Not Related At All...

The Simple Things

Today I realized how much I love my life. I was making breakfast while Kyler was down by my feet and Jackson was playing in his walker behind me. I could hear him blowing "raspberries" and then shrieking with laughter, I could help but smile. It's crazy to think how my life has changed over the past couple years. We have had some hard times, fun times and quite a few adventures along the way. No matter how fast life goes I always have to step back and remember the simple things that made me smile along the way.

The Wonderful Man I Have

The past two days I have taken advantage of Aaron being home by having him watch Jackson. I have left the house by 830 for the gym and left him finishing up breakfast, clean up, and first nap. Aaron has always been very good with Jackson, just not always so confident about it. I have to admit that he has done an amazing job with his Daddy Duties! Both days he has had him fed and down for his nap before I have made it home. Words could express how proud I am of him. With me being home with J all day, every day he has become quite a mama's boy. I know it hurts Aaron a little when he cries and he can't sooth him. I try to tell him that it comes with time and that all he can do is stay calm and keep trying. Well, it finally worked! I made a late night trip to Walmart last night and left Aaron to finish bath time and start our bedtime routine. I figured by the time I got home I could put him to bed. Well...I walked into the house with Aaron sitting on the couch with a big smile on his face. Jackson was changed, read to, and asleep by 8pm!!! Words couldn't express how happy I am to see the connection and bond form to the point even Aaron notices. Also...I am happy to get a little more appreciation for what I do day in and day out taking care of Mr J!

And Its GOOD!!

After a little research and LOTS of questions to my other Mamas out there I decided that we were going to go ahead and try baby food. Our first official meal was Sweet Potatoes and Rice Cereal. I have to say that it was a success. So much more actually made it into his mouth (contrary to the picture) then when it was just rice cereal. I think we made a great decision. I can't believe my baby is eating food! This morning we had some more for breakfast and will try it again for dinner. So far so good, although I haven't seen the "end result"...aka diapers yet;) When he was done eating he was very interested in what the mess that covered his ENTIRE body was. I can't wait for him to realize its food and start to play in it. For now I will enjoy my shrieks and giggles! We decided to go with the advised 3-4 days with one food before trying another one. Well see if the next kind is going to be squash or green beans!

I think it might be time

I think the time has come for Jackson to try big boy food *tear*. He has shown all of the "signs" we were told of. He has been eating rice cereal for over a week now and I think I am going to give it a go and see how he likes sweet potatoes. Everyone tells you to start with veggies so they get used to the taste before giving them something sweet like fruit. I figured sweet potatoes were the best of both worlds! Wish us luck!!

What else...

We were able to lock in a place at a marriage retreat with Aaron's unit this weekend. They weren't going to have childcare so they weren't offering soldiers with children slots. Come to find out Thursday that things had changed and we had a room booked for us. After some fast packing on Friday we were on our way to Nashville. The retreat was wonderful. Its nice to get away for the weekend, even if its only a 45 minute drive. We had Saturday afternoon free for "practical exercises" and decided to go shopping. We headed to an outlet mall on the edge of town. While there we bought quite a few things for Jackson and then couple shirts for me and a hat for Aaron. I had to laugh at how I always end up buying something for J when I am out and about. It made me think of my mom. When we were younger we would trap her in the fitting room handing her outfit after outfit to try on. If she liked it we would make her buy it. My dad always said that she deserved it, but would never buy it on her own. I now understand where she was coming from. I don't really need anything, but Jackson needs some 9 month sleepers (for the length) and then the sunglasses were just cute=] I guess its just something that happens to you when you become a parent. You will always put your child's wants and needs before yours; which is how it should be. Guess I am just starting early and deciding what he needs...and wants...lol!

Happy there is only ONE

On Friday, J and I went over to Jess' house to hang out with Kaison while she did some last minute errands before welcoming her husband home from Afghanistan. I have to admit that parents of twins are my heroes.Good Lord was I busy trying to juggle a 3 and 4 month old at the same time! Feeding Jackson while trying to entertain Kaison, then bouncing with Kaison while playing peek-a-boo with Jackson. I love these boys with all of my heart but I was EXHAUSTED by the time I was done. In the end, I am very happy to say that I am the parent of only one child.

