Busy Boy!

Jackson is such a busy boy these days! He is going non-stop. This might be why he is sleeping so well. He is doing great at day-care. Still sleeping 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 hours each day and about 12 hours at night. We love his teachers and he just seems so happy. Mommy is very happy too!

Our night time routine used to be: bath, read books peacefully, mommy sings while Jackson lays his head on mommy's shoulder and snuggles so tight, mommy puts Jackson in bed and sings another song or two and then Jackson goes right to sleep.

Now it is: bath, running around the room with books, jumping in my lap, looking at one page, then off to get another book (do this over and over), mommy sings while Jackson runs out of the room then back in and shuts the door, Jackson tries to climb in the crib, mommy puts Jackson in the crib, Jackson runs back and forth several times in the crib and turns on the aquarium (all the while mommy is singing), Jackson lays down, we say prayers, then mommy leaves the room, Jackson zonks out. Phew, I'm exhausted after this routine.

All this to say to the other moms out there - rock your baby for as long as they will let you! I remember being paranoid about rocking Jackson because I was so concerned that he'd need it to fall asleep. Then someone told me to rock him for as long as he will let me because one day he won't want it anymore. Jackson is just too busy these days to let me rock him. Too much to do and see. :-(

Here are a few recent pictures.

Jackson in his froggie robe.

Running behind the bushes chasing Grayson

So tired after church... (he did wear pants that day, it was just hot so we took them off for the car)

My Big Boy

Jackson had a GREAT week at daycare. He did not cry once and slept each day for 1.5 - 2.5 hours. He never slept like that last year. He has been so happy in the evenings and I think he has actually grown up a bit. Tonight he was saying bubble! This morning when I dropped him off his teacher had her arms open for him and he went to her! No more tears when mommy is leaving.

This week has been very hard at work. I had three very late nights so I didn't get to see Jackson much. I have been dreading this week for a while knowing it would be his first week at daycare and I wouldn't get to see him much. I think God just knew I needed Jackson to be happy so that I wouldn't be quite so sad. I am so thankful for this blessing. He has been one happy boy!

I have to admit I'm a little sad. Jackson almost seems to have noticed that I've been gone. He hasn't clung to me quite as much and even preferred Laine to me once or twice. That rarely happens! I know it's important for Laine to spend one on one time with Jackson and I'm so thankful that Laine has the flexibility in his job to pick up Jackson early on the days I have to work late. It's just so hard for me to spend so little time with him during weeks like this. Hopefully things will slow down now that school is starting up and we can get back to our normal routine.


For those of you with kids in school or those of you that will have kids in school soon - I want you to know how very hard teachers, administrators, and other educators work over the summer to prepare for the first day of school. Our teachers have been up there since July working on their rooms. Did they get paid for any of that? No. And not only did they not get paid but they spend so much of their own money decorating their rooms to create a fun place for their students to learn. It is always so much fun to see the new teachers and their excitement to start their teaching careers. I hope that you will join me in saying thank you to the teachers you know for all of their hard work and dedication. It is such a hard job and I just don't think most people realize how hard they work. Thank you to all my teacher friends for the hard work and dedication you put in to make this world a better place for children!

Ok, I will get off my soap box now.

Have a great weekend!

First Day of School

I'm very happy to report that Jackson's first day of school went great! He didn't cry when we took him this morning - probably because I packed him a Cinnabon breakfast bar and his favorite yogurt for breakfast. I knew that would make him happy. I called at lunch time and his teacher said he was doing great and hadn't cried once. Laine picked him up this afternoon and got a great report. No tears today and....he slept 1 1/2 hours!!! I am so happy at how well his first day turned out. I really like his teachers. We'll just pray that he continues to be a happy boy at school.

Dropping Jackson off this morning - he looks a little concerned in this picture. This was before breakfast. :-)

This weekend we had the Webb's and Ward's over for dinner. The kids had a great time playing together. It's always fun to get together with my high school friends!

As You Requested...

Aunt Amanda requested a few video clips so I have posted several below. Nothing too exciting - just life around our house.

One thing that I forgot to post yesterday is that Jackson can blow into a Kleenex! He doesn't get much out but he is definitely blowing. So cute!

