The Big 2!!!

I posted about Jackson turning 2, but I never shared the events of the day or more importantly, his cake!

Jackson's 2nd birthday brought a mix of emotions for me. It was so amazing to watch him in awe of how much he's grown - not just since birth, but over the past year as well. Birthdays really put things into perspective sometimes, and it's good to reflect back on the year and make wishes for the next year to come.

This day was bittersweet because my baby was another year older, but it also marked one year since I last saw my Grandma. Her dying wish was to see Jackson on his first birthday, and she not so peacefully passed days after. The last night I saw her was on his birthday. We ate cake around her bed and celebrated that she made it through her first great-grandson's year of life.

And on the same weekend that we moved her stuff out of her apartment, one year later we moved into our new home...it makes me wonder what we'll be doing next year! Hopefully, no moving is required:)

I digress. Jackson's actual birthday was a great day. We skipped a party and just celebrated as our little family. Our final walk through at the new house was the early evening of his birthday, which meant that we got a late start to his celebration. I don't think he knew the difference though as he ran wild through the game section of his favorite restaurant and scarfed down his favorite grilled cheese sandwich in town:)

After dinner, we went back to my mom's house and sang happy birthday. Jackson blew out his candles, and I made many wishes for my sweet boy! He loved every bite of his ice cream cake and was serious about it not being taken away from him - in true terrible two style:)

Jackson got lots of cool gifts for his birthday - a basketball hoop and four-wheeler, and bubbles and new books and some of his favorite cars character toys.

Happy "2" Jackson Christopher!

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Grandma's 90th birthday

Today would have been my Grandma's 90th birthday. For as long as I can remember, she always said she'd live to be 90. She made it just three months shy. But, I wish she was still here. I wish that she was still with us, physically. I wish that we were celebrating her day with her today.

Instead I have tears in my eyes and a lump in the back of my throat just thinking about her. I can't tell you the number of times I wanted to call her, to see her, or tell her about Jackson's first boo boo, or his ears, or have him blow her a kiss.

Jackson brought so much joy to her life, but I don't think she ever knew how much joy she brought to ours. It saddens me that Jackson won't remember is first year with her.

Grandma was 38 and my grandpa was in his late 40's when they finally got pregnant with my mom, she was their only child. I must have inherited my fertility struggles from her. Neither one of my grandparents ever thought they'd live see grandchildren or great-grandchildren.

My grandpa passed away when I was 11 and my sister was 8. So, Grandma never took one day for granted. Everyday was a gift from God. She fought stage 4 ovarian cancer for almost 5 years. Chemotherapy was pumped through her veins every other week as she fought to be with us - to see both of her grandchildren walk down the isle, to see her great-grandson's first year, and to tell my sister that she was pregnant.

My Grandma was nothing less than extraordinary and today will always be her day. I'll forever fight to live a lift that would make her proud.

Jackson and Grandma on her 89th birthday

A heart that loves is always young.
- greek proverb

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Back Home in St. Louis

Grandma is finally home at her final resting place in St. Louis. She passed away in Louisiana, so it took a little time to get her home. We had a memorial service for her here the day after she passed. But, her actual funeral service was this past Friday in St. Louis. Everything was so nice. There were many familiar faces, tears, stories and smiles shared in her memory. We all know that she is with my Grandpa, watching over all of us now.

After the funeral, we spent the holiday weekend doing some of Grandma's favorite things. St. Louis is where we were born and raised and call home. The last time we were all there together was Thanksgiving, which we couldn't be more thankful for. It was the first time my Grandma and I saw my sister's new home. It was also the first time she had been back to St. Louis since moving to Louisiana in 2004.

As always, our trip home was jam packed. Between Beauty & The Beast at The Muny, Fishbowls at Rigazzi's, Jamming in the Jungle at the Zoo, Toasted Ravioli at Charlie Gitto's, Cardinals game at the new Busch, and Fireworks under the Arch - I think we did about all we could in 5 days! The only thing I wish we could have squeezed in was some ice cream from Ted Drews. St. Louis is an awesome place to be a tourist!

