all of you join me (don't worry, I walk)! If you are interested, you can click here to view my website and find out details.
As many of you know I have very blue eyes...which basically means that my eyes are extremely sensitive to sunlight. I am almost always wearing a pair of sunglasses. Well, Jackson's eyes are also blue like mine, so I decided it was time for some eye protection. Ironically, he was given these pair of sunglasses this Sunday at church as a gift. So off we went today with our shades on a walk. I was laughing so hard, that I just HAD to take a pic of the two of us...pretty ridiculous huh?
Jackson took a bottle for Daddy today! I was out doing a Southern Living at Home party, so David offered Jackson a bottle. AND HE DRANK IT! yeah! Thanks for all the advice! Oh, and check out this adorable picture we took today as a family (believe it or not, this is only our 3rd picture together as a family...we've got to get better at that)!
Okay, so I had to add just one more adorable pic to this blog entry...Isn't our little Class of 2031 irresistable?! Muooah!
Bump! Sitting unassisted might be fun, but the bumps on the head aren't fun when that wobbly body goes crashing! I am a super-proud mommy as I watch Jackson sit and play on his own. But, I feel terrible when he goes crashing down. I want to catch him every time, but also want Jackson to learn to try to "catch" himself by using his muscles to stop himself from going down. Solution: pillows. The Boppy one is great. He can crash with comfort. It is sweet to watch him discover the world around him sitting up. Plus, I can now play across from him and watch those innocent reactions to toys and sounds. 
My dearest friend came over today. Elizabeth and I met back in 2005 when I first began my career as an educator. She helped to mold and make me the teacher I am today, although she absoulutely denies any credit. (Liz is way too humble). Girl time is great! We just giggled, laughed, snacked, and told secrets. It was like being a kid again at a slumber party...only our conversations were less about playing Barbie and more about what is up with men wanting Barbie's. ha ha When she left I felt a void, but know that I will see her again soon. Jackson really enjoyed time with his Aunt Liz as well. We shared her!
It was precious to watch Jackson "talk" to his brothers, our other 4-legged boys, Sully and Hunter. Since it was close to his bed and bath time, I decided to let the boys get as close to Jackson as they wanted and vice versa. Jackson cooed and pulled on the boys and they gave him a doggy-bath of their own. It was great! David and I laughed about seeing Jackson running or riding around with the boys in the future. We're so glad that they tolerate him now. Jackson especially loved it when Hunter would bark. We've trained Hunter to "speak" with a command, so it was easy to get a reaction from Jackson. I am not sure what it was about the situation that gave me this warm, maternal feeling. I adopted Sully in 2002 when I was in college, and we got Hunter in 2005. Now Jackson is here and it all seems to just fit. I love ALL of my boys (including Daddy)!
we've been taking these monthly pictures. Well, we got ready for bed and realized that we didn't take our shot today. 
So, I made David dress him back into an outfit and snap a few shots. I've attached one of Jackson not happy about this, and the other is one of him laughing after I convinced him this was going in the scrapbook. 
Jackson finally took his first official dip in the swimming pool. He has always LOVED the bathtub and has recently begun splashing and kicking and screeching with excitement while bathing. So, we figured we'd get the same reaction with the pool. Not so much. In fact, we didn't really get anything, initially. (Imagine hearing the sound of a balloon deflating.)
He just stared and stared at his feet all day long. I've decided that investing in shoes is a great bargain; you get a great pair of shoes and an instant toy! 
Jackson was great, too! He napped and then played with all his cousins.
We went to the lake to celebrate the 4th of July. Jackson was awesome! He enjoyed getting to see lots and lots of family and friends. He even went to his first fish fry and survived the terrible July heat. My sisters' 25th birthday was also on the 4th. (we're gonna celebrate next weekend with my mom) Amy decided to join us at the lake, however, to work on her tan. It was so amazing to spend some time in the sun with her. (David took Jackson-duty for awhile).
Okay, so it's a no brainer that I love being a mom! But, I have also discovered some other hidden talents about myself. I apparently can make 1st birthday cakes that look like cars! My nephew's 1st birthday was today and we went down to south houston where they live. 
He loves cars, so it was necessary to have the cake look like one. I cut and pieced together his cake. The drive down there is over an hour, and we just kept thinking the whole way, "Lord, please don't let the bumper fall off!" LOL
better, and has begun to walk without her walker. She is still receiving treatment at home with nurses, but feeling more like "herself" every day) It was fun time, but I won't be going into the cake business any time soon. I've attached some pics of the event; there is a before and an after of the cake.
