Most Wonderful (Busiest) Time of the Year

December has been a crazy month for us this year. Lots of going here and there to make sure to see our friends and family over the holiday. It is so nice to have both of our families here in the Kansas City, but it amazes me how much we still really drive. There was a time when we filled up my car four consecutive days in a row!

Derek and I attended the Singing Christmas Tree program at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church at the beginning of the month and I am just always so entertained by it. Laura and her dance studio perform each year, so next year make sure you go watch! My family finally got together to celebrate Ashley's birthday (which is October 23). It was well worth the wait to go to Texas Roadhouse. We need one here in Belton. Actually, one a side note-- here are a few things that Belton really needs:

1. Panera!!!
2. Best Buy
3. Olive Garden
4. Steak N Shake
5. Drive In Movie theater
   
6. Less traffic!!

Anyway... We had a nice first Christmas with Jackson. We celebrated with Derek's family on the Saturday before Christmas when Brad and Mary were in town. His parents got me a certificate for a massage and I am very much looking forward to using it soon! Derek's grandpa and Aunt Judy came to visit over the holidays, so we made sure to get to visit with them too. Derek spent Christmas Eve driving to Springfield with his mom to help Brad move, and I went up to Trenton with my family to visit my grandma's. We both made it back in time to attend the Christmas Eve service, which is one of my favorite parts of the holiday. On Christmas morning, we opened gifts at our place before heading up to Derek's grandmothers house in Richmond to enjoy a fantastic lunch. In the afternoon we headed up to Kearney to spend time with my family. My cousin and her family came down in the evening and it was real nice to visit with them.

The day after Christmas, we drove down to Springfield for Brad and Mary's wedding. Derek was a groomsman, and I a bridesmaid. The wedding was beautiful and everything went nicely. The little flower girl walked down the aisle tossing flowers and when she got to the front, she walked back up the aisle picking them all up! She then attended the reception in nothing but her undies and pantyhose, which is still cute and acceptable from a three year old.


While in Springfield, we stayed with our friends Jeff and Missy. They bought the house this summer and it is such a cute place! I told them we are moving in because Jackson slept so well while we were there!! I was excited to introduce Jackson to Sarah and Kayla and our other Springfield friends! Of course, everybody thought he was pretty cool!

I accidentally left my camera at a friends house the week before Christmas, so my sister was so gracious to loan me hers so that we could have pictures of Jackson's first Christmas. I'll post pictures soon!

Ultra-Outie

Here is a picture of Jackson's ultra-outie belly button that I mentioned in the post yesterday. You can click on the picture to make it bigger.

Here are some links to more Jackson pictures:

Hospital and Newborn Pictures

Jackson Holiday Pictures

smiles, bedtime, and belly buttons

Has it really been 8 weeks? Next week, Jackson will cross into the two month territory and I can just hardly believe it. Derek and I can totally tell a difference in Jackson. He's growing (now 9 lbs. 10 oz), he's smiling, and he'll stay up and play for an hour or two before needing to go to sleep again. Jackson's first real smile was last Sunday when Derek was playing with him and he continues to like smiling for Daddy more than me. We finally got a swing for Jackson (thanks Tammy!) after finding out that the batteries corroded in the one I bought from a garage sale. Jackson is so content to swing his little heart out and it really helps that I don't have to hold him all the time when he's sleeping so I am able to get a little more accomplished around the house.

We've started a bedtime routine and Jackson is pretty into it. By the time we get halfway through a book, his eyes are getting heavy and he's pretty much out. He'll sleep for about one 5 hour stretch and then maybe another couple rounds of 2-3 hours each. He's also sleeping in his bassinet, as opposed to needing to be cuddled. Both grandma's have spent the night, which is just so refreshing. I am so fortunate to have them! It's nice to get to fall into a deeper sleep and get extra rest while they are just so eager to spend time with Jackson!

We went for the two month well-baby check up yesterday and Dr. Munger said that Jackson was just perfect-- of course this wasn't new news for me! :) He did point out that Jackson does have a hernia underneath his belly button, which explains Jackson's ultra-outie. (I'll have to post some pictures-- it's not just an outie, but it sticks out about an extra centimeter!) Dr. Munger said that it isn't uncomfortable for Jackson and that it will self correct itself probably by age two.

I'm Stuffed!

Thanksgiving was wonderful this year. We got to spend time with both my family and Derek's. The food was yummy, I am sure I ate too much, but hey, I still weigh less than I did just about a month ago! And of course Jackson was oohed and aahed over by many... but who can blame them!? He is just so stinkin' cute!

With the Christmas season beginning so early these days, I think people can really miss out on the idea of Thanksgiving. What a great holiday to spend with family and be so thankful for all the things the Lord has given us!

Of course, I am so thankful for Jackson being in my life-- for the easy pregnancy, that he is healthy, and that he looks my good lookin' husband! I am so thankful for Derek. He did the best job of taking care of me-- back rubs, foot massages, cooked dinner, etc...-- while I was pregnant. He works really hard each day at work to provide for Jackson and me. I am thankful for our families, both who have been SO helpful since we had Jackson. Both grandma's have spent the night and allowed me to get some extra sleep. The one thing I love the most about our families is that they get along so well and are so easy going! No one fights about where we spend Thanksgiving, about who has spent the most time with Jackson, but in fact, our families even hang out together sometime. It's such a blessing. I am so thankful for my friends and church family. Everyone has been so encouraging, helpful, kind, and gracious. Not only did people spoil me with shower gifts, but once Jackson came people cooked meals, folded my laundry, and made sure I had their number to call if I needed anything. Words cannot express my thankfulness.

And now that Thanksgiving has passed, I am now offically in the Christmas spirit!