I'm still catching up on sleep, laundry and your blogs. Be sure to check back this week for a post about flying with an infant/toddler, Jackson's first Popsicle, Pediped to the rescue, and another new trick. Until then, I'll leave you with these pictures from our trip.

I hope y'all had a nice 4th of July!

The Maechler Cousins

Our little family at Cardwell's in Clayton for Grandma's luncheon

Jackson and his buddy at the Zoo

Old friends and our boys, born two weeks apart.

Catching up with Mr. after the Cardinal's game at Charlie Gitto's Downtown

Happy 4th of July!

Completely amazed by the firework show under the Arch

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Our Angel

As we still mourn over the loss of Grandma, I look up and find comfort in this quote:

“Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in Heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.” Eskimo quote

A very special friend sent this to me with a beautiful note that meant so much. We all have an extraordinary Grandma Angel watching over us now.

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A bittersweet goodbye

My Grandmother passed away, peacefully, in her sleep on Saturday morning. I find it hard to even describe her in words, as none of them seem to do her justice. She was such a courageous, loyal, giving, and unconditional woman. I aspire to me more like her everyday.

As much as I know that my Grandma was in pain, it still breaks my heart that she is no longer with us physically. I will miss our evening chats in her bed, her bucket of beads for Jackson and her smile. I have thought long and hard, and I can't come up with one thing I've asked her to pray for that hasn't come true. I know that she truly is an angel watching over us now.

Grandma would have celebrated her 90th birthday in September. She was diagnosed with Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer four years ago. So everyday we had with her was a blessing. Grandma was able to see her only grandchildren (my sister and I) get married. She was able to enjoy the first year of her great-grandchild's life. And she knew, before any of us, that my sister was pregnant with her second great-grandchild.

We cry tears of joy remembering all that she brought into our lives. We cry tears of mourning for losing our angel here on Earth. We cry tears of laughter thinking of her "Grandma-isms" like Wal-Marks. And we cry tears of regret that we won't be able to kiss her goodbye one last time.

I'll hold her spirit close to my heart and know that a day won't go by without thinking of her.

I love you always and forever, Grandma!

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June Giveaway and more!

We're already one week into June and I'm just now getting around to posting this month's Pear Tree Greetings Giveaway! Crazy how time goes by so fast. Hopefully y'all enjoyed the weekend as much as we did.

My grandmother had a really good couple of days, so it was nice to visit with her. Hospice told us that she only had a few days to live last week. God works in mysterious ways and he must not be ready to take her from us just yet.

I spent Sunday afternoon shopping with my mom, which we don't get to do much of anymore. I laid Jackson down for a nap while Mr. was working from home. I told him to call me when Jackson woke up - and he did - four hours later! I think Jackson must be cutting another tooth. Talk about a long nap!

In other news, I decided to list us on Top Mommy Blogs, under Working Mommy Blogs. I have a lot more time to devote to blogging now that Jackson goes to bed so early. Mr. has been working late getting acquainted with his new job, so I have even more free time. I'm actually really excited to reach out to more Mommas and get involved in this growing community. Check out the link on the top left corner, and if you'd like, show us some love:)

Last, but not least, here's this month's Pear Tree Greeting June giveaway - Address Labels!

I love sending mail. Anything from thank you cards to I'm thinking about you notes. So, I just love Pear Tree's cute and customizable labels. I say labels because you can use them for so much more than return addresses. You can make stickers for gifts, books, invitations... it's just a nice little something to dress things up!

Add your comment to this post for a chance to win five sets of address labels {that's up to 120 labels!} from Pear Tree Greetings!

If you want to up your chances at winning, there are a few ways to earn bonus entries — just be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry:

• Vote for us on Top Mommy Blogs, we're listed under Working Mommy Blogs
• Follow us publicly
• Follow us on Twitter
• Tweet about this giveaway. You can do this daily!

This giveaway will end on Friday, June 11th. One lucky winner will be selected at random...we'll have to wait and see if I get creative with the drawing again!

Wait, there's more! Use this code for 10% off all orders over $19 for the month of June. PEARJUN10

Here are some of my top picks, good luck!

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