Sweet little boys

Jackson & his BFF Ethan -- Couldn't you just eat them up?

Easter

This year, Easter represented not only the celebration of our risen King and Jackson's first Easter basket, but was extra special because Ben & I got baptized! God is so gracious & has done so many things in our lives. Over the past year or so, we've experienced amazing life change and both felt like we were being called to get baptized. Ben was baptized by Kirk, our small group leader & then Ben baptized me. It was an emotional, amazing day that we will remember forever. 38 people got baptized at Grace over Easter weekend. Mom & Bruce came to celebrate with us, as did Michael.

Here are a few pictures from Easter weekend.

Spring has sprung!

We've been having a blast enjoying Jackson's precious & curious personality. This age (8-9 months) is simply amazing and Jackson is such a joyful, happy baby. Here are a few pics of what we've been up to the past couple weeks!

John (Ben's college roomie), Shannon & Felicia came to visit last weekend. Times sure have changed -- they've traded in bar-hopping for babies on bikes!

Peeking over the tub -- he's going to KILL me
for this one when he's older!

Rockin' the bongos at the Bonini's baby shower.

Enjoying his new swing -- Thanks Daddy!

Letting Maddie ride shotgun...but only around the deck!

9 Months Old & Crawling!

Just 1 week past his 9-month bday, Jackson has started crawling! He's no speed demon, but he's definitely able to fetch his paci, books, etc and it won't be long until he's cruising around the house. He still prefers to stand up to play with his toys and is babbling like crazy, with lots of "da-das" and "ba-bas"...but still no "mamas". I found him sitting up in his crib last night & caught him pulling up this morning. Looks like our freedom as parents is coming to an end!
His new favorite "trick" is to share his paci, i.e. move it from his mouth to your mouth. Gross, I know! He also loves to hug us really tightly, its the most precious thing. Jackson loves his books and will happily play with the box basket over his other toys.

We are up to 3 hearty meals of homemade baby food a day and thankfully he's finally eating his veggies. This apparently helps with his sleep habits, as he goes down around 7:30pm and sleeps in until 9:30 most mornings (after a little nip from a 6am bottle). No complaints from me, I'll trade a 6am bottle for an extra 3 hours of sleep any day of the week. After nursing Jackson for 6 months & pumping for 3 more (after his terminal nursing strike), I've guiltily hung up the Medela and weaned him to formula.

At his 9-month check-up last week, Jackson weighed in at 19lb 1 oz (25%tile) and 28.5" long (50%tile). He seems to be developing very well & it right in line with his actual age rather than his corrected age (of 7 1/2 months). We are so thankful for our happy, healthy little boy.

Weekend in Browntown

Last weekend, Jackson & I headed to Columbia to hang out with Sally & her two kids while our respective hubbies got a weekend off. Jay (3 1/2) & Betsy (2) were great entertainment for Jackson and also gave me a little sampling of what it will be like to have two wee ones.

I have not been around a ton of pre-schoolers, but these are two extremely sweet, loving children who are well-behaved and obedient...and I was still exhausted just watching Sally! I thought I had my hands full with one almost-9-month-old but, boy, do I have something coming when Jackson a) gets fully mobile, b) gets a younger brother or sister, or c) starts talking in complete sentences and asking lots of questions. ("What is that thing on your boobies?" - Jay inquiring about my breast pump. "Can I marry Baby Jackson when I grow up?" - Jay)

Jackson & Jay are holding hands -- how sweet is that?

Jackson's Baby Dedication

This past Saturday was Jackson's Baby Dedication. Our church does not do infant baptisms since it is our belief that according to the New Testament, the gospel must be believed prior to baptism . Through the Baby Dedication, we, as parents, are dedicating our child to the Lord and publicly committing to raising Jackson as a child of God. We also ask friends & family to hold us accountable & pray for us as we take on this awesome responsibility. Jackson was dedicated along with Ella, the precious daughter of our friends Ben & Tara Baab. Here are a few pictures from the weekend.

Our little family of 3

The Talberts & the Baabs

Uncle Mikey & Aunt Jenn -- J's Godparents :)

Bebe & PopPaw

Poppy & Nanny

(the first good picture of J in his tie & seersucker!)

Some of our wonderful friends & family

"Lovee" -- we are blessed to have such a fabulous nanny to care for Jackson!

Tuckered out from all the fun & snuggling with Oma

Little Rascal

Last week I was staging a "photo shoot" to take Jackson's 8 month old pictures in his numbered onesie...and boy does he make it difficult these days. This little rascal is getting mobile & is truly a handful lately (but also definitely my favorite age so far!)

Playing his escape...


Making his get-away...


Doing a celebratory dance...

You caught me, Mommy!