Sunday, October 23, 2011

1
Tradition

With the holidays fast approaching I have been thinking so much about traditions and what kinds of things I want to do every year as a family.  I am tradition obsessed and Jess has to pull me back every once and a while or I would go way overboard.  One tradition I know we will re-visit is a trip to the pumpkin patch.

Jess and I have not been to a pumpkin patch since our grade school days and I couldn't help but be giddy with excitement like a school child yesterday.  The pumpkin patch did not disappoint and it will be a yearly outing for this family!! 

My beautiful "punkin"


He was loving all the bright colors, the smooth pumpkins, and the smell of apples.  He was not so much loving the feel of the hay.  He would always get an "icky" face when he was feeling the hay.  Too funny..



We could not have picked a better day to go to Louisburg.  I had to put sunscreen on Jackson in the middle of October.  It was perfect. 

Such a beautiful place to take photos!!  All these cute little families were propping their littles on pumpkins, or posing them on hay bales.  Of course, I couldn't resist!









We were sure to do it all!!  Wagon ride, corn maze, big slides, you name it, we did it!!



New Shoes






I always say that I never get to be on the other side of the camera with Jackson because I am always taking pictures.  I told Jess on the way to the patch that I really wanted a good picture of Jackson and I together.  Boy did he deliver!!  I LOVE these photos!




Jackson got to pick out his own little pumpkin to decorate this year.  Hopefully I have time to get that done before Halloween in just one short week. 


Now my mind has focused on Christmas...don't ask me why I just skipped right over Thanksgiving but I am so excited for Christmas that I can hardly stand it.  What kinds of traditions do you have for the holidays??  I am going to pick a couple simple ones for this year so throw me some ideas. 

Have a great week!!


Monday, October 17, 2011

2
27

Not much to say tonight just want to share some photos from my Birthday today...


This year has been the best year of my life.  I remember last year on my birthday I sported maternity jeans and a maternity top for the first time.  And this year I dined with the two most special people in my life.  They sure did make me feel special tonight!



He gave me the sweetest card :)


In just one year I have learned we were having a baby boy, felt my little one's first kicks from within, birthed a beautiful child, loved on my cutie for a full 6 months, and grown a love I have never known.


Life is truly beautiful and I cherish every moment!!


0
(6 Months)

Happy Half Birthday Little One!!


How did this happen...How has time gone so fast??

I made this cute little hat for his half birthday celebration but he HATED it and ripped it off his head in a hot second.  It made me laugh!



He is on the MOVE!!  Just days before turning 6 months he has learned to crawl.  Not the sluggish army crawl he has been doing for a month now but the up on the hands and knees real crawl.  It is so cute and I can't help but get excited for him.  The first time I saw him do it I shouted and clapped and scared him but I was so proud.  And just today he greeted me in the morning standing in his crib.  That's right he pulls himself up to standing!! Good thing we lowered the crib a few days ago in anticipation.  He is just so strong!



I left the room for just a moment to go to the bathroom the other day and he was already into things before I could finish. 



What Mom, I'm busy!?!
So the pack-in-play is now a new piece of furniture in our already tiny house.  He doesn't seem to mind being in there for little bits of play time, and it helps me get some things done sometimes. 



Hi Mommy!
Jackson cut three teeth in the last month and that has been somewhat of a challenge.  He is SUPER fussy and mad when he has a tooth coming in.  The saving grace is that it only lasts a few days.  He has his bottom two front teeth and his top left tooth has just come through the gum line. If you look close in this photo you can see the two bottom teeth and a tiny piece of the top one.  He has just started to show them off when he smiles.


He has been eating like a champ too.  This month we started solids and he has loved trying new foods.  He has liked everything so far but especially loves sweet potatoes, butternut squash, and pears.  We also tried bananas which did not agree with his tummy, and avocado.  I have been making his food which is super easy and very inexpensive.  So far I have only had to make one batch because the $10 worth of fruits and veggies I bought has lasted a long time.  Now that he is six months I want to try some green veggies and see how he likes them.



Jackson is still nursing throughout the day, about every three to four hours.  He takes a formula bottle at night and that gets him through until morning usually.  The one formula bottle per day has taken a lot of the pressure off of me and he doesn't seem to mind at all.



Sleep is always something we work on in our house.  I am happy that he is sleeping through the night and putting himself to sleep at bedtime.  Naps are coming along pretty good as long as we are home.  Anytime he goes anywhere else the kiddo just won't nap.  Oh well, it is progress and these days I am not sweating the small stuff.  I wanted to be this Mommy who's baby had a strict schedule and let me tell you I have worked hard at it but I have discovered that schedules are not for all babies.  I know there are a lot of people who would disagree with me and what I would tell them is...Come spend a day in my shoes trying to get this kid on a schedule.  We have a rough outline of things; like we try not to stay awake for longer than two hours during the day, and we have breakfast and dinner but for the most part I enjoy letting him sleep in when he likes, have a shorter nap in the afternoon because we were out and about, or nurse when it isn't time just because he is fussy.  Most days we stick to our normal and I try to keep him at least on a routine even if the times are not always the same.



If we get too off schedule he lets me know...



At 6 months you love...
*Mommy and Daddy are your favorite people and you are starting to cry after us when you are tired or when someone else is holding you.
*Crawling and you are so proud of yourself.
*Banging your toys around on anything that will make them make noise.
*Doggies: you want to touch the dog or crawl after her all the time.  You watch her wherever she is.
*New Places: you are so observant and you take in every detail of something new or different.  You get a studious look on your face.
*Mimicking Mommy and Daddy: Whether it is sounds or faces you want to do what we are doing.
*Running your fingers through Mommy's hair.  Every night at bedtime you lay your head on my shoulder and play with my hair.  It makes me melt and I could hold you like that forever. 

Some more of my favorites!

"Da Da Da!"







I love you more than words Jackson and our life has never been more amazing than it is right now.  You are such a blessing and you make me the happiest Mommy.  You are my sweet boy!!