Jacksons First Christmas

We took Jackson to Bass Pro Shop to see santa...and Frosty

He was all smiles once the elf started ringing a bell! The little things that make babies happy.

This was the first gift that Jackson opened up from Auntie Amy and Uncle Gu. It was easy to do since we live with them:) It is a really neat toy that he can push around and ride on like a car. Its great for his pre-walking skills. And of course, adorable to watch. Especially when he babbles to himself while pushing it around. Road rage?!?!?!

Of course he loved the box!

More gifts for Christmas. I have more pictures, just having some trouble uploading So hopefully I can get them up soon.

Here are some pictures of Jacksons first Christmas! It was full of presents and food! He got A LOT of toys and a bunch of new clothes. I joke that we never have to buy him anything but formula and diapers because he gets so much from his family! The holidays were defintely much more exciting than they used to be with the little guy with us. It brings you back to being a kid on the holidays. Thats really what it's all about anyway, right?!?!?! We went everywhere with him on Chritmas Eve and Christmas Day. Aside from him not wanting to nap when he needed on both days, everything went very smoothly. He is definately a baby who prefers sleeping in his own bed. I suppose we all do! Also, I don't have any pictures with me but they are working on getting the second floor frame up on our house and seem to be getting a good amount done, considering the weather. I will try to post some more pictures as I get them! I hope everyone has a Happy New Year!!!

Our House/Hole

Marissa, Amanda, Jackie, me, and Kelly at Kelly and Brad's Ugly Christmas sweater party. As you can tell, this was early on in the night. This was a big night out for Jimmy and I so we got really excited about food, beer, flippy cup, etc. It's been way to long since I played flippy cup! Great party Kelly and Brad.

A little later in the night but at least Jackie has her 297 with her! I wish I had gotton more pictures but I have never been known to be the photographer!

Here is "Our Hole" as of almost 2 weeks ago. We try to go see whats going on with the house over the weekends and get some pictures. Jimmy's parents have been driving by almost everyday and been giving us updates too. So far, it seems like everything has been going smoothly. Cross your fingers that it continues. They poured the foundation last week and are supposed to start the frame this week so we will see how it looks this weekend again. I can't wait to finally have our house that we have been talking about since we got married! I always say that its going to feel like a mansion when we move in compared to the condo. We are so lucky to be able to build a brand new house! Jacksons girlfriend Olivia will be right down the street so he is already trying to come up with ways to sneak out of the house!

Me and Jackson

A more recent photo. I know these are probably blah to everyone else but definately the most exciting hole I have ever went to see in New Lenox!

Here is Olivia with Jackson. I swear they are in love. I know she looks like she doesn't want anything to do with him here, but thats just because Jackson tries to climb on her and touch a lot. Look at how much bigger he is than her! In a few months they will be all over the place together.

Laying down on the changing table doesn't happen as easily anymore. Who wouldn't want to play with blinds, right?!?!?!

We has some holiday pictures done of Jackson the day after Thanksgiving. These are some of my favorites. The whole process went very smoothly and he was in such a great mood the whole time, as you can see! For some reason I can't get them to come out any bigger on this post, ahhh!He is now pulling himself up everywhere, crawling, and he standing in his crib! Thats my favorite! He can take a few steps when he is holding onto one of us or to a table/couch. Yesterday he got to go to my Aunt Barbaras and Uncle Britts to hang out with his cousin Brady for the day. It was so cute, I wish we could do it more often. I had a conference near their house so it made the day so much easier just to bring him along. Both Brady and Jackson played well and slept good while he was there. What good boys:) Thanks again Aunt Barbara, Uncle Britt, Courtney, and Brady! On another note, Im so excited to finally be able to say that they broke ground on our new house! I've never been so excited to go look at a hole in the ground:) They told us that it would take 100 day to be completed so keep your fingers crossed on that one, being that it is being built in the winter. Hopefully I will get some pictures up f the house every once in a while to show how it's coming along. I have been hesitant to even talk abut the house until now just because we had some bad luck at first with our house hunting. But now we have a lot to look forward to with the house and Jacksons first Christmas. If your trying to think of a simple gift for him or any other baby, a box or wrapping paper would excite him more than anything! haha. Anyway, I hope everyone is have a good start to the holiday season, and hpefully I can get myself together enough to actually finish our shopping! Have a great weekend!

Just a little laugh...

Jackson thought it was hilarious to make funny spitting sounds last night. I promise it will make your day to hear him laugh. Theres nothing like a belly laugh from a baby!!!

Jackson is Crawling!!!

