Our week in photos

We’ve been pretty busy lately and I have a TON of stuff to blog about! We had a garage sale this weekend and I’m just exhausted, so a simple “our week in photos” blog post will have to do for now!

I got a new phone! And it’s awesome…which makes capturing moments so much easier! Here my kiddos are helping me figure out the front facing camera!

Check out my cute Mizzou fans!!

We took our kids out to celebrate our anniversary last week. We all had fun!

Cousin Gabe came and played with us a week or so before his parents came over from St. Louis. My kiddos got to meet their new baby cousin, Eli.

And I got to soak up baby Eli snuggles!

I took Jackson to tour the fire station the other day. He was excited, can’t you tell? {I can’t wait to share about it!}

  

This is garage sale… only half of what my garage looked like when we set it all up the day before we started. So much stuff!

Jackson was my big “helper” all week as I sorted and priced stuff. 

This was what my last three days have looked like… I need a break from math.

Belle climbed up on the tractor about a bazillion times. Not to be surprised, a fascination of all things John Deere runs in the family.

We went out to our community festival last night. I love funnel cakes!

And this morning we walked to main street to watch a parade.

Which was really just a moving political platform, but the kids enjoyed the candy! Jackson was literally covered from head to toe {socks} in stickers!

I’m looking forward to a lazy day tomorrow! I’m excited for the kids to give Daddy their Father’s Day present. {And I’m just as eager to give my dad his present too!}. But for now, I think I want to go to bed—and it’s still daylight!

Today's soundtrack

This, my friends, is the soundtrack from our car ride earlier today.

{yes I was driving. BUT I had set up the video function before I took off and all I did was hit record and hold the phone, which is why you only get to view the dashboard and not the kids themselves, even though I would love to have it on tape for blackmail use someday}.

Oh yes, be very jealous.

We were on our way home from a friends house. Now, maybe you think that Jackson is upset because he had to leave his friend. However, we actually left because Jackson started his crying, screaming fit while we were there and so we had no choice but to evacuate leave and come home.

And because he was crying/screaming in the car, it upset Belle who joined in on the fun. Both kids are now in bed, asleep. In fact, today is the very first time that Jackson got sent to nap without any lunch. I feel mean and awful. I talked to him kindly saying that I can't wait to play with him when he takes a nap and wakes up happy. {He will wake up happy, won't he!?}

I seriously have no idea where this fit came from and I am definitely hoping it never happens again. It's so unlike him! At least we weren't in the grocery store. Speaking of which, I needed to stop on the way home but decided it wouldn't really be a great idea. But now I don't have hamburger buns for dinner. Anyone want to pick some up for me??

I'm off to enjoy the quiet. And maybe catch up on this week's episode of Glee.

Edit: Jackson woke up in a great mood. A completely different kid. We're gonna have a good afternoon.

Seven Months

Wowzers... it's that time again! Belle is seven months old today! I was so caught up on her being six months that this one really crept up on me! With every passing month, we just love her more and more! She's a keeper.

{click the picture to make it larger-- worth it!}

Dear Belle,

As always, you are just so darn cute... and you know it too. Of course, I love it that people think you are just oh-so-adorable, but it really makes my outings take longer. Sometimes it seems that every single person we come across has to ooh and aah over you! I guess it's just the price I pay for procreating cute babies. 

You have got a *ton* of personality these days. You like to play with toys, crawl around the house, and play with Jackson. You are capable of expressing your mood, and you do- whether its a delightful squeals or I'm-just-not-happy-about-this cries. When you do make your super upset cry, you make the most pitiful little face and it's hard not to chuckle.

You're still sleeping through the nights most of the time. We really appreciate that! You sleep on your stomach and always with a stuffed animal {two major no no's, but we do it anyway}. You have a definite preference to sleeping in your crib. When we are at home, you'll take three naps a day. If not, you just take several short cat naps and you're kind of cranky. 

You're wearing size 2 diapers these days and mostly 6 months clothes, but really, it's basically whatever we have that fits the temperature outside. You wear a little Mizzou onesie that's a three month size and since it's been cold, you've been wearing nine month clothes. Whatever it is though, you always look cute. 

