Jumping Jackson

So little Jackson is accomplishing things by leaps & bounds. Over the past week, he's learned to roll over (both ways), jump up & down like crazy in his jumperoo, enjoy tummy-time without having a hissy fit, seek us out across the room, remove & replace his paci (only once), suck his tiny little thumb, sit in his highchair without a meltdown, "converse" with us in his sweet little baby babbles and change his own diaper (just kidding -- I wish!!) It's simply amazing how much he learns & soaks up each day.

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, we headed to Hickory to spend time with friends & family. We had a great, relaxing but busy trip. On Saturday, Jackson went to his first NC State game, which was a very unexpected yet exciting victory over Carolina! He did better than we expected & didn't get freaked out by all of the commotion & noise. Jackson also got to meet Anderson, Kempter & Shannon, Britney & Chad and lots of other college friends!

Playing with Bebe

Jumping like crazy in Bebe's jumperoo

Trying to pick up chicks at Poppy's

Uncle Mikey & Jackson's future Aunt Jenn!




Tuckered out from all the tailgating!

Jackson's 1st State game -- Go Pack!

The fam tailgating at halftime.

Poppy's little good luck charm!

5 fabulous months

It's so hard to believe that little Jackson is 5 months old!! Where does the time go? It seems like just yesterday we were leaving the hospital with an itty-bitty 4-1/2 pound fragile little preemie. It also seems like yesterday when we gave him his first real bath, had our first outing, saw his first smile & heard his first little laugh. Everyone also tells you how quickly these precious weeks & months fly by, but its hard to grasp until you live through it.
These 5 months have been the most wonderful, rewarding, exhausting & joyful months of our lives and I truly feel blessed that God gave us this wonderful gift of life.

5-month weigh-in...16.6 lbs

This baby LOVES to stand up...I swear he'll walk before he crawls!

Flash back to June '09...check out the scrawny legs on this little guy!

Another newborn pic...its hard to remember how TINY he was!

Fall Fun!!

We've had a busy few weeks, with me starting back to work part-time and trying to juggle mommying, working, cooking, cleaning, playing & the dozen other everyday things. The cooking & cleaning usually get side-stepped in favor of the more enjoyable things. Despite our busy lives, we've managed to have plenty of fun.

Rockin' the doorway jumper!

Swinging double with Slade at playgroup

Go Philip Rivers!!

Playing at Ethan's house!

Nanny & Poppy came to visit!

Jackson's fav toy -- his little piano

HE FINALLY DID IT!!

Oh the day has finally arrived...Jackson FINALLY slept through the night (just 3 days shy of his 5-month b-day). It's amazing what 8 uninterrupted hours of precious, blissful sleep with do for you. We have been anticipating this joyful day for months. 10pm - 7:15 am....Thank you Jackson!!

UPDATE: Last night, Jackson slumped back into his old routine, waking every several hours. Getting such a small taste of a full night's sleep is almost worse than not getting it a all!

Last weekend, Sally (my BFF from high school) and her precious little princess Betsy came to visit. We had a great time playing with the little ones, shopping & eating. Sally, being an old pro with 2 children, imparted some of her baby-wisdom on me. Growing up, we always called Sally "Mama Sal" because she was always the responsible one. Now, the nickname has new meaning, as she was an integral part of getting Jackson & Mommy straightened out in terms of scheduling & self-soothing. So thanks, Mama Sal aka Baby Whisperer :)! I give you full credit for Jackson's first full night's sleep!! Now come back and help him redeem himself!

Jackson & Betsy playing in Noah's Ark

My little red wagon

When Jackson was 2 weeks old, Poppy & Nanny brought him a miniature red wagon. He was so tiny that he could lay down in that wagon with room to spare. Last week, we put Jackson back in the wagon...the pictures speak for themselves!

Yummy yummy in my tummy!

Jackson got his first taste of cereal on Sunday! He was a bit cranky at first but once he realized food was involved, he quickly calmed down. The first few bites ended up mainly on his chin & cheeks but hopefully a little bit made it down the pipes.

First bite...

And the aftermath...yummy!

On Tuesday, we had cereal again and Jackson started opening his mouth wide when he saw the spoon approaching. Apparently I was not giving it to him fast enough because he took the spoon from me and tried to feed himself. I have the feeling this boy is going to love to eat, just like his Daddy!

I swear he'd eat a corndog if I'd give him one!

Happy Halloween!

Jackson's first holiday -- Halloween! We had big plans to dress up as a family, Ben & I being Mexicans & Jackson being a burrito, but those plans got nixed due to cancelled Halloween parties & an infant who hated his burrito costume. So, we went with Plan B and Jackson rocked his glow-in-the-dark skeleton jammies (which, I might add, he's been wearing since September). Ben was a cowboy & I was the party-pooper who didn't dress up.

The unhappy little burrito

Best costume of the night, BY FAR!

Baby's 1st Pumpkin