uncle clint

Happy 21st + Birthday to my Uncle Clint!  He is a really good babysitter (for a boy) that likes to take me on walks, eat good dinners, play lots of ball and read books.  I can't wait for my parents to go on more dates so he can come and hang out with me!

Straight relaxing while we head to the park...

18 month stats

Weight - 31.3 lbs - 96%

Height - 33.5 in. - 82%

Head - 19.6 in. - 92%

My superbaby was as good as ever today at the doctor's office.  He is so ticklish that he laughs the whole time his doctor is checking him out.  His thunder thighs are so big that he does not feel it when he gets his shots.  He walks around the office flirting with the ladies, they give him stickers and suckers, everyone is happy and he is healthy.   He does not have to go back until he is 2 years old!  The doctor reminded me that she will be seeing me lots before then, talk about a reality check.  I pray baby boy #2 will be as healthy as this chunkster.

chatter box

The boy is talking all of the time.  I usually have no idea what he is saying but I know it is very important by his facial expressions.  I give him an 'oh really, wow' but he knows I am not understanding and answers with a strong 'NOOOO.'  It is a frustrating stage I am sure.  I find myself rapping old school Eminem style to Jackson, 'Nowadays everybody wanna talk like they got something to say, but nothin' comes out when they mover their lips, just a bunch of jibberish...'  

 Ma! Stop acting all pregnant, get a rake and help us!

Mmm, I think I just landed in some Greta stank!

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." -Psalm 107:1

Happy Thanksgiving!  I am so thankful for my healthy, happy, sweet, funny, energetic 1 1/2 year old and lots of  family that he gets to entertain all weekend long! 

ball

After almost 18 months, Charlie's dreams are coming true.  Jackson is obsessed with balls.  When he wakes in the morning... 'i wan ball.'  While we eat lunch he gazes outside 'ball?'  When he hears his dad pull up from work...'dada ball, ball dada.'  When he can't find a ball... 'oohhh no ball.'  They are scattered all around the house so watch out, his arm is getting pretty good.

You can't smile for baseball pictures mama, everyone knows that...

slow down

Jackson teaches me something new every single day.  I love watching all of the joy he takes in when exploring the world around him.  One thing I really appreciate about him and all children is their ability to live in the moment.  Having Jackson has taught me to slow down.  I have learned it is ok to do nothing in the afternoon.  'Nothing' like walking around the neighborhood and smelling flowers, laying on the couch and sucking your thumb while rubbing your head, laughing at the same funny thing all day long.  I am learning to enjoy the moment, because it sure is going by fast.

Just taking it all in...

monkey

If Jackson is being super quiet in the other room, he is either doing something I don't want to know about, I am about to hear a big bang or both.

Looks like it is time to put up the Halloween decor...

work

Confession - some days I would like to get up, put on something decent and head in to work for a few hours.  Although few and far between I get job envy.  This happends when one of us wakes up on the wrong side of the bed with not enough sleep.  Combine this with no coffee for me and a diaper rash for Jackson and we just don't get along that well.  In the working vs. stay-at-home mom debate I think part-time is the best for me.  I am very fortunate in that I can do that.  Last week I worked at Jersey Mike's everyday during the lunch rush.  It is nice to have some adult interaction and to feel somewhat accomplished.  The best part about it is coming home to this sweet face to spend the afternoon with.  He likes to give his mama some serious melt your heart loves too!

coloring

Jackson has recently discovered he likes coloring, specifically with markers.  What he really likes is taking the caps on and off and sneaking in a lick of the marker.  But it does amuse him for a good 10 minutes so I let him go at it.  He is the ruler of this house, that is a fact.  

Hmm, where should I start?

A little bit of this, a little bit of that...

MA!! Here you try...

boys

I am in need of some nursery ideas.  I don't want baby boy #2 to have all hand me down stuff, but it is looking like it may be that way. We are going to get another crib.  I was first thinking we would move Jackson to a big boy bed, but he is finally sleeping great in his crib and can't get out of it, so I figure no need to mess with a good thing. But besides that I got nothing. My favorite room in our old house was definitly Jackson's untouched sparkling clean nursery.  I need to get my creative juices flowing, pass along any ideas you have!  Of course Jackson will need something new, I am hoping to recreate something like this.  

"Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero." - Marc Brown

23 weeks!

Charlie purchased all of these without me even suggesting it.  That boy loves a good deal and taking advantage of his big ol' pregnant wife.  At 23 weeks we are all feeling good in this house.

gross

I have gotten used to walking around with snot on my shoulder, food in my greasy hair, slobber running down my shirt and sticky hands.  Most of this is from Jackson.  When he goes down for the night I look forward to showering off and changing into something clean and cozy until the dirt monkey awakes in the morning.  Well, last night as I pulled back the covers I noticed something... dookie spray on my pillow.  Hell naw, I had been butt stamped!  How long had it been there, I will never know.  The culprit, I am pretty sure I have a good idea.  I imagine him sleeping in his crib with a big smile across his face, 'sweeeettt dreams mamama.'