hadn't even had a bath yet and is buck naked underneath the blanket.  

At this point, making a wreath with yarn sounds GLORIOUS...

And so while Jett was doing this one afternoon....

                                               

I created this.  My first wreath EVER.

 And it doesn't stop there, folks.  Here we have a full-blown Valentine-making session going on (top picture) and a cute heart banner made out of burlap and felt. 

I know, I just keep surprising you, don't I?

To be perfectly honest, it's hard being a mom!  Being able to do little crafts during nap time has become therapeutic for me. I have found that it is so important to continue doing the things you love (or things you didn't know you loved) when faced with challenges.  Jett, is no doubt, the biggest challenge that I have ever taken on, but I am grateful for him!  He pushes me to my limits and makes me stronger, as a person, each and every day.

Here are a few more things that I have done this past month or two:

A Waffle Bar!  I had some friends over for brunch one morning. 

We stuffed ourselves silly and had some great conversation.

A Baby Shower!  I threw a "Sweets" themed baby shower for one of my friend's.  It was so fun coming up with different ideas for food and decorations.  Thank you Pinterest!

And finally....an Iron Chef Party!  Seriously, if you and your friends have not experienced an Iron Chef Party, you need to do so pronto.  My friend, Chelsea and I hosted the event and we went all out.  She is a food blogger and posted all about the party HERE

I am far too lazy to post all of the details, 
especially since she did such a good job describing it already.

However, I will say that the party was amazing and the food was divine.

It was such a fun date night with Cody, too, although he doesn't look too excited in the picture below.

Hibernation

I have now been working on this post for about five weeks now...and finally getting around to actually publishing it.  You would think that with my title, "Hibernation", that I would have gotten around to publishing sooner!  

It is true, though.  Jett and I are hibernating until spring decides to roll around.

This winter has been nasty; and I'm not talking about the weather.

SICKNESS!

Frankly, we are sick of it, and I bet you would agree.  

EVERYONE has been hit this season including us.  

There is a more detailed account HERE about what Jett dealt with, but let's just say that we are glad that he stuck around.  It was incredibly scary there for a bit and we were worried that we might lose him.  We weren't quite ready for that to happen (we never will be) and he wasn't ready either.  He wanted to show us how strong he really is.  I would prefer to not have him be forced to prove that again.  It takes a toll on everyone.  

Get ready for major picture overload below.  

I did  A LOT of baking over the holidays and loved every minute of it.  I jammed out to the Christmas radio station and test-tasted all of my cookie dough...to make sure it was safe, of course.

 The day before we traveled back to Utah, we found out that my parents' dog, Buddy, passed away.  He was really sick with pneumonia and his kidneys were failing him.  I begged my parents to keep him alive (he had to be put down) for one more day so that I see him, but Buddy was too sick.  

He was such a great dog and companion for my dad.  I always looked forward to taking Buddy and Kusaba for walks together.  They would always try to bump each other off of the sidewalk as they walked.  Oh...and his breath.  He had the stinkiest doggie breath EVER.

I miss him, but he's happy and healthy now in heaven.

The first day back in Utah was a beautiful, sunny day.  Jett and I had some fun in the sun.  He loved feeling the warmth on his face and gave me some good smiles.  This was, of course, before the dreaded sicknesses hit.

Cody's dad, Jerald, turned the Big 6-0 while we were in Utah and we HAD to throw him a surprise party...only because he hates them so much.  A huge crowd showed up to celebrate.   We had fun dressing up in the "photo booth".

Jett was wiped out toward the end of the party and cuddled with his Aunt Tiffany (my sister).  She has the special touch.  Cody and I try to imitate how she tickles Jett's head, but can't do it quite like her.

Tiffany and I were able to spend some quality time together...pedicures, Cheesecake factory, and wearing mustaches as we drove around Salt Lake.  

We spent Christmas up in Logan with my side of the family.  Our Christmas Eve party was definitely something we'll remember...for both the good and the bad.  

