A visit from Uncle Ron and Aunt Mary...

This past week Jackson got to see his Uncle Ron again and meet his Aunt Mary for the first time! Jackson and Uncle Ron will always have a special relationship because Ron was here when Jackson was born. He came to the hospital that night with mom and dad, therefore being one of the first people to see Jackson in person. Aunt Mary has heard all about Jack and seen many pics but finally got to hold him! They adored each other. Jacksons loves visitors and thrives off all of the attention that it brings! We had a wonderful time during their visit. We had lots of yummy meals outside, drank lots of Ron's delicious, homemade wine, and just "hung out" while Jackson did the entertaining. We cant wait to hang out again. Maybe next time we will go visit them in sunny California! Here are some pics from their visit.....

Jackson with Uncle Ron

Jackson with Aunt Mary

Having a cookout at grandma and grandpa Reid's

Jackson playing with his moraca at Cantina

Happy 8 months my sweet, baby boy!

I can hardly believe that my baby boy is 8 months old today! He is changing so much every single day. He isnt crawling quite yet but I can tell he is ready to and wouldn't be suprised if it happened any day now. He is starting to make real sounds, like a "ta, ta, ta" sound. He has the sweetest little voice. I just love watching him grow. Its sad at the same time though because it is all happening way too fast! He is much better about napping nowadays. I can pretty much get him to take about a 30-40 minute nap in the morning, and about an hour nap, or sometimes even 2, in the afternoon. I just lay him in his crib, turn on his aquarium, and walk away. He will cry for about a minute but then falls right to sleep.

Jackson napping in his crib with his little booty up in the air

Hanging out in the yard with daddy

Out to lunch on a Sunday afternoon. Jackson loved holding himself up on the back of the bench and watching everything going on around him.

Getting ready to eat his lunch

Hanging out in the pack n play at Grandma and Grandpa's

Jackson in position and ready to go....

See what I mean, any day now...

A few of Jackson's favorite things...

Strolling...

Swimming...

Swinging...

Sleeping...

Shopping...

Jumping...

Bathing...

                                                                             

Easter weekend.....

We had such a wonderful Easter weekend. Beautiful weather, family, food, and fun.....who could ask for more? This time of year, especially, makes me realize how blessed I really am.

Saturday we baked cookies and colored Easter eggs with grandma. Jackson watched us intently from his highchair....

He even helped a little bit too.....

Sunday morning we went to mass. Jackson wore his adorable Easer outfit....

After church grandma and grandpa came over for a nice breakfast on the back deck. We gave Jackson two Easter baskets. One from mommy and daddy, the other from grandma and grandpa Reid. I think his favorite part was the grass inside the baskets rather than the presents...

After breakfast all 4 of us took Jack and the pups to Freedom Park for a long afternoon stroll. Jackson loves riding in his stroller and checking out everything around him....

He even got to play with daddy on the playground.....

After the park we enjoyed a yummy dinner of ham and scalloped potatoes at grandma and grandpa's on thier back deck. We just cant get enough of this beauitful spring weather and all the outdoor fun that goes along with it.

Busy boy...

Drinking from the sippy cup all by himself!

All strapped in, almost ready!

Zipped in and bundled up!

Off we go!

Jackson continues to learn new skills and take on new adventures. As I mentioned in the last post, we introduced the sippy cup. Well, he has taken on to it very quickly and easily. We practice everyday. Most of the time I just put it in front of him and let him "play" with it. Well the other morning I looked over to see him drinking out of it like a big boy! He still has a lot of work to do though because most of the time he is just chewing on the spout and not actually drinking the juice. Its just another new skill for him to perfect!

Yesterday Toby bought a bike trailer from a friend. Now that the weather is nicer he has been dying to get back on his bike and has always wanted to take Jackson out with him. After we got home yesterday from purchasing it, Toby didnt waste any time, they went for a ride on the Greenway. Toby said Jackson fell asleep during the ride. He came back with dirt in his hair and ears! Toby plans on taking him for a ride most days after work.