Jackson is now crawling..about 5 to 6 steps, and then he falls. I can't believe how big he is and how mobile is is becoming. The sight of him moving around is still so exciting to see. Now I can put him on the floor with some toys and he can entertain himself for a good 20-30 minutes! That is as long as he doesn't decide to reach for the nearest table/remote control/phone. I am definately having to say "NO" to him more now than ever before. I dont think he gets teh meaning of it yet but he will have to sooner than later. We are going to have to start baby-proofing Amy and Gunars house so that he can crawl around without having to worry about him hurting himself. Everything else is going really good. We had the day off yesterday so that was a nice break! I was sick with a sinus infection for a couple of weeks and it got a lot worse before it got better. I finally went to the doctor to get an antibiotic for it and am starting to feel "normal" again. Now I just can't wait for Thanksgiving! Jackson will get to meet his new baby cousin Michael which will be exciting! Enjoy the beautiful weekend that we're supposed to have:)

I can't get this picture to appear correctly but this is Jackson a couple of weeks ago with his Auntie Kelly:)

Halloween

So Jacksons first Halloween was much more fun than I even anticipated on it being. He was a Jackolantern on Friday and Saturday during hte day and then Saturday night he was a bumble bee (as you can see) Aside from the few smiles we got, he didn't seem to like the costume that much. Its a costume that his cousin Donte wore when he was a baby so we thought we would keep it going. I also put a picture of him with Marlo, Amy, and Gunars playing in the morning. Marlo is very tame with him, but just likes to lick, lick, and lick. He is now 7 months and can crawl for a few steps, but then falls down. I know I'm going to miss him just laying there and playing once he is getting into everything under the sun. He is saying a lot f dada's and baba's and just plain babbling. He is also 20 lbs. already! And I swear I'm not overfeeding him! Although he does have an excellent appetite and will take a bottle/food by anyone/anytime. I hope everyone had a Happy Halloween and can't wait for a yummy turkey dinner!

I am obviously putting this picture up to show off Jackson! Not my pale look! Oh do I wish it were July in the sun. haha! I just had to acknowledge this because anyone that knows me knows that I hate being pale! Anyway, Amy and I had a photo session this morning because we loved his preppie (Spelling?) monkey shirt from his Uncle Brad. Its really cute on him. He will be 7 months this coming week!!! He is all over the place, eating all of his fruits and veggies(obviously, you can see this by the chunks) and still working on his crawling. He gets up in form but then ends up scooting backwards. I'm sure it will happen soon. Also, a funny story- at his daycare his teachers have to feed him after the other babies because he gets so upset and cries if he doesn't get all of the attention and food to himself. I thought it was so funny, and we hope that he grows out of this as he gets older. It definately won't be cute as he gets older:) Jimmy and I will have to spend some extra time teaching him about sharing. He is our little piglet and we love him for it:) I hpe everyone has a good weekend, I know I am looking forward to it!!! TGIF

Here is a picture of Jackson from almost 2 weeks ago. I wanted to share because it turned out so beautiful in black and white. It was taken at a benefit that we went to. My sister got it through an email from the benefit and made it black and white. Thanks to whoever took it! Doesn't he look so big! He is trying so hard to crawl and can get up to do the motion, but just can't move his hands and legs with it yet. Hopefully in the next few weeks. I have a feeling we will miss the days before he was crawling. He is 6 1/2 months old and is full of personality! I'm still not sure what he (or any of us) will be for Halloween. Possibly a bumble bee that our nephew Donte used when he was a baby. It would defintely make a cute picture. As soon as I get some, I will get them up to share:) Have a great weeked!!!

Go Bears!

Resting up for the Bears game. Thanks Auntie Jackie for the awesome Hester Jersey!
I took this picture when Jackson had already been in bed for a couple of hours. I walked in and saw that his foot was hanging out of the crib. Maybe this is normal? Maybe not? Anyway, it was defintely a kodak moment to me. Of course I fixed the foot problem so that he wouldn't wake up crying in the middle of the night from his foot being stuck, awwwww.

How do you explain this? All I will say is that it was late on a Saturday night in the garage and a game of Beer Pong. Its Mike (Linseys Love) Jimmy (What a creep!) Gunars (These are his hats) and Tom Eddy (who woke up in a different place than where he fell asleep) haha. Just thought it was a good laugh!

Thanks Uncle Brad for the studdly Denver Broncos outfit. Jimmy said he can do the Broncos but no Sox gear Brad:) I think this may be one of my favorite pictures of him so far!!!
What a big boy! Riding a horse at a family fish fry last Saturday.

I think he was actually a little interested in the horse.

I couldnt resist, this is Jackson with my grandma and my cousin Meghans daughter, Kenzie. What a good lookin family!

A night out at Boffalo Wild Wings. We joke that we used to go to the bar on Tuesdays for "the coldest beer in town" but now we sit in the family section. Amy and Gunars were nice enough to join us in the family section. Of course, we still sampled a beer. Jackson also flirted with the whole L-W East Volleyball team that was sitting next to us, I think its the ears on his hoodie that did it in for him:)

Here is Jackson trying orange Juice for the first time at breakfast. His face explains it all! I hope you enjoy:)

