Tent time

Earlier this week, we got out one of Jackson's birthday gifts. It is a tent with a tunnel that attaches. The gift was from Gran Gran (Grandma Barbara). Thanks Grandma! As you can see, he loves it. However, he hasn't quite gotten up the nerve to crawl through the entire tunnel. We had a blast playing in (and around) the tent and tunnel. I actually went through the tunnel. (The things we will do to make a sick child smile!) We also tried to make Maggie go through the tunnel but she wasn't so happy about showing Jackson how to do it!

Da Da's new wheels and a very sick little man

It has been a rough week around here because our little man has not been feeling well. Poor guy has had ear infections nonstop for the past two months and now all the medications are causing terrible side effects. Fortunately, we saw the specialist who made Jackson top priority. We will be getting tubes in his ears next Wednesday. I never thought I would be excited about surgery for our baby boy but I know it will help him to get back to his happy little self. In the meantime, we have a terrible rash (which we think is a allergic reaction to medication) to get over. So, please keep Jackson in your prayers.

On a happier note, we have had lots of family time since we have decided not to send Jackson to daycare until we see improvement in his symptoms. We all (including Maggie) got into Russell's new truck. Jackson likes it because the backseat is bigger and he has more room. The new wheels have lots of fancy gadgets for i-pod, bluetooth and all kinds of other things. I am not into all that stuff so I couldn't tell you specifics. It also has a nice navigation system which I do understand since I am the "directions" person in the family. So, keep Jackson in your prayers and have a great week!

Dinner at the Leach's

Last night, we went to the Leach's house for a yummy dinner and a lot of fun! Another couple from the neighborhood came and brought their 2 year old daughter, Emma. The kiddos had a great time playing and we finished the night by giving Jackson and Cy a bath to get them ready for bed. Cy just celebrated his 1st birthday last weekend so he had lots of cool toys to play with. After all the fun, Jackson was exhausted. He slept until 8:30 this morning! We can't wait to do it again!

South Padre Sea Turtle Muesum

Mr. Mischievous

"Da Da let's go to the beach!"

A little more South Padre

A little South Padre

Condo fun

We are having such a good time! Here are some fun condo pics. The first were taken in the bathtub. What can I say? Jackson loves the water whether it's in the ocean, pool, or tub. In the second pics, Poppy thought it would be funny to put one of Jackson's blankets on him like a cape. Jackson walked around with it on and it really was funny. In the last pic, Poppy was playing with a puppy puppet that Mimi and Poppy brought him. Of course, Jackson thought it was hilarious!

Fun in the sun with Mr.Cool (aka Jackson)

First Flight

On Saturday, Jackson took his first flight - well, actually his first two flights. The first flight went so well. A grandmother of another one-year old boy willingly sat next to us. As it turned out, her husband and son were defense attorneys in Midland and they specialized in criminal and family law. We talked the entire time and she thought Jackson was just precious (of course)! By the end of the flight, the grandmother was holding Jackson and Jackson had charmed another grandmother across the aisle and a young couple behind us was getting in on a game of peek-a-poo. When we got off the plane, Jackson had the run of the Houston airport. He had the best time running wild and we just followed behind. He especially liked rolling luggage. Every time a piece rolled by he would turn around and follow after it - very funny. As you can tell by the last picture, we had an outfit change. We had a little accident and I forgot the change of clothes so daddy had to rush off to a souvenir shop. The only thing he could find was some adorable pjs. The pjs did the trick. After all the chase and a big lunch, Jackson passed out when we boarded the next flight. He was out before the plane took off so Russell and I both got a quick nap, too. Very nice!

"OUCH" Report

Yesterday, Jackson got his first "OUCH" Report from daycare. He was playing with a toy and he got his finger stuck in it. The teachers had to get lotion to squeeze his finger out.

