Fun at the Pool

What little boy doesn't need his own plastic pool for the summer?!?  I guess we could have bought a bigger one, but this Walmart special was just right.  Honestly, he wasn't even that impressed with it, but he did like the sand toys we bought him. I also couldn't pass up this cute chair.  It's just his size!  

He's just recently started wrinkling his nose up, which is hilarious.  Not sure if he was tickled or aggravated here.  

Trying on Mama's shades. 

He's so proud of himself.  He's figured out how to crawl up in here and also how to get himself out.  

To me this face says "I'm all boy!  Watch out!" ha! 

My parents were here this long holiday weekend and we had lots of fun.  My dad hadn't see J-man since Easter and they did lots of "wrastling" and giggling.  I loved it when they came in, Jackson went to dad and gave him a hug.  It was so sweet.  He also loves to give kisses to Mimi, but only when they're on Facetime.  He's pretty stingy with them in person. ha! 

Here's Proof

Here he is...running!

11 Months Old!

Jackson, 

You are 11 months old!  Where did this past year go?  Everybody has always said that time will go by quickly, and I didn't believe it when you were two months old, but I'm a believer now.  You're personality is so fun, and you've started giving hugs and kisses on demand.  But take something away or tell you no, and you can have a little temper.  

You now weigh 20 pounds, and I'm not sure how tall you are now.  You're wearing mainly 12 month clothes now, but some 9 months still fit.  I've got some 18 month sizes in the closet for later this summer and early fall that I know you'll need by then.  Your hair is very light and is starting to curl in the back, which I love and your daddy doesn't.  

You still have eight teeth, although I really thought you were getting the next one a couple of weeks ago, but it hasn't poked through yet.  As far as food goes, you're about 90% on table food.  There are times when I feed you baby food vegetables when you didn't have any at daycare, and if you're hungry, you don't mind.  Your favorites are cheese, bread, green beans, and bananas.  Eating at the table with mommy and daddy is still infrequent, but it's because mommy can't get dinner ready in time.  You're usually hungry as soon as we get home in the afternoons.  Also, you're still taking three bottles a day, with 6-8 ounces each time.  Not sure you'll be off the bottle by a year, but we'll have to see what the doctor says.  

As far as talking goes, you love to jabber.  You've said "duck" and "Uh-ho", and I'm pretty sure you've said dog and thank you, but it's not too clear yet.  Of course you're saying Mama and Dada, and sometimes you sound German when you say No.  (Nein, Nein).  When we say "dog", you make a barking sound after we do, and you do the same when we say "What does a monkey say."  Anytime you see a dog on the TV or outside, you point and make the dog sound.  It's really quite amazing to us that you've learned it that quickly. 

Of all the toys we have in this house, your favorites are your books.  I love that you love to look at the books.  You've also started to point at things, and want to turn the pages yourself.  It won't be long before you'll be reading to us.  You also still like your push toy because it's gets you places much faster than walking.  And speaking of walking, you have finally gotten brave enough to turn loose and walk to me from across the room.  I think by your first birthday, you'll be walking everywhere by yourself. 

Sleep is still good.  You go to bed around 7:30 - 8:00 p.m. and will get up at 6.  This morning, you actually went back to sleep until 7:30 a.m.  Nap time has really gotten better since they've started taking a group nap at daycare.  From 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. all of the babies in his class lay down and sleep, and it has really helped Jackson stay down that long having the lights off and the room quiet.  

Here's a typical schedule for right now:

6 a.m. - Get up and have bottle

7 a.m. - Drive to school/take nap in car

8:30 a.m. - Breakfast at school

9:30 a.m. - Buggy ride outside

10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Naptime

12 p.m. - Lunch at school

1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. - Playground time

2:30 p.m. - Bottle

2:30 - 3:30 p.m. - Nap

3:30 - 5 p.m. - Snack, inside play, and leave school

5-6 p.m. - Drive home/sometimes nap

6:00 - 6:30 p.m. - Playtime with Mommy and Daddy

6:30 p.m. - Dinner

7-8 p.m. - Bath time, story time, evening bottle, bed. 

This time last year, we were anxiously awaiting your arrival and had no idea what to expect.  God has blessed us with a beautiful, smart, funny, and sweet little brown-eyed boy.  I couldn't have even asked for anything more.  We love you Jackson! 

Oh-pa! Jackson's First Greek Food Festival

It's been a while since we've been to the Greek Food Festival, which is held right across the street from my old apartment.  This year it worked out so that we could all go and take Aunt Kelly!  There's not many attractions for young kids, but Jackson did enjoy his first gyro.  He scarfed it down and wanted more! 

Then of course he had to have a drink of water.  He also tried feta cheese, sausage, and pita bread.  He did really good 

Daddy also enjoyed himself, although he wished it was a little cooler. It could have been worse though. 

Jackson and Mommy making the same face! 

Aunt Kelly was in town and she got to love on Jackson all weekend.  

Oh wait...I need a drink.  No more pictures!  

After the festival we drove to Bryant to see Aunt Sarah.  She and Uncle Josh have two weenie dogs, and once again Jackson did really good with the doggies.  He tried to pet them, but Lila wasn't having it.  Max, however, wanted to give him kisses.  It was hilarious.  It won't be long now before Aunt Sarah and Uncle Josh will be closer all the time. 