You can be kind of finicky with eating. Some days, you won't hardly eat anything and other days you can't stop eating. Sometimes you want only baby food and nothing to do with the bottle and other days you refuse to eat baby food. I am the only person who can really get you to eat baby food-- you're kind of a pickle when other people try to feed you! You make it very obvious when you don't want to eat-- you wait until the spoon is at your face and then you spit. And it leaves me covered in green beans, mango, or whatever. Not cool. You like to eat the little biter biscuits and it's so cool to see your little hands pick it up and get it in your mouth! 

You've become an expert crawler. You get yourself through the entire house. It's still an army crawl, but that's not slowing you down at all. You've started to get up on all fours, but when you try to move your legs, it sends your face right to the ground. Kinda funny. You can almost get yourself to the sitting position from being on the ground. And your favorite position is what we call the playboy pose {but that is in NO way, shape, or form approving of a similar future}. You like to pause in the midst of rolling from front to back, and you just chill out, leaning back on one elbow. I tried to get a picture today, but was unsuccessful. Clearly it's something you only like to do when it's your idea. I will capture that shot soon.

I really think that Jackson is your favorite toy. You just love it when he will pay attention to you. It's been really fun watching you two "play" together. He will crawl really slow and you will take off after him and he likes to get down and make funny faces at you while you squeal happily. Jackson likes to hold you and when you wave your arms every-which-way, he thinks you're "getting" him and he cracks up. I can't wait for you guys to grow up and be great friends. No fighting. Ever. Mkay?

You've got that daddy guy wrapped around you're little chubby fingers. He loves coming home to your happy welcome and you get all excited to see him come home! Daddy is an expert at getting you to laugh and it's the sweetest sound ever. We are just so thrilled to have you {even your super wiggly, eager to move tenancies!} and we love you bunches and bunches. Love, Mommy and Daddy.

You started playing on the big kid tunnels at the park. Notice that little tongue sticking out-- it is *always* out.

Aunt Laura gave you a little pedicure this month. You loved it! Pink toes are the best.

And here are some outtakes-- these monthly pictures are getting harder and harder to take! She's wiggly, she's crawling, and she's tired because I have to take so many stinkin' pictures becuase she just WON'T HOLD STILL!

When you turn eight months next month, Julie will be here to visit and she is hardly going believe how much you've grown!

One Month

Belle is one month old today! It seems as if she's "grew up" more in the past week than she did in all of the first three weeks. She's trying to hold her head up, looking around everywhere, staying awake for longer periods of time, and look- we even got a smile!!! 

(click on the picture to view it larger)

Big Brother Practice

A couple weeks ago, I asked a friend if we could borrow a doll. I didn't know how it would go over with Jackson, but he loves it! My initial plan had been just to have it for Jackson to play with after the baby arrived because he really does like to do the things I am doing. It turns out, that it's also good for Big Brother
practice.

This morning, Jackson insisted that baby lay with him while he watched the Backyardigans. He sat like this through the entire show (which is a lot considering that sitting still in general is a rarity, but to cuddle and keep his attention on the baby too... amazing!)

The crazy thing is, is that I never had to tell him how to "take care" of his baby. He wants to wrap it up, lay down with it, put it in the swing, change the diaper... and these are all he's ideas. (The doll is truly just an "it" because it is technically a boy doll, however, we talk sometimes refer to it as baby sister, as to try to help him understand how to treat her when she comes.) I chime in every once in awhile with certain key words, such as "soft, gentle, nice, love," just to set the tone. I don't let him play with the doll without supervision, just to monitor that it doesn't become a punching bag or whatever sort of thing he could come up with.

I caught a great video of him taking care of the baby this afternoon. It is an 8 minute video, but it is just so sweet. You have to watch at least part of it!

He's going to be a GREAT big brother!!

Time of my Life

I thought I'd give a little tribute to the hometown hero, David Cook, and his first single. This past year really has been the time of my life- surpassing anything I could have ever thought possible. Without a shadow of a doubt, this is by far the best year that I have ever had. Jackson is really the best thing that has ever happened to me. Despite the delivery being on my list of the worst things, I would do it all again in a heartbeat. I love my family so very much and I am truly so blessed with a great husband and the sweetest little boy.

