Memorial Day Weekend 2011

We decided to take a little family vacation down to Ft. Walton Beach to see Toby's parents, and grandma Timmons (who was also there for a visit) for Memorial Day Weekend. We always have such a nice, relaxing time down there. This particular trip ranked up there as one of the best yet! We left Charlotte around lunch time on Friday, therefore we didnt arrive too late. Saturday morning we took Jackson to the beach. He has only been one other time and that was last November so it was a bit too chilly then to go in the water and play in the sand. This time we were prepared to let him take it all in.

In the car, all ready for the beach!




Unfortunately, I didnt get any pictures at the beach because I was too nervous to take my nice new camera out for fear of getting it all sandy or stolen! I will tell you though, Jackson was very unsure of the sand. He wouldnt come off of the blanket that we laid down. We took him down by the water, which I think he did enjoy after he got used to it. We stood on the shore and let the water rush up onto his feet. It was a perfect beach day, clear skies, warm water and a nice breeze in the air. After our little beach adventure we took Jackson home to eat lunch and take a nap. He woke up to a nice surprise....grandma and grandpa Reid were there! We have been trying to get them to come to Ft. Walton for years and it finally worked out for them to come this time. They came for two nights while we were there.

Walking with daddy

Swimming in the bayou with grandma Timmons and Sugar

Checking out the beautiful garden

Sunday after church, Toby's parents hosted a nice cookout at their house. We were all joined by Britt, Pat, and the boys, and Todd with Chandler and Speedo (his 2 Great Danes). We spent a wonderufl afternoon on the boat down at Crab Island. Jackson stayed home with his grandma and great grandma. We thought the boat trip might have been a bit overwhelming for him. Afterwards we had a delicious dinner outdoors on the back porch. We were so grateful that everyone was able to come!

                   Getting hugs and kisses from all of the grandmas...

                           Jackson loved playing with these beads

                             Playing in the kiddie pool with daddy...

                      Jackson with his cousin Wes, daddy, and Uncle Todd

                                Jackson with cousin Nate

                                                                

Group photo, including the 5 dogs!

 

Monday, Memorial Day, we decided to take Jackson on the boat to "test the waters". It was just me, Toby, and his parents so it was a lot less overwhelming and crowded. He ended up doing really well after he got used to it. He fell asleep in my arms on our way back home from the little beach that we stopped at. Overall, I would say it was a succesful first boat trip.

                                       

We had such a wonderful time. Both Jackson and Sugar traveled so well! We cant wait to go back for more fun soon.

Visitors

The month of May has brought a few visitors our way. It started with Uncle Ron from California. I do believe he holds a special place in his heart for Jackson because he was here visiting when I went into labor and had Jackson. He was one of the first people to ever lay eyes on our precious baby boy. Jackson warmed up to him very quickly this visit, giving him all kinds of hugs. We had a lot of fun hanging out with Uncle Ron while he was here. We hope to go see him in California the next time we get together! Here are some pictures from his visit....

Sitting with grandpa and Uncle Ron on the back deck

We spent lots of nights sitting around the campfire...

And many days and evenings sipping cocktails

One evening we had an early birthday celebration for Uncle Ron...

Jackson helped him open his present

The boys, the morning we took Uncle Ron to the airport

We also had a visit from our dear friends, the Schultze's. They have been living in Guam for the past year or so. They are temporarily back in the States and were able to spend two nights here with us so we could see them and meet their baby girl, Lena, who is now almost 6 months old! We had such a wonderful time visiting with them and look forward to the next time we get to see them. Here are some pictures from their visit...








Jackson thinking about sharing his toy with Lena...

"Ok, fine, here you go."

"I've got my eye on you though!"

Our best attempt at a photo of the guys with their kids

Pretty girl, Lena!

Amy blowing bubbles with Jack

The happy family!



Easter 2011

What a perfect day we had! It started off with Easter mass. Jackson did wonderful, playing quietly in the pew between Toby and I. He was partly distracted by all the other kids around us though, and also enjoyed flirting with the ladies behind us. After mass we stopped off at grandma and grandpa Reid's for a delicious breakfast. Jackson didnt waste any time finding the Easter eggs and basket that grandma hid. Right away his observant self noticed that there were "new things" in the house. He got spoiled with squirt guns, a golf set, wooden trains, and candy. The golf set was by far the favorite. After breakfast daddy even took him out back to show him how its done. Then we went on a family bike ride through some beautiful neighborhoods. Jackson never gets sick of riding in the cruiser while daddy pulls him along. After our bike ride we came back to our house for another Easter egg hunt and dinner. The weather was absolutely gorgeous so we enjoyed dinner out on the back deck.

For other news, Jackson is getting extremely good at imitating actions and following commands. He is saying more words now as well, such as: big truck, tractor, shoes, and cookie. Lately one of his favorite things to do is dance. It doenst matter what kind of music is playing, he finds a way to get his groove on. He even shakes his head to the organs at church.



Until next time....

