You know we'll have a good time then...

Dropped my son off at the daycare this morning. Every time it breaks my heart just a little more.
We sat down in front of the building really quick to take a picture of his new outfit (and for me to spend another second with him before I drop him off and head to work). Work is getting crazy busy, and my son is growing fast...

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon / Little boy blue and the man on the moon...

Gifts from grandparents

My dear parents went shopping and got our sweet little peanut some awesome gifts - many cute outfits, bedding, and a wagon for his newest obsession with carts and hauling stuff.

VITAMINER TRUMMA @ Ikea

EKKORE wagon @ Ikea

They also got me a wall shelf for my bathroom. This was something I've been wanting for a while since I have limited storage in my bathroom for all my toiletries. I have an empty wall next to my sink that could be utilized, and this is just perfect (Ikea).

LIMHAMN wall shelf @ Ikea

Jack also got to spend time with his grandparents. He loves it there. His grandparents and aunties shower him with love and attention. He is a lucky little boy.

My stylin' little guy

Sitting outside with majka

And off he goes...

Hot summer day

It was so darn hot today, but we got bored staying inside all day, so we decided to fill the pool in the back yard and cool down a bit. Jack loved it. It was so hot, my camera lens got fogged, but here are a few shots of the fun.

Afterward, we dried off on the porch swing. It was beautiful. The rest of the evening, Jack and his daddy watched videos of animals and monster trucks.

His father's son - check out the crossed feet pose he copied from daddy

Who says you have to go on vacation to have fun. We had a blast at home - together.

Hello, new hair!

Summer is coming and it's hot out. My mornings with the baby are rushed. My hair was starting to look pathetic. It was mostly in a sad little ponytail most of the time, anyway. So I decided to chop it off to a shaggy pixie cut. Yes, I hit 30 and got a mom haircut. And I love it. Life is easier this way.

This is what it looks like completely unpolished - and it's still better than what I had.

30th birthday

I can't believe it! I turned 30. Things got real all of a sudden. Looking back at the last decade of my life, I realized I accomplished quite a lot.

1. Got my Bachelor's degree (double major in International Business and Management) from Drake University with honors and summa cum laude.
2. Started my career at my top choice Fortune 500 company.
3. Married the love of my life. 
4. Bought a home and made it our own.
5. Got my Master's degree while working full time and graduated with distinction. 
6. Supported my husband while he finished law school and started looking for employment.
7. Had our first child, our beautiful boy. The best thing I ever did!
8. Made my first successful career transition - was forced to do so due to the economic impact, but ended up in a job that I absolutely love and where I have far more room to grow professionally (within the same great company).
9. Had interesting volunteer opportunities and part-time jobs - historical interpreter at Living  History Farms, volunteer coordinator, artist relations at the DSM Arts Festival, taught a college course, and worked for a lovely local yarn shop. 
10. Discovered my passion for needle arts - opened my first Etsy shop and made some sales on my creations. 
11. Traveled internationally and domestically (Mexico, Italy, Bosnia, Croatia, California, Oregon, Minnesota).
12. Got out of my comfort zone and learned some new and unexpected things - horse riding, weight lifting, running local 5k races, yoga, vegan/vegetarian/pescetarian cooking, sewing, gardening, replacing light switches (with switch wiring), etc...
13. Made many new friends and nurtured relationships with my oldest and dearest friends. Kept my family my top priority.
14. Got my finances in order - paid off some debt, purchased life insurance, disability insurance, created a will, and contributed as much as I could to my 401(k). Still got to learn to live on a tight budget, but I'm much better now than where I was a decade ago. 

This list reassures me that I've done okay in my life so far - no time wasted.  And I have to say, I'm happier than I've ever been. Sure, there are some things that I wish were different (the job market for my husband, my health), but I really can't complain. I just hope the next decade is as great, if not better, than the last.

To celebrate, my wonderful family surprised me after work with dinner, cake, presents, and my family and closest friends surrounding me. I couldn't have asked for anything better.

  

Happy birthday to me! :)

The three most important men in my life

One has been my hero since I was a baby. The other one entered my life when I was 18 and has been my best friend and companion ever since. The third one is my own baby and my firstborn son.

I love these three more than life itself. I've always had strong female role models in my family, but the often unsung heroes are the men I've been blessed with.
Last couple of days they have been hard at work around my house. They even planted a vegetable garden for me. They barely took any breaks and worked until exhaustion.

Jack, following his grandpa.

Jack was helping, too, of course. He is such a boy - curious, imaginative, strong, brave, and not afraid to get dirty. He had so much fun with the wheelbarrow.

 Enjoying the sunshine. :)

 End of day. Exhausted, sweaty, and dirty.

 And thirsty, of course.

Happy Fathers Day to my nurturing, caring father and my husband, who is turning into a wonderful father to our son himself. I love you so much! Jack and I are lucky to have you in our lives.

First "school" pictures

My baby had his first school photos at his child development center. Can't believe he has grown so big so fast.

Jackers, mama loves you! Always and forever.