Jackson and Santa

Here is our Santa picture.

Thanksgiving Pictures

Thanksgiving!!!

Well, Jackson had an awesome first Thanksgiving.  Our holiday started last weekend with the Grigsby family Thanksgiving.  We went over to my grandparents on Saturday night and had dinner and got to visit and watch the Christmas tree be decorated.  We returned to their house on Sunday morning in time for Jackson to eat his lunch and then we all got to eat and visit.  Jackson spent most of the visit in his Baby Einstein Around the World (we are most thankful for that toy...he loves it!!).  We left my grandparents and returned home to pack the car and head to Atmore.  Jackson and I rode down with his Nana and Papa.  We were pretty packed in our car for that trip.  It was Nana, Papa, Jackson, me, Hoover, and Queenie all in the Explorer.  Then we had our luggage, Jackson's stroller, Baby Einstein, high-chair, pack-n-play, and well, basically everything including the kitchen sink.  It was crazy!!!!  Jackson traveled well - we are thankful for the Baby Einstein DVDs. 

On Monday, Jackson and I went shopping with his Nana and MeeMee in Pensacola.  Jackson was hilarious!  He ate his lunch at Panera Bread, rode around in the stroller through the mall (he isn't a big fan of shopping), rode in the buggy at Wal-Mart for the first time, and enjoyed his dinner on the go in the car for the first time.  He also has his picture made with Santa Claus!  He did great!!

On Tuesday, Jackson and I headed out to do some visiting.  We hit the road around 7:45 am.  We went to my old high school to visit a couple of my teachers and friends.  Jackson squirmed and whined quite a bit.  Needless to say by the time we left there I was pretty tired from having to car him.  We headed out to see his Great MeeMaw at work and we visited with her for about an hour.  Then we headed over to State Farm to visit "Granny Jewel".  We were also hoping to see Ms. Audrey but we missed her.  We returned home to take a nap and rest.  After the nap, we headed back to Pensacola with Nana and Papa to see Tyler and Jamie.  We took Jackson to Logan's Roadhouse for dinner.  It was his first official trip to a restaurant.  He sat in the high chair and played with several toys.  He did great.  He got a little squirmy towards the end but over all he did wonderful. 

On Wednesday, Jackson and I rested most of the day.  Jackson took 2 long naps but didn't seem to get enough rest.  I think he was worn out for the days before.  Granny and Granddaddy came down to spend Thanksgiving.  Jackson spent his first night at his MeeMee and Pops house after Ray got in town from working.

On Thursday, it was Thanksgiving.  Jackson wore his Thanksgiving shirt and had an eventful day.  We all went to Nana and Papa's house for lunch.  There were lots of guests:  Nana, Papa, Jackson, me, Ray, MeeMee and Pops, Aunt Katie, Kathy, Chase, Sara Beth, Anna Claire, Kortney, Angie (Kathy's friend), Granny, Granddaddy, and Lee (Papa's friend).  After lunch and Jackson's nap, we left and returned to MeeMee and Pops house.  Jackson got his bath and played for a little while before bed.  MeeMee and Pops put Jackson to bed so that we could go and watch the new Harry Potter movie.  Ray and I enjoyed going to the movie in Atmore.  It is a small theater and nothing special - no HD, 3D, THX, etc. - it brought back lots of memories of all the times we had been to the movie there.

On Friday, we did not leave the house for too much.  We had lunch with Great MeeMaw and PawPaw and then returned to MeeMee and Pops house to watch the Iron Bowl (WAR EAGLE 28-27).  Jackson napped for most of the football game.  I think he was still trying to recover from all the excitement of the week.

Today, we returned home in order to avoid the Thanksgiving traffic that occurs tomorrow.  We got home around 4.  After Jackson ate, we went to Wal-Mart and Lowes.  We bought grocery and Jackson wanted some Christmas decorations for the yard.  So, we got a snowman and reindeer that light up.  We are going to put up the Christmas tree tomorrow, along with some additional decorations.  We are pretty excited about Jackson's first Christmas!!!

Pictures from the week are to come.....

Protecting the Blog - Nevermind!

Well, I have decided not to protect the blog because it requires users to have gmail accounts in order to gain access to the blog and several of my friends and readers do not have gmail accounts.  So, no need to worry.  You can continue to read as you have in the past.

Previous Post:

Hi to all of Jackson's viewers!  I will soon be protecting this blog.  I need your email address so that I can email you a invitation to continue viewing our blog.  Drop me an email when you get a chance and you will be hearing from me soon.  My email address is Lrespress@hotmail.com.

6 Months Old! Time Flies When You are Having Fun!

Times does fly when you are having fun!!  Jackson turned 6 months old this week.  I went in on Thursday morning to get him out of bed (which is my favorite way to start the work day) and I told him Happy Half Birthday!!  We are half way there.  He is growing so fast (I know this because my back and shoulders constantly remind me).   We went to the doctor this week.  He got 3 shots and took it upon himself to show his temper and share his voice with everyone.  He went from squealing at the top of his lungs to screaming at the top of his lungs...yes, there is a different.  Squealing means he is having a great time.  Screaming means his face is blood red and he is mad about something.  We have new measurements!  Here they are - 22.5 lbs. and 28 1/2 inches long.  I think he is slowing down some though.  At 4 months, he weighed 20 lbs. and was 28 inches long.