The other day Jackson decided to go through his diaper bag and we found him after he had pulled all of the wipes out of the travel wipe container.

We visited my Aunt Diane a few weeks ago. Jackson was able to play with his second cousin, Cole. It was a nice visit and since she lives so close we really need to do it more often! Excuse my sweaty face and hair - we went swimming that day.

Jackson looking handsome in his Aggie hat

One time a while back Jackson was doing something he wasn't supposed to and Laine said BOY really loud and Jackson just turned around and laughed and laughed. And then of course Laine and I were cracking up. That technique didn't work so well. Then Laine started saying it to make Jackson laugh. Now, he is saying it back to Laine.

A few video clips of Jackson looking at his books. I couldn't get much video because he knew I was there. You have to sneak up on him or he'll stop looking at his books.

Have a great night!

Summer is Coming to an End

You can probably tell from my lack of posting that I'm back at work. :-( It's definitely been easier this time around since Jackson is bigger. He is not back at day care yet though. That starts next week. I have to admit that I'm dreading next week. The one good thing about day care last year is that he was too little to know that I left. This year he is definitely going to know and it might not be pretty. The good thing is that he will know many of the kids in his class. He will take a nap on a cot this year so that makes me a little sad but I've heard from other moms that they all worried about this and the kids do great. He will be with the 18 - 24 month class. He was 16 months yesterday so he'll be on the young end. Hopefully that means he'll learn more (I'm just hoping it's not hitting, biting, and stuff like that!) We have meet the teacher night on Friday so we will look forward to meeting his new teachers. I have heard great things about them so far.

While I'm thinking about it, I need to say a HUGE THANK YOU to Aunt Courtney and Mumsey for watching Jackson over the last few weeks while I've been back at work. They have both done such a great job and Jackson has really seemed to enjoy their company.

Yesterday we went to church with G and Dada and then to Babe's for lunch to celebrate their 43rd anniversary. What a great example they are to us! Jackson enjoyed exploring and playing at their house.

Jackson is now 16 months old. This past month has been so much fun. I cannot believe how much fun we have together. He is learning new things every day. Here's what he's up to recently:

• He's starting to eat vegetables again! Yea!
• walking and running everywhere, exploring every nook and cranny, climbing, etc.
• Loves to jump on piles of pillows on the bed and hide from us
• Saying mama, dada, nana (banana), ball, uh-oh, moo, oh oh ah ah (monkey sound), and he will mimic the up and down cadence of all done, hot dog, and thank you
• He understands SO much: let's go change your diaper (he walks to the room), let's go read (goes to the chair we read in), give the ball to daddy (he will go find Laine and give it to him), go get your cup (goes and finds his cup) - it amazes me every day
• He waves at everyone. Aunt Courtney noticed him waving once when she had him in the car and then she looked over and saw the lady next to him waving at him.
• He has figured out how to turn him self over and slide down to get off a chair, couch, and bed.
• He gives kisses!!!! I LOVE those open mouthed slobbery kisses. I will never in my life get enough of those from him. I get sad thinking that one day he won't want to kiss me anymore.
• He has certain books that he just gravitates to and loves for a few days or weeks and then moves on. Some of his favorites over the last few months have been: Baby Animals, Moo, Baa, La La La, The Foot Book, Maisey's Favorite Transportation (or something like that), No, David, and many many more. I'll read him one of his favorites and put it in the basket and then move on to another book. He'll take that book away from me and then get the one he likes back out! So funny.
• He is really doing a good job of communicating his needs. Today he pointed to the microwave and then went to his high chair. He wanted some hot food!
• He can point to his belly button and to ours too.
• He still loves to be outside. We play outside all the time and walk up and down the sidewalk.
• He will sit in his room with his basket of books and look through them and read to himself for a good chunk of time. I like to peek in on him and watch him - so cute!
• He still sleeps like a champ! 11 - 12 hours at night and 1 1/2 - 3 hours during the day. I am hoping and praying he does well at day care this year because he's done fabulous this summer.
• Loves bath time

I think that's it for now. I'm sure I'll think of more as soon as I post this.

I'll post pictures in the next day or two.