Out and about

Jackson had a big week! We actually got out of the house and did things besides just run errands :) We had lunch with Walt on Tuesday, went to story time at the library on Thursday, lunch with my friend, Andrea, and her precious baby boy on Friday, and church on Sunday. We had a fun week!

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It was our second time to go to story time at the library. It was fun watching Jackson. Last time he just sat in my lap, but this week he was more adventurous and was crawling all around and smiling at the other babies. He kept looking at me like, "Mom, can you believe this? This is so much fun!"

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Jackson also did great again at church this week! Praise God!

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Jackson is getting so big! He is pulling up all the time!

Jackson really wants to crawl on the fireplace, but his mean mommy won't let him :)

I forgot Jackson's bib when we met Walt for lunch...luckily we didn't get anything on his outfit...but I can't say that we did a very good job keeping his face clean :)
Jackson is so proud of himself that he actually got a hold of mommy's keys
Jackson loves looking out the upstairs windows because they are low enough for him to look out of.

We cannot install a gate at the bottom of our stairs so we have decided to block off the areas where Jackson can access the stairs. Before Walt installed a gate between the kitchen and the stairs, we were using our ottoman. Jackson loved pulling up on it as you can tell :)

Such a happy baby!

Here is Jackson while we were waiting to meet Andrea and Sutton at On The Border. His facial expression is such a contrast to the next picture :) It is rare to catch such a serious look :)

I meant to get a picture with Andrea & Sutton, but with 2 babies...we pretty much ate & talked while we could and then it was time for Sutton to eat and Jackson to take his nap.

Jackson was crawling over the leg of a chair and fell face first and hit his nose. Luckily it was on a rug and he is pretty tough...I think it scared him more than hurt him, but look closely to see his red nose.

Walt installed the gate in between the stairs and the kitchen this weekend. Jackson seems to prefer the ottoman. Refer back to above picture :)

Jackson had his follow up with the ENT this week and everything looked great! So Jackson was able to get in the pool again! He loved it!

Look closely at the dirt on his face. He would throw his toys out of the pool and they would fall in the dirt and then he would grab them and stick them in his mouth. I tried to wash them off in the pool, but he kept doing it and so I was just washing them out in dirty pool water. Note to self: try to find an area in the yard with less dirt!

I love this expression! We were out running errands and we had just gotten back into the car and this is how Jackson kept looking at me. I just wish I could have read his mind!!!! Note: Walt was driving and I was sitting in the back with Jackson to make sure he didn't fall asleep on the way home since it was getting close to his bedtime.

Busted!

I love this video!!!! Jackson started saying "Dada" last week, but I wasn't able to catch it on video until this week!

Week 1 with tubes...so far so good!

Jackson is a VERY busy boy! He is so much fun and a constant joy in our lives. He is finally sleeping better at nights, but still insists on 30 minute naps during the day. He does NOT want to miss a thing!

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I have never taken a picture of Jackson sleeping in fear of waking him up :) But on this particular day, he fell asleep close to bedtime and he needed to wake up anyways. So here is our precious boy sleeping with "Dougie".

So far it seems that Jackson has no fear. He will climb on anything he can! Fortunately, it isn't a whole lot right now, but this doesn't bode well for our future :) If you look closely, you will see he has climbed on top of the lower level of this toy.
Playing with his truck & having fun
Jackson loves the Johnny Jump Up!

If you zoom in, you will be able to see 3 teeth...there is a fourth, but it is hard to see. It is actually coming in at an angle behind the other tooth...is that bad?

I am not sure this is what the inventor of Johnny Jump Up intended, but oh well :)

Jackson crawling and standing up under our table...please don't look too closely...otherwise you will see how dusty the chair was. In my defense...we never sit at this table and yes, I did clean it after this pic!

Yet another use of the exersaucer!

We went to church today...FINALLY!!!! As you all know, we have not been able to go because Jackson has been sick! The last time we went was the week before he got the first ear infection and he cried most of the time. So needless to say I was worried we might have a repeat. But he did great! He didn't cry when we left or when we picked him up and they said he did great! Praise God!!! So we decided to take some pics!