The Attempt...

One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating.  ~Luciano Pavarotti and William Wright

 It was okay, until it wasn't...

I think we've been here before

4 Months

On Monday we took J in to get his 4 month immunizations. Luckily Aaron was able to go with me this time. (Gotta love the army and their Super Bowl Recovery DONSA) Our doctor wasn't there so we saw a different lady. She was very nice and said that Jackson is growing just fine...he is just a Big Boy! He weighed in at 18lbs and 25 in; which is a HUGE jump from the 11.5lbs and 23.5 inches he measured at for his 2 month appointment. He is hitting all of the markers for this time frame except rolling over from front to back, but that should happen any time. She said that our next adventure for him will be feeding him cereal from a spoon. After the once over it was time for the shots. I have to say I was impressed with how J handled it! The first one hurt when she stuck it, but I had him smiling before the pouty face could appear. The second one was a lose lose situation. The medication actually burned so there was no recovering from that one quickly. All in all Jackson is one big healthy boy!!

2 Months

Playing with Daddy

Today was a day that I know I have to cherish. Aaron and Jackson playing on the couch, giggling and smiling. There is something so sweet in watching a dad and his son bond. I know with us being in the army that moments like this have to be captured! Some times I feel like I push Jackson snuggling time on Aaron, but I know that when he is gone for trainings or deployments he is going to miss moments like this.

When Jackson was born Aaron was excited for the time he would be old enough to rough house with. You know spinning, tossing, Supermans, etc. He isn't quite there yet, but he is definitely getting closer. I know that there will be many more Daddy & Son moments to come and I promise that my cameras are always out and charged to get them! For the time being I just have to sit back, smile, tell Aaron to be careful, and be ready to push that button to capture the moment!

In the Words of Uncle Bubba...

COOL DUDE *gives thumbs up*

 

4 months

Today Jackson turned 4 months. I can't believe it!! It seems like just yesterday Aaron was getting home from Iraq and we were walking the hospital loop in the crisp October air trying to "progress". *shakes head* To start his celebration off on the right step Jackson decided to wake up at 0530 this morning. This is a normal time for him to be changed and then eat; however, now that he is 4 months old he decided he wanted to stay up and play instead of go back to sleep. This made me one tired mama. He brought in the new day giggling and shrieking to Handy Manny while I dozed in and out on the couch.  Such an early start to the day brought an early night for Mr J.  Happy 4 months my little man, I can't wait to see what the next 4 bring! 

Does He Fit?

I went shopping with my friend Jess and her son Kaison the other day. Although a month younger than J, Kaison is about the same size. While walking into Target we thought about having the boys sit in the top of the baskets. We figured that there was no time like the present to try it out. I can't believe they were big enough to pull it off *sniffle*

Rockets

We got a phone call from Uncle Cory today to see if we wanted to walk down to the park to shoot his rockets off. Aaron jumped at the chance to shoot things up into the sky. I figured it was a good excuse to get out of the house to enjoy the beautiful spring weather we were having. So we bundled J up into some outside clothes and went on our way. I love the fact that we have a park/playground down the street from the house. I am definitely going to be taking advantage of it when Jackson gets older. We walked down with Brittney, Cory and their dogs Troy and Millie. When we got to the park Aaron and Cory were like little kids, pulling out the "engines" and packing the little parachutes. Brittney, the kids and I made sure we were a safe distance back. We added an extra 10-15ft when we heard that Cory had purchased the wrong size engine for the smaller rocket. One would think that buying the wrong size part would stop them from launching them...but no! They just shoved it in as best as they could and figured if it exploded then it exploded! Besides scaring the crap out of poor Millie (who tried climbing into the bottom of the stroller), it was a wonderful day!