Our family- 1 day old

I knew from the time that I was a little girl playing with my cabbage patch dolls that I wanted to be a mommy and waiting until I "established a career" or "spending my 20s learning about myself" never appealed to me. Sure, someday after I finally finish my Master's I cannot wait to establish a professional career, but having a family is and will always be my main priority despite the busy lives we lead. My first year as a mommy has seemed to have flown by in a bit of a blur. Jackson was (is) continually changing and a lot of the time was spent adapting to that change and enjoying Jackson during each stage and all of the "firsts" that come with the first year.

Christmas 2008
2 months

The first few months were definitely challenging with the crazy sleep schedule and entering in to the life unknown, but we managed- with much help and support from our friends and family!!! My mom would come stay with us about once a week and that was such a nice boost of energy to get a full nights sleep! Linda came over once to just hold Jackson because wanted to be held, but I desperately needed to get some stuff done around the house. And the ladies down in the nursery at church got an earful of questions about sleep habits, doctor visits, temperatures and anything else you can imagine!!!

Jackson and Daddy- 12 days old
First Sunday morning at church

Along with knowing that I wanted to be a mommy since being a little girl, I always had to desire to be a stay-at-home mom, so the decision to stay home was not a hard decision. My mom had the opportunity to stay home with us and I joke about the first time I ever remember getting a key to our house- I was a senior in high school because whenever I came home from school or anything, mom was always there. After a year of staying at home, I absolutely love it and wouldn't want to have to go back to work like so many others do. I really enjoy spending my day with Jackson. Sometimes it's hard because I am envious of what others have, like cable tv or an iphone, but I know that those things would never bring me the joy that Jackson brings to each day- the smiles, the laughs, and just being with him.

Mommy and Jackson- 4 months
California Vacation

Born with the ability to be a people pleaser, fueled by the fact that he is spoiled to death with attention, it is no surprise that Jackson saved some of his "firsts" for when we had the camera out. Okay, so it is probably just because we always have the camera near by and in short distance so we are able to catch the newest trick or super cute moment. We got his first time rolling over on video and he decided to stand up by himself for the first time during his 10 month picture. I remember the Sunday afternoon when Jackson shared his first smile for Daddy- it was such a neat thing! We sat on the couch for 30 minutes at least, making silly faces and sounds just for a tiny little smile. Derek and I were so excited.

One of Jackson's
First Smiles

This year was full of calls to Derek during the work day, "Jackson just giggled!", "You are SO changing the next diaper!", and "Should I call the doctor?". We have had really enjoyed our time as a family-- going to DeAnna Rose, visiting California, trips the park, and even just going to the store. We have totally had our share of "No, it's YOUR turn to get up!" and "I changed the last zillion diapers!" but I have to say that Derek and I are closer now because of Jackson despite the late night one-liners. Derek has been there for me when I cried because Jackson had allergies and the times when I am all but throwing Jackson at him when he walks in the door after a long day at work. I'd like to think we make a great team, each bringing our own strengths to the table, doing our best to raise Jackson in a healthy manor.

Jackson's first boat ride
Sacramento, CA- 4 months

I am going to end this post (I know it's long) with some moments from this past year that haven't been "blog-worthy" in themselves, but I don't ever want to forget:

• As soon as we got home from the hospital, I heard Derek yelling in the bedroom. It was Derek's first time changing a diaper ever and Jackson peeped all over him!
• Emotionally, I was a mess when we first brought Jackson home from the hospital. The next day, I was looking through the zillion pictures we had and cried because I thought it was going by too quickly. Seriously.
  
• I took Jackson to the library when he was only a few weeks old and while we look at some books (in complete silence), Jackson tooted SO loudly that most of the people in the library could probably hear. I was so embarrassed.
• When Jackson took a bath in his baby tub, he soaked the entire bathroom from splashing.
  