Our happy boy!

It was almost as if he knew that he should be proud of himself :)

Jackson & Walt...Walt was the better photographer today hence more pictures of Jackson & I Walt & I were putting house #'s in the front of our house and so Jackson was sitting in his stroller. I know I have told ya'll that he is hot-natured...well apparently that is an understatement. We weren't outside that long, but when we went inside his hair was wet from sweating...and curly!

Look closely at the curls!

Sweet face!

Jackson strikes a pose!

Jackson climbed on top of this bin WITH "Dougie" and when I say WITH...I mean, "Dougie" in hand and crawling / climbing on top of the bin. I thought it was a sweet picture!

He loves "Dougie"....usually "Dougie" stays in the crib, but sometimes we play "Where's Mama?" and I put "Dougie" over my head and Jackson "finds" me...sorry for all of the quotation marks...I got a little carried away :)

Standing Tall

Here is Jackson after I told him "NO"...that he could not touch the outlet. I love the look of "Who Me?" on his face :)

And this is the pitiful look that followed as he crawled over to me...usually he is emotionally unaffected by the "NO" word...I think he is still trying to figure it out.

Jackson & I playing...I love his laugh and his sweet kisses!

Should we be concerned about this :)

Check out Jackson's musical skills :)

8 Months

Jackson turned 8 months old this week! It is hard to believe that he is only 4 months away from being a year old, but at the same time it is hard to imagine our life before he arrived! I knew that I was going to love him more than I would ever be able to describe, but nothing can prepare you for the love you feel for your child! I guess the same could be said of my love for Walt! I am very blessed!

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Jackson's hair post-nap

Jackson playing in his pajamas
If you look closely you can see his dimple and his tooth :)
I tried to take some pictures of Jackson on his 8 month b-day. It is getting harder and harder to get a good shot :) He is a baby on the go :)

We had to make some adjustments to his footed pajamas b/c he was having a hard time getting traction :) No, I don't let him play with magazines, but his Daddy does...

Jackson likes to crawl under the bar stools. The only problem is that once he makes it over one side, he gets stuck in the middle and starts crying.

Moments before the crying commences :)

As most of you know, Jackson got tubes this week because of his ear infections. The pictures aren't very clear, but here are a couple of pictures right before the procedure. Thanks again for all of the prayers. He is having a hard time sleeping at night, but had a better day today so we are hoping for a better night. I don't think the tubes are supposed to cause him discomfort...so maybe it is teething or maybe his ear infection that he had prior to the tubes is just now clearing up or...who knows...but hopefully we are on the path to a good night's rest for all involved :)

Jackson has both of his top teeth and one on the bottom. The other tooth on the bottom is coming in. So lots of drool :)

He is a happy boy...most of the time :)

Since Jackson is all over the place, we are in the process of babyproofing. Obviously we probably should have done it before he started crawling, but better late than never. Jackson is helping his dad :)

The gate to the playroom

Hopefully this is the only time he is behind bars :)

Here are some tid-bits about Jackson:

* He is crawling really fast...going from room to room exploring

* He is pulling up on everything & moving side to side along the edge of the couch / ottoman

* He says "mama" on occasion

* He loves giving kisses to his mommy & daddy, his stuffed animals, and the babies in his baby book

* Speaking of books....he loves books!

* He likes playing peek a boo

* He likes being startled...if you can make him jump while you are playing...he laughs

* He is still not a fan of naps

* He goes to sleep on his stomach and he kicks his feet...not tantrum style...he just kicks them softly until he gets comfortable

* He likes playing chase although he doesn't completely understand it. All he knows is that he gets tickled. Sometimes when I am chasing him he starts laughing so hard before I even get to him. He is laughing so hard that he falls down on his stomach laughing.

* He is a tough baby...he can fall or hit his head and he rarely cries

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On another note....Jackson has started eating vegetables. He is still not a fan and would prefer for it to be mixed with something else, but I can't say that I blame him :) I would rather eat broccoli with cheese :) He is also eating puffs. So we are making headway :) I am still confused on how much I should be feeding him and how much milk he should be drinking, etc...but hopefully what we are doing works.