Out and About

This was last years picture with the Easter Bunny. Jackson was 3 weeks old and slept through it all. This year Jackson had to forgo the Easter Bunny without Garrison. Jackson thought the Easter Bunny was funny but would not sit there by himself, so daddy had to sit in.

Since we were out at the Katy Mills Mall, Jackson got to ride on the carousel with mommy! He had a great time.

After his nap it was off to the park. As soon as he realizes where we are he takes off running towards the slides and swings.

He goes down the slide all by himself. I think a one year old should be a little bit more scared!?!?

Sorry the video is turned sideways, I always forget when I use the camera to take videos.

Look I found an egg! I think he is going to like what is in his Easter basket on Sunday:)

Then it was off to church. We didn't go this morning because we wanted to go to the special Lord's Supper service tonight and we hate putting Jackson in nursery for half the day. It was a great start to the Easter week!

Firsts

The last couple of weeks have been had some FIRSTS for us --

-It was the 1st time for Jackson to go on a bike ride. He wasn't very fond of his helmet, but he did like looking out of the cart. Just like the stroller the bike ride put him right to sleep. It was also the 1st time I have rode my bike in about a year and a half. I have missed it and will be taking many more in the next few weeks!

-I had to sign one of my students' conduct folder (unfortnately that is not a 1st!) He got so upset over having his folder signed he made himself sick. He threw up three times. I can't say I have ever made a student throw up before, that is a 1st!

-We went to eat at Chick-fil-a one night this week and I forgot to bring Jackson's sippy cup with milk for him. So, I asked for a glass of water. I figured we would just give him little sips. Brian thought he needed to try the straw for the 1st time and he did great! I couldn't believe he was able to get water threw the straw. He is such a smart little boy!

-The Monday back to school after Spring Break I forgot my lunch at home. That was a 1st for me. I am not forgetful! I don't know what happened to me, can I blame losing my mind on having a kid? At least I work close to home so I was able to drive home on my lunch break and get it.

-Warning: This one might contain TMI!

After 21 months of no monthly periods due to being pregnant and breastfeeding, this is the 1st month "it" has returned. I will say that was one of the best things about having a child, besides Jackson himself:)

-Brian has finally been at a "real" job long enough that he made it to his 1st evaluation/raise period! We are so thankful for Texas Orthopedic Hospital.

-Jackson gave me my 1st nose bleed of my life. He likes to stick his finger up your nose when he is falling asleep by you. Today his nail caught me just right and my nose bled for a long time, it even drained down my throat. DISGUSTING! This was not the 1st nose bleed Jackson has delivered, he has given Brian several.

That's all the 1st's I can think of right now. What was a 1st for you this week?

Top Ten of Spring Break

(Disclaimer: I may have a left a thing or two the list and they are not necessarily in rank form)

10. Not worrying about packing lunches or Jackson's diaper bag each night
9. Renting a movie on a school night and staying up late to watch it with my honey
8. Sleeping until 7:30 even 8:30 one morning
7. Making a Target run with my boy almost once a day

6. Selling the Focus and getting Brian a new car
5. Having a routine with Jackson each day and creating a new budget for our family
4. Making some really good/healthy dinners for my family without being rushed
3. Brian getting soaked in the rain ( I laughed for a LONG time at his expense- not nice of me, but it was funny, you would have laughed if you saw him too!)
2. Seeing my sweet friend Katrina and laughing at all my goof ups
1. Spending every minute with my precious little boy, we both really looked forward to our morning walk that ended with playtime at the park

This Day Was Made For Walking

Sadly Spring Break is coming to an end, but we made the most of the beautiful day we had. I think we walked over 10 miles today.
This morning Jackson and I walked to my Aunt's work to say Hi and play a bit with her, then we walked straight to our favorite park (our daily ritual), and then finished off our walk.

We came home so I could shower and get ready and then have lunch. Brian took a half day off today so we could go do something together. We had orignally planned on him taking the whole day off so we could go to the Zoo. But life happened and he had to take a half day on Wednesday to so we could buy him a new car!
So instead of the zoo we decided to take Jackson to the Bear Creek Park where there are some animals that he could look at and a play area.
Since his naptime is usually at 1:00 I was afraid he would fall asleep on the way there and then be cranky at the park. However, he stayed awake the whole time in the car UNTIL we were pulling in the driveway. We decided we would just wake him up since he just fell asleep and then he would take a better nap after we looked at the animals. The kid would not wake up, even when we set him upright so we put him in the stroller and walked the 2 mile loop a few times until he woke up.
We thought about just heading home and I am SO glad we didn't. Jackson loved seeing the animals, especially the goats because they were the closest and he could pet them.

You could always tell when he finally saw the animals because he would point and say "oooooo"

We were hoping he wasn't allergic like daddy. He didn't seem to be.

I think we will need to visit the zoo real soon.

