Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas all! We had an amazing busy Christmas with so much love and happiness. We were in Jefferson City with Justin's whole family!!! Jackson and his 8 month old cousin had so much fun! Jackson got some great gifts- we are not sure where everything will fit. We did mass and an amazing fondue dinner on Christmas Eve (Jackson sang through every song), then we did gifts and food all day on Christmas day. We just returned to Warrensburg today where we just enjoyed some shrimp, lobster and pirogi (polish stuff)!! Jackson also took his first tractor ride today as it is 60 degree here! He also had his first wagon ride with the new cousins radio flyer at Mimi and Freddie's (Jefferson City). So much fun! More pictures to follow. Here is us!!!

And we are off...

We are leaving in about an hours to travel to Warrensburg, MO then Jefferson City, MO. Both Justin and I are so excited we could not sleep last night! Jackson was excited too as he woke up extra early today. Chewy is ready for the trip as he is all bundled up! He does actually wear this and does keep the booties on for a bit. He walks funny in them. At least he is warm! I can't wait for time with family and also Jackson's first Christmas. I am off work for a week and am setting some serious boundaries with work- my family is so important and I don't want to miss a minute of the next few days! Justin is also off for a few days so it will be nice to have some family time!!! Will publish some fun posts after the holiday for sure!!! Merry Christmas everyone!!

Couch Potato....

No exactly- but Jackson has officially learned how to climb onto the couch by himself. He loves to be on the couch and go back and forth from one end to another and stand and jump on it. He also likes to jump off! We have been able to catch him each time as he flies off head first!!! He has no fear! He is also standing for longer stretches of time. He has officially taken his first step too. He can't connect any together but he is able to move one step without holding onto anything!!!

We leave on Tuesday for our travels across Missouri to see family.

Learning Everyday

We had an exciting evening. We did a skype.com call with Justin's mom and sister (Mimi and Auntie Em). Jackson just looked at them- but he showed off some of his new tricks- he can give high 5, clap, make funny noises and now he can wave bye bye! He was even saying ba ba when he waved tonight!! we have been working on bye bye for some time and he kind of waves bye to us when he is at Kerri's (daycare) It is so exciting to see him learn new things. We are very proud parents tonight. We also realize getting him to do all his tricks again may be a huge task- but exciting he is learning so much!!!

Stylish

Jackson with Ray Bans! We were out doing some shopping and stopped into one of Justin and I's favorite stores - from the before Jackson days- Standard. It is a high end boutique where we use to buy our jeans! While we were there one of the ladies put some Ray Bans on Jackson. He just left them there- like he knew he was cool with them on. Here is a picture! Justin and I decided we are in trouble- it will be too easy to justify premium denim for Jackson!! It is so great to enjoy a day together, Justin let me sleep in this morning which is the greatest gift of all.

Just an update!

Things have been crazy so the blogging has been limited! Jackson has been on antibiotics to fight ear infections- we think he is almost back to himself after 5 weeks of being sick! Justin is still working like crazy! Jackson and I have all our Christmas shopping done, he is a great helper- most of the time. He has recently learned how to pull clothes off of hangers as we cruise by in the store. So maybe he has not be that great of a helper! Chewy got a new hair cut. He always looks like a goof for a few days-ok he always looks like a goof but extra goofy for a short period after a hair cut. I have my car back after beign without it for a month! Good as new to me!
Also the most exciting is that Jackson has been standing by himself for short periods of time. The longest has been about 5 seconds. it is so crazy to see him just stand there!

Hope everyone is doing great. Here is a picture from tonight- notice Chewy and his haircut in the background!! Chewy and and Jackson seem to be playing a lot more together- it is hilarious to watch Jackson head butt Chewy!

St. Nicks Day

Today is St. Nicholas Day! Jackson left his shoes out by his door and this morning he had a gift! Part of his gift was actually his shoes! He got some new warm kicks this week! He also got some fun busy balls that do fun stuff. Jackson mostly likes to bang them together!

Happy St. Nicholas Day!

Lunch Date

Jackson and I had a lunch date today. Justin is hard at work so Jackson and I decided to enjoy lunch while we were out running errands. Jackson also found a new toy- my hair clip. I didn't do my hair today so I have my sides pulled up into a hair clip- Jackson gentle pulls up on me and pulls out the clip (agin and agian)! He then tried to put in on Chewy's back! We have good size snow flurries today- although nothing is sticking- just making things wet and messy! Jackson also thinks the snow is funny. He didn't know what to think of it at first- when his hood fell off he made a funny face and blinked as the snow hit his face. He later started to smile at the white stuff falling on him! Just another day of fun with Jackson. We are enjoying running around getting things started for Christmas. The big debate now is what to do about a tree? Since we are still in our townhouse- space is limited! We will figure it out I am sure!

Happy Thanksgiving from our TURKEY!!

We spent Thanksgiving in Warrensburg! We were lucky enough to enjoy the day with both sides of the family!!! Justin's parents and sister and my parents all enjoyed a yummy meal at my parents house!! Jackson of course loved all the attention- I wonder if he knows how entertaining he is! He tried about everything! So much to be thankful for! Justin is busy working over the next few days so Jackson and I will enjoy some fun together!!!

