I Always Want to Remember 2017: Part 8

In an effort to pay attention to and be thankful for all the little (and big!) moments in life, I'm going through my pictures at the end of every month and documenting some of the memories that maybe didn't warrant an instagram or an entire post, but are moments I want to remember just the same. I'm a little behind, but I'm so glad I'm doing this. Just now looking at the end of July and August pictures made my heart feel so full. 
2017, Part 8 looked like...

Jack started to boycott sleep, which sucked, but I got lots of midnight laughs like this one. 

Took Jack to Universal, where he RAN around like a grown adult.

SO GROWN.

SOMEONE HOLD ME. 

 He loved every minute of it, clearly.

This was his reaction to his first carousel ride ever. I melt. 

 Got to take another roadtrip to VA/NC. I love blogging.

Spent the week galavanting around VA and NC with my best friend and her best friends, discovering all the fun spots. God knew I needed these friendships at this time, and I'm so thankful things worked out the way they did for me to meet them at just the right time. 

Experienced my first Duck's Donuts (100% worth the hype)

Went wine tasting at the most beautiful winery.

Had my first acai bowl, and their sizes cracked me up.

Laughed a lot on the most beautiful beach in Kill Devil Hills. 

Came home to this one and took him on a date to Chuy's. Like I said on instagram, he already loves mexican food more than he loves most people, so he's doing it right. 

Took him to play football at a park.

Went to Melbourne Beach to celebrate my dad's birthday and say goodbye to my brother, who moved to Colorado. Cried a lot...

...laughed a lot more. 

These two are the most mischievous partners in crime, this month and every month.

I took Jack to a children's museum and he loved it.

Scored big at Sandy's.

My thrift game was on point in August.

Found out my sweet friend is having a baby! I'm SO EXCITED! 

Put out the bubble machine and the sprinkler so Jack could live his best summer life.

Went on way too many Target runs with this one and laughed way too hard during all of them. 

Got lots of sleepy snuggles from this little monster. 

I seriously recommend doing this...it's so nice to realize how full your month was by looking through your pictures.

Cheers to celebrating all life's moments, big and little. 

I Always Want to Remember 2017: Part 3.

Probably my new favorite picture. It continues to blow my mind how, no matter what else is going on, my heart is constantly being refilled with happiness because of this little joy monster. 

We went to Universal and forgot shoes. #floridaprobs

I kind of thought that taking Jack to Universal would be more for me and Chris, but he freaking loved it. It was the best ever to just see him running around and laughing at everything. Pure joy. 

His walking skills are now to the point where we can go on actual neighborhood walks. WHAT. 

I've been thinking a lot this month about how we choose our family. Like, Chris and I went the majority of our lives not knowing the other existed, then we just decided to be a family. Of course, you have the family you're born with, but then some of your family-your partner, your close friends-you choose that family. And that's pretty cool. 

A little update on Jack's Christmas present: It's the best. We use it almost every day and he loves it so much more than a stroller. It's currently on sale for 30% off, so if you have a toddler, you should snag one for yourself. I highly recommend it. 

Parents of the year award: We took Jack to a park that's kind of far away, and he fell asleep in the car. Since we drove all that way, we woke him up when we got there. Poor bub was so tired, he literally fell asleep going down the slide. 

Not pictured: The Mariachi band he was laughing/SCREAMING at while we were eating dinner. 

My dad is a pastor and they live stream services, so I put one on a few weeks ago and Jack just laid there and watched. So adorable. 

And finally, what a difference a year makes: 

Then....

Now....

Then...

Now...

What do you always want to remember about this month? 

I Always Want to Remember 2017: Part Two.

Because the little, everyday moments are worth celebrating. 

Any month with a trip to the ocean is a good, good month. I always want to remember how lucky we are to live so close to something so amazing, and how it was truly the deepest desire of my heart to get to stay in Florida, and now here we are. 

I don't know why I find this picture so freaking funny, but he just looks so proper and disappointed with his breakfast selection. I always want to remember how hilarious it has been to watch his tiny, giant personality develop.

I found a new love of my life this month and its name is Lacroix. (Those flamingo straws are a close second. Okay, fine. It's a tie.)  I always want to remember pool days in February when everyone else was posting snow day pictures. 

This is what Target runs look like lately. Not pictured: Him pointing and yelling at everyone we walked past, like they better get the heck out of his store. It's not his fault, the kid probably thinks Target is his second home. I always want to remember how proud he is of his ability to stand up in the cart. 

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I'm okay calling pretty much anywhere home just as long as there are palm trees around. I always want to remember how lucky I am to have these right down the street...a little piece of my beach home right here in Gainesville. 

That bedhead, though. I always want to remember how funny he is right when he wakes up.

Sometimes, when Jack gets really tired, he still falls asleep on me like a newborn. I love every single second of it, but I do have some weird tan lines. I always want to remember these sweet days where all he wants to do is hang out with me.

Jack walks now. Which means I find him in places like this. Also, it catches me off guard that he just walks around the house, and sometimes he'll walk into the room and it's terrifying because I'm used to him crawling on the floor. I always want to remember his first full month of walking, toddling around, swaying and stumbling and giggling like a little drunk person. 

 

My favorite reading place. (The Rosie Project was adorable). I always want to remember how nice and refreshing it is to just take a break and read a good book.

My favorite pool day partner. I always want to remember how lucky I am to have a baby who loves pool days just as much as I do. 

Alllll my love for this one right here. I don't think I'm in any danger of forgetting this, but I always want to remember what it feels like to love someone so much that it hurts.

What do you always want to remember about this month?