• Jackson has always found jumping funny- an early trick to get those baby smiles and giggles!
• You DO NOT eat in front of Jackson EVER! Even since he was a little guy, he did not like anyone eating anything in front of him without sharing whether it be a snack or a meal, or a little friend having a bottle.
• When Jackson choked on a cracker at Wendy's, I went home and cried. I was so scared.
  
• The time that Derek and I took Jackson to Jose Peppers for dinner and Jackson all but claimed the attention of our entire half of the restaurant!
• Jackson became so attached to his blanket(s) just overnight at around 10 months. We don't leave the house without one.
  
• When he bit my toe- after he actually had teeth. OUCH!
  
• I was SO stressed out when Jackson fell and knocked his head on a sharp corner of the bookshelf. He had a goose-egg the size of a golf ball in just seconds. I think I needed to hold him more than he needed me to hold him!
• When Derek played was playing darts in his parents basement, Jackson thought it was SO funny when he pulled the arrows out of the dart board. Not when he threw them, only when he took them out. He was cracking up in tears.
  
• The lemon at Chipotle.
• Jackson tries to escape to outside every single day, multiple times. And when he would get outside in shorts and realized that it hurts his knees when he crawled, he stuck his tush up in the air and crawled using his feet instead!
• Jackson can pick up anything and pretend it's a telephone. He'll hold it up to his ear when you say, "Hello!" Maybe this is a sign he sees me on mine a little much! :)

Mommy and Jackson
Pumpkin Patch-- 11 months

I will never forget the feeling when he first reached for me or how he smiles at me when he first wakes up. Or how we wait by the window for daddy to come home and how I am nearly beaten to death because he flails his arms in excitement when he sees Derek. I cherish the moments he looks at me to make sure I am still watching as if to seek my approval and when he is playing and rushes over to me to give me some lovin' and heads back to play. Nothing could have prepared me for the hard work that it has been being a mommy this year, but I could never have comprehended the love I have for my baby. Nothing in this world compares to the joy I receive every single day from being his mommy.

Ten Months

Jackson is spending a couple of nights with Grammy, so I figured it would be a good time to catch up on some blogging.

Our little boy is already over 10 months old-- only 6 weeks until his birthday. UNBELIEVABLE! I mean, I seriously doubted that I'd even last the first 6 weeks that he was alive. Alas, here I am alive and well as he is about to turn one.

Jackson's 10 month picture-
also capturing the first time he stood up by himself!

Jackson is so much fun. Everyday, he makes me laugh. Last week, he started making these monkey faces and he is hilarious as he tries to chew his food (make sure to check out the video). If you get him to focus on you, you can make faces at him and he will mimic you- or try, at least! He is so cute. I love this kid.



We can already see Jackson's extroverted personality and he loves watching bigger kids play. He always wants to play with/on David (the little boy I watch), much to David's annoyance. Jackson learned the other day how to make his way down the stairs, without falling, so his new favorite thing is to go up the stairs and then down, and then up, and then down... I have found a spot to make myself comfortable and will just sit there literally for an hour as he entertains himself.

Jackson and his favorite activity

Jackson began taking his first steps at the end of last month. He can take several steps and do pretty well if he would actually want to. A lot of the times, he will just decide that crawling is faster, and a little easier, and opt to crawl instead. Derek is the one motivator for Jackson to walk-- if Derek is the one being walked to, then Jackson goes a lot farther.



Last, but not least, Jackson is definitely "pragmatic" as Derek says, or I might use the word lazy. He won't event try to hold a bottle if he knows you'll do it and he tries so hard to find away to get away with as little effort as possible. Whether it be one handed, resting it on his tray on his stroller and leaning forward to suck, or even to set it on the floor and lean over it (like he is crawling)- but he has found that to be unproductive. It's cute to watch him try though! Another thing that is beginning to become apparent, is Jackson's temperament. This kid is not patient, and is easily frustrated when he can't get a toy to do what he wants or when he doesn't get his way. Derek has already determined Jackson to be a strong-willed child. I don't know where he gets it from.

Jackson thought he was the coolest
kid in town when he got to drive the cart!