I just wanted to check in and say hi! Jackson is full of laughing (he is very ticklish) and is now holding his own bottle! It is hard to just watch him drink it when I;m so used to holding it for him. He has two teeth that are on the bottom that you can see when he opens his mouth, and sharp too! He is rolling all over the place and now I have to really keep a close eye on him. Just this week, he is finally starting to sleep better at daycare. He has always seemed to like it there but he would come home exhausted and sleep til 5, then I felt like I didn't get to see him much:( Oh, and Jackson has to get his 6 month shots today so cross your fingers that it doesn't upset him to much. Jimmy is going along for this one so he may have to be the strong one for both Jackson and I, haha. On another note, our house is still up in the air but hopefully we will know everything for sure by tomorrow?!?!??! If I didn' already tell you, it appraised for less than what we agreed on so if the seller doesn't agree to decrease the price than we will have to walk away from it for several reasons. We just hope that he is willing to work with us because I already feel attatched to the house and have pictured us living in it lots of times. I will try to post some pictures/videos this weekend when I have more time. In the meantime, I can't wait to get together with my friends tomorrow night for our "First Friday of Every Month" get-together!!! I have been looking forward to it all week!!! Jackson is of course pumped about it too, considering he will have plenty of girls to flirt with!

Elmo Mirror Discovery

I apologize about not posting lately, but with work and the computer being in Jackson's room at Amy and Gunars hous it has been hard to keep up! Here is a lttle video of Jackson last week playing the song from his Elmo mirror. Once he figured out how to play the song, it was all I was hearing in his monitor in the morning and when he was supposed to be napping!!! I have to admit, it is really cute! On another note, we finally found our future house!!! It is in New Lenox on Boeing Dr. I told Jimmy that it feels like a mansion in there compared to our condo. It is a 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath house with a full basement. We are supposed to close on it November 7th. (As long as the whole process goes smoothly) Everything else is going really good. Jackson just got his bottom teeth Saturday so everyday they are coming in a little more. He is rolling and scooting everywhere and is beginning to be all over the place. He is also very ticklish, which is one of my favorite parts about him! I hope you enjoy this vidoe of his favorite Elmo mirror. The sounds was being funny so hopefully it works correctly:) Hope all is well with everyone and thanks for checking in on us!!!

Jackson at the Shed Aquarium looking at the fish

5 Months Old...

Precious moments with Auntie Lori after dinner. We have all been so tired trying to get through these first few weeks of school. (Any teacher knows this) Jackson is doing fine in his little daycare, just some minor issues with not sleeping well at first and whining when another baby gets a bottle in front of him, haha!
Happy 54th Birthday Grandpa!!! Now your really old, being a grandpa and all.

I love riding on Marlo with Uncle GuGu!

Jimmy with Donte at his first Mustangs game of the season. He is playing with the PeeWee and still doing awesome. Go Donte!!! If you have ever been or plan on going to a Mustangs game, do not talk to Jimmy while they are playing, he takes it VERY seriously:)

Jackson and his Nani at his first Mustangs game. Awwww!

A Big Week Ahead!!!

Well we have a BIG week coming up! We are moving out of the condo on Sunday (and into Amy and Gunars) while looking for a house. Monday Jackson will start at his little daycare for a few hours to get used to the new environment (what will I do with myself?!?!?!?!) and Wednesday I am officially starting the new school year. It is a bittersweet feeling for me because part me loves my job and working and the other part of me has gotten VERY comfortable being at home with Jackson everyday and just doing what we please on a daily basis. It is going to be a huge change for all of us. No one likes change but I guess when it has to happen, why not throw it at me all at once. I can guarantee that there will be tears a few times but thats what my family and friends are there for. The past 5 months have created the most amazing moments for Jimmy and I thanks to Jackson being such a sweet, loving, and beautiful baby. I know that going back to work will only make me appreciate even more the precious moments that I have with him. My job is also very ideal for being a mom. A six hour school day and coworkers/friends that have become even closer since I've had Jackson. Although it is a big change, I am confident that it will be a good change for us all! Here are a few recent pictures of Jack. Of course, I am holding him a little tighter in these last few days:)

The picture explains it all. Jackson had his first taste of baby food (Peas, yuck!) today. He didn't like them at all, who does right?!?!??! In the pictures above he had sampled several spoonfuls and is totally discusted. The ones below are a little more pleasant. That was just the beginning. To bad he has to stick with peas for at least a couple more days before moving onto green beans, mmmmm!

I can't wait to go to the Shedd Aquarium. Hopefully pictures will be coming of that soon!

A Day at the Beach

Like my beach outfit?!?!?!??!

We made the best out of a cloudy day at the beach. If we didn't have Jackson to entertain us I think we would have just turned around and left! He was completely fascinated by the waves and sounds of the water. He also got buried in the sand from his waist down. Talk about some fun in the sand:)
He didn't really like the water hitting his feet but once he was picked up he could have watched it all day long. Obviously, I haven't had much time in the sun.

This is my friend Kristins baby, Grace. She was flirting with Jackson like crazy, but Jackson seemed to not want to talk details with her. So typical of a boy/girl. Oh, and thats Jill on the left who is about to have her first baby in September. We can't wait for Baby Olszta to arrive to play with all the time:) Hurry up already Jill!!!

Wow this swing is awesome!!! He didn't want to get out...