Well, our little man is officially 3 months old today. I am pleased to announce that he is growing and learning so much. In the last month Jackson has learned to travel long distances, sleep through the night, suck his fingers, sit-up with assistance, push himself up, soothe himself to sleep, smile, coo and grab things. I am sure I am missing a lot more, but these are some of things that I clearly remember.
We celebrated our 4 year anniversary today. Four years of marriage...wow...that's progress. We met 7 years ago in College Station. Apparently David had been "stalking" me outside his apartment window by the pool for a few weeks and called in reinforcements to help with the meeting of my sister and I (he called for his brother and a couple of buds to come over). Funny thing is, David's brother actually started talking with me and making his move...in the middle of our conversation I said, "Hey, who's that guy over there?" pointing directly to David. He sheepishly answered, "Oh, that's my brother, David." A few weeks later we went to dinner at Cheddar's where I ate like a pig (hey, I was a starving college student). David has later told me that he knew I was his kind of lady when I could put down that much food...lol.
Father's Day was very special and laid back. We originally woke up early to go to church, but decided to go for another "quiet" day with just the three of us. Daddy received some shirts, an "I Love my Daddy" frame, and some IPOD equipment and song updates. It was a special day just for him.
He grabbed his fingers and smiled and "cooed" at him. Tears filled my eyes as I watched the two of them interact. It reaffirmed the decision I made 4 years ago when I gave my whole heart to David, trusting that he would be a good husband and father. Today I also thought about God and how exciting it will be for me to sit in His lap one day as His child and listen to him tell stories like we do with Jackson. 
We finally visited the lakehouse with Jackson. I must say that it was interesting. I discovered lots of things you cannot do with a baby. It is kind of like David Letterman's Top 10 list. Okay, so here goes mine:
We traveled to Frisco and then to Paris, Texas over the last three days. My Uncle Kim passed and we went to his memorial and then to his burial. It was a beautiful service and it was amazing to see how he touched the lives of others by simply being a man of God.
He was a terrific uncle and will always be remembered for that. While we were there Jackson was able to meet all my side of the family (The Vance's) for the first time. He was perfect, and I mean perfect. He slept most of the time, but woke up just enough to smile.
Jackson is officially two months old! He is such a kind and peaceful baby. He is smiling, grabbing, rolling, cooing, and holding his own weight on his legs. He loves his Ollie, the music, being outside, visiting family, and being in his swing. We also went for our 2 month shots. He weighed 9lbs, 15 oz and was 21 1/2 inches tall. Big boy! He received his shots and didn't like them, but who does?
David and I finally took our first date away from Jackson. Gregg and Erin graciously offered to watch Jackson while David and I went to our friends' Adam and Lindsay's wedding. It was a wonderful occasion and a great excuse to get all dressed up again. It was nerve-racking to leave him behind, but I knew he was in good hands.
So we officially hate tummy time. Although I hate doing it to him, I know it's best. If I could only convince Jackson that it's good for him. I guess this it true of all things for children...green beans, broccoli, washing your face, and getting a good nights rest. The better it is for them the more they resist. Jackson does enjoy his mat, however. Thanks LJA for the great gift. He pulls on the toys and stares at the strange things dangling in front of him. I wish I knew what he was thinking...."Is this supposed to be your idea of fun mommy?"
Happy Mother's Day to me! Since I am an official member of the Mommy Club I finally get a holiday. Pretty cool! Today we went to church and Jackson had a special tribute as well. At our church, West Houston Church of Christ, they celebrate the birth of children by presenting them with their very own Bible. This is a symbol that we will raise him in a Christian home with the Word of God. We also wrote him a letter that he will get to read one day. 
She was so sweet with Jackson and even tickled his toes while he chilled in his bouncy seat and stared and grunted at her. I made small pizzas for Erin and I while we talked about the Twilight series. *This is a whole other blog entry, but Erin got me hooked and I am seriously addicted. I read the books outloud to Jackson while we take our strolls in the neighborhood.* Okay, where was I...oh yes...playdates. I totally get why moms do them-for themselves of course! We need some time to talk in non baby talk mode. Overall it was a great experience and I look forward to lots more with lots of other moms.
and since she has been unable to drive for months we go see her. As many of you know, my mom has been very very ill and unable to leave her home because she can no longer walk without assistance or a wheelchair. We feel blessed that mom is finally home and no longer in hospitals. (She's been in and out of hospitals since Thanksgiving). We wish her progress was better after all the surgeries and procedures mom has gone through. The problems go from her head/neck all the way to her feet, literally. However, we are praying God will heal mom and give her lots more time with us to create more memories. In the meantime, my Grama has moved here from Virginia to care for mom. What a saint. I pray that I will not ever have to do the same for my son. I can only imagine the hurt and concern she must feel to watch her daughter suffer. 
