Shop Til You Drop

Jackson had a busy day on Tuesday.  My mom and I took him to Greenville for the day.  First, we met Tim for lunch at Brick Street Cafe, one of my favorite restaurants. Then we went to Tim's office to meet some people.  Jackson was awake, and we were excited to show him off.

Then we headed to Buy Buy Baby, Marshall's, and Costco.  We are excited that Grandpa John, Grandma Jeanne, and Susie are coming this weekend, so we stocked up at Costco.

My mom and dad are taking care of my cousins' house while they are on vacation, so we took Jackson "swimming" in their pool. He didn't really like his first swimming experience, but he did look cute in his turtle bathing suit!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

When I was in high school and college, I would spend a week at the beach with several families babysitting.  Those were some of my favorite times during the summer.  How about that those kids are now in high school and one is even going to college next year?  Wow!  I feel old!  Anyway, one of their moms used to make these wonderful chocolate peanut butter cookies.  I could eat them all!  The recipe is found on the back of the Reeces Peanut Butter chips package.  As far as cookies go, they take a lot of time.  ( A lot of time to me is longer than it takes to pop the refrigerated ones in the oven.)  I found a new recipe that tastes like the same cookie with less work and time.  I am all about that!  Here is what you need:

1 Box Devil's Food Cake
2 eggs
1/3 cup oil
Peanut Butter Chips.

Mix the first three ingredients together. The mixture will be stiff.  Then stir in the chips.  Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.  This will make about 4 dozen cookies.  Yum!

And the tears fall...

Tonight Jackson fell asleep in my arms.  I know this is nothing new, but Tim and I were just sitting staring at him, and I suddenly got sad.  He has already grown so much in the past three weeks. It is amazing how much he has changed. I don't want him to get any bigger. As I was sitting there being sad, I started thinking about how I am already dreading going back to school. ( I do really love my job.  I promise!) I just don't want to have to leave him. I think about all that I am going to miss while I am at school.  I know that we are very blessed to have my mom take care of him where he will be held and loved all day instead of alone in a crib for most of the day.  It still makes me sad. Of course, I sat on the couch crying because he is already three weeks old.

Jackson loves swinging on our new hammock!

Sweet Boy

3 Weeks Old

I know I say this every week, but I can't believe that Jackson is 3 weeks old today!

At 3 weeks:

• You eat 3 1/2 oz every 3 hours.  You are getting close to wanting 4 oz.
• You are staying awake a lot!  You especially like to be awake at 12:30am. 
• You are loving your paci more and more!
• You went on your first big shopping adventure, and tried on clothes at a store!
• Your cord fell off earlier in the week, so you are ready for big boy baths now!
• You are making so much noise.
• You like listening to music and to Daddy read you books. 
• You love to fall asleep when someone is holding you.
• You don't cry very much; it is more like you whimper a little.
• Abby and Max still don't know what to think of you.
• They Iveys are warming up to you, especially Maria.  She might even think you are cuter than the kittens now.
• You are loved by so many people!

I am 3 Weeks Old!

I am in my big crib!

Mommy made me this hat!

Mommy looks tired!

Me and Daddy asleep!

Shopping Adventure

On Friday, we took Jackson on a shopping adventure.  I went to get my hair cut and highlighted (finally!), and Jackson stayed with Tim.  This was the first time it was just the two of them!  Then we headed to Spartanburg with Noni to check out this store that sells smocked outfits half price. I am in love with this store. I have never seen so many smocked outfits for boys!  They had really good prices and were even having a buy 1, get 1 half off sale!  Jackson got 6 new outfits ( I know like he needs any more clothes!). It was hard to find stuff for him since he can't wear 3 months yet.  It is hard to guess what he will be in next year.   We did get him a precious 4th of July outfit!  I know he will probably hate me one day for dressing him in all of these outfits, but they are too cute! 

Then we headed to Haywood Mall so I could find a dress that actually fits for his Baptism next week. It was Jackson's first trip to the mall.  He was really good, and I actually found two dresses that fit. Plus, they were on sale! (Have I mentioned that I don't have ANY clothes that fit?  My old clothes are too small, and all of the maternity clothes are way too big.  I never realized how much money it costs to dress a pregnant lady. I hope I can get into some of my old clothes by August, because I can't afford to buy any more clothes!)  We ran into Tu Tu and talked to her for awhile. Then we headed to Frodo's for pizza.  It was yummy, and Jackson enjoyed going to his first pizza restaurant!

I don't know about Jackson, but I was exhausted after all of that!

What a night!