The good:  Our White Elephant party.  Let's just say that Cody and I are the king and queen of white elephant gifts.  Is that something we should be proud of??

The bad: This was the night that we discovered that Jett was really sick with something...we just didn't quite know what yet.  Poor baby.

Our first trip to the ER...at Logan Regional Hospital.  Definitely not our favorite hospital, but when you're in a pinch (no pun intended), you go there.  This is where we found out Jett had C. Diff.

By the way, if you understood my pun above, props to you. Hee hee.

Even though Jett was terribly sick, we tried to still make the best of our trip.  As you can see, I let Cody play dentist on me, but I didn't get any happy gas.  Booooooo.

We also went out to eat a lot.  That's what you're supposed to do during the holidays, right?

Second trip to the ER with Jett for some IV fluids...this time at Primary Children's Hospital. 

Back home in Omaha, things took a turn for the worse.  I tried to keep Jett at home throughout his sickness since we have all of the required medical equipment.  However, his lungs began to worsen and I didn't want to chance anything.  Jett ended up at the Omaha Children's Hospital for five days.  It was a little stressful, to say the least, because during his stay, I came down with the flu bug.  I was DOWN and OUT.  The hospital nurses didn't want me there until I was feeling better.  That was somewhat difficult to be laying in bed at home while your baby is deathly ill in the hospital.  Not fun.

            

"I will conquer!!", says Jett.

Flash forward to today, we are on the mend! We are so ready for spring to be here.  Honestly, the winter hasn't been that bad, but I think we need some warmth and sunshine just because.  

 I am super hesitant about going out where there might be a lot of germs.

 I've turned into Mama Bear, so watch out.  

"Put that hand sanitizer on NOWWWWWW!" roars Mama Bear.

Jett is ONE!

We were so happy to have celebrated Jett's FIRST birthday with so many of our friends and family.  The birthday celebrations went perfectly and there were no big fires to put out (literally).

It truly has been a crazy year and we have ALL been through a roller coaster of emotions with this sweet, little boy.  It was so nice to CELEBRATE his birthday and remember all of the positive things that have happened this past year.

Cody and I had decided early in the year that we wanted his first birthday to be a huge deal.  We knew that we wanted to light off wishing lanterns, but didn't quite know how it was going to work out.  When we ended up ordering 300 lanterns, we knew we were in for a great party!  We sent 100 lanterns back to Utah to give to our family and friends so that they could celebrate with us from afar.  Here in Omaha, we delivered about 100 lanterns around our neighborhood and then kept 100 lanterns so that we could pass more out at the actual event.

Below is the invitation that was sent out, along with the poem that I wrote to give out with each lantern (printed on the picture collages).  

Over 100 people showed up to help us celebrate!!  Conditions were perfect...no wind and no fog, which we had been worried about earlier in the day.  We lit the lanterns off and they all floated East over the Missouri river.  It was such a magical moment.

Afterward, we all came back to the clubhouse and had all sorts of "In-flight snacks and beverages", which included hot chocolate, Capri Suns for the kids, donuts, airplane suckers, and little airplane treats made out of Tootsie Rolls and lifesavers.

In the clubhouse, I set up a display to celebrate Jett's Flight Plan, which has been taking place this past year.  I put up pictures of our friends, family, and complete strangers wearing the "Jett" shirt all over the world.  It was so neat to see all of the places Jett has traveled so far.

Thank you to those who have been a part of our lives this past year.  We truly are blessed to know you!

A big thank you to Jett's grandparents, as well, who all made the trip out here to celebrate with us.  We loved having you here and Jett LOVED cuddling with you.

To Jett,

 You are one amazing little boy.  I am humbled and grateful to be your mother.  You have taught me more things over this past year than I have learned my entire life.  You have taught me what it means to be strong and how to be patient.  You have taught me how to appreciate the little things in life and to celebrate the tiniest of accomplishments.  Your presence in our home brings us so much JOY.  Happy 1st Birthday!   

Love,

        Your mommy