New Year's Eve Fireball

Brent finally learned how to make the famous Fireball this year, so we thought we'd try it out on New Year's Eve with some friends. Unfortunately it was not very cold outside, and the flame was really hot (shocking, I know). But the guys really enjoyed it, and the girls/babies enjoyed watching. I kept laughing about how having babies has changed our social lives. I can't believe that we made it to midnight to see the new year, but we did - also thanks to the neighbors who were shooting fireworks (better than they have at Pops on the River).  Luckily they stopped soon after midnight.

Jackson, me, Sarah, and Adam.  I say that the boys were friends before they were born.  Adam is about 6 weeks older than J, and they'll be running buddies before long. 

Sarah and Jeremy's daughter Lucy Jewel was very entertaining to Jackson.  He just laughed and laughed at her! 

The Fireball is something you just can't believe until you see it.  I know that I didn't.  

All of the newbies did good and we didn't catch anything on fire! 

Brent is carrying on this family tradition, and one day Jackson will do it.  (But not until he's about 10).  

Today we've stayed in our PJs all day and napped and played.  This is random, but back when I was about 7 months pregnant, I fell at the community center and hurt my ankle.  Since then, it just hasn't been normal, and I've had trouble with it the past few days, so I felt like I needed to stay off of it as much as possible today to see if it will feel better tomorrow.  Either way, I'm probably going to have to see a doctor about it next week.  Oh, and there will be no black-eyed peas at the Haywood house.  We don't like them and we're not superstitious, so that's that.  I'm not even sure what we're going to do for dinner, but whatever it is, we will thank the Lord for it and for His blessing.

Six Month Stats

We saw Dr. Wilson on Thursday for Jackson's six-month check up.  He weighs 16 lbs, 1 oz, is 26 3\4 inches long, and his head is 17 inches around. He is still in the 50 percentile in his stats, and as Pops says "The picture of health."  And for that we are very thankful!

She also said it's time that he sleeps through the night, so we've started doing some sleep training this week.  The first night, we woke up about 4, and cried off and on for an hour, then slept until 8 that morning.  So basically that was 8 hours, but I knew it couldn't be that easy.  Last night, he ate a bottle and went to bed at 6:30.  We tried to feed him again at 10:30, but he wasn't having it, so we put him back down.  I think he cried from 3-4 this morning, and we decided that he'd been 10 hours and was really hungry.  So he ate and went back to sleep, only to wake up at 6 with a blow-out diaper.  Not sure how much he really slept from then until he got back up at 8.  So I felt like last night was a bust, and not sure how tonight will go either.  I think the key is a later bedtime, but when he doesn't take a nap in the afternoon, bedtime has to be earlier.  I'm sure it'll get a little easier once we start back going to school and have more of a regular routine, so I'm trying not to worry about it.

I've always said that having a baby is a big science experiment, and the project continues! All in all, I couldn't have asked for a more healthy child.

Jackson's First Christmas

Last Friday, we headed down to Mimi and Pops house to celebrate Jackson's first Christmas.  We weren't opening presents with them until Monday with Aunt Sarah and Uncle Josh, so that gave us plenty of time to really celebrate the "Reason for the Season."  We played a lot with Mimi and Pops, and showed off our new skills (sitting up, pulling up on our knees), sang some Christmas carols, visited with our friends at FBC McGehee, and did some eating. It was a really good first Christmas for J, and I can't believe it went by so quickly.

Here's Jackson's stocking for Mimi's house.  We all have one with our name on it, and I need to get one for our house. 

At Ma's on Christmas Eve, we had prime rib for lunch, and Brent was chosen to cut the meat. We've always had steak and shrimp, so it was a tasty lunch. 

This is my dad's brother, Sluggo, Jackson, and my dad.  Jackson really liked him  - I wonder if it's because he looks like his Pops. 

Aunt Snooks and Jackson

There is really nothing better than to see your child with your grandmother.  I only wish the grandparents who've passed on could have met him - they all would have been smitten. 

He did like opening presents, and was really interested in the paper and bows.  

He got a toy tool set from Ma and a toy butterfly from Reza and Sharon.  He also got an ornament and a toy octopus from Aunt Snooks, and a tree swing from Aunt Kay.  He definitely racked up! 

Dad, Aunt Snooks, Uncle Sluggo

These are my dad's siblings and first cousins.  

Four generations! 

There was lots of playing in the floor with Mimi and Pops! 

He really wasn't interested in the Christmas tree this year unless you put him right up next to it, then he wanted to touch.  I'm sure next year he'll be trying to yank it down.  But I'll worry about that then. 

Jackson and Santa on Christmas day 2011

Sweet boy

Nannie (my grandmother) and Jackson.  

Can you tell they are crazy about each other?  

Jackson's first Christmas! 

Four generations again! 

We came back to Cabot on Christmas night so we could go to Brent's mom's side of the family dinner.  We always have dinner then throw the famous Fireball, but this year I couldn't watch.  Jackson and I had to go home by 7 because he was sleepy and mama was worn out! Brent stayed and threw the fireball with his cousins, which I was glad he got to do.  (I enjoyed the quiet, alone time at home). 

On Monday morning, we had company at our house!  Aunt Sarah, Uncle Josh, Mimi and Pops came to our house to have our Christmas.  Sarah and Josh spent Christmas weekend in Benton with his family, so it was fun to stretch out the Holiday over a few days.  Jackson LOVED Aunt Sarah.  She has a gift with kids - it's really amazing to watch.  She also looked around in his mouth, and he was totally cool with her doing that.  

With my family, we always have brunch on Christmas, so I prepared the traditional meal.  Breakfast casserole, cheese grits, cinnamon rolls, cheese danish (that mom made), and fruit.  Don't forget the egg nog, OJ, and coffee.  It was yummy! 

Of course the Mister had to be the center of attention  - literally, he was the center piece on the table.  He didn't stay like this for long though. ha! 

We moved the ottoman out so that there would be enough room for the presents and for the J-Man to play.  We open one present at a time, and always say "What is it" (like Aunt Bethany did in Christmas Vacation).  Jackson got the most presents of course, but some of them were from Aunt Kelly, Gamma, and Grandpa Gary. 

What is it Mommy?

Mimi got an iPad2! 

Aunt Sarah and Uncle Josh brought Lyla and Max, but they had to stay out on the patio.  They were super cute in their jackets though, and I think they like Jackson too.  He just stared at them, and they licked their face.  Lyla was really excited and we think she remembers us from May when she stayed with us for a week.  

Overall it was a great first Christmas for Jackson.  I've been off all this week, and we've had a busy one.  We had six month pictures made at Sears, a doctor check-up, hair-cuts for Mommy and Daddy, lunch with friends and family, and now we're getting ready to celebrate the New Year.  We are very blessed and thank God for all of those blessings!

Look What I Can Do!

That's right - Jackson can sit up all by himself now! Of course we're always close by so that he doesn't clunk his head, but he's taken to it really quick. He wobbles some, but has learned to steady himself.

Why yes, I am hot stuff. 

He's also started pulling up on his knees...the race is about to start! 

Now if I can just get these legs to move while I'm up here, then I'll be gone! 

Look at me Pops!