What's New?
He has found both feet and loves clapping them together and hold on to them.  He has learned to roll from his back to his stomach and from his stomach to his back.  He is sitting up some on his own without our help.  He enjoys squealing at the top of his lungs.  He loves to stand up.  He is laughing more and more.

Likes and Dislikes:
He loves to eat (can you tell that from those cheeks?).  He likes splashing in the water when he takes a bath.  He still loves his Baby Einstein Around the World and Baby Einstein DVDs.  He loves going outside.  He doesn't like Walmart or shopping carts (I think it is the clanging of the wheels that scares him).  

Hello Queenie

Good Morning

6 Months Old

Saturday Naptime

Got Some Catching Up to Do

We have some catching up to do on the blog since it has been a while since the last post.  Jackson has discovered his voice even more these days.  The mornings are filled with him screaming at the top of his lungs...similar to that of a pterodactyl.  He is a wonderful morning person.  He is always smiling when we go in to get him up in the mornings.  And the only way we know that he is awake in the mornings is by hearing him let out his high pitch scream. 

He is particularly interested in the dogs.  He loves to watch them play and is most interested in what they are doing.  They aren't too interested in what he has going on.  Queenie takes interest from time to time and licks him on the hand or foot and if she can get away with it, in the face.  Hoover will occasionally walk by and sniff Jackson. 

We are working to get him to sit up on his own.  At the moment he would rather be standing up.  He found his feet this week.  He enjoys grabbing his feet as well clapping them together. 

We have moved from the kitchen sink to a bigger tub for baths.  We are on our second bath tub.  The first tub was a big yellow duck that quacked when pressing on the beak.  Queenie decided that she liked the duck and was caught playing with it in the playroom.  Needless to say by the time she was caught, the tub was completely flat.  So, we went and bought another type of tub for him.  Jackson seems to enjoy the bigger tub and really enjoys splashing the water and playing with the little squirt toys. 

Jackson is eating three meals a day with a bottle at night around bedtime.  We still enjoy our evening walks around the block but the weather is getting ready to turn cold which will probably keep in indoors a little more.  He is still most cranky at bedtime or when hungry.  Otherwise he is quite the funny little guy.

I have posted a couple of pictures from the last week or so to include Halloween.  We didn't dress up for Halloween or go trick or treating this year.  I felt like that was something we could wait until next year to do.

The Yellow Duck Bathtub

Ready to Eat Breakfast

Happy Halloween

Sundays with Jackson

Yesterday, I caught some good pictures of Jackson.  I caught him while he was eating part of his breakfast and after his afternoon nap.  He was also showing off one of his new hats and an outfit his Nana gave him.

My Favorite!!

What Jackson Has Been Doing Lately?

Jackson loves taking a bath.  He has become very interested in the sink sprayer.  In fact, when we put him in his tub he starts looking for it immediately.  He also enjoys kicking his feet in the water.  By the time I finish bathing him, my shirt is soaked and he has splashed water in my face many times!!

Saturday I found Jackson in the floor with his bib over his face.  I saw him playing with it and the next thing I know he became interested in something else and this is where he left his bib!

6 Years

Yesterday was our 6 year anniversary.  Ray sent me a dozen roses and took me to dinner at Flemings.  The meal was wonderful.  Jackson spend a couple of hours with Uncle David, Aunt Kathleen, and his official babysitter, cousin Sara.  He must have had a great time because when we got home he was out like a light and slept through the night.  I think they enjoyed keeping him and we appreciated it.  We realized it was really our first official date/night out since before Jackson was born.  We had a great time and were excited to get back and see what Jackson had been up to while we were away.  Here is a picture that Sara sent to me this morning on my phone.  She must have taken it while they were out walking yesterday evening.

We got up this morning and it was about 70 degrees in the house so I wanted to make sure Jackson was warm so I decided to let him show off his hat that matched his outfit.  I was laughing my head off.  I could not resist taking his picture.  He was so funny this morning.

First Official Road Trip!

On the 8th, we took our first official road trip.  Jackson and I traveled with Mary Kay (Nanny Toot) to Brevard, North Carolina to visit Bro. David and Eloise.  Jackson did great in the car.  He laughed, napped, fussed a little, and watched Baby Einstein on his DVD player.  We stopped in Commerce Georgia on the way up there and on the way back home so Jackson could eat lunch and ride in his stroller for about an hour.  While in North Carolina, we got to visit with Bro. David, Eloise, Beth, David, Leah Grace, and Bennett.  We even went to Bro. David's church on Sunday morning.  Jackson did great for his first official trip away from home.  He slept through the night without too much fuss.  Oh, Nanny Toot left the Pack-n-Play at home so we were able to borrow a crib from the church nursery.  Jackson seemed to enjoy banging his feet on the sides of the crib and driving me crazy through the night.  He was so sweet and seemed to enjoy being away from home and getting to visit.  I know I laughed many times at him.  He is smiling more, responding to people, and observing so much.  I call him my "Noisy Nellie".  When we got home on Monday afternoon, he was so tired.  He slept through the night.  I think he knew he was back in his own bed.  I think he is going to be a good little traveler.

The Nanny Toot Mobile is Packed!  (Mostly Jackson's stuff)

Ready to Head out the Door!

Let's Get Goin!

Baby Einstein!!

In the Car Again!

Good Morning!

Playing with Bennett

Ready to head to church!

Getting Ready to Nap after Church

Taking a Short Nap after Dinner