Thank You. Always.

Thank you to everyone who has followed on this journey for the past 2 years. From the moment that we found out we were pregnant with the little bean - to the moment Brennan turned 1 year old....we have had friends that have shared in all of these moments with us. I thank everyone for their support, their advice and most of all for their love. This may be the last of the House of Wards - but we know that the love and support will never end.

We thank you always.

xoxo.

To My Son.

written by: Jenn

To my son.....

What a journey it has been. From the moment that you entered my life, I loved you and cared about you more then you will ever be able to understand. You have made me whole. You have made me complete. I treasure each day that I am able to spend with you and the time that we have together - just you and I, baby B - together moments that will be memories of mine for a lifetime. I remember the first time I held you in my arms. You were mine. I prayed over you while I held you so tight and asked God to give you a life full of blessing and love. He has already answered my prayer.

It has been an amazing journey over this past year. You have gone from this little tiny baby - to now, this little boy..... this amazing little boy that I am so proud of. I know that I can't stop time, but I can savor every moment and not rush these precious moments. These days are just a blip in your long life which you won't even remember. But they are the days that I will recall in my mind for the rest of my life.

I will love you forever B.

I will love you for always.

No matter what, my baby you'll be.

1 Year Pictures.

posted by: Jenn

The Sunday immediately following B's birthday we had his one year pictures taken by Sara Rose. Her and I had been talking for so long about his 1 year birthday and how to BOTH of us it was so sentimental. Baby Brennan was Sara Rose's first newborn to ever photograph. Its her first one full year to document. I have told her so many times that she has taken pictures that I will treasure forever. Moments of B that you forget so quickly - realizing that they grow so fast. We met at Percy Warner Park on a beautiful fall day and took pictures for roughly an hour. We had about 30 minutes left until her next appointment and we just sat and talked. We talked about B, we talked about life and we especially talked about life as a mother. We cried. We cried a lot. B had come to love her and to me, she had become such a memorable part of his life.

Thank you Sara for what you have captured for our family. We ALL thank you.... grandparents, parents and of course us. You have captured the life of B in photographs that will be treasured for a lifetime. Thank you for being such an important part of his first year.

B's First Birthday Celebration.

posted by: Jenn

Wow.... I don't really even know where to start with this post and am even thinking I don't even know what pictures to put up in this post. This, all in all, was one amazing day and one that I will never ever forget. The day started off just right. Brennan slept in (thankfully!) and took one heck-a-va nap that afternoon (4 hours to be exact!) so that gave me a lot of time to get the house ready. I had balloons, made table cloths, made party favors for the kids, presents galore and just needed to pick up the food and the cake. This, to me, wasn't going to be a typical first birthday party. No themes. No cuteness. Just a night for all of our friends and family to come and celebrate this joyous little boy that has been a part of our lives for a year now. What better way to do this then with lots of beer, lots of BBQ and lots of socializing. It was perfect.

Most everyone started to show up at the house around 5:00. The weather was awesome. Kids were playing in the backyard. All of the parents were out back on the deck. I was truly amazed with how many people came (63 people!!!) to celebrate. I always think, the bigger the crowd the better the party. We celebrated for hours. Ate dinner and did the traditional cake pictures and present opening. B loved the cake and ice cream and to our amazement used a fork for the very first time and used it like he knew what he was doing. The presents..... oh my goodness, the presents. It was UNREAL. They were everywhere and actually still are. Most everyone stayed until 8:00 and we had a few stragglers til roughly 10. Baby B crashed that night..... well, I think we all did.

It was a perfect day....which is exactly what I wanted. I know that he wont remember any of this, but I wanted it perfect for baby B. He is a life worth celebrating to so many.

First Haircut!

posted by: Jenn

Well, the start of baby Brennan's first birthday weekend could only start in my eyes one way only.... his first haircut. Time to get rid of his mullet. I have always been told of the tradition of not cutting your child's hair until they are one year old. That somehow it is bad luck. I have heard this from quite a few people....but the moment my Grandmother said it to me, I knew I would have to follow it. The time finally came. I had scheduled an appointment with Jessica, who is my stylist and is so good with cutting kids hair that I knew that's was where I wanted him to go. I was completely unsure how B would handle it though. Just the noise of the atmosphere and all of the chaos that comes with a salon. But of course, he was awesome. Just give him a squirt bottle to play with and off we go. It only took about 15 minutes and 10 dollars later.... he finally looked like a grown up little boy. Of course, I have saved the first lock of hair for his baby book. This truly was the best way to start off B's birthday weekend.

