We Love Our Honduras Team!

This past Friday night, we met up with the Honduras Medical Missions Team from McGehee (along with Mimi and Pops) at Whole Hog for dinner and fellowship.  Jackson did great - he let several people hold him and carry him around, which makes me happy that he knows that these are special people.  Friday was kinda crazy - the daycare had a gas leak, so they had to evacuate the building and the parents had to come get the kids.  That means I got a day at home with my little man, which I didn't mind since I had some stuff to do.  We ran some errands before picking up Brent to meet the team at dinner. 

Since my dad can't go this year, Jim Whitaker is the team leader and he's doing a great job.  Jim is like a big brother to me, and we love him and his wife Lesli so much. I really wished I was going. 

Someone was really glad to see his Pops! 

Not sure why my Aunt Kay is making a bad face at Uncle Sluggo.  ha! 

Here's Lesli (Jim's wife) and my partner in crime when we go on trips.  We were trying to take a picture when we realized the pig was on her head.  I didn't post to Facebook, but it's too funny not to share. 

Finally a good one...

Jackson loved him some Whole Hog potato salad! 

Hey mom - I'm eating here! 

Before they left, my dad prayed for the team and told them they would do a great job.  You just don't know how special these trips are until you've been on one yourself.  

My parents stayed with us on Friday night and most of Saturday, but it was mostly to play with Jackson.  He had a big time and they left after he went down for a nap.  The last time they left when he was awake, it was NOT fun for any of us.  Saturday night we had a fun Lifegroup party at church, and I did not take any pictures.  We had good food, good fellowship, and the guys beat the girls in two games.  (I'm the Social Chair).  Sunday morning, we woke up to the sickness.  Jackson had gotten sick before he woke up, but he acted fine and didn't have fever, so we went to church.  After getting home, we realized he had fever and wasn't feeling good at all.  All he wanted to do was snuggle with me and watch Elmo and Mickey Mouse.   

Oh and to top that off, the daycare was also closed on Monday and Tuesday due to the repairs in the gas leak at the building.  He's still had a few effects from the bug, but I think he's on the mend.  We're not sure yet if daycare is open tomorrow, but if not, we'll have to stay home again.  Luckily Brent and I have been able to trade off staying home, but most importantly we need for him to feel better soon! 

Happy (Valentine's) Day!

We had a really fun Valentine's Day.  Jackson woke up that morning and I taught him to say "Happy Day"  He's typically happy in the morning, and Valentine's Day was no exception.  He wore his "Certified Hunk" shirt to school and I wished I had gotten a picture of he and his friend Noah, who was wearing a Heart Throb shirt.  They are big buddies.

Whatcha talking 'bout Willis?  ha! 

My certified hunk - who is getting to be such a big boy! 

I did not attend the class Valentine's party, so we had presents to open after dinner that night.  First was from Gamma, and then from mom and dad.  Mimi and Pops were there earlier in the week and he got this funny talking dog, who he tells to "talk."  

Oh cool! 

Whoa dude! 

ELMO!!!! 

This is the loot from his class party.  My favorite was the "A-DOUGH-able"playdough.  Very cute idea (from Pinterest I'm sure). 

Here's Jackson gifts to his friends.  (Thanks Pinterest!)  They turned out really cute and I'm proud of them. 

Brent and I only did cards this year, and he does a good job of hiding them to surprise me.  I found this one in my closet.  

 It was a fun holiday, which helps bridge the gap between Christmas and Easter.  

Jackson and the iPhone

This is hysterical.  This is what my iPhone sees when Jackson has the phone.

Fun Times With Friends

The past two weekends, we've spent time with good friends. Last weekend was the Super Bowl, and while I care nothing about professional football, it's a good excuse to have friends over to eat and play.  Jack Thomas and Jeff came over and we did lots of playing, both inside and outside. The weather was really nice, so we took the boys outside.  Jackson isn't good at sharing yet, so we're trying to teach him to share his stuff with his friends.  

This is random, but every time I have the fridge door open, Jackson likes to sit inside and play with the salad dressings.  (Pardon my unorganized fridge). 

Yesterday, we had two birthday parties to go to and it was a lot of fun.  First up was Eli Veazy's 1st birthday party at their house.  It was a baseball theme and Jackson enjoyed the hot dogs and capri sun.  He is a little shy around new environments, especially when there are a lot of kids running around, so he was pretty chill.  Plus, it was nap time, so he was sleepy too. 

Robin always does so good with parties!  I will start planning for Jackson's 2nd birthday party soon!  

So our next party was in Little Rock at the Parkway Place play center.  It's a baptist church that has a kids building that is so awesome.  It has this two-story jungle gym type thingy that could accommodate a lot of kids and adults as well.  

Lila Cross was the birthday girl and her mom Terri is one of my best friends.  Lila turned two, and she was having a blast. The party theme was "I Heart Lila" and Terri did great with all of the decorations. 

Singing Happy Birthday! 

Oh Geez mom!

So again, my little "Certified Hunk" was very shy.  He spent the first hour just looking around, but after a cookie and some gold fish, he was raring to go.  Oh and it also helped that Mommy crawled up there with him.  It wasn't pretty, but it was actually really fun.  The first time we went down the slide, it freaked both of us out because we didn't realize how much of a drop it was.  But we went down it two more times.  (Maybe because I wanted to - what of it).  

We came back home and J was on a fast-track to melt-down city.  He did nap in the car between parties, but he was just freaking out over everything, so he went to bed around 7:30.  It was a great Saturday with the friends that we love.  

Jackson @ 19 Months

We had a fun January and had lots of play time at home.  Jackson is really learning a lot and his language is really developing.  He's said the following words lately:  up, remote, and milk (which sounds like mee-lk).  I'm working on:  hey ya'll, Gamma, and Kelly.  He definitely understands a lot too.  I remember standing on my dad's feet and walking around silly, so I did that with J the other day and was saying "dum dum dum dum".  Now he comes up to me, gets on my feet and says "dum".  What a smart boy!  

We also have trouble keeping electronics away from him.  Guess that's another way he's like his daddy.  

My sweet boy!  He's looking so much like Brent these days. 

See, he's not always smiling and happy.  This is what he does when I won't let him have my iPhone. 

He still loves Mr. Bear. 

He's pretty good about not getting into stuff, but I did catch him the other day pressing the buttons on the router. 

Ha - catcha!

Oh hey Mom - what are you doing there? 

Whatcha talkin' bout Willis?  Is this not Brent Haywood?  OMG - I'm going to have my hands full. 

He still loves taking a bath with bubbles. 

The past few days, the weather has been very nice and spring-like.  When we get home in the afternoons, he has not wanted to come inside.  This child loves being outside, and throws a fit to even come inside.  So after church I decided we'd have a little picnic and enjoy the sunshine before nap time.  

I think he thought it was pretty fun to eat crackers outside.  

Then he needed to eat crackers on the swing.  

 I really can't believe that we're officially on the down-hill slide to 2 years old.  He's officially 19 months old and I don't know how he got so big so fast.  He weighs about 24-25 pounds and is at least 32 inches tall.  He's a picky eater, but I don't push it.  He'll eat when he gets hungry and I'm not going to stress over it.  He can throw a mean temper tantrum (Norris fits anyone?), but that's something we're working on.  They usually happen when he's sleepy or hungry, and I know I'm the same exact way.  But most importantly, he is super sweet to his mommy and daddy.  He can give kisses and hugs on demand, and he always kisses the phone when he's face-timing Mimi and Pops and Gamma.  He definitely is so fun and we love him more every day!