When Jackson was itty bitty, I got to cuddle with him as much as I wanted. Then, he learned to squirm and wiggle, and never wanted to cuddle- he was just too busy. These days, he has begun to let me cuddle him again. Sometimes it's when he's drinking a bottle or when he is getting ready for bed and every once in a great while, it will be just a quick cuddle just because before he gets up to play. When I go down to the nursery to get Jackson, he is always super excited to see me and of course, it makes me feel really loved!

Jackson playing peek-a-boo
at the McDonald's Playplace

Oh! And I forgot to mention the blanket. Jackson loves his blanket. We actually went out and bought a similar blanket so that he we will have a back-up! Hardly anything lights up his face like his blanket does. Sometimes, he is so excited to see his blanket when I put him in his crib, it takes him awhile to realize that he's going to have to go to sleep! He always falls forward into his blanket and hides his face in it, then squeals with delight.

Happy Baby

He's a happy baby!!!

This is what I hear most from other people about Jackson. I love that he is so happy and will just smile at anyone who is willing to offer a glance in his direction-- and even to those who don't! His favorite are bigger kids who run around at church and come up to say hi. I hear a lot of "wow, he's sure big for 6 months." He is getting bigger, 17-something pounds at his latest check up. He is a tad under 50% in weight, but is longer than average with a slightly larger head. Most important, completely healthy-- despite the many inquiries about why this kid spits up SO much. Like my dad says, "Jackson is the only kid I know who can drink 6 ounces and spit up 12." For those of you who think this is an exaggeration-- you just haven't held this kid yet.

Jackson's 6 month picture (more here)

Since my last post about Jackson he has sure grown a bunch. Jackson is now sitting up on his own with only the occasional flop when he is just tired. He plays with all sorts of toys and puts them all in his mouth. I am sure if he could pick a favorite, it would be paper. It is just so much fun to crinkle, stick in his mouth, and tear it to pieces. A few weeks ago, I had baked cookies and put them in a plastic container so that Derek could take them for a meeting. I put the container on Jackson's lap to carry it out to the car and forgot to take it off before I drove away. Somehow during the drive, Jackson takes off the lid and goes crazy with the napkins. I open the door to find napkin wads in both fists and some in his mouth. He didn't touch the cookies. I should have taken a picture-- he was all smiles like it was the coolest thing to ever happen to him.

Jackson is getting to be pretty mobile. He's not crawling, but he rolls and scoots across the floor. Awhile back, I left him playing in his play yard for a minute to go to the kitchen and I found him across the family room chewing on the vacuum cord. He is starting to pull himself up like on his crib rails or using your hands. I'm really not ready for him to be moving around so much!!

The swing is so much fun!

On most days, Jackson eats a couple times of day getting cereal with a vegetable in at one meal and a fruit in the next. We haven't come across a food yet that he won't eat. He sleeps through the night, but his mornings come around 6:50-7:15 each morning. I blame this on the week when I worked at the daycare 4 days in a row and had to get him up at 6:45. Before that, it was normal for him to sleep until 8:00, but I don't think we'll get back there any time soon.

He has gotten to stay the night with Grammy and Papa a time or two and he always comes back expecting to be cuddled and spoiled all the time. Jackson also gets lots of lovin' from Grandpa Forrest and Grandma Linda. And anytime he is over at their house, Great Grandpa Duff comes over to play too!

Jackson will be 7 months at the end of next week. Unbelievable! It's amazing how much has changed in a year! Last year at this time, we were still waiting to find out if we were having a little boy or girl. We are having so much fun with Jackson right now. His little laughs (sometimes really big ones) and smiles really do make each day so great. I still cuddle with him when he'll hold still and we sing and read books sometimes too. Being a Mommy is just so wonderful!!

Be sure to check out the pictures. He has some really cute pictures in the bathtub, at the park, and at his baby dedication. The newest pictures are at the end of the album.

Jackson, Biology, Oscars, California

Our little fella turned four months this weekend! I just can't believe how much he has changed in just the past few weeks. He is playing (bonking his head) with toys, talking up a storm, and bouncing like crazy in his Jumparoo. He started sleeping through the night, from about 10pm-8am, about three weeks ago. I sent out an update email to some family last week bragging on this new feat and since that night, Jackson has been waking up three or four times a night. Derek says I jinxed it. Per the doctors suggestion, we started feeding Jackson cereal this week. The kid loves it! This increases the amount of laundry and the number of baths that Jackson takes!



