Pumpkin Patch

At the beginning of October we went out to the pumpkin patch in Hayden. I lugged my camera along and boy am I glad I did! I ended up getting some cute pictures of Jackson. I was thoroughly impressed with the pumpkin patch. We will definitely make the trip up there next year. Here's some of my favorites...

After we got home Brent said "you can use one of those pictures for our Christmas card". Not so fast my dear... more to come on the Christmas Card Photo Session disaster.

Halloween

Yes, I realize it's Thanksgiving and this post is about Halloween. I'm THAT behind :( We had way more trick-or-treaters...which was great! Brent kept count. I believe we hit 50. That's a big increase from our usual 4-5 at our old townhouse. Jackson did not trick... he only treated. One little girl who was about 3 months older than Jackson saw his toys and came running in our house. It was precious. She and Jackson just stood there looking at one another. I wish I remembered the parents names... I'm terrible with names. Justin & Jennifer came by and helped us pass out candy too. Charlie got in on the action as well. He loved running straight out the front door to the sidewalk each time we had a visitor.  It was a fun, dragon-filled night. I'll leave you with pictures...

sweet little dragon

 mad little dragon

 my boys

 first family Halloween

 action shot

Happy 12 Months Jackson

A little late but...JACKSON IS ONE!!! What a big boy we have on our hands now. At the time of his first birthday, Jackson would take a few steps but not take off across the room. He had 4 teeth. 2 bottom and 2 top. Jackson is into everything! He constantly wants to climb the stairs or be in the floor with his toys. Jackson doesn't like to sit still or be placed in his car seat. Jackson's having a hard time adjusting to textured foods. He'd prefer to eat baby food. Jackson is down to one bottle a day. This bottle is right before bedtime. I think he could do without it but it seems so crazy to think of my baby without any bottles! I believe we will knock this bottle out by 13 months. I can't believe my baby is 1.

Jackson's one month appointment was this past week. 

Jackson's stats:

31.5 inches tall

25.14 lbs

He's had a cold for the past two weeks and the cold has caused his right tube to clog. I'm hopeful that it clears soon. Jackson really is a special guy. He has his temper tantrum moments already but I wouldn't trade this life as a mommy for anything. We love you little J :)

Jackson's 1st Haircut

Jackson the night before his haircut

Jackson's needed a haircut for the past few months but I did my best to hold out until he was 1. This past Tuesday we gave in and went to visit Mrs. Kimberly. She did a great job with Jackson. I was worried about where to take him. I know most mom's make a big to-do about the first haircut. Brent said "just go get it cut". So here's our big to-do... Pictures :)

getting used to the chair

such a big boy

 "Mom...You see what she's doing?"

 Loves a blowout

 admiring his new clean cut in the mirror

my BIG boy

Thanks Kimberly for being so patient! Brent still says Jackson needs a burr (sp?) I have no idea what style our little guy will eventually have. For now, we will stick to the combover :)

Fall Vacation

Every year that Alabama plays Tennessee (well the last 3 times) in Knoxville we like to go up for the game. We used to stay in a cabin with our tailgate friends but JBT changed that. This year, we spent a few days camping with my grandparents. It was very relaxing. I didn't check my work email one time! Jackson actually went up a few days before us. Yes, I sent my child on vacation and I survived :) He had fun being in the mountains with his great-grandparents.

Family photo before heading to Knoxville

My Papaw has had motorcycles my whole life. As a child, he used to take me all over Hartselle on his. It scared some people half to death but my parents never said that I couldn't go. I'm going to be a bit more protective of Jackson but I did let him ride around the 5mph campsite. My Papaw took his motorcycle and had a special lap belt installed. It was priceless seeing him ride around with his Papaw. He loved it so much that he'd turn from us when we would try to take him off the bike.

When Jackson wasn't on the motorcycle you could find him in his car. He is obsessed with his car. He and I randomly bought it at Wal-Mart one day after school. His teacher pulled me outside and showed me this contraption that he loved so much and I just had to go get him one. Thank goodness I did...

Some of our camping neighbors really took a liking to Jackson. They liked him so much that they gave him their granddaughter's bike helmet. Granted, the helmet was for a much older child than an almost 1 year old. Jackson's head almost filled it up. To that, the nice camper said "He's got a big head". I was like "yes, blame it on his dad." Jackson actually cried when Brent tried to take the helmet off when they went in a boot store. I'm told that Jackson then wore the hat the entire time they were in the store. I wish  I'd seen that.

Jackson also took showers instead of baths on this trip. The adults all used the bath house but little man insisted on showering in the camper. His Papaw gave him baths. It was so refreshing to not do the normal bath routine. I had 6 nights free from the routine. That's like winning the lottery around here!

This picture melts my heart. My little guy loves his Papaw just like I do.

We also took a few family photos. Now I have Brent complaining and Jackson staring at strangers. At this rate, there is no telling what will be on our Christmas card this year.

