Back to REAL Life

Winter is almost out of here and we are all smiles!  Jett received a new piece of physical therapy equipment (a stander) and he is looking like such a big boy in it.  His favorite place to stand and play is right next to our back door with the sun shining on his face.  I love having a piece of equipment that actually DOES something for his muscles, his bone density, his lungs...I could go on and on. For some reason, Jett's favorite "toy" is this Christmas garland.  It must be the color and/or shine, but he just goes for it.  He's usually not happy unless he is interacting with another human, but put some Christmas garland in front of him and he's hooked for at least five minutes...gives me time to go to the bathroom or something. LOL.

  A couple weekends ago, I left my little Jett man with Cody for the entire weekend while I went to a wedding for my college friend, Kara, in Savannah, Georgia.  From what I hear, Jett and his daddy partied, ate ice cream, and stayed up late without mommy around! Even though it was so strange to fly somewhere by myself, I found great comfort in knowing that Jett had his daddy to take such good care of him.  With that said, I had the TIME OF MY LIFE!!  I can't believe that my college friends and I haven't planned a girls trip sooner because we had a blast.  Kara was a STUNNING bride and I was so happy to be there to witness her marriage.  Savannah is such a beautiful town; a town that I have always wanted to visit.  I shared a hotel room with my friends Ally and Jana and when we reunited, it was just like old times!  

I've been lucky in the traveling department lately because the following week (just last weekend), Cody, Jett, and I went to Chicago, which is hands down, one of my favorite U.S. cities.  Cody and his dad had a Special Care Dentistry conference to attend so while they sat in boring lecture after lecture (from what I hear...haha), Jett and I got to tour the city.  Our hotel (thank you Jerald) was right in the heart of the city so you could literally walk out the front door and you were downtown.  I LOVED IT!  To sum up Chicago in two words, they would be: FOOD & WALKING.  It's definitely good that we did a lot of walking because we sure ate a lot of good food.  We didn't have a meal that we didn't love.  We had Chicago Dogs at Portillo's, Stuffed Pizza at Lou Malnati's, Carne Asada at Cantina Laredo, and the BIGGEST meal that I have ever seen at Hash House A-Go-Go.  Oh my, just thinking about it, makes my stomach feel bloated.  We've definitely had to go back to our healthy eating ways (for the most part) now that we're back in Omaha. 

We're back to real life now, but real life isn't so bad!  It's crazy busy, but I wouldn't have it any other way.  Jett is my main focus (and my favorite at that) and I've had the privilege to be doing and working on a lot of other things as well.  I took an aerial yoga class a couple weeks ago, which felt wonderful, but I'm pretty sure I'm still dizzy from hanging upside down.  I've also been busy working as a Director of Marketing for The Shanahan Plan.  It really is one of the funnest and most challenging jobs that I've ever had.  I love creating and writing new Paleo recipes, coming up with marketing strategies, and expanding Terry's online business.  We have some really fun things in the works, which include a collaboration with my Paleo Plate Treat business. 

  

Cody is incredibly busy with school and finals, but is getting closer and closer every day to being finished.  He gets tired of studying and will usually find a good reason to not do so...it typically involves playing with Jett, but can you blame him?

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