I took Jackson to get his 4 month pictures taken last week. The little stinker will smile and giggle up a storm until you get a camera in front of his face. He would rather stare at the big black thing to figure out what it is! We did end up with a super cute picture. Isn't this kid just adorable!?!?!
More Pictures

I am almost half way through my class this semester. This is a tough one for me. I love Psychology, but more on the social and personal side as opposed to the biological stuff, which is what I am taking. When I read the textbooks for my other classes (Developmental Psych, Mental Disorders, Career Counseling, etc...) I read through it once and it all makes sense. Reading this Biological Bases of Behavior book... blah! I can read and read about dendrites, axons, basal ganglia... and I still don't really get it. Lying in bed at night I go over the flowchart of the Central Nervous System hoping it will stick with me one of these days!!!

I can't believe we got so much snow on Friday night... and it really caught me off guard! I try really hard not to watch the news (it is overall depressing and often keeps me awake at night) and so I never know what the weather is going to be like. I'll leave the house in just a t-shirt because it is 70 degrees and by the time I am on my way home, I'm freezing because it is sleeting outside! I am just so ready for spring to be here.

Last week, we had some friends over for an Oscar Party. We filled out ballots marking who we thought would win. I have won for the past three years, but lost this one. I still did pretty good. I am hoping to get out and see Slumdog Millionaire sometime. I don't really know what to expect... the past couple of years we watched the Oscar winning movies and weren't all to impressed. I do have to say that I was very entertained watching Hugh Jackman dance and sing. I think he put on a great show!!

We will be taking our first family vacation to California in a couple weeks. I am so excited-- I've never been to northern California. I went to visit a friend in San Diego over Thankgiving Break a few years back. This time we are flying in to Sacramento to visit Derek's grandpa before he moves back here! We have plans to visit San Francisco and to check out some of the giant Sequoia trees out there. I am a little anxious traveling with Jackson, like I don't quite know what I'm getting myself into. Feel free to share any advice!

Three Months

January 28th marked Jackson's three month birthday! I just cannot believe how fast he is growing! He has turned into a chubby little guy and he is just SO cute. I know that I am a bit partial... Derek says that Jackson has "Popeye arms" because his forearms are bigger than his biceps. Jackson smiles SO much these days and I live for the moments when he does! Dad finished the crib and brought it down last weekend. And it was totally worth the wait. I need to take some pictures of it to put on here! Jackson is sleeping right now, or else I'd do it now!

One of Jackson's 3 month pictures. What a handsome fella!

More Pictures here

Jackson just LOVES bathtime. Sometimes I'll put him in the bath to calm him down if he is just fussy and there have been times when I'll have him take a bath when I want him to wake up from a nap so he'll go to bed at his real bedtime. While he loves to kick and splash, he does NOT like when I run the water to keep it warm!

Jackson is a fabulous cuddler. Some days, I just sit and hold him and just look at him... even after he has fallen asleep. That is when I might normally take a shower, read a book, clean around the house... but I sometimes I just want to hold him. He is already growing so fast and I know there will be a day when he doesn't want to cuddle with me! Jackson does do funny things in his sleep sometimes like make kissy faces and stretch out his body in a funny way. This is a cute video I shot after Derek came home from work and they both took a nap.

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.

So this is the story of my lack of blog posts. I would think, "Hey, I should post an update," but then as time kept passing I kept promising myself that I would wait until I could do a complete update and include all sorts of info about what had been going on. I even started a rough draft or two. But then so much time had past that I had way too much to write about and I never got around to it! So, now it's almost December and with Jackson here now, I definitely don't have time to go back and update for the past 5 months, but I will do better at keeping up with it.

You can read about Jackson's arrival and see tons of pictures at Derek's blog-- www.derekcreason.com.

Being a mom really is exciting despite being spit up on, peed on, woken up in the wee hours of the morning and the never ending laundry he creates, etc... I love just holding him and watching him make the cutest of faces! He's just so darn cute and we love him so much! :)