Category: Jonathan

Halloween 2021

Posted on by Lauren Lane

Well, sometimes even though you have two days off work, you don’t get around to sitting down and writing instead of checking things off to-do lists. So, I’m sorry I disappeared last week! We’re still enjoying Halloween and fall over here, but I love that so many friends are starting to deck the halls!

This is my own little scrapbook of my boys’ life, so we’re going to stick with Halloween for a minute and I wanted to share some pictures from the holiday. We had so much fun trick-or-treating!

Friday afternoon, the boys had their Halloween parties at daycare.

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What’s Up Wednesday {08.25.21}

Posted on by Lauren Lane

This might be my favorite post of the month. They’re the most fun to go back and read, it’s a little bit of food, a little bit of my Timehop addiction, reading, watching, all wrapped up in one post.

As always, I’m linking up with Shay and Sheaffer to share with you what’s going on in our life!

1: WHAT WE’RE EATING THIS WEEK:

We’re eating MY version of Iowa Girl Eats Cheesy Pasta Florentine, Asian Crockpot Pot Roast (the crockpot is coming back hardcore now that I’m starting to think about fall), and Parmesan Chicken Cutlets with corn on the cob.

2: WHAT I’M REMINISCING ABOUT:

We’re getting ready for our trip to my parents’ cabin in South Dakota. The last time we were there was 2019, and we looked like this…

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Jonathan is ONE!

Posted on by Lauren Lane

My sweet little Jonathan Brooks turned ONE, and last weekend, we celebrated as a family our baby boy! I was determined to have a real party, with a theme to celebrate our littlest Lane.

We originally set out to celebrate both cousin Holden & Jonathan’s birthdays together…

But my sister decided to cancel having Holden’s at the same time at the last minute due to some other time consuming things going on in their lives.

So, we just celebrated baby J!

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Friday Favorites {08.06.21}

Posted on by Lauren Lane

We’re in the final countdown of summer like so many of you! The new ‘school year’ officially starts in a couple of weeks. Harrison will officially be in preschool and required to wear a uniform. It feels like yesterday he was a little baby and preschool felt light years away.

Baby J’s first birthday was last Friday, and we celebrated by taking the boys to ice cream in our neighborhood shopping center!

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Dear Jonathan (v. XII)

Posted on by Lauren Lane

Every time I sit down to write this final letter of your first year, the words just don’t come to me.  What to say on such a meaningful occasion.  A year ago, Harrison and I sat on the driveway on a Thursday morning, trash day, waiting for the trash trucks to come “dump the rocks out.”  And a whirlwind of seven hours later, you’d be in my arms.  The loudest newborn scream I’d ever heard, but we were smitten.

We weren’t first time parents.  We knew the joy and love you’d bring to our house.  That there would be hard nights ahead, and easy days.  That you’d grow way too fast, and before we knew it, that we’d look at you and wonder where the bleary nights had gone and the newborn snuggles.

A year later, and the love I have for you is unending.  You watch your brother with amazement and admiration.  Squealing with delight when I take you to wake up your brother, just before we open his door.  You play peek-a-boo slapping your hands up against your eyes so your little baby cheeks wiggle.  Then peek one eye out to see what’s going on around you and laugh when someone catches you.  The floor is lava the minute you see me, insistent on being held at all times if I’m in your presence.

I haven’t shied away from loving on you.  Haven’t shied away from holding you while you fall asleep at night, savoring every last bit of your baby-ness.  I’m so proud of you already, little boy.  Proud of you.  Proud of us: mommy + baby J.  We made it.  One very full, beautiful year.  Happy birthday, my love.

I love you so big,

Mommy

Dear Jonathan v. XI

Dear Jonathan v. X

Dear Jonathan v. IX

Dear Jonathan v. VIII

Dear Jonathan v. VII

Dear Jonathan v. VI

Dear Jonathan v. V

Dear Jonathan v. IV

Dear Jonathan v. III

Dear Jonathan (v. XI)

Posted on by Lauren Lane

I’m writing to you while rocking you to sleep for your nap. I peer down at your calm little face. Lovie being sucked on instead of a paci.  Eleven months staring at that sweet face. It’s a bit chunkier. Rounder. But I still see that little newborn face in it that we met eleven months ago. The one that was calm but skeptical of who we were.  