Jackson has done pretty well sleeping at night.  We usually get up every 3 hours to eat and get changed.  Last night was a little different.  He had a hard time getting settled.  I think he was overtired from hanging out at Noni's with the Iveys and his visit from Tu Tu and Kristi. He just wanted to be held and was kind of fussy.  He got up at 3 and ate.  Then when he woke up at 5:30, I picked him up and noticed he was all wet.  He had a major diaper failure.  His entire rocker was soaked along with him and me from holding him!  I had to get Tim up to feed him while I cleaned everything up!  There is nothing like doing laundry at 5:30 am!  We both fell back to sleep until our 8:30 feeding. He ate really well, and I put him in his Boppy chair; he loves this!  Next thing I know he is projectile spitting up all over him and his seat!  Then we had to go put that in the wash, and put Jackson in the bath.  He was really happy during bath time.  Today we did more than a little sponge bath.  I put him the tub and let him kicked in the water.  He loved it!  Hopefully, tonight will be a little better!

Last Night

This Morning

Cake Balls/Cake Pops

Tonight I decided to do some baking. This was the first baking that I have done since Jackson was born. I have always wanted to make these, so I decided I would give it a try. It was very easy, and they turned out very good. I think I will start making these for school instead of cupcakes.

First make a cake.  I used one from a box!

Crumble the cake and add frosting. (Again, I used frosting from a can, but you can make your own.)

Mix together the cake and frosting.

Form the cake into balls.  Add a lollipop stick if you want.

Well, I did not take pictures of the rest of the process.  When I finished these, my camera was upstairs.  I was too exhausted to go get it.  I melted some white chocolate and dipped these into the chocolate. You can add sprinkles if you want.  They turned out really good.  I will definitely make them again!

First Day of Summer

Even though it has been in the 90s for the past month, today is the official first day of summer.  I think the temperature hit 100 today.  It has been so hot, and it has actually been nice to be spending so much time inside.  Today was the first day that I really had Jackson all to myself.  It seemed like every time I turned around, it was time to eat.  We definitely enjoyed our lazy morning. Jackson is staying awake longer and loves to lay on his Jungle mat that Tu Tu and Kristi got him.  He just coos every time we put him on there! I am starting to learn to sleep when he sleeps and try to get stuff done when he sleeps.  I have a 20 minute window where I can take a shower!

Noni and Papa J did come over for supper, and Tim fixed some good grilled pork chops. It was nice to have a little extra help tonight.  It is amazing how fast your life can change.  I used to be obsessed with my house.  Last summer, I vacuumed and mopped every day.  Everything was neat and organized.  I am just not that concerned with it now. I feel like it will eventually get done.  It is kind of a nice feeling.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day!

Family Picture

Tim's First Father's Day

Tim enjoyed his first Father's Day! I have to admit that I am kind of jealous that Tim gets to celebrate his first Father's Day before I get to celebrate my first official Mother's Day.  Jackson made Tim a mug, and he got him a misting fan to go out on the screen porch.  Jackson also made his daddy a special card.  Tim is such a wonderful daddy.  He doesn't give himself enough credit.  He gets up in the middle of the night to fix bottles and always wants to hold Jackson. Jackson is so lucky to have a daddy who wants to spend time with him.  I am so lucky to have such a wonderful husband who is also a wonderful dad.  Tim has done a great job of taking care of the two of us for the past two weeks (taking care of my for the past 9 months)!

Later that evening, we went to eat lasagne at my parent's house.  I love my mom's lasagne.  I have tried to make it many times, and it just doesn't taste the same!  Jackson also made his Papa J a special card and got him a gift card to Tractor Supply.  Jackson also made and sent his Grandpa John a special card.  Grandpa John will be visiting us soon!

Papa J

Happy First Father's Day as a Grandfather!

I am so lucky to have such a wonderful dad.  He has always believed in me and supported me.  He has worked so hard to give my brother and me everything we ever wanted. I am so thankful to have such a hardworking, loving father!

Noni, Papa J, and Jackson

2 Weeks Old

I can't believe that Jackson is two weeks old today!  He is getting so big and becoming more and more alert everyday!  He has already been up for almost three hours today.  That is a record!