Arriving at grandma and grandpas for Easter breakfast

Checking out the goodies in his Easter basket

Best attempt at a family photo

Playing around in grandma and grandpa's driveway

Daddy teaching Jackson how to play golf

The little golf caddy

Playing in our front yard



Easter egg hunt #2 at our house

Blowing bubbles with grandma

March 2011

March has been a fun, but busy month. It started with a visit from grandma and grandpa Timmons. They came up to help us with Jack and watch him while Toby and I had to work since grandpa Reid was still recovering from his heart surgery. Jackson really enjoyed spending some quality time with them. We were all grateful that they were able to come and help us out.

Trying out his new visor from grandma and grandpa Timmons

Reading a story with grandpa

March 18th was Delaney's first birthday so we headed up to Virginia that weekend to celebrate. What a great time we had, and beautiful weather too! Friday we spent playing outside, enjoying the sunshine. That night more of Delaney's family came over for a birthday party.

Riding in Delaney's new wagon

Accepting a kiss from the birthday girl



The birthday girl enjoying her cake

                                

The next day we headed to Washington, D.C. We started by walking around by all the monuments. Then we took the metro over to the zoo.  Jackson was not as entertained by the zoo as I thought he would be. I definitely want to take him back when he is a little bit older. After the zoo we walked around Georgetown and went to dinner. Overall it was a great day, but boy were we tired after all that walking and tackling the crowds in the metro with Jackson and his stroller in tow. We wished daddy and grandpa Reid would have been with us but grandpa wasnt allowed to travel that far so soon after surgery so Toby stayed home to keep him company.

Checking out the Lincoln Memorial in DC

Walking down the steps like a big boy

In front of the DC Zoo

Jackson is so much fun these days. He still isnt talking much but we have heard him say "shoes" and "big truck". He definitely understands most things we tell him and follows commands well. These days his favorite thing to do is be a helper. He just loves to help mommy do laundry. He will take the clothes out of the basket one by one and hand them to me so I can put them in the washer. He also loves to put his toys away before his naps and bedtime. He knows exactly where each one is supposed to go! At grandma and grandpa Reid's house he likes to sweep the porch with a shortened broom that grandpa rigged for him. I hope he carries on with this helping spirit as he gets older and its time to do chores!

Just a couple of random pictures that I thought were cute.....

Being silly in grandpa's glasses

18 month check up...

Jackson will be 18 months on Thursday and I can hardly believe it! We went this morning for his check up. It went really well. Here were his stats:

Weight: 20 lbs 8 oz (<5%)
Height:  32 1/4 inches (50%)
Head circumference: 18 3/4 (25%)

So, I thought for sure the doctor would be concerned about his weight, but he wasnt at all actually. He has gained 3 pounds since his last check up 6 months ago. He just said to keep giving him Pediasure and sneak in calories by adding extra butter or heavy cream to some of his foods. He expects him to be a picky eater and to not eat at all sometimes. We were encouraged to not stress about it.

As far as his development goes, he is right on track with that as well. The doctor thought his few words (up, TJ, and bye bye) were exceptible especially since he follows commands very well.

So, I guess all of these fears I've been having in the back of my head are nothing to worry about. At this point I'm just feeling very blessed to have a happy and healthy child.

Here are a few pictures from the past couple of weeks...

Hanging out with papa at the park

Toby, Jackson, and Delaney

Playing soccer at the park

Taking a break next to the cruiser

Just a quick update...

A few things that Jackson has been up to this past month...

His top front teeth are coming in, as well as the ones next to those. Maybe he will be able to eat more efficiently! As far as his eating goes, he has been doing a little bit better. We still have to give him Pediasure a few times a week when he just doesnt want to eat one of his meals. He definitely feels heavier to me though. He goes March 1st for his 18 month check up so we will see then what he is weighing these days. The child definitely isn't carrying around much "baby fat" though. He has a very athletic build already!

He has started feeding himself with a spoon. Of course he still needs lots of practice and is spilling some, but I have to say, he does pretty well! Pictures to follow!

He has learned many of the animal sounds. It is too cute when he says them on command! So far he knows a cow, sheep, horse, owl, and Sugar. He also can point out body parts, such as his hair, ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and belly button. He still isnt doing much talking though. Grandpa told me that he says "up" and I have heard him say "bye bye" and "T.J.", but not much else. It can be worrisome to me, but I'm sure when he does start talking there will be times when I wish that he couldnt!

He loves kicking around the soccer ball at the park. Almost daily grandma, grandpa, and I take Jack for a walk to a nearby park. There is a huge field there where he can play. He is actually pretty good at kicking and dribbling the soccer ball. Like father, like son!

Jack is just getting cuter and cuter everyday. He is so much fun too! He certainly keeps us on our toes and laughing.

Practicing his soccer skills in the living room

Sitting on top of Sugar. She is ALWAYS so sweet to him and takes whatever he brings her way.

"Hi, mom!"

Playing in grandma and grandpas fruit bowl

Feeding myself some sweet potatoes