And since we hadn't walked enough, after dinner we headed out to let Jackson play some more at the park. But once again he fell asleep and Brian and I enjoyed a lovely stroll together. It is not everyday I get to take 3 walks outside-it was my kind of day!

Neglected Post

I never posted about my parent's and siblings' visit. They primarily came down for Jackson's birthday and since they drove they only got to stay 4 1/2 days. Sadly Brian and I had to work 2 of those days. Papa and Nana did keep Jackson while we worked and tooked him to the mall to play one day since it was raining outside. Ofcourse they did not take my camera! At least Jackson got to spend a lot of time with them.

There wasn't a lot of time to do much with them. Sorry guys next time we will do something FUN! Friday night when they arrived we went to eat at one of my favorite places-Chick-fil-A and finished up last minute things for the party, Saturday was Jackson's party, Sunday we decided to chill around the house since getting 9 people (3 under the age of 2) ready for church would be stressful and it was an overcast/sprinkling day. We did treat them to some Texas barbeque before they left. Somehow we never made it to Sonic, I'm not sure how that happened. Mom, next time I promise I will get you your Sonic fix everyday your here and tomorrow I will go enjoy a Diet Strawberry Vanilla Limeade for you:) We are so glad you all made the long trip down for Jackson's First Birthday even if your visit was too short. We can't wait to see you again!

Here are a few pictures from their time down here with us:

Garrison swinging at the park

Dad showing Garrison how it is done!

Jackson crawling up the slide and Garrison coming down. Garrison never goes down any slide by himself, but he went down this one about 15 times because we found an easter egg and he would throw it down first and then go down after it. I guess what ever works!

Papa and Jackson

Garrison and Jackson playing in the ballpit

Katelyn is such a sweetie, she will just sit and play by herself one minute and attack the boys the next

My sister Kayla and I after eating barbeque and us with our boys

The whole gang (hard to get a picture where we are ALL looking, HA!)

12 Months

We finally had Jackson's one year well check today. Brian was able to join us since we only had one car, he had to leave early to pick us up. Which was a good thing because Jackson does a better job with shots when daddy is there. The doctor said he had the best smile she has seen all week:) Jackson was champ with the finger prick, he fussed more about the gauze and bandaid afterwards. He cried for only about 30 seconds for each shot. While the doctor was checking him she noticed he has a slight ear infection and a pink throat. She put him back on an antibotic. I am praying he can get past these little ailments and get back to 100%.

The doctor gave Jackson a sucker after the shots and he couldn't get enough!

At one year Jackson- you amaze me each and eveyday and we fall more in love with you.

Stats:
Weigh- 25 lbs 13 oz (75-90th percentile)
Height- 32.5 in (above 97th percentile) The doctor projected Jackson to be around 6 feet 3 inches tall.
Head- 19 in (90-97th percentile)

You-
*walk everywhere and even run sometimes
*love being outdoors and love everything to do with water
*are completely weaned and drink only whole milk and water from your sippy cups
*eat anything and everything, especially bread, graham crackers, and fruit (you ARE my son!)
*wear size 4 diapers and mostly 18 month clothes, you can still wear a few 6-12 months shirts but you need 18 month pants for the length
*you have 11 teeth
*clap your hands to "If you're happy and you know it"
*know how to talk on the phone
*still love to read books
*go to bed around 7 or 8 and usually wake up at 4 or 5 and we rock you back to sleep
*say words like mama, dad, no, uh-oh
*point to everything new you see and say 00000000
*know how to turn off light switches and turn your fan on and off
*love to dive onto and into things and climb on/up everything (soon you will be able to climb out of your crib and into the bathtub)
*can open the front and back doors if they are not locked
*love "toys" like pens, keys, papers, phones, ipods
*smile at everyone
*just started giving kisses

Jackson we think you are just perfect and couldn't be more proud that God gave you to us.

Thank you Lord for entrusting Jackson into our care. We pray that we bring him up in a home that is centered upon your word. We pray that Jackson will see your love through us and one day come to know you as his personal Lord and Savior. Give us the wisdom we need to raise a Godly son in this fallen world.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17

Faster than Lightning

Jackson is one quick little guy! Yesterday we were outside playing and he saw water in the street. He wanted to go right to it and splash, but I wouldn't let him. I pushed him in his car and on his bike.

Then I let him push his car. While he was pushing his car he took off his hat for the 18th time and threw it on the ground.

I turned to the right to pick it up and a split second later when I turned back around this is where I found Jackson...

I had no time to grab him before he went of the curb into the puddle of muddy water in the street. I couldn't believe I just let my son fall into this gross water, but it was really funny:) I figured since he was already in there all wet and dirty, I might as well let him have some fun!!

This boy LOVES water and will do anything to get in it!

I am sure this was the highlight of HIS day and for me I am sure there are many more moments when I will be saying, "Boy oh boy!"