We have a picture at this exact spot 2 years ago...

If only Jackson was looking...

We had a great time. The only picture I have from the game is on my phone. We were too bundled up to take a camera. Plus, I wouldn't have had any room for it since the seats are all of 6 inches wide in Neyland Stadium. It was nice having a "date" day with Brent though. It was a great, inexpensive Fall get-a-way :) I can't wait until our next mountain trip.

Boo Bash

Our new neighborhood hosted a "Boo Bash" for the families today. I told Brent that we would participate AND meet the other families in our area. Well, we were 1 for 2. We participated but didn't really get to know any other people! epic fail. I must say our Dragon was one of the cutest gremlin's in the parade though. I was very impressed with the event. Each street brought different items and the HOA provided hotdogs and blow up things for the kids to play in. We are blessed to have a park at the entrance of our neighborhood so the shin dig was held there. I  got my workout in today. I'd say we walked a total of 2 1'2 miles from our house, to the parade starting point, back home. The firetruck led the way and Jackson wasn't scared of the siren. MeMe & Pop even swung by to check out our Dragon. It was a fun day :)

Dragon threw a little tantrum when it was time to take off his suit

Happy 11 Months Jackson!

Freaking out a bit...my baby is eleven months old. He's so fun. He's so silly. He's in to everything! This month Jackson has really gotten the hang of blowing out funny noises. He also loves to grab your arm or leg and slobber/blow to make the funny sound. It cracks me up! Jackson had a big month. He still only has his two bottom teeth but it looks like the top ones will pop in any day now. Jackson had a couple more ear infections so we are scheduled for tubes next week. Jackson crawls everywhere (no more army style) and cruises around the house from one thing to another standing and walking (as long as he has something to hold on to). Jackson has not let go for his first steps yet. I think it will happen this month but I don't want to get my hopes up. I love watching him grow and change.

Jackson has entered a clingy stage though. This past week he cried each time I dropped him off (daycare, gym, church nursery). Jackson continuously babbles these days. The only words he says are "da da" "ma ma" and "go". It's funny to watch him crawl to the stairs and yell "da da" up towards the office. He gets feisty! Jackson also loves pushing things around the house. His new favorite things to push are the kitchen step stool, his high chair, and the bar stools. One time this past month he was pushing the kitchen stool into the bar stool and pushing them both down the hall. He's strong!

Jackson's Stats

26lbs

approximately 31 inches

Jackson got a new car this month. It's a push along car that he loves to ride in. He played with one at his school and sure enough he and I went to Wal-Mart and bought one the very same day. Brent said I'm crazy and shouldn't just blow money like that for no reason. Sigh... I couldn't help it!

These monthly pictures of Jackson are getting very hard to take. He refuses to sit still in his chair. He would rather try to jump/slump/crawl out onto the floor. Luckily our Memaw was here to help entertain him on his 11 month birthday. She was a big help during the pictures.

We love you Jackson Brent!

Happy 10 Months Jackson

Jackson was ten months old yesterday. He celebrated by climbing the stairs. Literally, he climbed 6 wooden stairs at Brent's  parents house. I was shocked! He spent the night so we could go out for our 3 year anniversary and in the process he learned a new trick.

That's not all Jackson's been up to this past month though... Jackson started eating 2 jars of baby food at each setting. He was staying hungry when we only gave him one and his teachers suggested we add a 2nd jar. I believe Jackson is a big fan of this increase in food. Jackson is also taking fewer bottles as a result. Jackson ate more "real" food this past month. He enjoys green beans, macaroni and cheese, ice cream, chocolate icing, water, and bread. He's a mess when it comes to food!

Jackson also started crawling on his knees this past month. Up until recently he was content "comando" crawling throughout the house. He finally figured out that he's faster up on all fours. Jackson also began standing on his own this past month. He can pop right up on most of our furniture. He's starting to "cruise" the edges. His balance is still very shaky so I don't think his first steps are in our immediate future.

Jackson now says MaMa and DaDa frequently. We did find out that he's on his last ear infection before we make a visit to the ENT. His Dr. said his hearing is like listening to stuff with your head underwater. This bothered me. I do not want his speech delayed due to all these ear infections. I do think we will have tubes before he's a year old.

Jackson sleeps well but has nights that he just wants to be with Mommy and Daddy. On those nights the three of us pile in the king size bed and he takes over. He sleeps horizontally. It's hilarious (but uncomfortable for the person his feet are towards).

Jackson really enjoys Charlie these days. He pets him. In return, Charlie chews up Jackson's toy farm animals. Jackson got some new toys this past month and he loves them! He loves his Little People barn, Popping Elephant (Santa brought it last year) and his Disney train set that stays in Hartselle.

I could go on and on... Happy 10 Month's Jackson. We love you!!

Jackson's Stats

24.14lbs (got this checked at the Dr.)

30+ inches (not sure on this one)