I decided to make some handmade Valentine’s Day cards for Brian and Jack this year. The one for Jack turned out to be quite a bit more ambitious than I originally thought, but it was worth it! I’m thrilled how it turned out!

The front of the handmade card

It’s actually not so much a card as it is a book—it has 16 pages of poems that I wrote (along with illustrations from daddy) tucked inside and held together with some old-fashioned twine.

The inside of the "heart book"

Brian is such a great doodler, that I really wanted him to illustrate some of the poems. Here are a few of my favorite drawings:

Cuddle Bug doodle by Brian

Sumo dance!

Smart little geek

Brian’s drawings are so adorable that I think I’m going to make a real book out of it. I’m not convinced a Valentine’s Day card made out of construction paper will stand the test of time, and this is something that he’s going to want to keep forever.

Also, he gets such a kick out of me reading it to him that I’d like to put it on his bookshelf and let him read it (or bring it to me to read to him) whenever he wants. I’m going to check into a board book from www.customboardbooks.com.

The entire poem:

On this Valentine’s Day before you’re two
We wanted to tell you how much we love you!

There are soooooo many things we love about you, Jack
Such as the cute way your hair curls up in the back

I love how you lay your head on my shoulder whenever I hug you
And how your giggle is contagious and makes me giggle, too!

I love it that you hold your arms wide to give a bear hug
And how when you get sleepy you’re such a snuggle bug

I love it that you rock out to music at every possible chance
And how you stomp back and forth like a sumo when you dance

We love how you get right back up when you fall down
And how you kick and squeal when daddy spins you around

I love how you bob up and down when you’re really excited
And how your whole face lights up when you’re really delighted

I love how you run through the house with your arms out behind
And what a little gentleman you are—so considerate and kind!

I love how you gesture and make the noise to signify “All done!”
And that you’ve been doing that since before you were one

I love how you’ll hold MY hand but won’t let me hold yours
And how helpful you are when we’re doing the chores

I love the careful way you unload all the dishes
And how you lean in slowly when I ask for kisses

We get a kick out of all the cool sound effects that you like to make
And how you mix up invisible things in bowls when we’re trying to bake

How you want to brush your teeth after every single meal
And how you make the bankrupt sound when we’re watching Wheel

I love how you smile sheepishly whenever I touch your cheek
And how well you use the iPhone, such a smart little geek!

How do we love you? There are millions of ways!
If we tried to list them all, we’d be here for days!

Most of all we love it that you’re such a happy little boy!
Thank you so much for brining mommy & daddy so much JOY.