And now I see peace and security in your little face.  Knowing that you’re always safe in your mama’s arms.

You’re busier nowadays.  Exploring everything in the world.  Eager to knock over Harrison’s Lego tower or destroy his neatly placed line of cars.  You squeal in excitement to see the ones you love.  You find Harrison’s insistence on lovingly calling you “stinky John John” hilarious.  It’s like your little personality was unlocked this month.  Your big, dramatic, loving personality.  And it’s so much fun getting to know our little Jonathan Brooksie.

Only one more monthly letter, little boy.  A letter to celebrate your first birthday.  It all has gone just too fast.  And I’d give anything to be able to do it all again.

I love you so big, little one.

Love,

Mommy

Dear Jonathan v. X

Dear Jonathan v. IX

Dear Jonathan v. VIII

Dear Jonathan v. VII

Dear Jonathan v. VI

Dear Jonathan v. V

Dear Jonathan v. IV

Dear Jonathan v. III

What’s Up Wednesday {06.30.21}

Posted on by Lauren Lane

The last Wednesday of every month, I love joining this little link up to share a little bit of what’s going on in our house this month. It’s a little bit of food, a bit of clothes, a bit of memories and exciting things coming up, all in one blog post. Head over to Shay and Sheaffer’s blogs to read through the rest of the links, too!

1: WHAT WE’RE EATING THIS WEEK:

I’ve got ingredients this week to make a shrimp and Parmesan pasta, tacos, and a chopped salad with shredded chicken. In what order those get made, I don’t know! We’ll just wing it!

2: WHAT I’M REMINISCING ABOUT:

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Summer Bucket List 2021

Posted on by Lauren Lane

Last year, I shared our summer bucket list before becoming a family of four. And this year, I’m so excited for Jonathan to get to enjoy all the summer things that we love so much! There’s still a lot of firsts yet to go for our little guy, and some of these I can’t wait to do with him! And Harrison, of course.

  • Swim Lessons! For Harrison
  • Go to the zoo
  • Head to the Farmstead
  • Blueberry picking
  • Splashin’ and Smokin’ with the cousins
  • Homemade popsicles
  • Go to our local ice cream shop
  • Lots of walks – in our truck, scooter, and bike
  • Take a vacation as a family
  • Celebrate Jonathan’s first birthday!
  • Play dates with our friends
  • Re-catch up with friends that we’ve missed during COVID – lunches and happy hours!
  • Get to know our neighbors better
  • Do a cousin sleepover

Dear Jonathan (v. X)

Posted on by Lauren Lane

Another month gone by of your first year. Ten months with sweet baby J. I love your clapping and toothy grin. I love when your little body snuggles against mine in the morning, knowing that I am a safe place for you. I love the adoration and laughs you and your big brother have for each other. Your curiosity about the dog’s water bowl, closing doors by yourself, and what my drink tastes like that day. 

I love you, sweet boy. I wish for you all the happiness in the world. I wish I could memorize every last bit of this baby year, but it is almost gone already. Two more months until we celebrate a whole year with you. 

Love you always,

Mommy

Dear Jonathan v. IX

Dear Jonathan v. VIII

Dear Jonathan v. VII

Dear Jonathan v. VI

Dear Jonathan v. V

Dear Jonathan v. IV

Dear Jonathan v. III

Friday Favorites {05.28.21}

Posted on by Lauren Lane

It finally stopped raining, ya’ll. Finally. KC can now commence with the summer weather, I suppose! We are excited to head into the long holiday weekend. We have some fun plans with Nathan’s grandma planned who is visiting KC for the weekend, and I’m sure lots of soccer, outdoor time, and popsicles in our future! Harrison suggested to me on our ride to school this morning, “Hey – I have an idea.” “What’s up, bud?” “Maybe we can have a party on home day. And eat on the ground!” “That’s a great idea, bud!” “Outside on the ground!” So maybe we’ll have a picnic, too.

Finally nice enough outside and not pouring rain for lunch on the patio! The perks of working from home. A little outside time in the middle of the day always bolsters the mood.

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