12 weeks today!

I can't believe we are in the 2nd trimester on Baby Solomon. The first trimester symptoms are easing up and I am feeling good! Have a great weekend. We plan to - lots of family time and hanging with our little man!

15 months

Today is Jackson's 15 month birthday! For his birthday, I got him a potty seat. Exciting, I know. But he had a surprisingly good time sitting on the pot laughing with daddy. We all like to clap for Jackson even when he doesn't do anything. See him clapping in one of the pics. Happy 1 1/4 years to our Boo!

Ruidoso, NM

We had a great weekend getaway to Ruidoso. It is only a 4 hour drive for us so we left Friday morning. When we got to Ruidoso, we went to Bonita Lake for some fishing and sightseeing. Friday night, we had a delicious dinner at a yummy steak house. See the above pic for Jackson enjoying Gruyere mac and cheese. I'm not sure if the regular mac and cheese will ever do again! On Friday alone, we saw five deer. Russell insisted on getting Jackson as close to a deer as possible. Luckily, no one was injured! All the deer were on the condo property so they were pretty tame and used to the crazy guests! Speaking of the condo, we loved where we stayed. It was located in walking distance to mid-town (where all the shops and restaurants are) and it was on a stream with a great courtyard. You can see the pic of Jackson on the balcony with the stream in the background. As you can imagine, he loved looking off the balcony at all the nature around us.

On Saturday, we woke up early (there is a time change). We went to the Inn of the Mountain Gods to stroll around the lake. Jackson was pooped from the activity so he and Russell went back to the condo for a nap and I got to do some well deserved shopping! After the nap, we had lunch and headed to the horse races. They were a blast. That is definitely something we will do again. After seeing the horses, we stopped by a park where they had pony rides. Some kids were scared but not Jackson. Since he is young, Russell had to walk beside the pony. It was a busy day and, as you can see from the pic, Jackson fell asleep with me on the couch when we got home. It was a rainy night, so we ordered takeout from an Italian restaurant we had seen close by.

This morning, I got up really early. I guess I was still on Lubbock time. It was really nice to sit on the couch with Maggie and actually finish a cup of coffee. I am usually so busy, I really can't remember the last time I finished a cup! When the boys woke up, we headed to Lincoln National Forest for a hike. That was really fun and we hiked for much longer than I thought we would. I thought Jackson or I would get tired but we didn't. I guess it was the refreshing fresh air and cool temps. After the hike, we headed back to town to do more shopping. As strange as it sounds, Ruidoso has the best shopping. It is difficult to make it to all the shops in Mid-town because there are so many. So, we got lots of good stuff this morning and Russell got his usual souvenir t-shirt. After shopping, we headed home. Jackson did really well traveling. It started out as a rainy ride home, so Jackson, Maggie and I ate cheeseburgers and watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse in the car. It was really nice to snuggle with my babies and thinking about the weekend made me really excited about our new baby on the way!

Deer

Bonita Lake

Inn of the Mountain Gods

Ruidoso Downs

Pony Ride at the Park

Lincoln National Forest

Jackson's first black eye

So, Jackson got his first shiner while we were in Ruidoso. It wasn't too bad. He bonked his head on an open dresser drawer. He cried for a few seconds but Daddy took him outside and he got over it really quickly. It was a little cut that turned into a bruise. I'm sure it will be the first of many with our wild little man!

Jackson tinked on the big potty!

Jackson isn't even 15 months old yet and he peed on the big potty. We are so excited. I couldn't stop smiling the whole way home from daycare. I am just so darn impressed. When he moved to Nursery III, I told the teachers we were expecting Baby #2 and it would be helpful if they worked on potty training. They already start potty training in Nursery III but, with Jackson being so young, I didn't want them to hold back. I also learned that Jackson doesn't like the little baby potty. So, I need to get him the baby seat that attaches to the toilet. I am so grateful to the teachers for figuring out Jackson's preferences!

Here is how it happened: At daycare, they have two "baby" potties and a baby seat attached to the big toilet. Two other little boys were on the "baby" potties and Jackson was where he preferred - the big toilet. The teacher said she was talking to the three of them for 4 or 5 minutes when one of the little boys, Valor, tinked. She said, "yeah" and started clapping. She said they all laughed and then Jackson tinked. Jackson likes the applause so maybe he was envious of Valor's praise. Hey, whatever works. We are just so proud!

We are also proud of the artwork Jackson brought home this week. Believe me, more crayon ended up on his clothes than on the paper! Nevertheless, we think it is beautiful. I especially like the "bite" taken out of the corner of the page. He is so artistic!

Jackson is going to be a BIG brother!

That's right, we're pregnant! Jackson will be a big brother very soon. Baby Solomon #2 is due February 12th. So, it looks like we will have a Valentine Baby! As for the doctor, we obviously, had to find a new OBGYN since we moved after Jackson was born. We are very lucky. We love my new doctor. I have had three doctor appointments (the last one this morning) and all is well. We are 10 weeks and 2 days at this point. We are SO excited about our new addition!

The apple tree

So, this weekend, we discovered that we have an apple tree in the yard. I was quite excited but I want to know if they are truly edible. They look really good. We even cut one open. So, does anyone know if there is any harm to eating apples from a tree in your yard. We didn't plant the tree so I don't know if they used any chemicals or anything. I don't exactly have a green thumb so I am not sure how that works, obviously! We would love to have some snacks but I certainly don't want to give any to Jackson until I have made certain they are okay to munch!

Jackson's finding lots of new hangouts!

A sweet surprise

When we got home from Austin, Jackson had a package from his Great Aunt Trish. It was this pillow with the picture of Russell on the tractor (this pic was used in some Case advertisements, btw). The back had the cutest fabric with red tractors. I love thoughtful, personalized gifts. It is something Jackson will have for a very long time. Thanks so much, Aunt Trish! What a creative and special gift!

Nursery III

It's official, my baby will be moving from Nursery II to Nursery III. We got the news yesterday when I picked him up from daycare. I must admit, I shed a few tears with the news. My baby is growing up! I'm not sure why I was emotional, we knew this was coming and we were actually excited about the move since he will be with bigger kids that he can learn from. We are sad to leave his teachers but we will pass by their class everyday and he will see them during some outside times. The transition will also be easier since two of his classmates will be going with him. Sometimes the children are transferred one at a time so we are glad his friends will be making the move with him. So, this morning, I tried to snap a few pics of Jackson headed to his first day of Nursery III. He actually will only go 1/2 day today and tomorrow and full day starting Monday.

AUSTIN for the 4th

Here are some random pics from Austin. Getting ready for the parade . . . see those pics below.

Mimi bought a new bike with a baby seat. Russell and Jackson loved it.

Poppy pulling the wagon . . . Jackson's favorite activity, as you know!

We had too much fun in Austin. Mimi and Poppy kept us so busy. Jackson had three naps today and still was asleep by 7:30!

Dinner at the Domain