This week has been Countdown to Memorial Day.  It's been a busy one, and we have lots of things coming up in the next six weeks.  I also can't believe that this coming Sunday, my sweet little brown-eyed boy will be 11 months old.  This time last year, I was anxiously awaiting his arrival.  And one month from today we'll be having his first birthday party.  My how time flies when you're having fun! 

My First Mother's Day

Despite the sickness that was on my house this weekend, it was a really enjoyable one.  I was able to get caught up on the laundry, groceries, and tackled a few projects that I've been wanting to do for a while.  (Why do I feel satisfied when my Tupperware is straight? It's a sickness). 

Anyway, on my first Mother's Day, I was able to spend the whole day with my boys.  Brent did a good job on picking out cards from him and Jackson, and even surprised me with some gifts hidden in the refrigerator.  ha!  He got me a special coffee mug with Jackson's picture on it, and a new Otterbox. 

When we're at home playing, Jackson loves to get all of his books out and look at them.  He apparently needed to reference several at once here.  I hope he always loves to read. 

Jackson took a two-hour nap, and afterwards we ventured outside and put up our new hummingbird feeder.  When we're inside, Jackson loves to get on our bed and look out the window.  Now he's got something to look at! 

Last week at daycare, Jackson painted me his first Mother's Day craft.  Of course it's on the fridge and will be going in his baby book when we take it down.   

I am so blessed to be Jackson's mommy and I am so thankful to our mothers and grandmothers for their wonderful examples.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth

Not to be confused with Hoof and Mouth (which is a cattle disease).  This past weekend, Jackson came down with a nasty case of the Hand, Foot, Mouth virus.  There isn't anything you can do about it except give IB Profen every four hours, so we made it through the best we could.  On Thursday when I picked him up, he was having a melt down and had 101 fever when we got home.  On Friday, we went to see Dr. Wilson and she suspected HFM, and sure enough, there were blisters starting to form on his face, hands, and feet.  Saturday we stayed at home and played, and he seemed to be OK, until it was time to go to bed.  He was fuss for a little while, then go to sleep, but then he would wake back up hurting.  His poor little hands were on fire and he did not want us to touch them.  He finally settled down around 9:30 that night.  Sunday morning we decided to stay at home just in case he was still contagious, and he played good all day.  Despite having these blisters on his hands and feet.  

Getting a shot of his feet is rather difficult these days.  He's busy! 

Adults don't get it because basically we've already had it, and our immune systems are built back up.  I've had ulcers in my mouth before, so I can imagine how bad he was hurting.  

Doesn't that just look pitiful?  Someone at his daycare had it, and I know they all just share everything.  It's ok though, his immune system will be super strong by the time he goes to Kindergarten.  

Weekend in Springfield

My mom's sister and husband (Aunt Debbie and Uncle Mike) live in Springfield, Missouri, and we like to go visit with them every now and then.  I've got two cousins, who also have two kids each, so we got to spend some time with them.  We probably get to see them once or twice a year, so each time is very special.  This was Jackson's first long car ride, and he did great.  Going up there, he slept most of the way, then he played with his toys the rest of the way.  (We had to stop three times - diaper change, lunch, and gas).  Not too bad really.  

When we got to their house, we went outside for a little while and enjoyed the nice weather.  The have perfect grass, although Jackson wasn't really impressed with it.  My aunt also has two weenie dogs - Zoe and Lucy.  Zoe is the younger one and was so excited to see Jackson, although I don't think the feeling was mutual at first.  He did warm up to the dogs, and tried to pet them a few times.  I was really glad he didn't freak out when they barked or got close to him. 

Doesn't he look so big here?  Just a swinging with Mimi and Aunt Debbie. 

Petting Zoe...

It was pretty warm last week, but that didn't stop us from enjoying the outdoors.  

This is Jackson's 3rd cousin, Landon Thomas.  He's in the 1st grade, but looks like he's in the 4th.  He really played well with J, and even read him some books.  

On Saturday, my cousin Michelle and her two kids came over to visit with everybody.  They live about an hour away, and it was good to see her.  We're the same age and had a lot of fun when we were little.  They called us the giggle monsters cause that's all we did.  I remember getting in trouble at night because we kept giggling and wouldn't go to sleep.  

This is Nannie (my grandmother - mom's mom), and all of her great grandkids.  From left to right:  Ethan - 12, Grace - 9, Jackson - 10 months, Landon - 7, and Kayla - 16. I am so thankful that we all got to spend time together with Nannie.  The older I get, the more I realize how special it is to have both of my grandmothers here with us.  

Here's the whole family (minus Uncle Mike who was the photographer).  

Grace did really good playing with Jackson.  He'll be playing baseball before long. 

Doesn't look like a baby anymore, does he.  

I'm pretty sure his hair is going to be curly like his mama's.  And it's also looking a darker blonde these days.  Mine was the same way when I was little. 

My aunt has a fairly large downstairs, and Jackson walked several miles using his "baby walker".  That push toy got pushed from the kitchen to the living room at record speed.  He would plow through anything, and I think even the dogs were scared by the end of the week.  I just know he came home to our house and thought "we need to upgrade to a place with more space."  Brent had to stay home to work, so by the time we got home on Sunday, he was really glad to see us.  And I think Jackson missed his daddy too.  He grinned so big when we walked in the door. 

I really enjoyed my few days off, and look forward to Memorial Day weekend coming up.