Meet Baby Thomas.

posted by: Jenn

In September, the second blessing arrived in the life of my very best friend Donna. His name is John Thomas...... Thomas for short, but I love to just shorten it even more to just "T". He is a beautiful little boy that looks so much like Donna which I love so much. Her family means the world to me and has been my second family for so many years (19 years, I think?) and it was so wonderful to see the Jones genes come thru on baby Thomas. It was an absolutely joyful time when Thomas finally arrived and we were able to meet him...and it was truly love at first sight. We just cant wait to watch him grow up (but not too fast of course....) and have just one more little boy to add to our bunch.

Watch me grow - 12 months.

I am now 12 months old.

I have changed so much in the past year.

I eat, I play, I talk and I am still trying to learn how to walk.

I can say Mama, Dada and Uh-oh. I almost can say Cat and Dog.

I weigh 26 lbs and am still a really big boy.

A Long Time Ago...

posted by: Jenn

So, it seems like a long, long time ago I updated the blog.....(well, not seems - it really has been) life has continued to be crazy busy since then. Bear with me as I play catch up over the past couple of months.

xoxo

Busy Season.

posted by: Jenn

So..... I have had a few of you email me and and ask me what my plan is for the blog? I am excited to say that I just ordered a hard back book of Brennan's life as the "bean". From the very first post - to the post of the news when he was born. I absolutely can not wait to get my hands on it and know that it will be treasured for years and years. With that said, I plan to do the same thing for Brennan's first year. We have had so many ups and downs and so many milestones over this past year..... it is so very, very hard for me to grasp the fact that he will be 1 year in only a few short weeks. I plan to keep this blog going only for another month. It's amazing how much time takes up with a child that is ALL over the place. Keeping up with the blog is becoming a hard thing for me to find time to do.

Keep checking back with us over the next month...... who KNOWS what will happen next!

B's 1st Birthday!

posted by: Jenn

I can not even tell you how much time it is taking to plan baby B's first birthday..... its a once in a lifetime experience and I want to make it as perfect as possible.

Blue's and Chocolate's and polka dots.... oh my!

No theme this year kids, we are making it traditional to say the least. The only focus will be on baby B. I am still having a really hard time believing that its really been almost a year..... geez.

Watch me grow - 10 months.

Such a big boy now!

I am crawling everywhere and pulling up on everything!

I love to talk and say "dada" all the time now.

Cottage Cheese and Banana's is my favorite food.

I can't believe in 2 months I will be ONE!!!

Planning for Baby B.

posted by: Jenn

So..... my best friends, Sarah and Donna are already poking fun at me. Yep, I am already planning baby B's first birthday party. The calendar is filling up quick this fall with weddings, baby showers and birthday's.... I wanted to go ahead and start getting it out of the way. So, in true "Tant" fashion - the guest list is already up to 50 people - thinking about kegs and maybe Ben Johnson's famous grill trailer in the backyard - making baby B's wish list for gifts - ordering party favors - even thinking about a photographer too! (Phindy.... wish you weren't off in an exotic local shooting a wedding!!) Just a good 'ol fashion shindig.

You only turn 1 once right?? I am thinking that it HAS to be done just right....

MNO Therapy (Part 2)

posted by: Jenn

Please refer to my last (and first) post about MNO therapy.....

http://houseofwards.blogspot.com/2010/03/mno-therapy.html

I can not emphasize enough what an awesome group of girls this is and how much fun we always have together. It truly is therapy. A break from the norm and just a group of moms getting together (with a little wine) and bonding for hour.

Looking forward to our road trip mamma's!