Jackson goes to Minneapolis

Jackson and I just returned from our trip to Minneapolis, MN. My brother and his family live there, for now!!! My youngest niece and newest god daughter was baptized this weekend! Yeah Camrie! It was great to be a part of her day! She is a sweet easy going baby who is 3 months old. Here is a picture of Jackson with this three cousins on my side- Carlie, Kenzie and Camrie. He did great with all the activity in the house!

We drove from our home to Minneapolis, it was an 8 hour drive. Jackson was so done with the car by the end of today! Overall he did pretty well. My parents drove with us so that helped a lot!

Now back into the swing of things for a few days. We are excited to see family often over the next few weeks!

Dad is flying solo.... kinda

Jen, her parents, and Jackon, left for their 7 hour road trip to Minneapolis this morning. It looks like it is just going to be me and Chew dog for the remainder of the weekend. Luckily Jen's dad thought to bring a portable DVD player so that Jackson can get his Einstein fix on.

Silly Day

We enjoyed a day together around home which is so nice with all the craziness these days. A few funny stories.

Nap- Just when we think Jackson is getting the hang of naps- he tricks us again. He has been falling asleep OK for most naps and now is starting to have a hard time again. He even is having a hard time at night. Last night he was dancing in his crib until I heard a THUD- he just fell over inside his crib. So he was screaming and I had to go in there to calm him down. We call it unauthorized dance moves in bed- he calls it his delay of game (aka bedtime). He also is crabby right when he wakes up form his naps but then is ready to play into the night! We commonly say "crazy baby" in our home. With the most love that is!

Justin is Lazy- He will agree and will not be offended. Tonight was Taco Nite and I realized I forgot shredded cheese. I asked Justin to run to the store. But instead of ruining to the store which is 100 yards from our home, he decided to shred Jackson's 1/2 inch by 1/2 cheese cubes of cheese with our cheese shredder. He was so proud of himself! Resourceful yes!

Jackson's Christmas list- Justin I have listed the below as Jackson's most desired products- Please be on the look out on Black Friday!

Bunch of Cords

Pile of Leaves

Blinds

Dog that he can grab

Empty boxes

remotes

cell phones

roll of toilet paper

We spend most of the day diverting him! Hopefully with Christmas we will find him some new toys!

That is it for us! Just random thoughts for the day!

Link to Slide show
http://www.kodakgallery.com/ViewSlideshow.action?&collidparam=92690428406.862125131406.1226885632467

Here are a few of our recent family pictures. I will try to figure out how to get a link to all of them!

Our Movin' Man

Jackson can really move!! He can walk behind his toy really well until he runs into stuff. He seems to really like this! He still does not seem to interested in walking on his own just yet. He gets around so well crawling. He is cruising around and quick. He is just so fun to be with, we love every minute.

Staying Warm

We spent some time in Warrensburg with my parents this weekend- Jackson got a new stocking cap. It is getting so cold! Jackson will actually keep it on for a bit! Jackson is fighting a huge cold along with some mean teeth coming in, we feel for him!

We had drama again this morning as I got home and realized every smoke detector in our house was going off! No Fire but Justin got to install new smoke detectors through the house. For our small place we have 5 detectors! Justin loved being handy!

The Car is HURT!

Just a sad update, but wanted to document our recent drama. I was in a car accident yesterday afternoon. No one was hurt and luckily Jackson was NOT with me. It was scary and is frustrating. This accident was my fault! My car, Dolce, is at the hospital (aka collision center). They do not believe it is totaled but we will know more by the end of the week. I love that car!!! I don't have a picture of the damage- but it was mostly to the passenger side front tire!

Yesterday was Justin's birthday so not the best celebration for him. I think it was just as scary for him. My parents are letting us borrow a car- we will rent a car once we know the plan for repairs. I am fine, just sore and a little stressed about making a stupid mistake! Cars can be fixed or replaced- and the important things in life like our family is what matters most.

Thanks for the thoughts and prayers!

Lots to Celebrate!

This week we celebrated our 3rd wedding Anniversary and today we celebrate Justin's 32nd Birthday! He is so mature these days! Justin actually is so busy at work this week and working late tonight!!! We have so much to celebrate and feel so lucky. Justin planned a fabulous evening out on the town for us. We had 24 hours together without Jackson! He was in great hands with his Mimi Peggy and Auntie Em while we were away. Justin and I went to Lydia's (our favorite) and then went to the Argosy Casino. It was so fun and something totally different. The next day we went to the Chiefs game with some good friends! It was so fun to be out and about, we missed Jackson and were glad to see him when we finally got home!

Happy Halloween

Jackson was a Penguin for Halloween this year! It was so nice out that he really didn't need such a warm costume!! We did the pumpkin patch this year and made a trip to my office to visit our friends on Halloween. Jackson missed trick or treating as he goes to be SO early. He was the cutest Arctic animal ever! We had fun!

First Post

Thanks to my fabulous friend Sara, I am now able to figure this out! So here is my first posting! I am excited to share news about our family with our family and friends. I am not sure when I will really have the time- but I am excited to try! Here is ME to get us started!