Jackson's Photo Shoot

Y'all have to go to Michelle's photo blog & see a few pictures she took of Jackson. They are precious & Michelle Johnson is one AWESOME photographer!

http://mjphotoblog.blogspot.com/

It's A ......

GIRL! Yea! We are thrilled! I guess all our "thinking pink" worked! I even wore all pink today -- pink shirt, pink eyeshadow, VS Pink perfume & a pink scarf. I did wear blue jeans though. Aaron wore a mauve shirt that people always call pink & when my mom showed up, she had a pink sweater on. So we are getting the girl we had hoped for. More importantly we have one healthy baby! The 18 week ultrasound & visit went very well. All of her organs are functioning as they should at this point of development and all bone measurements are where they should be. I also was told, much to my relief, that I have an anterior placenta, so basically there is a buffer between my abdominal wall & her. This is why I haven't felt many kicks. When the sonographer told us the sex, we all cheered & then Aaron squeezed my hand so hard (in an attempt not to cry, I think), but Yaya & Gabby couldn't hold it in! They hugged each other & cried. It was really sweet! We have chosen a first name, which will be Emerson, but we can't decide on a middle name yet. Here are a few pics of our little one: (Isn't she precious?)

The "money" shot

As long as I am bragging, today is also the day Jackson turns 14 months old! Can't believe it. Some of his recent stats:

- He weighs 21.5 lbs (as of last week)

- He is now wearing size 4 diapers (size 3 still fit, but 4 are just a little roomier)

- He is walking all over now. He still stumbles & sometimes reverts back to crawling if he's in a hurry, but he's getting really good at it!

- He says: mama, dada, ball, dog, cat, hi, bye-bye, milk (sounds like milllllll), uh-oh, book (sounds like bouu) & Aaron claims he is starting to say thanks, although I've only heard it once & it may have been a fluke. I was reminded that Jackson can also say Yaya. Sorry Yaya & to forget on your birthday -- I am so bad! (Revised 1/29/09)

- He knows where his nose, ears & teeth are. We are working on eyes & hair.

- He will go to Elmo or a phone if we tell him to go get it.

- He has just started this hilarious form of dancing -- I'll have to post a video soon.

- He loves to play catch, swing outside, play in the grass, climb, take wagon rides, play in his ball pit (he manages to throw almost half of the 225 balls out within 5 min of being in it), sing "If you're happy & you know it," stuffing blocks in shoes, boxes or baskets, read bedtime stories, and pretending to talk on the phone. He LOVES being outside!

- He has recently become scared of the bathtub. He used to squeal as I took his clothes off and could spend an hour in the bath, if I let him. I put less water in the tub this morning & he seemed to do better. Hopefully, he'll get back to lovin' it soon!

Ok, that's all I can think of right now. I'm sure there is WAY more, but I'm too tired right now. ;) We are so happy & thankful to have 2 healthy kiddos! Jackson's going to be a wonderful big brother!

Flutters At Last!

I am FINALLY feeling flutters. They started Friday morning & I got 3 big ones right in a row, then another that afternoon. I had been praying for this! I was starting to get worried because "they" say that you should feel kicks sooner with the 2nd baby. Everyone, and I mean everyone, I talked to said I should feel them sooner than before. I felt Jackson kick at 17 weeks, so at 16 weeks I was all in a panic that I hadn't felt it yet. I asked my mom, friends, and finally the nurse and all said not to worry, but you can't help it. Friday I was nearing the end of my 17th week and was very concerned. Now, I have been feeling them at least once a day, which is so comforting!

Wednesday is the big day! We go for the 18 week check-up and THE ultrasound. Wednesday is my mom's birthday so she will get an extra special treat that day. Aaron's mom is going to come too, which is exciting! She didn't get to come for Jackson's "reveal." We will soon know if this is a prince or princess I'm growing. We're all "thinking pink" as Aaron's aunt, Anita said. We will be perfectly delighted with another boy too, but those of you that know me, know I would LOVE to have a girl! Aaron wants one too. Anyway, we'll keep you posted. For now, I am just happy with the tiny whallops this little one is finally giving me!

Fake out!

Jackson's school called yesterday & said that he was really fussy & tugging on his right ear. They had taken his temp & it was 99.9 (not a fever by our Dr's standards). I made him an appointment for after school, but when I got to his school, he seemed totally fine. I decided to go anyway just to be on the safe side.
Based on this picture I took with my phone, you can tell how bad he felt....