At two weeks:

• You weigh 8lbs 5 oz.
• You do not like to be swaddled, because you want your arms free.
• You like to kick your blanket off.
• You love to lay on your jungle mat and look at the swinging monkey and the elephant.
• You are starting to make some cooing noises.
• You are smiling more and more.
• You like to take a bath for the first 5 minutes, and then you are done with it.
• You are sleeping more at night-usually about 4 1/2 hours.
• You had many firsts this week: walk, photo shoot, trip to Target, trip to Greenville, etc.
• You have a paci, but don't usually keep it that long.
• You eat 3 oz every 3 hours. You sometimes eat 3 1/2 oz.
• You get the hiccups a lot, but they don't seem to bother you!

We are so blessed to have Jackson.  He is absolutely precious.  I don't even remember what my life was like before he got here.   I love to just hold him and cuddle.  Yes, he is probably a bit spoiled, and it might cause problems later on (like Jackson not wanting to sleep in his own bed).  For now, I am still going to hold him all the time.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Go Tigers!

We have been very busy the last two days.  Jackson had a lot of "firsts" this week.

• He got his first piece of mail from his great grandfather (Tim's grandfather).
• He got his first package from Grandpa John and Grandma Jeanne.
• He went on his first trip to Target, CVS, McAlister's, Chocolate Moose, and downtown Greenville.
• He went to his first dinner at Noni and Papa J's.
• He went to meet Larry.
• Charlotte, Murphy, and Maria came over to play.

We also went back to the doctor on Thursday.  Jackson weighed 8 lbs 5 oz, so he is back above his birth weight!  Yeah!  He is doing really well.  Switching to formula was definitely the right decision for us.  My mom also spent Wednesday night and Thursday night with us.  That has been such a big help.  It has been nice to be able to sleep some.  Our "night nurse" is wonderful!  We don't know what we would do without her!

I also took Jackson to Target and CVS by myself. We were gone less than 40 minutes, but it was nice to get out of the house. I was pretty proud of myself for making it somewhere on my own. Of course, Jackson slept the entire time.

My first trip to Target

We got a great package from Grandpa John and Grandma Jeanne. Jackson got some new blankets, a Wyoming onsie, socks, and a wonderful family book.  The book has pictures of family, friends, and locations in Wyoming.  It is so special, and it will be great to show Jackson as he grows up!

My new blankets!

My first playdate!

My first walk around the neighborhood.

My first time in the stroller!

Getting ready to walk!

My new pajamas that Daddy bought me.

McAlister's

 On Friday, we spent most of the day in our pajamas.  Then we went to Greenville.  It was Little Man's first trip to Greenville, his first trip to McAlister's for dinner, and his first trip downtown to Chocolate Moose.  We also walked to Falls Park. We stopped back by Noni's for dinner and then went to meet Larry.  We like when Tim is home with us!  This was the first "big" outing that we have done with Jackson.  We were so used to just going whenever we wanted.  This now requires more planning.  We were ready to walk out the door, and then realized he had to eat before we left. Then we had to stop by Noni's on our way back to eat again.  Of course, we travel with multiple bags now.  It was nice to go on a little family adventure.

My first trip to get cupcakes!

Mommy needs to lose those 20 pounds and get her hair highlighted.

Falls Park

Falls Park

June 15, 2011

Wow!  Where has the week gone?  I can't believe that it is already Wednesday.  Jackson is getting into a routine, and I am feeling better each day.  Jackson is already 11 days old.

On Monday, Jackson had his first photo shoot with Rebecca Perkins.  He did so good!  He stayed awake when he was supposed to and then he slept when he was supposed to. I can't wait to see the pictures!  I am especially excited to see the ones where he is wearing this white outfit that my grandparents (Ma Ma and Pa Pa) gave Brent while he is in a rocking chair that belonged to my grandmother (Nannie).  I have not sent out birth announcements yet, because I really want to wait and use some of those pictures.

On Tuesday, Noni came over to watch Jackson while Tim took me to the doctor.  I have had a cough for about two weeks, and it was not going away.  I have an upper respiratory infection, so I am not on antibiotics.  Hopefully, that will clear everything up.

Tim worked on Monday and was supposed to have the rest of the week off, but of course there are major issues going on, so he actually has to go to work tomorrow after Jackson's doctor's appointment. Hopefully, Noni will come keep us company.  I don't know what we would do without my mom.  She has been wonderful! She has brought us meals, spent the night, stayed with Jackson, and kept us company. I don't know how people do this without a support system. Thanks Noni!

Here are pictures from the past couple of days.

Papa J and Jackson

Jackson's favorite sleeping position.

My first time in the my crib.

Bath Time

This isn't that bad!

I'm cold!

I love monkeys!

I love to sleep!

I am making part of Daddy's Father's Day gift.

I sleep in all kinds of crazy positions!

Papa J and I match!

I like my fingers!