6 month check up...

Jackson all ready for his doctor appoinment

This morning was Jackson's 6 month check up. Once again, he was such a good little boy! Daddy went with us this time. Jackson barely whimpered after his shots. In fact he didnt cry the whole time we were there. Not even when he was being messed with. The whole time the doctor was talking he was looking up and smiling at him! His stats were as follows.....

Weight: 14 lbs. 6.2 ounces (10th percentile)
Height: 26 inches (50th percentile)
Head: 16 3/4 inches (25th percentile)

Jack continues to love meal time. We are gonna start training him on the sippy cup! I'll keep you posted.....

Big happenings.....

Well, where do I begin. There has been of lot of new and exciting stuff going on in little Jackson's life. First of all, he is now sitting up on his own!! It started a few weeks ago. He was very wobbly but would sit up on his own for about 10-15 seconds. Now he is able to sit on his own and play with his toys for long periods of time. He isnt crawling yet but you can tell he wants too badly. He is still our good little eater, in fact, one might can him a littl pig!! He loves meal time. The second I strap him in his highchair he gets so excited, cooing and kicking his legs. His favorite meal is bananas and rice cereal mixed together. He also knows the sounds of the microwave and associates them with his bottle at night. Its getting harder and harder to nurse him these days because I find him getting distracted and looking around. Lately his favorite toys are our cell phones and the TV remote. He is fascinated with Sugar these days. He watches her walk around the house and loves to pet her when he gets the chance. In return Sugar gives him big, wet sloppy kisses on the face, which he loves too. We have noticed Jack drooling a lot and gnawing on fingers from time to time. Looks like some teeth may be popping up soon.

Last week marked a big milestone in Jackson's life. One that came sooner for him than it does for most babies. He had his first haircut!! It was getting so out of control, the front was hanging in his eyes and the sides over his ears, so it was definitely time. Grandma Reid and I took him to a cute little kids salon in town called Pigtails and Crewcuts. The second I sat him down in the little red airplane he was all smiles. In fact, the smiles remained the entire time. I was so proud of my sweet little boy! He pretty much just got a little trim around the front, back, and sides, but it still looks much better.

This past weekend was a big one for all of us. Saturday we had Jackson baptized into the Catholic church. Lots of family from Toby's side came into town for the big occasion. Grandma and grandpa Reid took part in the festivities as well. This was the first time Jackson was meeting his aunt, 2 uncles, 2 cousins, and great grandma from Toby's side. The first to arrive were the godparents, Pat and Brittney, who are also Toby's sister and brother-in-law. They got here on Thursday night with their boys, Wes and Nate. Friday afternoon grandma and grandpa Timmons, great grandma Timmons, and Uncle Todd arrived. That night we had a belated, surprise birthday party for grandpa Timmons. We enjoyed a nice dinner with cake for dessert. He was very surprised and enjoyed having the family all together. Saturday morning we woke up and got ready for the baptism which took place at noon. It was such a nice ceremony. There were 3 other babies there also getting baptized. Before it was Jack's turn he fell asleep so needless to say he was a bit startled when they poured the water on his head. After the baptism everyone came back to our house for drinks and appetizers. That night we all went to dinner at Charley's. On Sunday morning Pat, Britt, and the boys had to head back to Florida but the rest of us went to mass together. Sunday afternoon was spent at our house just hanging out spending good quality time together. All in all it was a very successful weekend full of food, fun, and family.

Tomorrow Jackson will be 6 months old and I just cant believe it!


Jackson sitting up on his own for a very brief moment

Jackson getting his very first haircut

He was all smiles the whole time!

Before the baptism with godparents, Pat and Britt

Jackson waiting his turn to get baptized

The whole crew at dinner Saturday night. Notice Jackson passed out
in my lap.

The boys outside grilling on Sunday evening.