Look at my chunky monkey! He had gained 1.5 lbs since his 12 month check up a month & a half ago. Geez! Guess it's all that bread he wants to eat!

His ears were PERFECT (those were the Dr's words, exactly) and his temp was 98.5. Crazy school! I think he probably had been playing with his ears since we have been learning where our ears are. He already knew nose & has just figured out ears too. Now onto eyes....

Oh AND... When we walked into the examine room, Jackson looked at this poster & said "Dada!" I promptly took a picture of it & sent it to Aaron, showing him what his son thought he looked like. Here is the pic of the poster:

Our Weekend

We had a busy weekend. Saturday we worked in the house trying to clean out what used to be our office that will soon become a nursery. Sunday we went to Ashley's baptism. I was so proud of her & it was Jackson's first time in church -- I know shame on us! Then, Sunday afternoon we had a photographer come to take Jackson's 1 year pics (well, 1 year & 1.5 months). The photographer is Michelle Johnson. She & Aaron grew up in the same town. She was totally awesome and easy going! I can't wait to see how they turn out! I put a link to her blog, which will also get you to her website.

A few pics from our weekend....

I'm not sure how this happened.

Playing peek-a-boo with Mommy at the swingset

Swinging is one of his favorite things!

Hi, Mommy!

Fast asleep after an afternoon outside.

A few pics

Here are a few recent pics of the Wacko! The first 2 are from our trip to the zoo on Saturday. Of course, Jackson loved it, especially the monkeys & this time he liked the armadillos too! The next 2 pics are of his "duck boat." I filled the bathtub with water before putting his duck tub in. I then realized it needed a little water in it too for counterbalance. Jackson had fun moving himself back & forth in the tub by holding on to the side.

Spaghetti & Splashing

The other night I made this casserole with spaghetti noodles & Jackson LOVED them. I don't guess he had ever had spaghetti noodles before, but they were a hit. The ground beef still was NOT, as you can tell from the expression on his face in this first picture.

Jackson went straight into a bath following this meal (note the noodle in his hair & tomato on his face)! He loves his baths and last night especially loved splashing Mommy. It was super funny and all kinds of cute!

Hiler Christmas

I forgot to post this sooner & stupid me didn't take any pictures the whole weekend, so I stole my father-in-laws. Thanks Papa!

We had our 3rd & final Christmas for 2008 on New Year's Eve at Aaron's parents' house. All our the fam was there -- J, Jennifer, Lynzi & Autumn came in from Arizona, Bryan & Candace came from Austin & Bradley & Shaylee came in from Abilene. We waited until about 10pm to open presents so that Bryan & Candace could get there -- Lynzi & Autumn were chomping at the bit! It was great -- paper was flying everywhere and there was utter confusion about where Jackson was in all the madness! Aaron even accused me of enjoying opening Jackson's gifts, but Jackson was crawling everywhere after all the bows & tissue paper and wouldn't sit still to open his gifts. He got lots of fun things -- a new standing play table to keep at Gabby & Papa's, some really cute clothes, an alligator xylophone, a shape sorter, a Frog Pod (bath toy keeper), a rolling telephone complete with answering machine, and a helicopter ball popper. Bradley & Shaylee showed up a little after midnight, so Jackson had TONS of people to adore him (like there's ever a shortage of that)! Lynzi & Autumn were the most helpful big cousins and Autumn even warmed up to Jackson's sloppy kisses by the end of the weekend. We had a GREAT time and loved seeing everyone!

Happy New Year!

Shape sortin' with Lynzi

New Year's morning (or should I say midday)

Happy to be with family!

Rock Bandin' it up!

Jackson's 1st Haircut

Jackson is one clean-cut kid now! We FINALLY got his hair cut. We went to Cool Cuts 4 Kids & they gave us a polaroid & a framed lock of his hair. He did surprisingly well & really only got upset when she got the clippers out. Once we all started buzzing like bees though, he was fine! Aaron laughed at me because I was still picking up extra locks afterwards, but I needed them for his baby book too. The sad part is that now he looks like a toddler and not like a baby anymore. I know, I know.... he IS a toddler, but he's still MY baby!

Before haircut meal -- that sort of makes it sound like an execution or something, but he loves his grilled cheese sandwiches and we figured he should be full & content before getting his first haircut!

Before -- loving driving the taxi cab!

He also got to watch Elmo while getting his haircut.

Mid haircut mohawk.

Clipper time.

All finished & looking like such a big boy!