Litchfield

It is Fall Break, and we are loving every minute of it.  We headed to Litchfield on Friday with my parents, the Ivey children, and Brent and Whitney. It takes a lot longer to get there with a baby than with just the two of us. We stopped at the Columbiana mall to feed Jackson and to stretch.  The Ivey children needed a stretch too. Then we also stopped at Cupcake in Mount Pleasant to get snacks to eat and find something for lunch. We had eaten Munchkins earlier, but I was starving! Wendy's never tasted so good!  We finally got to Litchfield around 3:00 (after leaving our house at 7:00-It is normally a 5 hour trip)!  We checked in and headed to our condo.  It was very nice and had a gorgeous view! It was the perfect size for all of us.  The Ivey kids were excited to look outside and see the pool and ocean down below.  Of course, it would be our luck to go when a cold front came through.  The temperature dropped 20 degrees over night!

We took the kids out to the beach to run around.  They were not phased by the cold and wind.  They ran into the water and chased the birds.  We ate at the Fish House for dinner.  It was as good as ever.  Brent and Whitney got in later that night. Jackson did not sleep well. He was unsure of his surroundings.  He cried every time he woke up; I think it was because he didn't know where he was.  Needless to say, he did not sleep in the Pack-n-Play. He was all over that king bed though!  Who knew a baby moved that much?

On Saturday, we were kind of lazy. When Jackson woke up, he was surprised to see Brent and Whitney there. He was so cute staring at them. We eventually got dressed and headed to the Hammock Shops.  We ate lunch at Flo's in Murrell's Inlet and then headed back to the condo.  Jackson and I took a little nap. We took the kids swimming in the indoor pool.  The Iveys were even brave enough to go in the lazy river outside! It was way too cold and windy to go out to the beach!  Jackson got in the pool with Tim and loved every minute of it!  He would kick his legs and even put his face in the water!  I think Tim needs to build him an indoor pool.  I don't think Jackson wanted to get out.  Then he enjoyed a bath in the kitchen sink.  We watched the Tigers play Georgia Tech, and it was awful!  Clemson gave them the game.  Jackson and Tim fell asleep early though.

My first time swimming!

On Sunday we packed up and took some more beach pictures.  Poor Jackson took a nosedive into the sand.  He got sand all up his nose.  He did not cry though.  Then we went to eat at Eggs Up Grill. It was yummy as always.  It is hard to believe that next come we go there, Jackson will be able to eat too!  After that we headed to Charleston.  Since Jackson still eats every three hours, we have to plan our trips carefully.  Jackson ate, and then we walked around for about an hour.  Our caravan got separated, because Jackson was ready to get out in Orangeburg. We stopped at McDonald's (Jackson's first trip), so Jackson could eat.  Then we headed home. We made it until about Clinton when Jackson decided that he was done riding in the carseat.  He had done so good.  We have learned that if we listen to "Elmo's Song," he usually calms down.  It is so funny how he already finds comfort with certain songs.  It is also funny how he already loves Elmo, and he is not even five months old!  Eventually, we had to watch Toy Story.  That helped a little. Jackson was so cute when we go home.  I took him into his room to put on his pajamas, and he just smiled!  He knew he was home!

Our first weekend trip with Jackson was a success!  We learned that we have to stop often to get him out of his seat.  We also learned not to waste space with the Pack-n-Play.  We learned that we definitely need a bigger car.  A baby needs lots of stuff!

It was nice to get away for a family trip, and I think the Ivey kids had a great time!  (I took over 200 pictures, so I will post some soon!)

Another Week

We have had another great week.  We have been so busy that the week has flown by!  Tim had to work late on Tuesday, so Jackson and I enjoyed making pumpkin chocolate chip muffins and hanging out. Jackson was tired after his visit to Midway.  He got to see Noni's old students and Aunt Whitney's class.  Jackson is loving his cereal now.

Jackson did great at therapy.  He is holding his head more at midline, and his range has gotten better.  We still have to work on strengthening that one side though. Tim had a basketball meeting in Greenville Wednesday night, so Jackson and I met him for dinner at McAlister's.  Then we went to the new Carter's store and to Buy Buy Baby. We have been looking for a new bathtub, because we don't like the one we have anymore. Jackson is too squirmy for it, but I can't find one that I like.

Jackson came to Concord on Thursday for Field Day!  The kids loved seeing him and holding his hand.  Of course, he loved the attention and even let one of my former students hold him.  He was such a good sport and being around everyone.

We are off for a 5 day weekend, and I am so excited!  It will be nice to get to spend a lot of time with Jackson.  We are headed to Litchfield, and I can't wait to get away!

A Gorgeous Fall Week

We have had a beautiful fall week in South Carolina.  It was downright cold one day, but it has been the high 60s, low 70s for most of the week.

Jackson had a great therapy session.  He worked really hard for Ms. Kelly. She was impressed with how much he was turning his head.

We have also been working on getting Jackson to go to bed on his own and stay in his.  He actually slept in the his crib for the first time Tuesday night.  He cried for an hour before going to sleep.  I hated the idea of him sleeping downstairs by himself, so I slept in the chair.  He was restless but did stay in the crib.  When it got cold, we put him back in the Pack-n-Play.  He still cries for 15-20 minutes when we put him down, but it is better than an hour.

