Big Boy Day

Today, Jackson reached a big boy milestone. Not only did he get his second round of shots, he graduated to his big boy carseat. Our old carseat was rated for up to 21 lbs. and Jackson is now approaching 18, so I guess we could have waited, but honestly, getting him into that old one was becoming more like stuffing him into it. Bethany got online and found a really great deal on the Britax Marathon LATCH car seat with the Crocodile cover. This car seat was recommended by several people we know and let me tell ya- it's money well spent. It has a lot of really great features that make it so much easier to use than any other one I've ever used. I find it to be a really 'common sense' car seat. Needless to say Jackson loves his 'First Class Ride'. He's finally able to see out the windows as we drive, and he didn't make a peep all the way to the Doctor's office this morning. Also, this is a convertible seat so he can stay in it up to 65 lbs. We're excited to have it.

- Ben

Jackson Jumparoo!

Last weekend we decided that Jackson was ready for a new kind of toy. Lately, his legs have been getting very stong, and he is kicking everything that his little feet come in contact with. He has kicked his bouncey seat, or "Spidey Seat" as it's known in our house, until it barely works anymore. So, we took a trip to Target and bought the Galloping Fun Jumparoo. At first he didn't know what to do- he just kinda looked at us and then down at his horse and looked back at us with confusion. However, it didn't take him long for his legs to find their rhythm and he began to ride it like he was Zorro and it was Toronado. He really loves it now, espically the horse's mane. It's made of yellow strips of felt that look like hair, and he loves to run his fingers through it. It's good to know he cares for his trusty steed. He also has developed a fondness for pulling his mother's hair... but that's another story. I'll let Bethany tell that one.
- Ben

My baby einstein

Jackson got an exersaucer for his 4 month 'birthday'. He loves it and I'm so amazed at how curious he is and how much fun he has playing in it!

Happy Anniversary

Ben and I have been married for 3 years today :) It's hard to believe that it has already been three years - seems like just yesterday I was yelling at him at our rehearsal dinner... lol - Here's to an amazing marriage and many more years together.

Mom and J-bear time

Jackson and I had a fun time taking pictures today and here are a few of my favorites. Only a few more days until he is a big 4 month old!

Warning: Baby Brag

I can't believe how fast our sweet little Jackson is growing. The first few weeks after Jackson was born we struggled to get his weight up. He was born weighing 8 lbs 6 oz and a week later he was down to 7 lbs 15 oz. Our Dr assured us this was normal and that by the next week he would be back to his birth weight. Well, at our 2 week mark we took him in to be weighed and he was 7 lbs 14 oz….um, what? It was taking us a long time to get the hang of feeding but luckily our Dr was patient and gave us another week. On his 3 week 'birthday' Jackson was up to 8 lbs 7 oz and we haven't looked back. At his two month appointment he weighed 13 lbs 3 oz and at 3 ½ months he was up to 16 lbs 3 oz. I never thought we would get to where we are and we are amazed by Jackson every day.

Can you tell we're so proud of him? Just an update on how things are going with our little man. He's talking up a storm… has been for almost 2 months now. That boy will blab and coo non stop…wonder where he gets that from? No one in our family talks a lot… He's also started blowing raspberries and does this crazy giraffe thing with his tongue – super cute. But, the best of all was the Thursday we were coming back from South Carolina (2 weeks ago) and he laughed for the first time. He's been doing the squeely laugh for a while now but this was the real thing. I was getting all up in his face and there it was – the cutest laugh you have ever heard. I wish I could put a sound clip up so ya'll could hear it…it would make you laugh too.

We go in for our 4 month check up around the first of February. Can you believe he is already going to be 4 months old? Pretty soon Jackson will be running around and telling me jokes. I can already tell that he is going to be such a fun kid. He has such a big personality. Our new thing is that we like to dance together. I'll put Jackson in his bouncy seat and I'll stand in front of him and dance and he'll start busting a move right along with me. He pushes those lips out and gets to grooving. If I stop, he stops and as soon as I start singing and dancing he starts right back up. What did we ever do without this kid?

Ok, so I'm an extremely proud parent - but who wouldn't be with the amazing kid God has blessed us with. Oh yeah, we got his 3 month pictures taken while we were in South Carolina and they are SO CUTE. Send me your address if I don't have it and I'll make sure you get some of them… The past months have been fabulous and I can't wait for February!

2 months already

We had Jackson's 2 month check up and first round of shots the other day

The check up went great - we have a fabulous pediatrician. Jackson continues to be an amazingly healthy boy and has reached all of his developmental milestones - most sooner than expected. He weighed 13 lbs 6 oz and is 24 in long... that's 5 lbs and 4 inches in two months. We're so proud of him.

The shots were horrible (more for me than him). That pitiful scream is the worst. Ben handed him to me after the shots and he just looked at me like "how could you let them do that to me?!" Ugh - I asked the dr beforehand if I could just be a hippie mom and refuse the shots and he said no and laughed...little did he know, I wasn't really joking... Unfortunately, we have several more rounds of those shots to go. It's like a double edged sword with immunizations - if I refuse the shots and he gets sick then I'm a bad mom and feel horrible and if I allow them to give him the shots and he has a reaction to them then I am a horrible mom and feel guilty... So, after praying about it, God gave us a peace about getting the shots and here we are. Jackson did well though and slept them off and is back to his normal sweet self again... He's such a big boy and I can't believe how fast he's growing. Hope everyone else is doing well.

From Two Months!