Surprise Trip to Chattanooga!

posted by: Jenn

Well, I had to keep it a little hush, hush..... and wow, how I do love surprise parties. This past week a long time wonderful friend of mine turned 30. Annie. Let's see..... we went to Kindergarten together, went all thru High School together, went all thru College together (even shared a room every year), was her Matron of Honor in her Wedding and still to this day we can always pick up right where we left off. So, I decided a great way to surprise her was to show up to her 30th Birthday party. Of course, I had her hubby Ben all in the know.... and he was thrilled that Tim and I were making the trek. Wow.... what a reaction. It.was.perfect. I always love being able to make someone happy.... especially if it involves me going the extra mile for someone. I had such a wonderful time.

Happy 30th Birthday Annie.... forever friends we will ALWAYS be.

xoxo.

Holy Cuteness!

posted by: Jenn

Just a quick post on a little discovery that I made today. Many of you have asked where I got Brennan's adorable "spot tee's" that he wore in his 9 month pictures.... well, check out the link below. I just came across this today and could hardly contain myself. I sent her pictures of her fabulous tee's and never knew this would happen.... she has even featured Brennan on her Etsy site. WOW! This is one.proud.mamma.

ispotyou tshirt shop:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ispotyou

ispotyou blog:
http://www.ispotyoutees.blogspot.com/

Meet Virginia.

posted by: Jenn

Today I finally got to meet the beautiful Virginia Tosh...only a little over 2 weeks old. She is the newest baby girl from one of my best friends Leslie and her wonderful hubby, Emil. Virginia was such a doll today. You forget so quickly the little hands and feet and those "dinosaur" noises that they make. Porter was also being such a wonderful big sister and giving sweet Virginia lots of kisses and singing to her Jesus Loves Me. It was such a great visit and such a highlight to my morning. Don't grow up to fast sweet girl.... I cant wait to see you again!

Favorite Past Time!

posted by: Jenn

My new favorite past time is sewing.... I have gotten a few chances to play with my new sewing machine and get accustomed to it's crazy settings, 60 different stitches and how to use the block lettering. Well, today was no different. I had taken the day off while Brennan was at "school" and got to spend a few hours sewing. I did make a cute little apron..... lots of raw edges, but still looks very vintage. I think I might get carried away with this new little hobby..... but that's perfectly okay by me! :)

Time for School!

I'm all ready to go to "school".

I have already met all of my teachers and some of my new friends.

I am excited to learn new things everyday.

Mom was a little nervous - but we got thru it OK!

30th Birthday with the Family.

posted by: Jenn

It's a family tradition to always get everyone together at the first of August to celebrate what seems to be EVERYONE's birthday all together. Well, this year - the celebration turned a little bit - to only me and Tim. Since we both turned 30th roughly 2 weeks from each other the family decided the small get together and dinner would be just for this big milestone. It was a great time had by all. Brennan was the center of attention of course.... especially since he is crawling and pulling up on what seems to be everything. My Aunt and Uncle were there, my cousin, my in laws and my brother in law even drove in from Memphis. The best part about it (besides all the laughs) was the cards. I have finally determined that the older you get the more cards you get.... forget the presents, bring on the Hallmark! I am VERY happy to report though, that I did FINALLY get my sewing machine!!!!

So 30 is here and gone (-ish).... well, sortof.

Tomorrow I turn 30.

written by: Jenn

Tomorrow I turn 30.

Over the past few days I have been thinking a lot about what has happened and about what has changed in my life over the past decade. To think about how much I have grown. To think about what my life has become. To think about the people that have become such a significant part of my life and who have helped make me into who I am today.

Just to think in the past 10 years I.....

- Moved to Chattanooga.

- Turned "21"....

- Lived in New York City.

- Graduated from College.

- Moved to Birmingham.

- Started my first job and started my career.

- Got married.

- Moved to Nashville.

- Built my first house.

- Lost my job (never again!).

- Gained a new career.

- Witnessed my friends get married.

- Ran 2 "1/2 Marathons".

- Stood by the side of so many friends having babies.

- Rekindled old friendships and familyships.

- Made new, life changing relationships. (my rock).

- Had the joy of being pregnant.

- Best part of all.......I became a MOM.

I can not even think about what the next 10 years has in store for me.

I thank God every day for the life that He has given me.

I have learned how to live and love.

Through all of the ups and downs, my life experiences wouldn't have made me the woman I am today.