He is loving his Jumperoo.  He has learned how to bounce and turn himself around!  He has also been making some cute noises. He is making "raspberries" and a rolling r noise.  It is so cute!  I love how excited he is when I go pick him up and when Tim gets home.  It is too precious!

We took him to the Concord Carnival on Friday night.  He dressed up like a Tiger and loved looking at everything.  He was so cute. My mom brought Charlotte, Murphy, and Maria too. My favorite thing about the Carnival is seeing my old kids.  My kids from last year were really excited to see Jackson.  He was definitely over stimulated, because he did not sleep well Friday night, and neither did we.

Jackson and I made Cookie Monster Cupcakes!

My First Carnival

The Duck Game

We headed to the Clemson-UNC game about 9:30.  It was a little chilly but not too cold.  Jackson was happy until we made it into the game.  Then we had a meltdown.  He was scared of the loud noises!  We spent the entire first quarter walking around and looking at all of the concession stands and other food stands.  We hung out on the bleachers with some other babies.  We talked to Ansley and Jeff.  Then Jackson fell asleep, and I took him back to the stands for the second quarter. He dozed through that quarter but still jumped at every loud noise.  Tim and I decided to take him back to the tailgate.  It was kind of nice just watching the game on the TV while enjoying the beautiful weather!  We celebrated another win and enjoyed the tailgate experience.  I thought Jackson would be exhausted since he didn't sleep well Friday night and didn't really nap Saturday, but he was wide awake when we got home.  We took a bath, and then the 3 read stories on the bed (I think that was my favorite part of the day.). Jackson just talked and made noises.  Then the two of us fell asleep on the couch (What else is new?).

Sign me up!

Getting ready to watch the Tigers run down the Hill!

My Tailgate at home!

We went to church Sunday morning.  Jackson has spent the afternoon in his Jumperoo. We need to buy one for Noni!  I really want to take a nap, but I can't convince Jackson to join me.

I love to stick out my tongue!

We headed to Greenville this afternoon for a visit with the Caseys.  Kristi drove a new Sienna home, and we wanted to test drive it!  Jackson stayed with Luvie, Tu Tu, Berkley, Briggs, Snooki, Shandi, TJ, and Mack while we drove it.  I love it, and now I really want one.  I am going to have to wait a couple of months until I pay that credit card down some more.  Jackson enjoyed getting to play with his cousins.  This was Shandi's first time to meet him!
 
I am a skeleton!

I love my card from Grandma Jeanne and Grandpa John!

So Sweet!

Tonight we put Jackson in the Jumperoo while we were eating our dinner.  He was fussy, so Tim and I were both shoveling in our food so one of us could get him.  I finished first, so I walked over and started talking to him.  I asked him if he wanted me to pick him up and I held my arms out.  The he did the sweetest thing ever-he held out his arms for me to pick him up!  That is the first time he has done that. (Yes, I know it might have just been a coincidence.  I am just going to think that he meant to do it!)

Everyday Happiness

It is not the big events that happen, but it is really the little ones that happen that lead to your everyday happiness. Today I am reminded to celebrate the small things and to enjoy every minute.

The weather has been absolutely beautiful the past couple of days.  What could be better than low 80s and sunny skies in October?

Jackson is a happy and healthy baby!  He loves to play, talk, and read.  He is still working on rolling over.  He can sit up by himself for a few seconds before he crashes!

Have I mentioned that Clemson is 7 and 0?

I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family where everyone is happy and healthy! We have a place to live, food to eat, and jobs to provide for us.  Above all, we have each other. Not everyone is lucky enough to say that.

Look how big I am!

A Beautiful Fall Weekend

We started out the weekend by heading to Fall for Greenville.  This is one of my favorite events of the year.  Dozens of restaurants set up on Main Street, and the people watching could not be better.  We started out with Shrimp and Grits from Sassafras.  Then we had Hibachi chicken from the Orient.  We also tried some chicken sandwich from Nose Dive.  It was not good, and we have decided we will not be going to eat there.  Of course, no trip to Greenville would be complete with a visit to The Chocolate Moose.  That is where Jackson had his supper.  It tried the almond cupcake, and I think I have a new favorite!  I also got a French Toast for later.  We walked down to Starbucks and got a Caramel Apple Spice.  Nothing says cold weather like a Caramel Apple Spice!  Jackson enjoyed all of the people watching and was worn out by the time we left!

Going to my first Fall for Greenville.

The Chocolate Moose

I will ride this next year!

Worn out!

On Saturday, Jackson and I went with my mom to the Alzheimer's walk in downtown Anderson.  It was a nice way to honor my grandmother's memory. Of course, Jackson loves anything to do with being outside.  We spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning and buying our fall plants. We went to my parent's to watch the first half of the Clemson game.  We were worried for a little bit. Jackson is now 19 weeks old!

I love my giraffe!

Walking with Elmo

Reason 501 why we need a bigger car!

On Sunday, Jackson played with his friends at church.  Of course he wore a precious smocked outfit.  Then we headed back to Fall for Greenville for more shrimp and grits and cupcakes!  It was a wonderful fall weekend!

Lucas, my friend at church.

My new friends at Noni's house!