one year ago today

April 28, 2010 I was over due with my baby boy. I was ready to get over and done with and have him in my arms. How fast a year flies by. He is approaching one year in a few days. I believe this is one of the last pictures of me before I was no longer this big.

I don't think I posted this on my blog. I made this a few months ago for Little Dreamer Designs (which is now closed). I do not remember the credits (mostly Lenora Sanford). It is one of my favorite digital layouts. This page titled, What We Did Not Know. The picture was taken one of those many moments during labor. We did not know he would look, his personality, and who he was then and now we know so much more about this precious little boy.

TODAY April 28, 2011
and one year later...

Easter Weekend 5

We had a wonderful weekend that was kicked off with my birthday. I got my hair cut and a pedi...very relaxing. Then J took me to eat a really good dinner and he bought me a beautiful comfy pajamas.

Saturday we colored eggs for our Easter egg hunt on Sunday. It was so much fun. I love all the colors. Then we went out for my favorite dessert...frozen yogurt a Yogo Berry!

Sunday is the Lord's day and happens to be when Easter festivities take place. My mom got R's Easter basket. We went out for Easter lunch. Then the Easter egg hunt with friends.

 Dyeing eggs is so much fun and I love all the colors.

 After getting his Easter basket, R had his first peep! He loved it. We were ready for church. R got so many comments on his tie.

We had a egg hunt. It was windy at the park. R enjoyed picking up the eggs.

Just 2 more. When we were egg dyeing. Love this photo of R and J  :)

'At the Job'

It's so nice to see J in his environment at work. I cherish these times. Really we are there to raise money, but we gain memories. I want to remember days like these where we get a very small glimpse in to this life. I love how excited J is to see us. I know it's special for the boys to see their wife and/or kids or just get to enjoy a home cooked meal.
Every moment counts in the military life. We learn to to soak up time to last us a week or months when they are gone. There's not a month that goes by that J is not missed for a least week at time right now. While it's hard on all of us, but we become stronger. I know it makes me a stronger person. Time apart does make the heart grow fonder.

This blog is more than just scrapbooking or a hobby, but a place to remember what life is right now. I want to be able to record snip-its of our life, like a journal with lots of pictures. After all isn't that what scrapbooking is about?

Weekend 4

Weekend in photos...

On Friday, before we went out to dinner Ruger was so tired.

We went to the park on Saturday we videoed and took some photos. R really enjoys the park and the outside.

Love how you can see R in the reflection

Untitled from Erin Stewart on Vimeo.

So the Easter pictures did not turn out well. Mostly due to R wanting to throw eggs and chase them. Ugh. R's 1st Easter is coming up. And his first birthday. He has gotten so big. I can't believe how fast the year has flown by. I still need to finish his book. I have a computer full of videos that I need to get on disc, but I haven't. I guess it will happen eventually. But what really matters is that we are enjoying our little one.

The Journey

Life changed for us quickly. We found out that we were going to Fort Bliss two months before we left. We had no clue what Fort Bliss or El Paso meant other than not beach location we were hoping for. We did not know when we would be moving to Fort Bliss. 

When J came home from Basic Training and OSUT, just a week later we were in El Paso. After a two day drive, two weeks in a hotel, and a moving van a month later, we were here.

As we stand on the mountain and look over El Paso we realize this is home for now

We were out of our element; desert, Mexicans, and their culture. Why did we get sent here? Why not closer to home or a tropical destination? We were here so we learned to deal with the dry heat, culture shock, and military life because we had to. We have seen the beauty of this area. It has only made our family stronger.

Ruger was born here. We made friends here. Home was very distant. Georgia is home. We had a house, family, and good friends. We learned we still had our family, our friends, and our house.

Right now we are on an adventure and learned a lot from our experience. Learned we can do anything.

You can find strength in life changes as I have. Not only moving but dealing with the army wife life.

Queen of Quirk
You Are Here Full Kit
Knotty Girl Paper Pack
Map-Google maps
USA map- clip art

 This is inspired by my pinterst boards. Here is the original at Tickey Boo.

*We have been in El Paso almost 2 years now.

10 months

R at 10 month photos...

Elle's Studio
My Dear Papers
Christmas Scalloped Journaling Tags
Splendid Fiins
border line frame brushes
baker's twine
Cosmo Cricket
Garden Variety Candy Candy

All products available at JessicaSprague.com

11 months

At 11 months, Ruger is getting so big. He now has 3 teeth. He enjoys exploring everything he can touch. He is crawling everywhere. He definitely has his own personality and very independent. He is almost not a baby any more.

I got one of those Gerber newsletters that updates you on information about children at that stage. When I opened it up it said toddler. I realized that next month he will not be a "baby" but a "toddler." I always new it, but it just hit me that my baby will be a toddler. Wow! How fast time has flown by!

Weekend 3

This weekend was very relaxed. The weekend started early. J got off on Friday, which was nice. We did a little shopping and grocery shopping. We went to the park. Ruger loves the swing. He giggles while swinging--so cute. Of course went to church on Sunday. Weekend treats: I made cupcakes and frappuccino during the course of the weekend.

Pitter-Patter

Ruger has become great at crawling. In fact, he only wants to crawl. When I try to stand him up to practice walking, he refuses! I am not worried he will crawl when he wants. I can tell he is stubborn already.

Enjoy the video of him playing and crawling. Just listen to those sweet little feet and hands pitter-patter across the floor...music to my ears.



Speed Crawler from Erin Stewart on Vimeo.