Yesterday afternoon, we had to go to the doctor for his 2nd ear infection follow-up so I had the doctor take a look. It looked like a little skin was rubbed off (like an open blister) but it did not seem to bother Jackson. Since he is already on antibiotics for the ear infection, the doctor said he should be fine. We'll just give him a little extra TLC - if that's even possible!

Mother's Day

These aren't great pics but they are from Mother's Day. I also had to post a pic of Jackson wearing his shoes for Mimi. We haven't put shoes on him (for more than 5 minutes) ever. Now that he is walking, it is time to start! He wasn't sure at first but he didn't mind wearing the shoes. Now, we just need to keep at it! I also had to post the pic of the beautiful rose Jackson (or the daycare) got for me. Isn't it gorgeous!

A surprise from Tennessee

On Saturday, Jackson got a package from the Massengill family in Tennessee. It was this adorable jon jon. Thanks so much Carter, Amber and Georgia Kate!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all moms and a special Happy Mother's Day to Cee, Mimi, Granny and Gran Gran! We love and miss you!

Jackson's 2nd haircut

This morning, we took Jackson for his second haircut. We didn't give much instruction. I mean how much can you do to a 1 year old's hair? But before we knew it, hair was flying everywhere. I didn't realize he had that much hair. For a second I was worried. Then, I realized that hair will grow back and his seems to grow much faster than others! When we were done, here is how he looked. Very cute, I think. Russell really likes the new do, too. He says Jackson looks like a little man. Well, not how I want to describe our 1 year old but I guess that's a good daddy reaction! He did really well during the haircut even though he is not too happy about it. Believe it or not, I think Jackson likes his new cut, too.

Thank you, Kandi!

Kandi, we got the books in the mail. They are the cutest books. Jackson and I love them. Jackson really likes books with holes in them. One of the books have monkey, one has stars, and one has ladybugs (my favorite). Thanks so much! Btw, we opened the box after a messy snack time. I do normally have my child clothed!

Mother's Day weekend off to a good start!

Russell and I picked Jackson up early from daycare today. When we arrived they were having snack time. When we walked in, Jackson's teacher was really excited. She said that Jackson just said the word "more" in sign language. He is SO intelligent! I think it is kind of funny that the first word in sign language is "more." That boy likes to eat - especially yogurt, which is what they were having for snack. While we watched snack time, Russell and I learned 3 words in sign language: more, eat, and thank you. Very cool! I really want to learn more.

Also, at daycare, I got a Mother's Day gift from Jackson. It was a pink bag, a beautiful rose, and a card. The card said "Mom's Care Package:"

A CANDLE - to give you light when you feel burned out
A SNICKERS - to help you see the funny side . . . there is one!
A HERSHEY'S KISS - for you and your child . . . you both deserve them!
A LIFESAVER - to save you on one of those days
A ROSE - to remember to stop and smell the roses
GUM - to remind you to stick with it
CONFETTI - to celebrate the good times
A BAG - to help you keep it all together

The bag was filled with the confetti, candle, and candy. It was very sweet. Even though, I know Jackson didn't really put the bag together I know it was from him! Very sweet. I can't wait for a weekend with my boys and my Maggie!

The excitement continues!

Jackson has made so much progress in 24 hours! I don't think he walked much during the day but he gets wound up after his dinner (spaghetti, of course). He is walking and turning on his own. We are so proud and excited!

Jackson is WALKING!

Our baby boy is walking! Last night, Jackson just took off walking. It wasn't just a few steps. He walked and walked and walked. He walked inside, he walked outside. He walked to mommy and he walked to daddy. He was smiling the entire time. He is so proud of himself and we are, too! We can't wait to show Mrs.Nicki at school tomorrow. This is definitely a Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Whole Milk and Happy Cinco de Mayo

Here is a picture of Jackson trying whole milk for the first time. He loved it! The whole weekend, anytime we handed him his sippy cup, he would bounce up and down with excitement. Hopefully, this will be a very easy transition! Happy Cinco de Mayo!